Portland food news and views
Black Water, an established local record label, performance venue, and vegan bar, is coming to Rose City Park. They will set up shop in the old Laurelwood Brewing pub space. This feels like a big deal, as locals have lamented the absence of a tenant in that location since the pub closed in 2023.
Continue reading “Black Water Will Bring Food, Drink, Music to NE Sandy Blvd in Portland”
A new bar called Panther Club has opened in the Buckman neighborhood in SE Portland. A concept by Nate “Theo” Theobald, it offers great cocktails, tasty food, and a cool interior, but also fills a space that has been home to a number of beloved businesses.
I spoke with Quinn Matthewstearn (who you may know from Side Eye, Sugar Hill, and Jackie’s, among others) about the new bar. He had mentioned it to me back in December, so I wanted to follow up with him and learn more about Panther Club. I’ve also added new details shared by Theo since this article first published.
Continue reading “Panther Club, a New Bar, Is Open in Portland”
I like to eat unsweetened chocolate bars and I like it. Yes, that’s the 100% cacao product with no sugar added—not even alternatives like coconut sugar, allulose, monk fruit, or stevia. You are probably thinking, “What is wrong with this gurl?!?”
I know this might be a hard sell for some of you reading this—and I know it’s a controversial take, esoteric at best—but I am here to encourage you to take a chance on it. In exchange, you get a payoff of deep cacao flavor, complex tasting notes, and a new chocolate experience.
Continue reading “Eat Unsweetened Chocolate in Portland”
Back in June 2024, I noticed that a modest building on SE Powell was set to become a Trung Nguyên Legend Cafe. As I mentioned in that article, “Trung Nguyên is a major name in Vietnamese coffee, and along with their manufacturing and retail efforts, their cafes are some of the most popular in Vietnam.” I have a few updates to share.
Continue reading “Update on the Trung Nguyên Legend Cafe in Portland”Culmination Brewing Company is shuttering. Unfortunately, Culmination Brewing will close both their brewery and taproom. The reasons? Economics and the linger COVID pandemic effects: “We never fully recovered from the financial challenges that COVID brought us despite Herculean efforts by our incredible staff and our amazing brewers Daniel Hughes and Andy Scott.” The last day to enjoy their beer is Saturday, February 15. Fomo Kitchen will also be there at the taproom. 2117 NE Oregon Street, Portland
Union on Hawthorne is open. Steeplejack Beer announced the opening of their location on SE Hawthorne and 38th Avenue. This is the building that burned in December 2022. But the good folks at Steeplejack ave turned this space around and are sharing it with Harder Day Coffee Company and Musette bakery. There will be some food carts, too. They’ll be open 7am to 4pm for coffee, 11am to 9pm for beer. 3757 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland
Dick’s Primal Burger launches breakfast. They started their breakfast service in late January, and you can access it on the weekends from 8am to 11am. Look for waffles (GF) biscuits & gravy, avocado toast, scrambles, bowls, and more, including coffee and mimosas. Bread products all have gluten-free options. 4905 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland
Monty’s Red Sauce is open. After months of preparation, this east coast Italian-American red sauce joint will serve dinner nightly. “Heaping portions, cozy booths, big space, long bar, all perfect for date night to big groups and everything in between.” You can make a reservation or just walk in between 5pm and 9pm. 6716 SE Milwaukie Avenue, Portland
Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:
Fat Milo’s Will Open a Second Location in NE Portland
82 Acres Will Open in the Old Quaintrelle Space in Portland
Dumpling Week 2025 Returns in Portland
Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, January 2025
Also, the Robert Burns Supper—possibly the final one of the season—is this Saturday at the East Gate Lodge/Parkrose Masonic Center. We’ve listed it in our cultural + food festivals page, along with lots of other events, updated throughout the year.
