Midtown Beer Garden Will Open in Downtown Portland Summer 2023

An artist rendering of the project. Photo credit: Midtown Beer Garden

The 5th Avenue Food Cart Pod which has been closed for a little while, is going to reopen as the Midtown Beer Garden later this summer (slated for July). Considered on of the city’s oldest and largest food cart pods, it is located at SW 5th Avenue between SW Harvey Milk & SW Oak Streets. Expensify along with ChefStable, are behind this project to revitalize this prime spot in downtown Portland.

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Rocky Butte Farmers Market Returns in 2023

Photo credit: Keri Friedman

I’m so pleased to tell you that the Rocky Butte Farmers Market is returning, in its second year of weekly markets starting on Saturday, June 3. There will be affordable locally grown foods and artisan products, as well as weekly children’s activities, live entertainment, and a dog-friendly, energetic block party vibe! I’m super chuffed for this.

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Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, April 2023

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As I mentioned last week, I was off the blog for an extended time, but I still thought it would be interesting to see what was popular in April. Understandably, numbers were down but still there were about 9,500 page views and 6,500 unique visitors. Could be worse!

Some updates: Denizens Cafe is getting the old OG Ben & Esther’s space ready, and you can invest in them. Alux is up and running. Sandy O’s has applied for a liquor license. Locals have been posting about their love for the food and drink at Three Fifty Cafe and I enjoyed trying their food the other day. And The Heist is getting close to opening.

Thanks, as always for reading.

5. Denizens Cafe to Open on NE Sandy Blvd

denizens-cafe-artist-rendering-portland-oregon

A few days ago, James Helms posted on social media the news that the Rocky Butte Espresso Bar, which closed in late 2022, has a new location … as well as a new concept and new name. Along with coffee there are plans for food, and a projected opening is unknown at this time. The new name is Denizens Cafe.

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Four Things I Learned This Week (May 12)

Chaat Wallah cart opens today at 3pm. Over on their Instagram, the Chaat Wallah folks wrote, “This a secret just between us but you’ll be able to enjoy our nacho chaat and other goodies this Friday starting at 3pm. We’re planning on being open all weekend unless we just run out of food because you don’t keep this a secret.” PDX Eater also wrote an article on the opening of the cart, which will be adjacent to Upright Brewing and Junior’s in Cully/Roseway. Among the offerings will be a “spiced lamb smash burger with buttermilk curry, garlic chile crisp, and pickled eggplant puree.” There will be vegetarian options, too. Check it out!  7151 NE Prescott Street, Portland

Sebastiano’s has gotten themselves a second location. In an email, Dan and Elise at Sebastiano’s revealed they now have a second location (it seems the Montavilla location will remain). The main activity there will be to be their commercial kitchen, which will support their presence at the Sellwood and Woodstock farmers markets.

The ability to eat there is also in the future plans: “Over time, we hope to build out the adjoining space to create a dining area and open the space to the public. We are hesitant to put a date on it, but it feels like a good Fall project to get going on the buildout. In the meantime, you can find Sebastiano’s at the Sellwood Farmers Market which starts this Saturday!” Congrats, Dan and Elise! 8235 SE 13th Avenue, Portland

Jerusalem Rose Market to close and adjust. This week, I learned that the Jerusalem Rose Market, a place that celebrates SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) food and supports the Center for Study & Preservation of Palestine, “will not be able to go on as it is right now past this month.” The reasons? One, it has to do with money: “the financial goals have just not panned out.” And two, the fact that “[they] cannot continue to produce our prepared foods at the rate that the market requires.” There is a lot of demand. They will close the store Sunday, May 28. Read more about their plans, here. 2948 NE Martin Luther King Blvd, Portland

Milo’s City Cafe has closed temporarily. The O has reported that over on NE Broadway, Milo’s City Cafe, “known for its smoked salmon eggs Benedict and chicken and waffles topped with fried leeks,” has temporarily closed. A sign on the door says “Look for us to reopen soon.” Michael Russell mentions the closing of Zell’s in the article, which is a bummer, though I know there are mixed feelings about what Zell’s became after some revamps. I did miss the scones. Anyway, here’s to Milo’s opening sooner rather than later. 1325 NE Broadway, Portland