Portland food news and views
That’s right—Berlu Bakery reopens this weekend! As I mentioned in yesterday’s Small Bites, Berlu Bakery is back after a months-long hiatus since last October. Their soft opening is Sunday, June 29. I reached out to Vince Nguyen, the man and James Beard Award-winning chef behind this treasured Vietnamese bakery, and here is what I learned from him via an email exchange.
Continue reading “Berlu Bakery Reopens in Portland”
Farewell, Orange Julius. The Oregonian reported that Portland’s last remaining Orange Julius, located in the Lloyd Center, was closing (by now, it’s in the past tense). The franchise’s owner, Bob Slayton, died from cancer on May 19. This Orange Julius had been around for 42 years. I have fond memories of going to the OJ in the mall near me in SoCal during my youth, enjoying one of their drinks along with a pretzel from “Pretzels and Cheese.” Read more about Bob and his business over on The O. 2314 Lloyd Center, Portland
Continue reading “Small Bites: Orange Julius, Beer, FIKA, El Mercado, and More”
Pinolo Gelato celebrates 10 years. These guys make some of the best gelato in Portland. It was started by Sandro Paolini, who is originally from Pisa in Italy. He moved to the PNW a while back, but his path eventually led him back to Pisa to learn how to make gelato from his friends and mentors there, Ilaria and Omar of @ioegelato.
Continue reading “Small Bites: Pinolo Gelato, Nam Tao Huu, No Sabo, and More”
Back in February, my friend Judith raved about the bagels she got from Red Hen Bagelry. She said, “Best bagels I’ve had in a looooong time.” We both lived in NYC for a number of years and ate our share of bagels during that time. So I would say we’ve had solid experiences with NYC-style bagels enough to know what is good and what is not.
I reached out to Deirdre Tipley, owner at Red Hen Bagelry, to learn more about their bagels and their business, and we had a nice chat on a rainy morning at Sebastiano’s in Sellwood.
Continue reading “Get To Know Red Hen Bagelry in Portland”Berlu Bakery looks to reopen in May. After closing last October with the silver lining of a future re-opening, that opening day is coming soon. The Oregonian reported on their impending reopening on SE Belmont in the Modera Belmont building, sometime in May. Some of the things you will see on their menu is bánh bò nướng, pandan waffles, salted egg coconut tart, and a BEC (bacon, egg, and cheese) but a bánh cuốn version.
Also, they’ll have some great neighbors: Hat Yai, Cozy Congee (which opened recently), Hit the Spot burgers, as well as the return of Pop Pizza. There is no specific date for Berlu’s re-opening, but when they do open it will be Thursdays through Sundays, 9am to 3pm. 661 SE Belmont Street, Portland
Cookie McCakeface is moving. Today is their last day downtown. After today, they will be closed until the first of May, “so we can move and get adjusted to working out of a new space.” That space? The Heist! 770 W Burnside, Portland (now), 4727 SE Woodstock Blvd No. 1, Portland (May)
Bajala’s final day is April 27. They are serving their last Baja-style fish and seafood tacos on Sunday, April 27. After that they move to popups. Tacos will be $6.50, open noon until sold out. 1845 NW 23rd Place, Portland
Harder Day Coffee Company opens on North Williams. Jinju posted about this on their Instagram. Today is the grand opening of Harder Day’s North Williams cafe (previously Happy Cup was in there). Enjoy $2 lattes during their noon to 2pm happy hour. They will be serving Jinju’s chocolate and carrot cakes, too. 3494 N Williams Avenue, Portland
Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:
Flour Bloom Will Close in Portland
Souvlaki Queen Will Open in Downtown Portland
The Italian Summer Kitchen Book Release Is Today in Portland
Via Chicago Will Open in Old Cereus PDX Space in Portland
Original Dream Pizza Will Open on NE Glisan Street in Portland
Over at Lake Oswego High School they’ll be holding an Asian Cultural Fair on Saturday. Saturday also brings us the Baker’s Dozen Coffee Beer & Doughnut Festival and the Tea & Bloom Spring Tea Fair (which starts today). Filipino Food Month continues this month (here are some options), and Pizza Week goes on until Sunday, April 20. More details on these events ob our food festivals and cultural + food festivals pages.
Sunday is also Easter—hoping you’ve gotten your holiday treats! And this coming week are the openings of Matsunoki Ramen and Schilling Cider House.
