Portland food news and views
Rosh Hashanah is almost upon us! As I write this, we only recently hit Enkutatash—Ethiopian New Year—-and now we are on to the Jewish New Year. It is also the start of a cascade of Jewish holidays: Yom Kippur ten days later, then Sukkot a few days after that. Next comes Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. All in less than a month!
Continue reading “Rosh Hashanah 2025—New Year 5786—in Portland”
I recently became aware of Navigator Coffee Co., a new business project from Justin King (it was on his Instagram where I learned about it). You may know him from, among other things, Ben & Esther’s Vegan Delicatessen. Navigator will be situated right on the southeastern edge of Hayden Island adjacent to the Jantzen Bay Marina, where Menjiro is currently operating.
I reached out to Justin with a few questions and here is what he told me.
Continue reading “Navigator Coffee Co. Will Open on Hayden Island in Portland”
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, is almost upon us! It’s the start of the High Holy Days, and a joyful time punctuated with delicious food and drink, celebrated by Jews around the world, from the US, to Argentina, to Ethiopia. And while in Portland we’ve lost a number of Jewish food outlets over the past few years—e.g., Kenny & Zuke’s, Kornblatt’s, Sweet Lorraine’s, and the one that still crushes me, the modern Jewish deli and market Beetroot—there are still some great options. Here are places that both Jews and gentiles can go to enjoy the foods of the holiday.
Rosh Hashanah starts after sundown on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 and lasts until nightfall on October 4, 2024.
Continue reading “Rosh Hashanah 2024—New Year 5785—in Portland”“The best Yucatán restaurant in Portland.” I love following Sam Smith‘s eating adventures on Instagram, and in particular his love for what I call “Mexican comfort food.” He knows were the great ones are, as well as key spots for seriously tasty Vietnamese food in this city. He recently ate at El Rinconcito Yucateco on SE Flavel and deemed it the best he’s had as far as Yucatecan cuisine in Portland. I trust his recommendations; check it out. 8202 SE Flavel Street, Portland
Ben & Esther’s on The V Word. Ben & Esther’s Vegan Jewish Deli is featured on an episode of The V Word, “an ongoing docuseries about plant-based chefs who are redefining their cultural cuisines and breaking through the stigmas that surround modern day veganism.” See them on WaterBear Network on Thursday, September 26, 2024. Here’s a preview.
Eating all the Phở in Portland. A Reddit user posted that he’s trying each of the 54 spots serving Phở in Portland; he’s made it to 28 so far. And he’s ranking them. Check out his introductory Reddit post, plus his Github page with photos.
APEX Bar is closing for real. Back in July, I posted about APEX Bar losing their lease and looking for a new space, but the results of that search hasn’t panned out. So, they are closing up shop. On Instagram they posted that they “need your help to lighten our cellar as we pack up and plan our next move.” Last day of business is Saturday, August 31. “Come by for a beer, grab some bottles, and share your ideas for our next home. Cheers to 14+ years and 3,319 unique beers!” 1216 SE Division Street, Portland
Bonus: Updates. A number of businesses I’ve written about here are opening/reopening in the next week or so, so I thought I’d update you on them here. Desi PDX is open at the Upright Beer Station. Moully’s opens their doors this evening at 6pm, and they’ll also be there tomorrow, too, pouring wine and enjoying your company. Caseus Diem opens tomorrow (Saturday) and will offer a 10% off grand opening discount. And the Wooden Chicken Pub (soft) reopens on August 29 with a big bash on Monday, September 9.
Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:
Another Fire: 42nd Ave Fish & Chips
Malpractice, a Cocktail Popup, Will Open a Brick & Mortar
Harder Day Coffee Co. Acquires Water Avenue Coffee, Opens in Spin Fremont
King Harvest Hummus Is Moving on From SE Morrison
As for festivals this weekend, there are several in the area:
Viking Beer Fest. Friday and Saturday, August 23 and 24, 2024, 3pm to 10pm (Nordic Northwest Members entrance: 2pm), Nordic Northwest Campus, 8800 Southwest Oleson Road, Portland
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/viking-beer-fest-2024-tickets-899550659237
Marianas Festival. Saturday, August 24, 2024, 10am to 7pm, Blue Lake Regional Park, 21224 NE Blue Lake Road, Fairview, OR
https://www.marianasfestival.com/
Ukrainian Festival. Saturday and Sunday, August 24 and 25, 2024, 11am to 7pm, Westmoreland Park, 7530 SE 22nd Avenue, Portland
https://ukrainianday.org/
Middle Eastern Festival. Sunday, August 25, 2024, noon to 6pm, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 2101 NE 162nd Avenue, Portland
https://www.stgeorgepdx.org
An excellent cappuccino I had recently at Juniors on NE Prescott.
For whatever reason, coffee news is big this week. I love coffee and had a great latte from the good folks at Case Study (NE Sandy Blvd) this morning. As for the news, there are tidbits on Coava, Denizens Cafe, Barista and Roseline, and Ben & Esther’s (who serve coffee).
Continue reading “Coffee in the News – Denizens, Coava, and More”