Portland food news and views
Restaurant, bar, cafe, and food truck closings are the subject some of the most read Portland food news on Bridgetown Bites.
I’m sure gonna miss you, crispy potatoes.
While perusing Facebook on Sunday night I came across the news that Chameleon Restaurant & Bar will close by end end of the year. I have had a bunch of great meals there and good memories with friends over the years—while enjoying one of best backyards in Portland—and I am very sorry to see them go.
Continue reading “Chameleon Restaurant & Bar to Close by End of 2021”Shady Pines is closing. News of this vegan food truck pod’s closure was mentioned on a variety of social media channels. They’ll be open until the end of November and then the pod is over. Members of the pod are sad to be disbanding but I hope the various carts can find a home elsewhere. 5240 NE 42nd Avenue, Portland
Iraqi pilsner, what? In the “you learn something new every day” is the comment from Dar Salam that they offer an Iraqi pilsner on their menu: “Have you had our Iraqi beer? It’s the first Iraqi pilsner in U.S. and you can get it at both our Alberta and downtown location. Cheers!” Yet another reason to stop by for some of their excellent food and drink. 2921 NE Alberta Street, Portland and 320 SW Alder Street, Portland
The Gastro Obscura vending machine’s west coast premiere Saturday. As part of the Gastro Obscura book tour, the Atlas Obscura folks have built the “World’s Most Unusual Vending Machine.” It holds many intriguing things—“taste bud-bending miracle berries to color-changing edible flowers.” It sounds kinda Willy Wonka, in a way. The vending machine will make its west coast debut at the Portland Art Museum’s sculpture garden on Saturday, November 14 during an event from 2-5pm with Gastro Obscura‘s author, Cecily Wong. The vending machine will be around all weekend, though. 1219 SW Park Avenue, Portland
Montavilla’s Fillmore Coffee moves online. The Montavilla News has a nice writeup about Fillmore Coffee, which started as a coffee shop on NE Glisan, but has now moved to online sales and delivery. From the article: “As an online-only business, Fillmore is still evolving, according to [co-owner Tim] Willcox. ‘It’s still a work in progress. We’re building out a small Roastery and coffee lab. Things have been slower, yet still steady.’” Online at orderfillmorecoffee.com
The soda fountain at Paulsen’s Pharmacy in 2014. Photo credit: Wikimedia
Yesterday I learned from the Hollywood Boosters that Paulsen’s Pharmacy (4246 Sandy Blvd) has closed. Today I came across a post from Chris Balo in the Dead Memories Portland public Facebook group with more details:
“On Wednesday 1/27/2021, Paulsen’s Pharmacy closed it’s doors for the last time. My parents worked there, my dad Gary since 1970 and my mom Karen from 1984 until their retirement in 2016 when they sold the business. It’s hard to see this place close after 103 years in business. My family and I have so many fond memories of this place after it played a major part of our lives for so many years. One of Portland’s only 2 remaining soda fountains is now gone.”
Continue reading “Another Soda Fountain Bites the Dust? Paulsen’s Pharmacy Has Closed”
Roseway neighbors lament the shuttering of local favorites D’s Bar and Brickhouse Pizza (run by the same people) on Sandy Blvd at 68th Ave. On December 18 we became aware of an eviction notice and then on December 31, the businesses’ owner posted this on Facebook:
“Today is the last day for D’s and Brick House Pizzeria. Due to the past 9 months in a pandemic, it doesn’t make sense to continue with our business. Thank you for all your support since 2007. We are truly thankful for our wonderful staff, friendships that developed, loving relationships that started with a first date at our place memorable moments with KC Chiefs and Iowa Hawkeye football games, and devoted customers who are like family.”
I had heard great things about the pizza, and I know gatherings for Roseway Nextdoor members would meet there from time to time. Sadly, another one bites the dust in this crazy pandemic economy. Best of luck to the Martins and I hope we see them at some point again serving food and drink.
Photo credit: The Nordic Home
We were very sorry to read the news of The Nordic Home closing. They are a sweet little shop tucked into a corner space in the 42nd Street Station shopping center on 42nd Avenue in the Hollywood District. It was a nice place to get Swedish candy and other tasty foods and products originating in the Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland). Continue reading “The Nordic Home Is Closing”
