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.
This week I learned that Jolly Roger, a “long time Buckman den of fun and frolic” (thank you, Buckman Community Association) will be demolished. What’s coming in its place? Housing.
Continue reading “The Jolly Roger Will Be Demolished”The Woodsman Tavern is back. That’s right, after three years on hiatus, this beloved spot is back. They are now open Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 4 to 10pm; Friday and Saturday from 4 to 11pm; happy hour is 4 to 6pm each day. Look for cask ales, stiff cocktails, a raw bar, a wedge salad and a serious burger, among other things. 4537 SE Division Street, Portland
Find Your Gingerbread Dreams at The Benson Portland. On Wednesday, December 1 they unveiled the 2021 Gingerbread Masterpiece—a 4-foot by 8-foot Christmas village, complete with a 3-foot, 45-pound lit up iced tree in the center—on the event’s 50th anniversary. And even if you missed the official reveal, you can still visit the gingerbread house—it will be on display in the hotel lobby through December 26. 309 SW Broadway, Portland
Adios, Stacked Sandwich Shop. Another one bites the pandemic dust: “After struggling through the past 2 years of the pandemic, we looked at the rising labor cost, food cost, meat prices, and supply chain issues; and have decided to go out on our terms on a high note!” Stacked Sandwich Shop will close on Sunday, December 19. More details via PoMo. 1643 SE 3rd Avenue, Portland
Christmas treats at Sebastiano’s. Head on over to the Sebastiano’s Tock page to see what they have in store for the Christmas season via special order. One thing that caught my eye is the Cassata al Forno (not to be confused with Cassata Siciliana)—“a Sicilian cake filled with ricotta cream, orange zest, and chocolate chips.” Yes, it sounds kind of like a cannoli, which Sebastiano’s also does very, very well. 411 SE 81st Avenue, Portland
Bonus: head to the Fremont Holiday Fest this afternoon. The Fremont Holiday Fest starts at 4pm and goes to 7pm. Hang out on Fremont Street from NE 42nd to NE 46th Avenues, get a selfie with Santa and Mrs. Claus, do some shopping, and enjoy hot cocoa and snacks while listening to live music. You can also pick up a wreath. Sounds like a great time!
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”
