On April 30, 2025, the folks at Lil’ Shalom announced the restaurant’s closure. This short article is ICYMI for me as much as it is for you.
Continue reading “Lil’ Shalom Closed April 30 in Portland”Lil’ Shalom Closed April 30 in Portland
Four Things I Learned This Week (April 25) in Portland Food
Judah’s Delicatessen is open. Late last year I learned that a new business called “Judah’s Delicatessen” was going to open in Portland. Originally described as a “Jewish delicatessen featuring house cured, smoked, and carved deli meats,” it sounded like maybe we’d get a new Jewish deli, something many Portlanders would like to see happen. As time went on, it became clear that their approach had adjusted to something more modest, and their eventual Instagram indicated that they are a “NY Deli style food cart PDX serving classic deli sandwiches and fare.”
They recently moved the cart into the Rose City Food Park with a menu of three categories: NY Deli Sandwiches, Burgers, and Sides. You’ll find pastrami, turkey on rye and a turkey club, a reuben, a “Rubenowitz,” a BLT and grilled cheese; some sandwiches can be purchase as “half” or “full.” Three burgers include a “Deli Burger” with pastrami on it. Looks like at some point they’ll have latkes, but fries, coleslaw, and sauerkraut round out the sides right now.
I have not been so I can’t vouch for the food, or how authentic to NYC it is. If you go, let me know what you think! I hope to stop by soon. 5235 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland
Virtuous Pie has closed. A Bridgetown Bites reader brought this to my attention, that this vegan pizzeria closed on Sunday, April 20. Founded by Vesal and Lia Loukas, they opened the first Virtuous Pie in Vancouver, BC, the second here in Portland. It was a hard decision for them to close, and they are grateful for the time they spent making pies in PDX. Here’s part of their farewell message:
“We’re proud to finish strong with Portland Pizza Week — one final celebration with the community that has supported us from day one … To our Portland community: you showed up for us, again and again. From first dates to family dinners, late-night cravings to vegan firsts — it’s been an honor to be part of your lives. We’re deeply proud of what we’ve built over the years, but the reality of today’s challenging climate has brought us to this hard decision.” 1126 SE Division Street, Portland
Rhinestone pops up on Sunday. Head to Deadshot this Sunday starting at 5pm for this tasty takeover. “Rhinestone, a Vegas/Western themed cocktail & food concept from long time industry friends Chef Graham Chaney & Bartender Trevor Thorpe, will be taking over Deadshot Lounge Sunday. After a killer first PopUp at Too Soon in February, we’re coming back with some new drinks, new snacks and the same attitude. Come hungry. Leave happy.” 2133 SE 11th Avenue, Portland
New bakery additions to the Montavilla Farmers Market. Starting on Sunday, May 4, some new bakeries are joining the Montavilla Farmers Market for their 19th season:
- Delectable Delights: handmade milk cakes, cookies, and chai beverages popular in Somali culture (every other week).
- Labyrinth Bread: stone milled, naturally-leavened sourdough bread made with whole grains. They are considered a micro-bakery. Note: The day before, May 3, is World Labyrinth Day.
- Nate’s Oatmeal Cookies: vegan and gluten-free oatmeal cookies (every other week). Here’s our coverage from last year.
- Propaganda Pastry: seasonally-drive cake by the slice made from local grains, foraged flowers, and farm herbs
You can see some photos of their work, here. SE Stark Street & SE 76th Avenue, Portland
Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:
Old Pal Is Now Old Pal Kitchen + Market in Portland
Iliamna Salmon Shares Are Now Available To Order in Portland
Bar Hollywood Opens in Portland
Delta Carts Food Pod in Portland: An Update
The annual New Year in the Park celebration is this Saturday, celebrating Cambodian, Lao, Thai, and Burmese cultures. Filipino Food Month continues (here are some places to enjoy Filipino food in the area). And big congrats to the Kitchen Table Magazine folks—they met their crowdfunding goal!
Four Things I Learned This Week (April 18) in Portland Food
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.
Flour Bloom Will Close in Portland
Flour Bloom, a cafe and plant shop, and also self-described community hub and event space, will close. They announced that their final day will be April 30, 2025.
Continue reading “Flour Bloom Will Close in Portland”Small Bites: Leikam Brewing, Nectaris, Upright Brewing, and More
New food menu at Leikam Brewing. They’ve partnered with Nourishment PDX, which provides locally-sourced, flavorful food. A little backstory: “The two first crossed paths nearly a decade ago as vendors at the Hollywood Farmers Market and are excited to reconnect. Ramona White, founder of Nourishment PDX, was a beloved presence at the market for 19 years, serving tens of thousands of her famous breakfast burritos to customers of all ages and Leikam sold its first beers publicly at the market weekly.”
You can see their menu here, which includes mac & cheese, a mezze plate, lamb chorizo chili, deviled eggs, and more. The full menu is available 4pm to 8pm, with a modified menu after 8pm. 5812 East Burnside Street, Portland
Continue reading “Small Bites: Leikam Brewing, Nectaris, Upright Brewing, and More”