Portland food news and views
The Wild Bunch, a natural wine event that’s been around since 2020 and is held every March, is back this year. I’m not a wine drinker currently, but I gotta say—the lineup looks amazing. Tickets are going fast, according to the organizers and Eventbrite, so check out the details here, and get your ticket sooner than later if it’s something that appeals to you.
Continue reading “The Wild Bunch Natural Wine Event Happens in March in Portland”Work for Ota Tofu. Over on Craigslist there’s a posting about a job in the early morning, making tofu. That means “operating our soy milk machines and cleaning machines after use” and “scooping and pressing tofu.” Starts at $17/hour. Ota Tofu is the oldest tofu companies in the U.S. and it is excellent. 812 SE Stark Street, Portland
Viking Soul Food is selling their cart at The Bite on Belmont. They’ll be keeping their restaurant in Woodstock, but the cart is for sale. Asking price: $20K. Their goal is to “focus on other opportunities” now that they have a brick and mortar, plus they are looking to do farmers markets, perhaps. As for when they are leaving Belmont, they said on Instagram, “Not entirely sure yet when the last day will be as that will be dependent on when the buyer wants to take over.” 4255 SE Belmont Street, Portland
Cow Bell Cheese Shop is helping the kids. Starting today and going until Sunday, March 17, head to Cow Bell Cheese Shop to participate in a fundraiser for Sunnyside Environmental School’s 8th grade Marine Biology trip to Catalina Island. I have to say, I love the Channel Islands and have great memories of visiting there in my youth—in fact, I played my first ever game of mini golf there on Catalina Island. I remember the water being incredibly clear just off-shore. Anyway, here’s more on the fundraiser:
“We will be donating 20% off our sales from those dates to the program—but more importantly, we are using this as an opportunity to “cheesify” the next generation of potential cheesemongers … We’ll be putting them to work every day of the fundraiser: cutting and wrapping cheese, handing out samples, making and serving fondue. If you enjoy discovering new cheeses at Cow Bell, but you’ve always been slightly disappointed by how tall the cheesemongers are, this is finally our chance to rectify that issue for you.” 231 SE Alder Street, Portland
Brains. BRAINS! Le Clown, which is “celebrating the modern bistronomy of France” there in the Dame Collective, is now offering cervelle: that’s poached brain, beurre citron, fried caper, and fine herbs. “Due to popular demand we’ve done it! We will be offering cervelle in limited quantities on Tuesdays only. Off menu, by request only. Come and get it!” If you like brains, this is a not-miss for you. 5425 NE 30th Avenue, Portland
It’s Poisson d’Avril today. Sure, it’s April Fools’ Day today in America, but in France (via Portland) it’s April Fish (Poisson d’Avril) Day. Over at Pix Patisserie‘s Pix-O-Matic vending machine you can get your chocolate and paper versions of April Fish 24/7, while they last. The chocolate fish are found all over France on this day each year and the trick part of the deal comes with children slapping unsuspecting adults on the back with a paper fish and yelling, “Poisson d’Avril!” while running away. No doubt the chocolate fish at Pix are going to be seriously delicious. 2225 E Burnside Street, Portland
10th Annual Greekster at The Side Yard Farm. The good folks at Cully’s Side Yard Farm are hosting a Greek Easter feast on Sunday, April 24—the day of Orthodox Easter. It will be an AYCE (all you can eat) affair on site, and in a very short time tickets sold out. But there is a takeout option for those who still want to enjoy the food. The meal includes a whole bunch of things including spanakopita and tiropita, pastitio, a Greek village salad, souvlaki, and baklava. Find more details, here. 4800 NE Simpson Street, Portland
Cheesemonger Sam from Cowbell wins gold. Great news from Cowbell: “Many of you will recognize Sam from behind the counter in our shop, and from wholesale sales calls and deliveries. We’re thrilled to say Sam brought home the gold earlier this month at the Cheesemonger Invitational in San Francisco—a national competition among the best cheesemongers in the country!” Big congrats, Sam! This is a fantastic achievement. 231 SE Alder Street, Portland
Support Nam Phuong Market. Roseway’s Nam Phuong Market, a wonderful Asian/Vietnamese market, was attacked this week by two people destroying their big picture window. I have no confirmation as the reason why they did it. From a neighbor: “The owners are very nice and they do not deserve this!! I always fill up on my condiments there. They also have a wonderful meat selection and lots of veggies!” You can see the two dudes breaking the front window via a security video posted over on Reddit. This really stinks and I hope you can stop by and support Nam Phuong Market with a purchase. 6834 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland
Lisa with wild ramps, an excellent cheese. Photo credit: Cowbell Cheese Shop
Washed-rind cheeses at Cowbell. This fantastic little cheese shop in the Central Eastside has professed their love of washed-rind cheeses, described as having, “unctuous, pudgy textures, big aromas, and assertive-yet-nuanced flavors that dance on the line between sweet and savory, nutty and brothy.” Le Niremont (Switzerland), Bethmale Montagne Mixte (France/Pyrenees), and Lisa with wild ramps (Germany/Bavaria) are the highlights. Buy online or in person. 231 SE Alder Street, Portland
Continue reading “Small Bites – Cowbell’s Washed-Rind Cheeses, Second Foxy Coffee Location, Banh Mi Boys Arrival, and More”