Portland food news and views
Camellia Patisserie turned 3. And they’ll be celebrating by popping up this Sunday, July 27, from 10am to 1pm at Jet Black Coffee Company. Specials (all vegan) include birthday macarons, Earl Grey madeleines with lavender glaze, kinako macaron (toasted soybean), and more. 10% of sales will go to Sage & Spoon (they offer online ED support for BIPOC folks). 5308 NE 30th Avenue, Portland
Continue reading “Small Bites: Camellia Patisserie, Gebeta, Ciboulette, and More”
Today, June 6 is National Donut Day. It is celebrated on the first Friday of June each year, and as Portland is a big donut town, you can expect to find donut specials throughout the city. Here are some to watch for.
Continue reading “Small Bites: National Donut Day, CC Slaughters, Sports Bra, and More”Mika Paredes will be L’Echelle’s Executive Chef. It seems very apt for Mika Paredes (Cornet Custard) to take the helm of L’Echelle, what with her close connection to the late Naomi Pomeroy, who founded the restaurant. More on Instagram. 4537 SE Division Street, Portland
Lansdowne Social opens next week. I was randomly fed by Instagram’s algorithm the page for Lansdowne Social, and was definitely intrigued by it. First, it looks like events—dinner and afternoon tea—will take place in what was the ÄNIKS space. Martin Pfeifer was Chef de Cuisine there and is now Executive Chef at Lansdowne.
They describe themselves as “a NE Portland neighborhood restaurant with a communal dining concept, all about good food and great company. Twice a night we serve up a rotating, five-course, prix fixe menu of the best seasonal ingredients from the Pacific Northwest.” You can reserve your seat on their Tock page. They look to launch February 28, 2025. 518 NE 28th Avenue, Portland
The McMenamins Ram’s Head will close. It’s uncommon for a McMenamins property to close, so this was a surprise. But they do not own the property, and they chose after 35 years, to not renew the lease. They will close in June, with a big farewell party as a sendoff. 2282 NW Hoyt Street, Portland
Portland has a food cart dedicated to loukoumades. Yanni’s Greek Donuts opened in January but I only became aware of them recently. It’s run by brothers Theo and Luke, who grew up here in Portland’s Greek community. Their cart is decked out with the look of the Greek flag.
They offer three flavors of loukoumades: a classic Honey and Cinnamon, Chocolate Pistachio, and Caramel Coconut. Plus you can get a Greek frappé with it! I love frappés! (And yes, they use Necafé.) These loukomades are the ball-shaped version, not the ring shape (personally that’s my preference, but they are harder to find). 1400 SE 9th Avenue, Portland
Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:
Listen to Meg Cotner on Portland’s Right at the Fork Podcast
New Food Cart at Portland’s My-O-My: Kona Kitchen
CSA Share Fairs Will Take Place in Hillsboro and Portland in 2025
Blasphemy BBQ To Open at the Flying Tortoise Pod in Portland
Zwickelmania is this weekend, too! As is the west side CSA Share Fair. And 82 Acres has opened their doors for diners. I went to a media preview, and took a few photos.
Javelina has found a place to call home. Indigenous pop-up-turning-restaurant Javelina announced late last year that they have found a place to land in Portland—the Lil’ Dame space in Northeast Portland. On Instagram, they said, “We have secured a hosting space to open the FIRST indigenous dining restaurant in Portland, Oregon.”
They will run two services at the new location—the original Javelina concept offering “classic powwow comfort food,” and a new dinner concept, which they will say more about this year. A soft opening will be on Monday and Tuesday, January 13 and 14, and full service starts Thursday, January 23, operating Wednesdays to Saturdays. Very exciting! Reserve on OpenTable. 5425 NE 30th Avenue, Portland
Pip’s Original closes Beaverton location. Unfortunate news for one of our western suburbs—Pip’s closed up shop in Beaverton. Sounds like it has to do with rent increases and the stance of the landlord and property management company. They were “ultimately unable to reach an accommodation,” and that meant shutting down in Beaverton. They are still operating at their NE Fremont location. 12400 SW Broadway Street, Beaverton
And Blue Star closes its Lake Oswego and Mississippi locations. The Mississippi location was my first encounter with Blue Star, and I’m sorry to see them leave that space. On their Instagram they posted, “These spaces have been home to countless sweet memories, joyful celebrations, and deep connections. While this decision was incredibly difficult, it’s one we had to make to ensure the long-term stability of Blue Star as we head into our 13th year.” You can still find them at South Waterfront, Goose Hollow, Division Street, and PDX Concourse D. 3753 N Mississippi Avenue, Portland and 350 1st Street, Unit C-4, Lake Oswego
Giveaway! Support the local small business community. Former bartender Matt Kesteloot is organizing a giveaway of $5 gift cards to support local small businesses. How to participate? Enter from Friday, January 17 to Friday, January 31 by posting a picture of yourself at your favorite, bar, restaurant, coffee shop, vintage store, etc. Tag the business and use the hashtag #BeThereForPDX. On Saturday, February 1, winners will be chosen randomly to split the pot. Read more on Matt’s Instagram, including updates on what businesses are participating. Multiple locations
Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:
Summary: Portland Restaurant Openings and Closings, 2024
Landing Paper Planes Will Bring a Pay-What-You-Can Cafe To Portland
Zero Proof Portland: Dry January 2025
Updated January 5, 2025.
Today is the first day of the soft opening of Better Days Cafe, located on SE Division and 35th Place. This is a project from Kim Dam of Portland Cà Phê and Mémoire Cà Phê, a new brunch spot on NE Alberta that recently received a 2024 Eater award for Restaurant Team of the Year; and Melody Rin, who has been a roaster and the very first employee at Portland Cà Phê.
Continue reading “Better Days Cafe Is Open in Portland”