Portland food news and views
On Saturday, June 14, Portland will be host to the inaugural WasabiFest. In the words of the organizers, this will be the celebration of “the weird, wild, and wonderful world of wasabi.”
Continue reading “The Inaugural WasabiFest Is June 14 in Portland”
Ticket To Dine 2025 is almost here! This will be its third year, having first been implemented as we were crawling out of the height of the COVID pandemic. Its predecessor was Portland Dining Month, which was held from 2009 to 2020.
But despite the different names, the core idea behind the two is very similar—celebrate Portland’s restaurant scene with special menu items. Here’s what you can expect this year for Ticket To Dine.
Continue reading “Ticket To Dine 2025 Is This March in Portland”
Portland ranks high as a vegan-friendly city in recent lists (Wallet Hub in 2023, Happy Cow in 2024). So embracing World Vegan Month is probably one of the most on-brand food celebrations of the year here. And there sure is a bounty of delicious things you can try this month that, as they say, “do not have a face.”
Continue reading “November Is World Vegan Month in Portland”Good chance: New food cart coming to My-O-My. I was by earlier this week and the bartender told me that they do have a new cart in mind, but could not reveal its name. Apparently the contract hadn’t been signed at that point. I’ve been keeping an eye on things on their Instagram to see if they have a name they can share. I’ll keep you updated. 8627 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland
Fremont Fest Marketplace is tomorrow. I usually just call it the Fremont Fest, but yeah—it’s happening tomorrow, Saturday, August 3 from 10am to 4pm. This year they have an 80s theme going on to celebrate the founding year of the Beaumont Business Association in 1984 (BBA produces the festival). “Wear those neon colors, get your shoulder pads out, and break out those leg warmers…” I’ll pass on the leg warmers in the middle of summer, but YMMV. Check out the vendors and more on the BBA website. NE Fremont Street from NE 42nd to NE 51st Avenues
Xin Ding Dumpling House on WW. Aaron Mesh at the Willamette Week wrote about Xin Ding Dumping House in downtown Portland. I loved reading about this place on the corner of SW Ash and 2nd with its Sichuan menu featuring dishes like XLB, fish in hot gravy, and dan dan noodles. Also enticing: “On Fridays and Saturdays, Xin Ding serves bao and bowls until 2am.” Love hearing about popular tasty late night spots in Portland. Definitely check out the article. 71 SW 2nd Avenue, Portland
Xiao Ye launches Summer Friday lunch service today. Today is the first day of “Summer Fridays” lunch service at Xiao Ye. They’ll offer their amazing eats from noon to 2:30pm for the last months of summer. “What to expect: a condensed menu with some of our dinner favorites AND a few special, lunch-only menu items & carafes of wine.” No reservations, walk-ins only and you put in your order at the counter. Xiao Ye made one of my favorite meals last year—highly recommended! 3832 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland
Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:
Capitol Is Closed + Historic Buildings on Broadway
The Wooden Chicken Pub Returns
Flour Bloom Has Closed, but Just for a Month
Lei Brilla Will Open in NW Portland
Also, the Chinese Festival is at Pioneer Courthouse Square is this weekend!
There are a lot of food festivals in Portland but the Soup Festival (AKA Winter Soup Festival) is one of the tastiest. I’ve attended in the past and have tasted a number of delicious soups, and am eager to return for more. This year, the festival is Wednesday, January 25 to Sunday, January 29, all taking place at the Portland Mercado.
Continue reading “The Portland Mercado’s Soup Festival Returns in 2023”