Portland food news and views
I’ve learned that Hi-Top on NE Fremont Street has added morning coffee service and lunch to their menu. When I read about it, I wanted to learn more so I reached out to them. I ended up having a great conversation with Ezra Caraeff, one of the owners of the bar. Here’s what I learned.
Continue reading “Hi-Top Adds Coffee and Lunch Service in Portland”Sandy Jug to open this month. Over on Instagram, the Sandy Jug Tavern posted, “pushed back a week. hopefully this next weekend.” Sounds like they’ll be open not this weekend but the next, so that would be the weekend of January 26 (if you count Friday evening as part of the weekend). It’s exciting to think they’ll be open soon; I can’t wait to check it out. 7417 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland
Rescheduled collab between Nico’s and Pip’s. This crazy icy weather has thrown multiple monkey wrenches into multiple businesses this week, so the originally planned collab between Nico’s Ice Cream and Pip’s Original had to be postponed. They are attempting to do it this weekend: “We’ll be blending in Pip’s donuts into our vanilla base, then topping it with nutella, honey, and coconut flakes. We call it the Tropical Reggie Lee!” If you can, head to Nico’s Fremont location on Saturday, January 20 all day (noon to 9pm). 5713 NE Fremont Street, Portland
That “10 Places” bit on social. I’ve seen it mostly on Instagram, but people are sharing the 10 restaurants/small businesses they want to support after the ice recedes enough to get back out into the world. For me, I want to support the following:
If you have suggestions or favorite place you want to support, drop a comment.
Upcoming relevér popup. I recently came across the Instagram for relevér and have learned that the key element of the work of this popup is “spicy.” Last November their food was influenced by “Korean, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, French and Spanish cuisines.” This time, it’s …. TACO BELL? Yes, it sure looks like it. Whatever the inspiration, there will be food by Chef Han Ly Hwang of Kim Jong Grillin and natural wines by Chef Kyle Christy of Street Disco. Coming soon. 4144A SE 60th Avenue, Portland
Truly, one of the most beautiful salads I ate this year. It was a seasonal special of sharp greens, strawberries, daikons, onions, radishes, causa, and a chicha morada lavender vinagreta from Reeva.
Welcome back to another end of year list. Instead of publishing our Four Things column today, I’m giving you a list of my favorite spots of 2023, where I enjoyed happy times eating and drinking. There’s a whole variety of places, some established, some new. This list is in no particular order, aside from alphabetically; in other words, no top pick. Please enjoy!
For my birthday this year we had lunch at Paadee and then headed a couple doors down to Cheese & Crack for their titular sundae. I maintain that they make the best soft serve ice cream in Portland. It is smooth, creamy, and luscious. The toppings on this sundae are classic: chocolate ganache, cinnamon butter cracker crumble, and torched housemade marshmallow fluff. The sundaes really are enough for two, and their seasonal sundaes never cease to impress with their magical toppings combinations. 22 SE 28th Avenue, Portland. cheeseandcrack.com
Continue reading “Favorites of 2023: Bakeries, Food Trucks, Restaurants, Bars, Cafes”The Choco Taco is back at Kate’s. Starting yesterday (4/20 ha ha ha ha ha), Kate’s Ice Cream is making Choco Tacos for sale. It’s made with “gluten-free waffle cones shaped into a taco stuffed with our vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate shell and rolled in roasted peanuts.” Vegan all the way. They even have some peanut-free tacos for those who are allergic. They’ll be for sale until Sunday, April 30. 3713 NE Mississippi Avenue, Portland
There’s still a few more days for Pizza Week. Pizza Week returned this year and you can still enjoy the specials in the form of $3 slices and $20 pies through Sunday, April 23. Your options are here. One of my favorite aspects of pizza week are the puns the pizzerias come up with: “Reservoir Hogs,” “I Love You Elote,” “Mushroom: Impossible — Ricotta Protocol,” and “Is it Shawarma in here? (or is it just me?)” are a handful of great names. Various locations in Portland
Flour Market is now open 7 days a week. Flying a little under the radar, Concordia’s Flour Market is a bakery you should check out. I have had some spectacular baked goods there—the kladdkaka made with nuts was seriously addictive in taste and texture; the challah is excellent and is one of my favorite version of this bread in Portland; the dark Rugbrod offers rich flavor, serious heft, and delightful toast. I have plans to stop in for lunch for a sandwich and salad one of these days. So stop by from 8am to 2pm. Read more about Flour Market on the excellent Good Stuff NW blog. 5507 NE 30th Avenue, Portland
Lucky Horseshoe Lounge will reopen. Purchased in spring 2023 by Portland restaurant industry veterans Shan Wickham and Alan Maniscalco (owners of Rally Pizza, and founding team members of Ken’s Artisan Pizza), Lucky Horseshoe Lounge (next to the Clinton Street Theater) reopens as “an approachable Italian-inspired cocktail bar” on Friday, April 28. They will be open Thursday 3pm to 11pm, Friday & Saturday 3pm to 12pm, Sunday & Monday 3pm to 10pm (closed Tuesday and Wednesday). The food menu is available to-go, and diners are welcome to bring food to the Clinton Street Theater next door, which allows for outside food. There are seven picnic tables outside, four of which are under cover. Minors are allowed until 9pm. Hat tip to Frances Dyer for the information. 2524 SE Clinton Street, Portland
CityMaxx indeed filed for bankruptcy. I had heard over the months that one of my favorite stores, CityMaxx, had closed, but I didn’t realize they had filed for bankruptcy. Back in February, the Portland Business Journal reported this: “City Maxx LLC filed for voluntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection Feb. 11, 2022, in the District of Oregon. The debtor listed an address of 3552 SE 122nd Ave., Portland, and is represented in court by attorney Ted A. Troutman. City Maxx LLC listed assets ranging from $100,001 to $500,000 and debts ranging from $1,000,001 to $10,000,000. The filing did not identify a largest creditor.” It’s really too bad—city employees said there were not plans to move to another area to open. There are other places, but CityMax was bright, welcoming, and filled with delicious things. RIP CityMaxx. 3552 SE 122nd Avenue, Portland
Tito’s Taquitos is back! H/T Bill Oakley for this news—one of the highest-regarded food carts in the area is back, and reopened yesterday, May 12. They are in Beaverton these days, offering up their same delicious eats. Look for them in the “76 Station lot.” Check out their menu, here. 3975 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Beaverton
Chokladbollar in Portland. When I lived in NYC, I loved stopping by the nearby FIKA (on Park Ave South, now closed along with the other FIKAs in the city) especially during the “3pm slump.” One of the things they offered, among their excellent taste treats, were chokladbollars. So imagine my delight when I saw that Flour Market is making them! They are a wonderful mix of sweet chocolate, oats, and coffee, rolled up and coated in coconut. Absolutely delicious. 5507 NE 30th Avenue, Portland
The Sudra closes their Pearl location. Sad news from The Sudra: “Unfortunately we have made the difficult decision to close our Pearl District location. Staffing issues, lack of business, and sickness has made it overwhelmingly difficult to keep this location open.” Rough, but I hope it relieves some of the stress of the folks behind the restaurant. 100 NW 10th Avenue, Portland
