Four Things I Learned This Week (December 9)

Bakeshop’s pie pre-orders are back. Earlier this fall, Kim at Bakeshop announced they were not going to do Thanksgiving pies, the first time in decades this was the case. Good news, though: Bakeshop is returning with pies and cakes for the holiday season that you can pre-order now. Online pre-orders will close December 18, so get your order in for your seasonal celebrations sooner than later. Some of the things you can expect: burnt Basque cheesecakes; apple pies with choice of either buckwheat streusel or double crust; pecan pies; ham & cheese quiches; Gingerbread People cookies. Order here.

On Christmas Eve day they will also be serving their annual eggnog. There will be some specials that day, too. 5351 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland

Citizenwich is coming to Lardo. For 10 years, Lardo has been doing a monthly fundraiser called Chefwich, where they invite local chefs to create a new sandwich and then donate the proceeds from said sandwich to a non-profit of their choosing. In January 2023, Lardo is changing it up and launching their first “variation on a theme”: the Citizenwich. In their words, “What sandwich do YOU want to put on the menu for the month of January?” Yes, that’s right—you get to suggest the sandwich and the nonprofit. Submit your ideas—the sandwich name, a brief description, and the nonprofit you want to donate the proceeds to—on Lardo’s Instagram post about it. Multiple locations, including 1212 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland

Norah opens today. Norah, from the folks that brought us Mestizo, has their grand opening today: 11:30am to 3pm for lunch and 4pm to 9pm for dinner. They offer “plant-based & pan-Asian cuisine,” with proteins like soy curls, tofu, and tempeh; aside from that, I have to say the Ma Hor caught my eye: fresh pineapple bites, sweet radish, peanut, palm sugar.

The name “Norah” has special meaning to the owners, and it “refers to a traditional dance reserved for celebrations and community gatherings in Southern Thailand where Nan [Chaison] and Prae [Nobnorb] grew up.” 3801 SE Belmont Street, Portland

Have you been to Fortune BBQ Noodle House yet? Earlier this year I wrote about Fortune BBQ Noodle House arriving in Montavilla, and to be honest, it kind of fell off the radar. This week I saw that Gary the Foodie posted a photo shoutout and included this great photo of the roast ducks hanging in the window. The plate of roast duck and pork also looks delicious. I’ve read a bunch of good things about this restaurant, from the food to the staff. This is a reminder that I need to stop by soon. 18 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland

Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, September 2022

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In the “better late than never” category, here are the most-read posts on Bridgetown Bites in September 2022. My editorial clients captured my attention over the past month or so, hence the tardy “top 5 posts” post (and the why behind the intermittent posting lately).

September’s top posts are an interesting mix of older and newer items, all about restaurants. Regarding Entre Compas from the República folks, the O has an update (the taproom/restaurant will open in St. Johns); and as far as the La Parilla space, it looks like something is moving in! I’ll see what I can find out.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

5. La Parilla Kitchen on NE 82nd Avenue Has Closed

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Over on Nextdoor there have been some recent posts by people worried that La Parilla Kitchen, a local Mexican restaurant and neighborhood favorite, has closed. Well, I’m here to be the bearer of bad news: they have indeed officially closed this location.

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Goodbye Giant Gyros, Hello Fortune BBQ Noodle House

Perhaps we’ll see some great noodle soups at Fortune BBQ Noodle House. This is pork noodles from long lost Biang! in Flushing, Queens, where I would enjoy delicious noodles and dumplings. Photo credit: Bradley Hawks

While perusing the list of new businesses on the city’s website, I noticed a new restaurant, Fortune BBQ Noodle House. It had been registered with the OR SOS (Secretary of State), incorporated in June of this year. The address turns out to the be the same as Giant Gyros, which closed earlier this year. So, Montavilla is getting a new Chinese restaurant.

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