Portland food news and views
Did you know that February 2 is an apt time to eat pancakes in Portland? This is the date of of Candlemas, a Christian feast day, that coincides around the time of Imbolc (February 1, so good chance there was some borrowing going on), a cross-quarter day at the midpoint between the Solstice and Equinox. It marks “the first stirrings of spring.” It makes me think of crocuses, stretching toward the sunlight.
Continue reading “Eat Pancakes in Portland on Candelmas (February 2)”
We are comfortably into January 2024 and it’s time to take a look back at 2023’s most-read posts on Bridgetown Bites. They mostly involved openings and closings of restaurants and bars, but there was one article on an Asian market opening in SE Portland that made the list.
I’m happy to say that from an analytics POV, traffic almost doubled between 2022 and 2023 here on the blog. Regarding 2022 I said, “Over 55,000 visits were recorded, and almost 35,000 of those visits were new to the site.” In 2023 we had 106,000 unique visits, with 86,000 new to the site; these visitors generated almost 142,000 page views, too. Not too bad for this little independent blog.
I also read somewhere online that this blog skews toward NE Portland. That is a true statement. I also read in the same source that some readers would love to see more coverage of the west side of Portland. This is good feedback. will see what I can do about that, and diversifying geographically in general.
Thanks to all who have read, commented, sent tips (keep ’em coming!), and shared these articles/posts on social media and with friends. Here’s to another great year of delving into the Portland food world!
10. Yuginong Offers Gluten-Free Korean Fare in St. Johns
When I was at dinner the other night, my friends who live in St. Johns said “a Korean restaurant has finally opened in our neighborhood.” Of course, my interest was piqued so I asked more questions. The restaurant is Yuginong (or Yu Gi Nong), located in the space that was previously home to Sol Bowl and a Starbucks. They opened this past weekend.
Update: I hear only good things about Yuginong, with modifiers like “fresh,” “tasty,” and “very good.” I’m happy to know they are still going strong.
Continue reading “Top Posts on Bridgetown Bites in 2023”
Photo credit: Frog & Snail
Last week I saw the news on Instagram: Frog & Snail, one of the best places for French-style crepes (including Breton-style buckwheat crepes) in Portland, closed abruptly. The reason behind that is that the owner, Chad Bernard, died on August 15 in what seems to be a sudden event. My heart goes out to his friends and family on his untimely passing.
Continue reading “Goodbye, Frog & Snail”Panucho party report. Michael Russel at the Oregonian went in search of panuchos in Portland recently (accompanied by Gary Okazaki aka Gary the Foodie during some of it). Panuchos are tasty—they are essentially “hand-pressed tortillas puffed up on a comal, carefully opened, stuffed with a black bean puree then gently fried.” I’d call them cousins to tlacoyos, which I also enjoy. Anyway, this article is a great rundown of the panuchos in Portland. My current favorite is at Ki’ikibáa, deemed “best modern panucho.”
Arden turns 5. Happy birthday to Arden! This “seasonal, wine-driven restaurant located in Portland’s Pearl District” turns 5 years old in February. Hats off to them for making it through the pandemic. On their menu throughout February, they will be “featuring some of the greatest hit dishes from over the past 5 years” of course, with wine picked by the owner, Kelsey Glasser. Think black truffle pierogis, butter poached Mary’s Chicken for two, and housemade chorizo sausage. Or, there’s a prix fixe menu, too ($70/per person), where the chef picks the items.
Fun fact, and one I did not know: Arden is named after Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.” The “forest of Arden was a female-led, idyllic place, for those who escaped to live off the land and to live a simpler life.” Arden is also participating in Chocolate for Congo this year. 417 NW 10th Avenue, Portland
Maple Leaf Restaurant is doing repairs and a remodel. I noticed in city documents that the Maple Leaf Restaurant, a Chinese and American diner in FoPo, is doing some repairs. Apparently there was a fire; last time I was in the area, I noticed it was closed. The work includes: repairing fire damaged walls and replacing insulation + drywall; roof modification and a new wall support; new kitchen hoods and vents, exhaust fans; roof repairs, including fire protection. Personally, I’ve never been there, but it’s beloved by many Portlanders. Best of luck to them as they do this work. 7129 SE Foster Road, Portland
Groundhog Day aka Candlemas aka La Chandeleur aka Día de la Candelaria. February 2 (yesterday) is a significant date for a number of cultures. In the U.S., it’s Groundhog Day (or, Ground Hog Day as one of my favorite plays on words) and our own Stumptown Phil tells us we will have six more weeks of winter. But it’s also Candlemas, significant to Christians and as you can imagine, candles are a big part of it. It’s also a cross-quarter holiday, Imbolc, important to pagans.
For the purposes of this blog, what I learned this week about this day is that in France it’s called La Chandeleur. One of the things they do on that day is eat crepes, as the round golden crepe resembles the look of the sun and the anticipation of more light as we head toward the Spring Equinox. In Portland, I like to eat crepes at Frog & Snail (3553 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland); RIP Suzette. And for something completely different from the French approach to crepes, head to the Bing Mi cart (1845 NW 23rd Place, Portland) for a delicious jianbing treat.
I also learned that in Mexico there is a tradition that also connects itself to Three Kings Day. The folks at Masienda posted this: “On Candlemas in Mexico, tradition dictates that whoever cuts through the rosca de Reyes cake on Día de los Reyes (Three King’s Day) and finds the baby Jesus figurine must host a party on February 2 and bring tamales for everyone.” You can find Masienda’s excellent masa harina at Providore (2340 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland).
Here’s to the increasing light each day!
A good Veterans Day to all, and many thanks to those who served this country. As I write this, the Veterans Day parade participants are arriving and lining up, this year on a new route on MLK Blvd.
Portland’s best Cubano sandwich? This morning I learned that the folks at PoMo have dubbed the Cuban sandwich at newcomer En Vida PDX as “Portland’s best.” They elaborate: “What makes En Vida’s sing is the roast mojo pork, shreds and chunks cooked with oranges, garlic, and cumin, then crisped and caramelized on the edges to intensify the flavor. The pickles, layered on top, are sweet, tangy, and house-made.”
They also mention the medianoche: “the medianoche roll is a little sweeter and softer than a traditional Cuban loaf—and custom-made for En Vida by Portland’s Dos Hermanos Bakery. Before it’s grill-pressed, the kitchen dips the medianoche in a little pork fat to double the pleasure. Take it from Alsberg: ‘It’s a Cubano on steroids. It’s a mouthful of love.’” 1303 NE Fremont Street, Portland
What Futura baristas drink. I enjoyed this little Instagram reel on what the baristas at Montavilla’s Futura Coffee Roasters drink. I think I’ll get a steamed cold brew (something I never considered, warm cold brew) recommended by barista Freedom, next time I’m in. 7201 NE Glisan Street, Portland
Tour the Republic of Georgia with Kachka. This tour of Georgia happening next September sounds absolutely amazing. My first exposure to Georgia was, not surprisingly, via the Georgian cuisine that I ate at the Sunday Night Dinner back in 2009, a supper club that was run by a couple of friends in Astoria, Queens. It remains one of my favorite food memories of my time in NYC, and forever changed my idea of what food was like in the former Soviet Union (it was an SSR from 1921 to 1991). I also fell in love with the look of the Georgian alphabet, and the landscapes there are absolutely gorgeous.
So, this tour should be pretty great, with excellent food, beautiful vistas, comfortable lodging and travel, and terrific guides in Bonnie and Israel of Kachka. The cost is $6,800 and includes: “seven nights at unique four- and five-star accommodations; private travel for all day trips and excursions; departure airport transfer; private tours with local guides and cultural experts; exclusive VIP access and tastings; guided activities, adventures and expeditions; entrance fees; daily breakfasts, most lunches and dinners; local beverages with meals.” To be clear: the price does not include international travel to Georgia.
Frog & Snail brings back the French Onion Meatball Sub. For a limited time, the lovely little french cafe in SE Portland is bringing back one of the tastiest sandwiches in Portland’s history, the French Onion Meatball Sub. This thing is crazy delicious, and when they say “limited time” they mean “very limited time” so I would say stop in before Thanksgiving. You won’t regret it. 3553 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland
