Hollywood District Archives - Page 2 of 11

April 11, 2024April 11, 2024

Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, March 2024

A lower-content month (unexpected disruptions) and the relatively recnet Google algorithmic changes finally hit the blog and there was less traffic in March than February. It happens. We saw about 14,000 page views generated by about 11,200 unique visitors—25% less traffic than last month. For those of you who visited, read, and shared, thank you so much!

Here’s to working on improvements. As for what was popular in March, it was restaurant and bar news, with an older post on the Silk Road in the Pearl popping up in the middle of the popular posts. Always interesting to see what the month presents.

5. Bar Loon To Open in the Old Sweet Hereafter Space

Folks were dismayed to learn that about the closing of Sweet Hereafter, a vegan bar on SE Belmont. But good news for those looking for new places, who like bars, and who dislike having storefronts empty for an extended time: Bar Loon is opening in this space. [Note: this post has been updated.]

March 14, 2024May 28, 2024

Battle Grounds Gaming Cafe Has Coffee and More

Photo credit: Battle Grounds Gaming Cafe

A few weeks ago, I stopped in at the new Battle Grounds Gaming Cafe on NE Sandy in the Hollywood District. My husband is a big D&D fan and plays with multiple groups throughout the month, so this place was on his radar early on. It’s pretty great inside—there are games and related items to buy, games to rent, games to borrow, separate rooms in which to play, a chill vibe. And a very nice cafe!

December 29, 2023January 4, 2026

Favorites of 2023: Bakeries, Food Trucks, Restaurants, Bars, Cafes

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!

Cheese and Crack

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

September 18, 2023September 19, 2023

Xiao Ye Opens in the Hollywood District This Week

The three-quarters bar area at Xiao Ye. Photo credit: Xiao Ye

Back in March, I wrote about Xiao Ye, opening up in the old Beauty for the Beast space on Sandy Blvd and NE 38th Place. Their vision is to offer “First Generation American Food” and a recent article in the Oregonian (and this Instagram post) indicates they are ready to open—this week, in fact.

September 11, 2023September 11, 2023

The Phoenix Rises Again: Reo’s Ribs Will Re-Open

reos-ribs-after-fire-construction-hollywood-district-portland-oregon

It still looks pretty much the same since 2017.

You heard that right: Reo’s Ribs is reopening, sometime in September 2023, according to their Facebook page. The business, which focuses on barbecue and soul food, has endured much over the years in the way of fire, so I’m really impressed to see that they are making a go of it again.