Portland food news and views
A tipster shared the news that Taqueria La Mestiza, a Mexican restaurant in the Madison South neighborhood known for its Yucatecan offerings like panuchos, salbutes, cochinita pibil, and Relleno Negro, has expanded its menu to include desserts, AKA postres.
Continue reading “Taqueria La Mestiza Expands Menu to Offer Dessert”
I developed a taste for It’s-It ice cream sandwiches when I lived in the Bay Area in the 1990s, so when I discovered they were accessible here via the It’s It Portland Club, it gave me a lot of joy. They really are a taste of the region, and even just hearing the name brings back a lot of good memories. So I was sorry to hear about the (un)official end of the Club, but happy to hear It’s-It Club will live on at Spielman Bagels.
Continue reading “It’s-It Club Pivots, Long Live It’s-It Club!”Today is World Cancer Day. If you’ll indulge me for a moment, I want to emphasize that early detection really does save lives (as a cancer survivor, I can personally attest to that). Please take care of yourselves! Thanks for allowing me this PSA; now, on to the news.
Beaverton Farmers Market returns tomorrow. The Beaverton Farmers Market Winter Market begins on Saturday, February 5 from 10am to 1:30pm. One important thing they want you to remember is that because they don’t close off the streets, the layout is different and that means your favorite vendors may be in a different place compared to the summer market. There’s an Info booth with folks that can help you find the vendors you seek. Read more in the market’s newsletter. 12375 SW 5th Street, Beaverton
Sundaes at Red Sauce. Shar posted about the upcoming caramel cake sundaes they are putting together at the pizzeria and the whole thing looks pretty delicious. Check it out on their Facebook page. 4641 NE Fremont Street, Portland
Next Level expansion. The news came out this week that plant-based burger spot Next Level is preparing for a major expansion: “Next Level Burger, a plant-based burger joint from Bend that serves up vegan burgers, fries, shakes and other offerings, just announced plans to open 18 new storefronts by the end of 2025 — including one on West Burnside this year.” This is a nationwide plan, with new restaurants planned for the west coast, in the southwest and northeast, plus more menu options at all locations. Currently, you can find Next Level in Portland on SE Hawthorne and in Lake Oswego. Portland Business Journal has more.
Russian food in Portland featured on PBS. The Migrant Kitchen, the Emmy-winning documentary series produced by KCET in association with with life&thyme (a storytelling content space), featured Bonnie Morales and Kachka on February 1. You can view it on YouTube, life&thyme’s website, or below.
Four Portland spots make it on the list. Yelp’s top 100 US restaurants 2022 list is out and four PDX restaurants are on the list: Miyamoto Sushi in Montavilla; Yama Sushi & Izakaya in Hosford-Abernathy; Thai Sky Kitchen in South Tabor; and Departure downtown. Personally, I’ve been to Thai Sky Kitchen and loved it, as well as Departure during the Gregory Gourdet days. I hear excellent things from Montavillans on Miyamoto. Chime in if you are a fan of Yama Sushi & Izakaya, or any of the winners! Multiple locations in Portland
One day only: Nico’s Ice Cream and Pip’s Original collab. Pip’s is known for it’s “community not competition” mantra and this upcoming collaboration with Nico’s is no doubt part of that. On Saturday, 1/22/22 ONLY, head to Nico’s for the Tropical Reggie Lee: that’s the Nico’s vanilla base with Pip’s donuts blended in, topped with Nutella, honey, and coconut flakes.
Reggie Lee is, of course, the actor that played Sgt. Drew Wu in one of my favorite TV shows ever, Grimm. And not just because it’s set in Portland! It’s just plain awesome. Anyway, see you on Saturday! 5713 NE Fremont Street, Portland
Ice cream is cold but soup is hot. Head to the Portland Mercado today through Sunday, January 23 for their Winter Soup Festival. Soups offered include:
Head to the Mercado website for more info on ordering, etc. 7238 SE Foster Road, Portland
RIP Reo Varnado of Reo’s Ribs. Frankly I was shocked to hear of his passing. Very sorry to hear it and our condolences go out to the family. Cause of death? Unknown at the writing of this post.
Merry Christmas to my Orthodox friends today! Here are some things I ran across this week in Portland food.
Futura Coffee Roasters coming to Montavilla. The folks over at Montavilla News reported that Futura Coffee Roasters are opening in the old Fillmore Coffee space. Fillmore Coffee closed last fall to become an online merchant only. Sustainability is the name of the game at Futura, and regenerative agriculture is very important to them.
You might ask, “aren’t regenerative agriculture and biodynamic agriculture the same?” They are close but not identical. Read more about regenerative vs. biodynamic, here. Futura’s cafe space has also been created with sustainable materials in mind. Check them out later this month; they’ll be open daily from 7am to 5pm. 7201 NE Glisan Street, Portland.
Vegan all the way at Salt & Straw this month. Check out the five new flavors at Salt & Straw this month—all vegan, presumably for Veganuary. There’s Petunia’s Rainbow Sprinkled Babycakes (coconut, oat); Carrot Cake w/ Cream Cheese Frosting (coconut, oat); Coconut Cream Pie Cupcake w/ Lemon Curd (coconut); Renewal Mill’s Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcake (oat, soy pulp); Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcake (coconut); Interesting factoid: Oregon produces 99% of the nation’s hazelnuts. Various locations, Portland
Foie gras on next week’s City Council agenda. The agenda for the Wednesday, January 12 Portland City Council meeting (9:30am) has been published online and thus the topic of foie gras has popped up again. Three people will address the Council that morning: Alex Cerussi (Mercy For Animals), Rosalind McCallard (Snackrilege), and Belinda Davis (Animal Outlook). Regardless of your stance on this issue, you are free to view the Council meeting on their Youtube channel (eGov PDX), among other access points. If you want to submit written testimony on this or any other agenda topic, send an email to cctestimony@portlandoregon.gov.
Ken Forkish is leaving Portland. Ken Forkish, the owner of Ken’s Artisan Bakery and Ken’s Artisan Pizza, is retiring. His aforementioned two businesses have been sold to long-time employees. In an interview with Portland Food & Drink he said, “I’m just getting tired. I’m in my 60’s and it is time for me to retire. This change has been three years in the making and I feel really good about the future of the restaurant and bakery. They are both in very good hands.” You can read more of this interview on the Portland Food & Drink website. 338 NW 21st Avenue (Bakery) and 304 SE 28th Avenue (Pizza), Portland
