Four Things I Learned This Week (July 29)

Progress at Trela. Earlier this year I wrote about a new Greek taverna and bar, Trela, that’s opening up in the old O’Neill Public House space on the corner of NE Glisan and 60th. They’re getting closer to opening their doors, with a submitted liquor license application. Really looking forward to eating at this place. 6000 NE Glisan Street, Portland

Nathan Hart, aka The Watermelon Man, is back in Cully. He’s been there at least a few weeks now, selling Hermiston watermelons, cantaloupes, and more out of the back of his truck. You can find him Tuesdays through Saturdays (in general) at 72nd & Prescott, right near the Upright Brewing project. Northwest corner of 72nd and Prescott, Portland

RIP Choco Taco, Long Live Choco Taco! Yes, we’ve all heard the news: the Choco Taco has been discontinued. I loved the shape and concept but I have to admit: it tasted mediocre at best. I know, blasphemy. However, a couple local spots are taking up the Choco Taco mantle—at Kate’s Ice Cream it will “live on” this Saturday, July 30. They’ll make 50 available at 10 bucks a pop starting at noon. Later on this year, Salt & Straw will enter the ring and offer their version of the Choco Taco on National Taco Day, October 4. 3713 N Mississippi Avenue, Portland (Kate’s)

Accolades for Creo Chocolate. One of my favorite chocolate spots in Portland is Creo Chocolate. Believe it or not, their unsweetened chocolate bar is delicious. However, the most recent news is about their white chocolate bars. Whether or not you consider white chocolate to be legit chocolate, the world loves it. Three of their bars—Coffee & Cream, Meyer Lemon Pie, and Strawberry & Hibiscus—won Gold and Silver (x2) at the 2022’s Academy of Chocolate Awards in London. Their chocolate has now won a total of 100 awards over the years. 122 NE Broadway, Portland

Four Things I Learned This Week (June 24)

Midsommar at IKEA. IKEA—you know, that Dutch-headquartered multinational conglomerate that sells home goods and furniture—is celebrating mid-summer with a bunch of events Saturday and Sunday, including a strawberry cake tasting, meatballs, salmon, and mocktails. 10280 NE Cascades Pkwy, Portland

The Poptart Ice Cream Sandwich is back. Head to Kate’s Ice Cream this Saturday as well, for Poptart Ice Cream Sandwiches. They are super popular: “Last year, these sold out in 1 minute online.” No pre-orders this year, but you can line up at Kate’s at noon for your chance to get one of the 150 gluten-free and vegan ice cream sandwiches. 3713 N Mississippi Avenue, Portland

Top pizzas in Portland. According to Italian pizza-centric website, 50 Top Pizza, five Portland pizzerias made the USA list this year:

  • No. 11: Ken’s Artisan Pizza
  • No. 16: Lovely’s Fifty Fifty
  • No. 18: Apizza Scholls
  • No. 40: Nostrana
  • No. 43: Scottie’s Pizza Parlor

Thursdays On the Plaza in Montavilla. The Montavilla Farmers Market, which operates weekly on Sundays, is expanding to Thursday evenings this summer. “Starting the month of July the 79th street plaza will be back, and July 7th will be the first of a weekly event with a few vendors and live music from 4 to 7pm.” There will also be a beer garden run by Threshold Beer. This has all come to pass thanks to a Vibrant Spaces Community Events Activation Fund from the City of Portland. Check out this Willamette Week article for more info. Southeast 79th Avenue and Stark Street, Portland

Four Things I Learned This Week (March 18)

Las Osita is moving to Montavilla. Mill Park‘s loss is Montavilla’s gain. La Osita—home to delicious breakfast tacos, coffee, and more—posted on their Instagram yesterday about their impending move to the Taylor Court Grocery space at 1135 SE 80th Avenue. “The building is a historic neighborhood market that shut down as life happened in the midst of the pandemic. It has fallen into a bit of disrepair but we are excited and thankful to have a chance to bring it back to life for the SE Portland and Montavilla community.” Why did they end up in Montavilla? “For the last year we had been looking up and down 122nd for a potential spot but nothing fit the bill.” Official opening date is to come. 1135 SE 80th Avenue, Portland

Kate’s Ice Cream opens today in North Portland. The Oregonian reports on today’s opening of vegan ice cream maker Kate’s Ice Cream in the old Ruby Jewel space on N Mississippi Avenue. Stop by starting at noon today for her creamy coconut-milk-based ice creams, including Mississippi Mayhem, “a purple cake-flavored ice cream with everything from brownies to sprinkles to cookie dough thrown in, depending on the day.” 3713 N. Mississippi Avenue, Portland

Lasagna listicle. The Willamette Week put together a list of six take-and-bake lasagnas you can get in Portland. It was a lot of fun to see what Jason and Andi chose, and I can personally give a major thumbs up to the Lasagna Project lasagnas. I started ordering them that first year of the pandemic and honestly, they have spoiled me for most others, because they are so freaking delicious. Next on my list is to try the lasagna from East Glisan Pizza Lounge. I’ll add that one glaring omission on the WW listicle is Stefania’s Kitchen, which makes a handful of excellent take-and-bake lasagnas.

Inaugural St. Joseph’s Market is Sunday. Head to Wellspent Market this Sunday from 12-4pm for their first annual St. Joseph’s Market. St. Joseph’s Day is a big day in Sicily, so expect to see some traditional Sicilian treats at this event, as well as things for the gardener, like garden-ready plants and heirloom Italian seeds. The aforementioned Sicilian treats include zeppole from Sebastiano’s and sfincione, a type of Sicilian pizza with origins in the 17th century, from Pizza Thief. Culinary Breeding network is also bringing a whole bunch of wonderful things: “authentic Italian marzipan molds in shapes inspired by the gardens of Italy, plant-themed jewelry, artwork, tea towels, linens, ‘zines, and more, including plants from Log House Nursery and seeds from Uprising Seeds.” It should be an excellent time. 935 NE Couch Street, Portland

Salt & Straw Ice Cream Updates + Lovely’s Fifty Fifty and Kate’s

Photo credit: Salt & Straw

This month (October) Salt & Straw offered a number of seasonal flavors that would likely appeal to particular sensibilities—black licorice, bubble gum, and bugs—as well as a couple that had broad appeal—candy and pumpkin. November’s flavors should be more accessible—not without a twist, though.

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