Portland food news and views
I was happy to see the 2025 James Beard Awards semifinalists list released today. And not only did Portland represent well, but chefs from other cities in Oregon were recognized, too. From Portland to Eugene to McMinville and beyond, our beautiful state shows how much we have to offer the world of food, dining, and edible creativity.
Continue reading “The 2025 James Beard Awards Semifinalists in Portland”
Welcome to Dry January 2025. It’s no secret that I’m a big non-alcoholic cocktail fan—AKA mocktails, dry cocktails, zero-proof, no proof. I gave up alcohol in 2018 during breast cancer treatment and I never looked back. So the growth of a robust zero-proof cocktail scene in Portland makes me pretty happy—as well as better access to NA beer. And know many readers here are also fans of this development.
Here’s our 2025 roundup of places that serve non-alcoholic cocktails, beer, and more in Portland, suitable for Dry January (or really any time). Our criteria is that a bar or restaurant has at least four developed mocktails. And if not, they offer other interesting NA options aside from mocktails and beer—they could be juices, teas, etc. We’ve also done the math and found that on the average, a non-alcoholic mixed drink runs about $8 each.
Continue reading “Zero Proof Portland: Dry January 2025”
Now in its 10th year, Chocolate for Congo continues to work with Portland-area restaurants and bakeries to raise money to benefit Action Kivu and Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI)—non-profits investing in the women, children and communities of eastern Congo. Theo Chocolate has donated the chocolate, and desserts will be available throughout the month of February in Portland. The Never Again Coalition has organized this fundraiser.
Continue reading “The 10th Annual Chocolate for Congo Is This February”
I only recent became aware of the campaign, Chocolate for Congo, a month-long benefit for Action Kivu and Eastern Congo Initiative. These are two organizations that work to repair the harm done by years of violence and neglect in Eastern Congo by investing in the women, children and communities in the region. You can read about the Kivu conflict on Wikipedia for more background.
The benefit works like this: you enjoy chocolate at restaurants and bakeries in Portland throughout February and $1 from each dessert will benefit these organizations. You still have about half a month to participate!
Continue reading “Participate in Chocolate for Congo in Portland in February 2022”
If you can believe it, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner—three weeks from today. A number of places in Portland are offering special prix fixe dinners, some are preparing to-go meal boxes, and pre-order sweets are being prepared by bakeries around town.
Unless otherwise specified, these meals are available only on February 14, and getting your reservation set sooner that later is recommended. Unfortunately, weather (see: 2021) and COVID can thwart things, so please double check the place you want to celebrate at before you head out.
Menu details are included where available. We will update this list as new information becomes available.
Bar Casa Vale
Four-course prix-fixe menu—three courses of tapas plus dessert. $75 per person.
Reservations via OpenTable. 215 SE 9th Avenue, Ste 109, Portland
