Portland food news and views
Photo credits: Ben & Esther’s and Nico’s Ice Cream
Two businesses beloved to many Portlanders are opening new locations: Ben & Esther’s, which opened their first bagel shop in Roseway; and Nico’s Ice Cream, a cart offering New Zealand style ice cream, along with a packaged half-pint program as well. Ben & Esther’s will open in the Alberta Arts District and Nico’s in Cully.
Continue reading “Two Future Openings: Ben & Esther’s and Nico’s Ice Cream”
Some of the tasty treats at Bee’s Cakes during their pop-up retail event.
Today was the day—the day of the bakery pop-up at Bee’s Cakes! My friend Charlene and I headed over there this morning and found an abundance of irresistible choices. So many delicious options, from full-on cake slices to cookies to savory pastries. And speaking of savory pastries, the roasted red pepper, corn & goat cheese hand pie was stellar. Continue reading “Extraordinary Hand Pie and Cake at Bee’s Cakes Pop-up”
Beautiful lemon loaves. Photo credit: Bee’s Cakes
As you may know, Bee’s Cakes is now occupying the space at the northwest corner of NE Fremont and 72nd Avenue. It’s currently operating as a wholesale bakery but there are cafe/retail plans in the works (interior renovations continue). However, Rebecca Powazek (the upbeat force behind Bee’s Cakes) announced that she’s doing a retail bakery pop-up event on Saturday, September 4! So exciting!
Continue reading “Head to the Bee’s Cakes Cafe Pop-Up in September”Need a custom vegan cake? Ben & Esther’s, Portland’s own vegetarian (soon to be vegan, I believe) bagel shop, can make your vegan cake dreams come true. In their own words: “Need a custom vegan cake for your next event? We got you! Shoot us an email at info@benandesthers.com and let us know what you’re thinkin’!”
Blind Ox Fremont is closing. According to their Facebook page, they are closing their Fremont location due to “failed lease negotiations.” People are super bummed. Join them for a last hurrah at this location (their N Interstate location remains open) on Saturday 8/29 and Sunday 8/29 for $2 pints, $8 growler fills, 50% off packaged beer.
Delta dashes indoor dining hopes for Pip’s. The folks at Pip’s posted on their Instagram, “Our dining room is closed and we are offering to-go only. This will be our business model for the foreseeable future. It is frustrating, it’s not how we hoped things would go, but it is the reality.” We respect their decision and are grateful that they have made it through the COVID-19 pandemic so far! Their donuts and chai remain excellent, so go get some to-go.
Bee’s is still wholesale but you can find her stuff all over the place. Rebecca of Bee’s Cakes reminds us that they are still a wholesale bakery, but with definite plans to open as a cafe in the future (interior renovations continue). Meanwhile you can find her pastries at a lot of spots around town, including Sullivan Gulch’s Steeplejack, Roseway’s Rosebridge Coffee, and Parkrose Heights vegan coffee house Jet Black Coffee Company.
Photo credit: Rocky Butte Coffee Roasters
I stopped by the Rocky Butte Espresso Bar earlier this week and thought I’d share an update on what’s up with them these days. First, my latte with a touch of cardamom syrup (from Portland’s own Holy Kakow) was very good, and it was great to chat with James Helms, one of Rocky Butte’s owners (Parkrose’s Bryan Atkinson is another owner) and barista extraordinaire. We love having them out here in our little corner of Portland (Sumner-Roseway-Madison South), which I continue to enjoy more and more the longer I live here.
Continue reading “Rocky Butte Espresso Bar: an Update”