NE Portland Archives - Page 4 of 16

October 24, 2024December 7, 2024

Spella Caffè Will Open in Woodblock Chocolate In Portland

The counter at Spella Caffè's location in Woodblock Chocolate in Portland, Oregon. — The new Spella Caffè counter at Woodblock Chocolate. Photo credit: Spella Caffè.

Great news: Spella Caffè is opening a location in Woodblock Chocolate, located in NE Portland’s Irvington neighborhood. There, they’ll bring coffee, pastries, and gelato to Woodblock’s chocolate in a “cozy and inviting” cafe space.

October 22, 2024December 7, 2024

First Tastes: Parallel, a Wine Bar in NE Portland

Parallel Salad at Parallel Wine Bar in Portland Oregon. — The titular Parallel Salad.

The other day I was invited to hang out at Parallel, a wine bar over on NE Sandy, and try a few things. Here are my impressions, along with a few observations and some helpful information about the place. Note: This meal was comped but opinions are my own.

October 21, 2024December 7, 2024

Three Closures: Bar Asha, Zula, XO Bar in Portland

The dining room at the now-shuttered Zula in Portland, Oregon. — The dining room at Zula.

In what feels a little like a shock to the Portland’s restaurant system, three restaurants/bars have announced closings in the last week: Bar Asha, Zula, and XO Bar. Honestly, I cover closings throughout the year but this seems like a lot.

October 17, 2024December 7, 2024

TAPTAP Cuisine Will Open a Restaurant on Sandy Blvd in Portland

Looking at TAPTAP Cuisine's restaurant space on NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, Oregon.

Haitian food lovers, you have something to celebrate—TAPTAP Cuisine is opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant on NE Sandy Blvd. They operated on N WIlliams as a food truck with a nice (covered) outdoor seating area for many months, but now they have leveled up into a building where they can create, prepare, and offer their beautiful Haitian and Caribbean cuisine in NE Portland.

October 10, 2024April 11, 2025

Cereus PDX Is Closing

Beef empanada at Cereus in Portland, Oregon. — Beef empanadas.

Over on Instagram, Cereus PDX has announced they are closing after about two and a half years in business at Prescott Village (NE Prescott Street and 15th Avenue). During that time they have offered a menu of tasty South American food and drinks, gracious hospitality, and good times. I wrote about their opening back in 2022 and enjoyed the food when I dined there. We see goodbyes and restaurant closings happen in Portland fairly regularly—unfortunately—but this goodbye message included some critical thoughts from Bradley Thomas Stevens, one of the owners of Cereus.