Tag: Nico’s Ice Cream

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Four Things I Learned This Week (January 19)

Sandy Jug to open this month. Over on Instagram, the Sandy Jug Tavern posted, “pushed back a week. hopefully this next weekend.” Sounds like they’ll be open not this weekend but the next, so that would be the weekend of January 26 (if you count Friday evening as part of the weekend). It’s exciting to think they’ll be open soon; I can’t wait to check it out. 7417 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland

Rescheduled collab between Nico’s and Pip’s. This crazy icy weather has thrown multiple monkey wrenches into multiple businesses this week, so the originally planned collab between Nico’s Ice Cream and Pip’s Original had to be postponed. They are attempting to do it this weekend: “We’ll be blending in Pip’s donuts into our vanilla base, then topping it with nutella, honey, and coconut flakes. We call it the Tropical Reggie Lee!” If you can, head to Nico’s Fremont location on Saturday, January 20 all day (noon to 9pm). 5713 NE Fremont Street, Portland

That “10 Places” bit on social. I’ve seen it mostly on Instagram, but people are sharing the 10 restaurants/small businesses they want to support after the ice recedes enough to get back out into the world. For me, I want to support the following:

  1. Fresh Love, 7434 NE Fremont Street
  2. Thai Seasons, 5824 NE Sandy Blvd
  3. My-O-My + Lawless BBQ in the back (so, a twofer), 8627 NE Sandy Blvd
  4. Sandy-O’s, 10505 NE Sandy Blvd
  5. Extracto, 2921 NE Killingsworth Street
  6. Flour Market, 5507 NE 30th Avenue
  7. Bastion, 6116 SE Milwaukie Avenue
  8. Los Burros Supremos, 4529 SE Division Street
  9. Hollywood Farmers Market, NE Hancock St. between 44th and 45th Avenues
  10. Javi’s Breakfast Cafe, 6236 NE Sandy Blvd

If you have suggestions or favorite place you want to support, drop a comment.

Upcoming relevér popup. I recently came across the Instagram for relevér and have learned that the key element of the work of this popup is “spicy.” Last November their food was influenced by “Korean, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, French and Spanish cuisines.” This time, it’s …. TACO BELL? Yes, it sure looks like it. Whatever the inspiration, there will be food by Chef Han Ly Hwang of Kim Jong Grillin and natural wines by Chef Kyle Christy of Street Disco. Coming soon. 4144A SE 60th Avenue, Portland

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Four Things I Learned This Week (February 24)

Bar Mame is coming to SE Hawthorne. Matthew Dooney, who has worked as a manager for McMenamins, and Nicole Nelson, an immigration attorney, are opening Bar Mame in SE Portland. It will be located on SE Hawthorne and 33rd Ave underneath The Hazel Room (looks like the Red Velvet Parlour was there for a while, but closed there late last year). Matt says, “I’m super excited (and of course terrified) to announce that we’ll be opening our own bar (Mame) on 33rd and Hawthorne. This has been a dream of mine for years and can’t wait to see how this comes into fruition.” 3279 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland

Barista (some of them) rebranding. A tipster told me that the Barista family cafes is changing up their name, but only for a couple of their locations. It’s the KOIN and Alberta locations that will be changing their name—initial research indicates “Enjoy Coffee LLC” is the corp behind them. These will be wholly owned by Billy Wilson; the Nob Hill and Pearl locations, which will remain Barista, will be under a partnership between Billy and Sortis (who owns the Barista brand).

Doug Fir Lounge will move a little to the southwest. Another tip that found its way to the Bridgetown Bites inbox is about Doug Fir Lounge—it will close at its current location, then move elsewhere this fall. And it seems that it will be reopening at the old Le Bistro Montage space—the new address on the documents filed with the state this year regarding Doug Fir is 301 SE Morrison Street. Look for a more official kind of announcement from the powers that be in March. And I’m seriously curious about what Jupiter NEXT will do with that space.

Free ice cream for a year. Nico’s is running a contest to win free ice cream for a year: “Beginning March 1st, make sure to buy all the half pints you can, because at some point in March, we will be putting a golden ticket inside one of our half pints (only sold at either of our two locations) and you will have the chance to win FREE ice cream for a year!” If you like to eat ice cream on the regular, this one is for you. Nico’s half pints can be found at various grocery stores in the Portland area, as well as his shops at 5713 NE Fremont Street and 1615 NE Killingsworth Street.

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Four Things I Learned This Week (November 4)

Nico’s Ice Cream (second location) opens tomorrow (Saturday). The second location of Nico Vergara’s popular ice cream shop will open tomorrow morning, starting at noon and going until 4pm. Along with NZ-style ice cream cones, expect empanadas, half pints of dulce de leche ice cream, music with DJ maddchill, and probably some other treats. The new location is in the old Tea Bar space. 1615 NE Killingsworth, Portland

Eastern Cathay was the original Elmer’s. I’ve been to Elmer’s on NE Sandy just past the turn into Parkrose a number of times but had no idea the original location—known at the time as Elmer’s Colonial House of Pancakes & Steak House—is where Eastern Cathay restaurant is on NE 82nd. I will admit: I have not been to Eastern Cathay but have driven past it often. But, it may be in jeopardy: the property it sits on is for sale, and according to an article by Montavilla News, “The business is available as part of a sale or will shut down after the deal finalizes.” 1411 NE 82nd Avenue, Portland

MidCity SmashBurger has the second best burger in the world. According to the website Big 7 Travel, Portland’s own MidCity SmashBurger was rated number 2 in the world in 2022. The Stark Street cart recently moved up to Sandy Blvd next to Level Beer and continues to offer Smashy Bois, Splashy Bois (fish sandwich), and other tasty things at competitive prices. From the Level 7 Travel article, “On the surface, it’s just meat, cheese and sauce in a bun but the reality is so much more. Two thin and crispy beef patties are smashed together beneath a cast iron press, slathered with American cheese slices and the chef’s own special smash sauce, and then served between two fluffy buns. All for just $6.” 1447 NE Sandy Blvd, 1825 N Williams Avenue, and 6620 SW Scholls Ferry Road, Portland

VilleVelo Bake Shop is expanding. I was over at Rocky Butte Espresso Bar this morning and decided to get a slice of their quiche, made by VilleVelo Bake Shop, which is so very good. In fact, it was one of the few things I could really taste when I had COVID this past summer, and its intense savory-tastiness was like a high during a crappy few days. I had heard they were expanding a little while ago, but decided to look into it. They are moving a couple doors down into the old Capitola Coffee space, which moved to N Mississippi earlier this year. Their grand re-opening is tomorrow, Sunday November 5. On their Instagram they say, “Extracto coffee will be ready and our pastries and savories will be available for everyone!” They open at 8am. 1465 NE Prescott Street, Portland

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Small Bites – Closings, Anniversaries, New Menus, Consolidations, Ice Cream, and More

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Ensalada Bomba at G-Love. Photo credit: G-Love

A whole raft of tidbits have crossed my desk this week, so welcome to another edition of Small Bites (in place of Friday’s regular Four Things I Learned This Week column). Also: have a great Labor Day Weekend, too!

Best bars and restaurants for wine lovers in PDX. Decanter published a delightful listicle of their favorite spots for wine lovers in our fair city. Included on that list are Davenport, Canard, Coquine, Providore, and more.

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