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

Small Bites – Rangoon Bistro, Sebastiano’s Cannoli, Closings, Openings, and Breakfast

The highly-praised cannoli at Sebastiano’s. Photo credit: Sebastiano’s

I came across so many interesting tidbits this week, so here’s a Small Bites in place of Four Things.

Banh Mi Boys update. Back in September (in another Small Bites post) I wrote about the arrival of Metairie-based Banh Mi Boys in the old Doe Donuts space on SE 82nd Ave. Turns out that space has not worked out for them so they are on the hunt for another location. Here’s hoping they stay on the east side (but I’m biased that way). New location TBD

Continue reading “Small Bites – Rangoon Bistro, Sebastiano’s Cannoli, Closings, Openings, and Breakfast”

National Pasta Day Means Free Pasta From Montelupo

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Photo credit: Montelupo Italian Market

Did you know that National Pasta Day is celebrated every October 17?  It’s true and has been since 1995, when the World Pasta Congress met. This year, you can celebrate the day at Montelupo Italian Market, where they are giving out a free pound of their boxed dried pasta with each market purchase or dinner order. Continue reading “National Pasta Day Means Free Pasta From Montelupo”

Grand Army Tavern’s New Italian Restaurant in Portland is Campana

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Last month I wrote about the wonderful pasta we had at Grand Army Tavern and in there was the news about a new restaurant they are putting in the front of the space, serving up Italian pasta dishes made with their wonderful housemade pastas. The Oregonian confirms the news and expands on it with some exciting details, including the name: Campana. Continue reading “Grand Army Tavern’s New Italian Restaurant in Portland is Campana”

Don’t Miss Pasta Night at Grand Army Tavern in Portland

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Not only are the pastas fantastic, Grand Army Tavern also has a menu of excellent no-proof cocktails—behold the Strawberry Fields.

The other night I had a meal at a place I’d been wanting to go for many months: Grand Army Tavern in the Woodlawn neighborhood in Northeast Portland. Despite my #westcoastbestcoast motto, I do love connecting with things NYC out here, and that includes the owners of Grand Central Tavern, as well as my dining companions for the evening, Teri of @teristravels and her husband, both Queens natives; my boyfriend was a long-time Queens resident. I’m so glad Teri invited us to Pasta Night, and there is no doubt that I’ll be returning for their beautiful, lovingly-made pastas.

Continue reading “Don’t Miss Pasta Night at Grand Army Tavern in Portland”