Four Things I Learned This Week (March 28) in Portland Food

Fremont Garage Update. This is the food cart pod that will go in on NE Fremont Street and 44th Avenue. I walked by the other day and saw a sign on a mostly cleared-out lot, so I reached out to Cameron at DBS Group about it. Here’s his update:

“We will be starting on renovation of the property for the food cart pod and bar this month actually! Our new anticipated opening is early 2026. Our list of interested food cart vendors is growing, and many familiar popular carts/restaurants will be on the list. We are excited to share the line up as we get closer to opening.” 4403 NE Fremont Street, Portland

pFriem in Milwaukie opens April 7. ICYMI, pFriem is opening a tasting room in Milwaukie. It will be located in the former fire station in the historic Milwaukie City Hall building, which is a very exciting development. When I drank alcoholic beer, they were one of my favorites brewers. Here is what you can expect at the new Milwaukie spot (bulleted copy written by pFriem):

  • Three bars with 20+ taps pouring pFriem’s celebrated core beers, seasonal releases, and exclusive small-batch offerings.
  • Five handcrafted pFriem specialty craft cocktails and Son of Man cider on draft.
  • Celebratory collaboration IPA’s with Breakside Brewery and Von Ebert Brewing, and a Belgian Strong Dark collab with our new neighbors – Keeper Coffee Co.

On top of that there will be an outdoor patio with the seating area covered in a pergola, upstairs event space, retail space, original art displayed on the walls, a food menu “to complement pFriem’s beer lineup,” and beer and merch for their pFriem club members. 10501 SE Main Street, Milwaukie

The Scout Wine Bar gets some Oregonian love. Glad to see this article by Julie Evensen at The Oregonian about Gresham’s The Scout Wine Bar. It “offers wines by the glass, rotating local beer and cider on tap, and build-your-own charcuterie boards. Food from nearby restaurants is also welcome – the area has options ranging from pho to Italian to Lebanese to gourmet burgers. Diners can bring their entrée of choice to pair with a drink from the bar.”

I have recently spent more time in downtown Gresham and it is a sweet little part of the Portland Metro area. There’s some great food there, a variety of architectural styles (old and new), and I especially love the tiny Japanese garden on Tsuru Island in Main City Park. (Plus Jazzy Bagels is one of the few places you can get egg bagels in the area—if you know others, let us know in the comments.) 25 NE 3rd Street, Gresham

Warsugai will introduce a new concept. Starting out serving “elevated and creative interpretations of classic nostalgic Asian cuisine,” they have now closed (Sunday, March 23 was their last day of service)—but not for good. Instead, on Thursday, April 10 they will introduce “The Chinese Cowboy”:

“We’ll be offering up a reimagined menu of bbq small plates, weekly live music with some of Portland’s best country and honky tonk musicians, pop up events, and your favorite crafted cocktails.” I am definitely intrigued. 727 SE Washington Street, Portland


Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:

Help Support Portland’s Kitchen Table Magazine: “The Future Issue”
Taste of Sichuan Will Re-Open in Beaverton
Sabor del Rio Cafe Will Bring Puerto Rican Food to Marine Drive in Portland
Easter 2025 in Portland

This weekend is the Portland Tacos, Tequilas & Tamales Festival and the Expo Center. We are also in the final days of the Ticket to Dine campaign, which goes through March 31.

Portland Area Food Events, February 8-15

Love Valentine's Day Holiday Valentine Cookies

Valentine’s Day is almost upon us! We’ve got a bunch of places for you to look into for your special day.

Each week we will bring you a roundup of public food events in the Portland metro area. It’s not every single event that’s going on, but the ones in particular that catch our eye. Be sure to confirm the availability of the event before you head out to attend, due to last minute changes that sometimes happen. Want to submit an event? Fill out this form. Listings curated by Meg Cotner.

5th Annual Chocolate for Congo Benefit
Until Wednesday, February 28, 2018; various times
Various locations

“All month long, thirteen Portland restaurants and bakeries will be serving up chocolate desserts made with Theo Chocolate. One dollar from the sale of each dessert will go to Eastern Congo Initiative, a non-profit working on grant-making and advocacy with and for the people of eastern Congo. Theo Chocolate, which now sources more than 70% of its chocolate from the Congo, has generously donated the chocolate for the benefit.”

Participating restaurants and bakeries include: Baker & Spice, Bar Avignon, Bistro Agnes, Coquine, Le Pigeon, Little Bird Bistro, Måurice, Oui! Wine Bar + Restaurant, Ox, Pacific Pie, Pie Spot, Tusk, and Quaintrelle. More information.

Continue reading “Portland Area Food Events, February 8-15”

Good Times at the 2017 Oregon Brewers Festival in Portland

This artwork for the 2017 Oregon Brewers Festival, designed by local artist Kirsten Karkanen, honors longtime friend of the Festival, Richard Frank.
This year’s artwork, designed by local artist Kirsten Karkanen, honors longtime friend of the Festival, Richard Frank, who passed away on January 28, 2017.

On Friday afternoon I spent some time at the 2017 Oregon Brewers Festival, which celebrates its 30th year this summer. I attended last year with family and we all had a blast, so I was definitely looking forward to it again this year. It did not disappoint (full disclosure: I was provided with a mug and tokens by the Festival organizers). I also learned something about my own current beer preferences—it took having a feast of tasting opportunities at my fingertips to see where my inclinations are these days. Spoiler: it’s beer brewed with or flavored with fruit.

Continue reading “Good Times at the 2017 Oregon Brewers Festival in Portland”