Four Things I Learned This Week (January 21)

Four Portland spots make it on the list. Yelp’s top 100 US restaurants 2022 list is out and four PDX restaurants are on the list: Miyamoto Sushi in Montavilla; Yama Sushi & Izakaya in Hosford-Abernathy; Thai Sky Kitchen in South Tabor; and Departure downtown. Personally, I’ve been to Thai Sky Kitchen and loved it, as well as Departure during the Gregory Gourdet days. I hear excellent things from Montavillans on Miyamoto. Chime in if you are a fan of Yama Sushi & Izakaya, or any of the winners! Multiple locations in Portland

One day only: Nico’s Ice Cream and Pip’s Original collab. Pip’s is known for it’s “community not competition” mantra and this upcoming collaboration with Nico’s is no doubt part of that. On Saturday, 1/22/22 ONLY, head to Nico’s for the Tropical Reggie Lee: that’s the Nico’s vanilla base with Pip’s donuts blended in, topped with Nutella, honey, and coconut flakes.

Reggie Lee is, of course, the actor that played Sgt. Drew Wu in one of my favorite TV shows ever, Grimm. And not just because it’s set in Portland! It’s just plain awesome. Anyway, see you on Saturday! 5713 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Ice cream is cold but soup is hot. Head to the Portland Mercado today through Sunday, January 23 for their Winter Soup Festival. Soups offered include:

  • POZOLE OAXAQUEÑO from Tierra Del Sol (Oaxaca)
  • OLLA DE CARNE from La Carreta Pura Vida (Costa Rica)
  • BIRRIA BOWL and POZOLE ROJO DE PUERCO from Principe Maya (Yucatan)
  • CALDOSA DE LA ABUELA from Havana Station (Cuba)
  • CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP from Fernando’s Alegría (Mexico)
  • SOPA DE LENTEJAS CON VEGETALES and SOPA DE MANÍ (PEANUTS) from AleCocina (Argentina)
  • AJIACO BOGOTANO from Qué Bacano (Colombia)
  • SOPA DE HONGOS from Xŏcotl (fresh juice and smoothie bar)
  • PIPIAN DE POLLO from Kaah Market (Oaxaca)

Head to the Mercado website for more info on ordering, etc.  7238 SE Foster Road, Portland

RIP Reo Varnado of Reo’s Ribs. Frankly I was shocked to hear of his passing. Very sorry to hear it and our condolences go out to the family. Cause of death? Unknown at the writing of this post.

Small Bites – Bui Tofu, Davenport’s Cheeseburger, Paccasassi, and More

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Bui Tofu’s delicious pandan cake.

Fridays are often reserved for my “Four Things I Learned This Week” column, but I have collected so many tidbits this week, I’m opting instead for a Small Bites post this week. Let’s see what’s up.

Love letter to Bui Tofu. This place is wonderful and it was nice to read of Katherine Chew Hamilton’s love of the place. Her PoMo review highlights one of my favorite items there, the pandan cake; love the sesame balls, too. 520 NE 76th Avenue, Portland

Continue reading “Small Bites – Bui Tofu, Davenport’s Cheeseburger, Paccasassi, and More”

Four Things I Learned This Week (September 6)

We’re back with four new-to-me things I learned this week in the world of Portland food (week ending Friday, September 6, 2019).

Third time’s a sad charm. This week we got the bad news that Smallwares will close; her Zipper Building spot, Wares, was put on the market this past summer. And, of course, the original Smallwares—which I first became aware of all the way in NYC back in 2016 when I was the editor of Northeast Neighbors magazine—on NE Fremont has been gone for a few years. Johanna Wares has made some seriously tasty “inauthentic Asian” food, and her work will be missed. You have until Saturday, September 28 to eat at Smallwares, and then it will be gone, gone, gone.

More than a michelada. Portland gets a new bar that sells craft beer and hot sauce, Alefire.

Beaverton’s best for food. Thrillist claims Beaverton as one of “the country’s best suburbs for people who love food.” Highlighted eateries are Duh Kuh Bee for noodles, dumplings and kbbq; Yuzu for izakaya; Oyatsupan Bakers for Japanese baked goods; Decarli for Italian food; Best Baguette for banh mi; and Beaverton Sub Station for… well… subs.

Portland Mercado suffers jagoff behavior. We got the bad news this week that someone broke the front door at the Portland Mercado—and so close to their biggest event of the year, Taste of Latinoamérica – Sabor de Latinoamérica, this Saturday, September 7, from noon to 7pm. Property damage sucks.

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”

Portland Area Food Events, August 10-17

hello-my-name-is-tasty
This is gonna be fab.

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. Want to submit an event? Fill out this form. Listings curated by Meg Cotner.

Summer Ice Cream Series: Salt & Straw + Xurros
Thursday, August 10, 2017, 8am-8pm
180 Xurros, 2218 NE Broadway Street, Portland

180 will be serving some of their favorite Salt & Straw Ice Cream flavors to go along with their freshly made xurros. More information.

Continue reading “Portland Area Food Events, August 10-17”