Portland food news and views
Negroni Week starts Monday. Over 70 bars and restaurants in the Portland metro area are participating in this international celebration of the Negroni. Find a participating venue here. Multiple locations
Continue reading “Small Bites: Negroni Week, Lil’ Barbecue, Pronto Gelato, and More”East Glisan Pizza Lounge is taking a break. First there were rumors, then there was a statement from the East Glisan Pizza folks: “Starting Monday, March 17, we’re taking some space to look at the business with new eyes—to take what we’ve learned over the past 11 years & rebuild with structure & culture in place that we & our crew deserve. We look forward to a healthy relationship with a business we’re excited about, even outside of the times we get to see you.” Keep up with them on their social channels for updates. 8001 NE Glisan Street, Portland
Javelina is moving again. Javelina and Inɨ́sha will be moving from the old Lil’ Dame space, their most recent home on NE 30th Avenue, to the old Yonder space on NE 42nd Avenue. This will put them next to door to NAYA’s munk-yeʔlan sax̣ali, (pronounced “moonk-YEH-lǔn SAH-hah-lee”) AKA Munk-yelan Saxali office in Cully. Their last day of service on NE 90th Avenue is Saturday, March 29; they’ll then take a two week break and relaunch on Thursday, April 17.
The positives of moving? “With the extra space we can expand our hours and menus. Also, our indoor seating almost triples and we now have a full bar where we can really allow our beverage program to flourish.” Why they moved? “We had some unforeseen challenges within that space that we couldn’t see getting through. Also, it was too small, we couldn’t accommodate everyone that came in and quickly realized we needed more room to pursue our goals of being a restaurant, gathering place and community hub for our guests.” 4636 NE 42nd Avenue, Portland
Beekie’s PDX has opened in Parkrose. This truck that seems new to the area is currently in the Grocery Outlet parking lot, according to a Bridgetown Bites tipster. One thing indicated on the truck is that they serve “vegan soul food.” They have a Facebook page and Instagram account, and from what I can tell there, vegan offerings include burgers and tacos; they definitely serve meat, too. 10721 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland
Kim Jong Grillin has left the Happy Valley Town Center. Tuesday was his last day there. Hopefully the future is bright for him and will bring good things his way. 15934 SE Happy Valley Town Center, Happy Valley
Bonus: Pronto Gelato is open again! They re-opened on Thursday after some time away. Find them Thursdays through Sundays, 3pm to 8pm.
Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:
Paqui Modern Mexican Will Open on NE Sandy Blvd in Portland
Hey Cricket Fans! Sticky Wicket Will Open in North Portland
Schilling Cider House Will Re-Open on SE Division in Portland
Food Loop Northwest Will Open in NW Portland’s Cordage Building
I also want to with you all a happy spring! The spring equinox was Thursday, March 20, and it looks like we have some nice mild weather ahead of us, despite the rain today. And remember: Ticket To Dine continues all month!
This year I ate at a variety of places—some fancy, some more modest. But they all served me excellent, tasty, wonderful food. Here are my favorite bites in Portland in 2024.
Located in Cully on Cully Blvd, this is one of two Native-owned cafes in Portland (the other being All Your Heart Coffee in South Portland). I was there for a meeting with a neighbor and ordered a latte. One of the things I was offered by the barista was a choice of espresso roasts, and I chose a medium roast—this meant the Shoshone Blend, a coffee bean from Honduras medium-roasted by Native Coffee Traders. It was lovely, with notes of chocolate and nuts; plus expertly streamed milk. This is one of the best lattes I’ve had all year. 3941 NE Cully Blvd, Portland. Bison Coffeehouse website
Continue reading “Favorite Bites in Portland in 2024”
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.
Continue reading “Spella Caffè Will Open in Woodblock Chocolate In Portland”OG Phat is over. Back in March a Bridgetown Bites tipster directed me to this post on Guerrilla Development’s Instagram page about a project called “OG Phat” on NE Sandy Blvd and 68th. I reached out to Kevin at Guerrilla, who was happy to chat about it on the phone this week to clarify what’s up with the project. The bottom line: OG Phat is no longer in process. It was an adaptive reuse project by Mekha, the Vietnamese grocer Nam Phuong Market, and the old Yen Ha space, which was going to be a taproom.
Kevin bought the property during the pandemic and is probably going to sell it. He wishes it was a different reality, but it is what it is. I’m bummed because of the potential it held but am glad to know what’s up. For now, case closed. 6834-6838 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland
Pronto Gelato opens Memorial Day weekend. This is great news and I can’t want to check it out. The details: “We are opening our doors Saturday May 25 and will be open through Sunday 5/26 and Monday 5/27 from 3-9 PM each night! Come on over and stop by for some gelato, espresso, and fun! See you SOON” 4205 NE Alberta Street, Portland
Cornet Custard to open in their own space. Cornet Custard, which currently operates out of the Colibri Florist, will be moving to their own location. A tipster sent me a note about it, after having heard these details from Mika Paredes, one the owners of Cornet. A little research led me to the old Woodsman Tavern as a very possible location of this new location, as Naomi Pomeroy (the other Cornet owner) is mentioned in ORSOS docs for that corner of SE Division and 46th Avenue. I reached out to them earlier this week and hope to confirm this location sooner than later. Update 5/21/24: Turns out the new Cornet Custard location is going to be in the old Woodsman Market space next door (same address). Looks like they chose to speak with The Oregonian first (paywall) on the details. Additional tidbit: Pomeroy is opening a bistro in the old Woodsman Tavern. 4537 SE Division Street, Portland
New food cart pod coming to SE Hawthorne Blvd. The Hawthorne Street Food & Bar is coming to SE Hawthorne where 42nd Avenue meets it from the south. The buildings on it have been bulldozed and new electrical, plumbing, and gas permits have been filed. Along with 14 carts and seating, there will be a full bar. Projected opening: Summer 2024. 4225 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland
Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:
Are You the Next Assistant Market Manager for the Rocky Butte Farmers Market?
Lux Coffee Lounge Is Open in the Hazelwood Neighborhood
NA/AF-Focused Ever AFter Will Open in Portland
Updated May 21. 2024.
