Four Things I Learned This Week (August 5)

Beaverton’s Best. Pamplin Media Group did a “best of Beaverton” competition and you can see the winners for the Eating & Drinking section, here.

Preview of Kann Restaurant. One of my favorite bloggers, Michelle Tam (aka Nom Nom Paleo) got to attend a recent preview of Kann Restaurant, the Hatian restaurant from Gregory Gourdet, and loved it. The food looks really good and I hope I can eat there one day.

Olive oil at Sebastiano’s has arrived. Very exciting—I wrote about their olive oil project back in March, and I’m glad to see it is now available at Sebastiano’s. Stop by and pick up a bottle today!

Cully Upright Brewing update. I reached out to Upright’s owner, Alex Ganum, since I drove by and saw real, honest-to-goodness windows on the exterior. Here’s what he said: “Yep, we’ve finally been able to put some more work into the space as evidenced by the new garage doors. It’s coming together. Really excited for the project! Right now my best guess for opening would be November, but of course that can change based on happenings outside of our control. I can’t wait to finally open—the finished space should be a wonderful addition to the neighborhood.”

Four Things I Learned This Week (June 3)

Happy anniversary, Sebastiano’s! I their newsletter, Dan and Elise of Sebastiano’s talked about the early days of the business and all the things that they managed during quite a jarring couple of years. They ended it with an announcement of a party, happening today and tomorrow, June 3 & 4, from 11am to 7pm. It will be the official grand opening of their summer Apertivo pop-up (menu starting at 3pm) in their new Spritz Garden.

Also: “Pro Tip: Our friends Mel & Greg of Suzor Wines are going to be hanging out and pouring their 2020 releases “Tales of the Sun” and “Infinite Emotions” (Pinot & Pinot/Gamay blend) with us on Friday night beginning at 5:00 pm. Their wine is delicious – come grab a glass” 411 SE 81st Avenue, Portland

GRANA pop-up at Montelupo. On Monday, June 6, stop by Montelupo starting at 5pm for the GRANA pop-up. Run by Chris Flanagan, he makes “made-to-order pizza” that is “folded in four, finished with a signature aioli and grana padano, and served in a wrapper.” Check out the different kinds of pizzas he’ll fold for you on the GRANA website.

Along with these pizzas there will be a limited menu of starters, pastas, and desserts available from the Montelupo kitchen. As far as those offerings go, I gotta say this looks amazing: “Burrata—pancetta jam, local spring greens, rhubarb vinaigrette.” I also have to stop in for the Hazelnut Coffee Soda: house-made hazelnut syrup, Push X Pull espresso, orange bitters, and soda water served over ice. Dang! 344 NE 28th Avenue, Portland

Cully Farmers Market opened Thursday. Glad to see them back for the season—they’ll be open for business on Thursdays from 4pm to 8pm until October. You can find them in the Los Pepitos Locos parking lot. NE 42nd and Alberta, Portland

Tokyo Sando wants to access a brick & mortar space. On their Instagram, they posted, “Thank you for keeping us busy, And sorry for selling out almost everyday. We just need a bigger space kitchen. Please message us if you know any kitchen space or restaurant space. So we can make more sandos for everyone who love Our sandos❤️ Arigato!!!” If you know of a space for them, send them a message. I’d love to see them expand.

Bonus: It’s Salad Week next week on Bridgetown Bites! Judith and I look forward to sharing our love of salad in Portland with you. We hope you’ll join us for that!

Welcome Back Aperitivo at Sebastiano’s

Image credit: Sebastiano’s

I love getting news from Sebastiano’s—which originally stole my heart with their fresh mozzarella when almost nobody was making it for retail consumption in Portland—and am happy to pass on this update on their Aperitivo program, now in its second year. After their Preview nights at the end of May (see below), the goal is to offer Apertivo every Friday and Saturday evening throughout the summer.

Continue reading “Welcome Back Aperitivo at Sebastiano’s”

Olive Oil From Sebastiano’s Is Coming in 2022

Now that’s it’s officially spring, I thought I’d bring you up to speed on something that I learned about this past January. On a very chilly winter day, I stopped in at Sebastiano’s in Montavilla to chat with Dan and Elise about their exciting upcoming olive oil import project. Bottles will have their private label and should be on the shelves by summer 2022.

Continue reading “Olive Oil From Sebastiano’s Is Coming in 2022”

Four Things I Learned This Week (March 11)

Kurt Russell’s Birthday Bash is back. On Thursday, March 17, head to Wedgehead to celebrate Kurt Russell’s 71st birthday at a party that is “bigger and better than ever before.” Before the shindig on the 17th, Wedgehead is partnering with the Hollywood Theatre for their screening of John Carpenter’s The Thing on Saturday & Sunday, March 12 & 13. If you attend, you’ll get a voucher good for half-off pinball at the birthday party on the 17th.

On the day of the birthday bash (the 17th) there will be a custom Pork Chop Express piñata made by The Venderia, an all-day movie marathon, free birthday cake, birthday cards to sign, and more. Read their Facebook post for the full range of offerings. 3728 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland

Rangoon Bistro is open. I mentioned Rangoon Bistro in a Small Bites column last year and the good news is: they are finally open! You can visit them for delicious Burmese food in the Breathe Building today through Sunday. Regular hours will be Wednesday-Friday 5-9pm and Saturday/Sunday 12am-9pm. Liquor license is coming. 2311 SE 50th Avenue, Portland

Snack Fest is here. The Portland Night Market is host to Snack Fest, “your new favorite food festival.” There will be 135 food and beverage vendors featuring treats from local restaurants, pop-ups, food carts/trucks, and more. Tonight from 5pm to 10pm and Saturday from noon to 10pm. 100 SE Alder Street, Portland

Get your St. Joseph’s Day pastries at Sebastiano’s. When I lived in Astoria, Queens—home to not only a famous Greek immigrant community but also a longtime Sicilian immigrant community—St. Joseph’s Day pastries were an annual occurrence. Whether you preferred zeppole or sfinge, you were guaranteed to eat something delicious. So I’m thrilled to see that Montavilla’s Sebastiano’s is offering zeppole this year. They describe it as, “a deluxe cream puff with a choux pastry, pastry cream and ricotta filling, topped with powdered sugar and an Italian Amarena cherry.” Seriously accurate, seriously good.

They come in packs of four ($16), eight ($30), or twelve ($42). Reserve yours now for pickup next week from Wednesday to Saturday, right there at Sebastiano’s. Monday night, March 14, is the cutoff for pre-orders, so get yours in today. 411 SE 81st Avenue, Portland