Portland food news and views
While I was out of the office yesterday (a cancer survivor’s work is never done), the news dropped that Bang Bang, a sweet little spot that serves “Thai-inspired” food on NE Fremont—in what is technically Cully but feels more like Beaumont-Wilshire—is closing this month. The food and drink there, in my experience, is quite tasty, and I’m sorry to see them go.
Continue reading “Another Restaurant Closure in Portland: Bang Bang”
The address 330 NW 10th Avenue for a number of years was known as the location of Isabel, a popular Latin-Asian fusion restaurant. But, according to ORSOS records, it will be the future home to a new restaurant from Chookiat Saenguraiporn, the Thai restauranteur who is behind a handful of popular eateries in Portland. Update 7/28/25: The restaurant’s name is Guay Tiew (registered under KUAY TIEW, LLC; the first word is often spelled in English as “guay.”)
Continue reading “A New Restaurant From Chookiat Saenguraiporn Is Coming To the Pearl”
Pan de muertos sources in the Portland metro area. Today and tomorrow is Día de los Muertos, aka Day of the Dead, an important holiday in Mexican culture. This is when it is believed that spirits of the dead come to visit, as the veil between the dead and the living has thinned. The sweet pan de muerto is a traditional food for this holiday, and The Oregonian put together a great list of where to find them in our metro area. Check it out. Various locations.
Continue reading “Small Bites: Día de los Muertos and Diwali, Openings, Closings, Food Carts, and More”
Photo credit: Ba Mee Thai Noodle House
While I was perusing city documents, I saw that something called Ba Mee Thai Noodle House is slated to open on North Williams—the website says they are “opening soon.” Looking into this new business brought up memories of a number of now closed and beloved restaurants in two drastically different areas of Portland.
Continue reading “Ba Mee Thai Noodle House Is Coming to North Williams”Pono Brewing has closed. In the “I’m Late to the Party Club,” I saw while walking around the Hollywood District this week that Pono Brewing closed their Hollywood pub in late June. Very sorry to see that storefront is no longer active. That said, it must have been hard to operate at such a weird time of the pandemic. Judging from their Instagram, it seems like they are doing ok! I’m glad. 1728 NE 40th Avenue, Portland
Update on Lazy Susan. Over at Montavilla News they have more details on what’s going to happen at the Lazy Susan restaurant, which closed earlier this month. It’s going to turn into a Thai restaurant, probably named Yaowarat (Eater has details on Earl Ninsom’s concept). 7937 SE Stark Street, Portland
The Portland Polish Festival returns this year. The Portland Polish Festival is likely one of the most popular festivals in Portland, and between the pandemic and some safety issues from last year they’ve been inactive for too long. But they are back! Enjoy the music, dance, and food of Poland—like pierogi (dumplings made with either cheese & potato or cabbage & mushroom), kielbasa (sausage), or placki ziemniaczane (potato pancakes). And beer! 3900 N Interstate Avenue, Portland
Fancy burgers at Coquine as “Johnny Burgs.” “For the next few Wednesdays we’ll be cueing up The Clash, and offering a concise dinner menu with an all Burgundy by the glass list. Come for a few different burger options, crab rolls, frites, and a menu for which we’re leaning into classic French cuisine for inspiration.”
A few of the things you might see on the menu include Burger “Le François”: Comté, rosemary griddled shallots, Dijon; Burger “La Marie-Louise”: Cantal Jeune, crispy Tropea onions, Jimmy Nardello peppers; a Dungeness crab roll, gougère fritters, and of course, the Coquine Cookie. You can make reservations on their Tock page. 6839 SE Belmont Street, Portland
