Favorite Bites in Portland in 2024

Salmon nigiri with truffles.
Beautifully plated sushi at Janken.

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.

Bison Coffeehouse: Cafe Latte

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

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Four Things I Learned This Week (March 22)

Portland Pickles Pub is now open. This new sports bar, deemed, “massive,” opened yesterday, Thursday March 21. Indeed, it’s pretty big. Their press release states, “The space will not only serve as a gathering place for fans to cheer on their favorite teams but also as the campaign headquarters for Dillon T Pickle, who is running for president this year.” I’m pretty chuffed at their plans to offer various stadium dogs, including Dodger Dogs, which really are my favorite hot dogs in baseball history (will use actual Farmer John franks?). And while I bristled a bit when I read this: “This venue will be more than just a place to watch games; it will be a vibrant space where fans can come together to celebrate their love for sports, regardless of where their allegiances lie, except for Yankees fans.” I kind of get it. I still hope this Yankees fan will be welcome there, this season and beyond. 3932 N Mississippi Avenue, Portland

Women-owned restaurants near the MODA Center list. Prosper Portland put together an Instagram post of slides featuring lists of women-owned restaurants and bars near this major entertainment venue. Two of my favorites, The Sports Bra (IMO their Greek Chi-Chi Bean Salad is one of the best salads in Portland) and The Pocket Pub (pizza, salad, and tiramisu are all excellent there) are on there, as well as Wilf’s, Bao Bao, The Hostel Cafe, and more. Check it out! Various locations

Heck Beer released their Silver Linings NA IPA this week. And they sold out—no surprise. This was a limited run and accessing it was through their online portal. But don’t despair! They will be releasing their Gentle Persuasion Golden next month. And, you may be able to get a can of the IPA at Lardo, Grassa, or Bluto’s. Also, if you want to carry this NA beer at your bar, email Heck at wholesale@heck.beer. Finally, there’s going to be a launch party at some point, too, to celebrate this NA beer brewed in Portland. Congrats to Heck on their good work! Online intermittently and various locations

Los Burros Supremos is heading to the west side. For months Los Burros Supremos been serving delicious burritos and more in the old Woodsman Market space on SE Division, but that will end soon. Speaking of “end,” their new location will be in downtown’s West End section, where Kenny & Zuke’s used to be. Here is the core detail you need to. know: the last day of service on SE Division is Sunday, March 24. That following week they’ll be moving their setup west; timing indicates an April 1 opening. I’m sorry to see them leave the east side but that just makes room for something new. 4529 SE Division Street, Portland now, 1038 SW Harvey Milk Street, Portland later

Dry January 2024: This Month and Year-Round in Portland

strawberry-fields-dry-cocktail-grand-army-tavern.portland-oregon

Happy New Year! It’s now 2024 and while we are still in the middle of the Christmas season on the ecclesiastical calendar, the solar calendar proclaims a brand new year. January is legendary as a time of new resolutions, goal setting, and making changes—and for some, setting aside the consumption of alcohol is one of them.

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Favorites of 2023: Bakeries, Food Trucks, Restaurants, Bars, Cafes

Truly, one of the most beautiful salads I ate this year. It was a seasonal special of sharp greens, strawberries, daikons, onions, radishes, causa, and a chicha morada lavender vinagreta from Reeva.

Welcome back to another end of year list. Instead of publishing our Four Things column today, I’m giving you a list of my favorite spots of 2023, where I enjoyed happy times eating and drinking. There’s a whole variety of places, some established, some new. This list is in no particular order, aside from alphabetically; in other words, no top pick. Please enjoy!

Cheese and Crack

For my birthday this year we had lunch at Paadee and then headed a couple doors down to Cheese & Crack for their titular sundae. I maintain that they make the best soft serve ice cream in Portland. It is smooth, creamy, and luscious. The toppings on this sundae are classic: chocolate ganache, cinnamon butter cracker crumble, and torched housemade marshmallow fluff. The sundaes really are enough for two, and their seasonal sundaes never cease to impress with their magical toppings combinations. 22 SE 28th Avenue, Portland. cheeseandcrack.com

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Portland Salad Week – Salads We Like, Part Two

You’ve seen Part One of Salads We Like during Portland Salad Week—here’s Part Two!

Papaya Salad: Sivalai Thai

Photo credit: Yelp

What’s in it: Green papayas, carrots, tomatoes, peanuts, chili cooked in lime sauce.

We love a good ol’ papaya salad and this one definitely delivers. It’s high in flavor and texture and a little goes a long way. Sensitive palates may want to start slow, as the heat can quickly creep up on you. Those with more tolerance will find themselves reaching for seconds and thirds. –JR

4806 SE Stark Street, Portland. https://www.facebook.com/SivalaiThaiRestaurant/ 

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