Four Things I Learned This Week (November 8)

Trails End bar is open. There’s a new bar that has opened up in the old Cavern space on SE Hawthorne. I actually lost track of them at one point because apparently Instagram and Meta shut down their original Instagram page; I discovered their new one today. It’s brought to you by the folks behind The Standard and the Bottle Rocket Burgers food cart. Their soft opening was last night. 21+ only. 4601 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland

Goodbye Jim & Patty’s. We wrote about their fundraiser in September, and they raised close to $41,000 but ultimately closed it down. “In light of what’s going on in Appalachia, we want to withdraw. Our concerns are nothing compared to what those folks are going through.” On a personal note, I have had family affected by the floods, and Helene’s disastrous effects really are astonishing and heartbreaking.

One piece of good news from Jim & Patty’s is that they are putting together a cookbook. When I was there today enjoying my last Pig Newton, I wondered to myself, “Could I figure out how to make one of these?” Maybe I won’t have to, maybe it will be in the cookbook…

Head to their NE Fremont location on Sunday for a party: “We’ll be in a celebrating mood on Sunday and we’d love to share the day with you. Grant Law is going to provide some live acoustic music, and we’re not sure what else is going to happen…” They will close their doors at the end of business on Monday, November 11. 4951 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Frybread Fest is Saturday. Celebrate Native American Heritage Month at Frybread Fest, which will feature … free frybread from Javelina (while supplies last). There will also be Native American vendors, storytelling and drumming, and cultural tables. Saturday, November 9, 11am to 5pm at Director Park. 815 SW Park Avenue, Portland

Sebastiano’s at Wellspent Market. Stop by Wellspent Market this Saturday from 10am to 1pm to bask in the tastiness fof Sebastiano’s in a pop-up event. Pick up your Big Sweet Woofer pastry box (order here), sample their new Calabrian Chili Marmellata, savory crostatas, and other sweets as available. Caffe Apertivo will feature non-alcoholic drinks from Puff Coffee and Wilderton Spirits. It’s gonna be great! 3402 SE Division Street, Portland


Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:

Chop Chop Food Pod Is Open
Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, October 2024
Broadway Pizza Shoppe Will Open on NE 15th Avenue
The East Side Dining Guide Is Here

And our Thanksgiving guide keeps getting updated throughout the month.

Small Bites: Sports Bra, Take Two, Fresh Love, and More

For Small Bites: the interior of the Sports Bra, a sports bar that shows only women's sports.
The Sports Bra, a sports bar that shows only women’s sports, will expand via franchising. Photo credit: The Sports Bra

Well, I’ve been under the weather lately—but am feeling better)—so it’s time for a Small Bites food news update. Here are some of the tidbits that have crossed my internet desk that I thought you might find interesting. Enjoy, and have a good weekend!

Boxer Ramen is closing. They announced it over on their Instagram: “It is with a very heavy heart we announce that after 11 years of serving you our unique brand of Ramen, we sadly will be closing all of our doors for good this upcoming Monday the 29th.” They cite many challenges, including the pandemic and inflation, behind their decision to close. I’m sorry to see them go. 1668 NW 23rd Avenue, 3003 NE Alberta Street, 7847 SW Capitol Highway, Portland; 3205 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton

Continue reading “Small Bites: Sports Bra, Take Two, Fresh Love, and More”

Four Things I Learned This Week (February 17)

Upright Brewing is now open in Cully. Finally, they are up and running, along with Junior’s! The New School has a nice article on the opening, and these were the details I fuond particularly interesting: it’s called the Upright Beer Station; Junior’s will be open 7am to 2pm, Upright from 3pm on weekdays, from noon on weekends; pints and beers only, with 11 taps, including a cask beer; “Upright has designed a brand new beer called Spellbinder Pils that is specific to the Beer Station location”; Chaat Wallah cart opens in March; collabs include a Chai Stout and Coffee Stout. 7151 NE Prescott Street, Portland

Food system issues summary. Over on goodstuffnw, Kathleen Bauer has summarized some of the food-related legislation in front of Oregon’s 82nd Legislative Assembly, which is important to know about. Topics include raw milk sales (HB2616), improvements and clarifications to Oregon’s Farm Direct Marketing Law, (SB507), and a factory farm moratorium (HB 2667).

Whole animal, wood-fired Korean BBQ is coming to Portland. Gary Okazaki (aka Gary the Foodie) announced this news on his Instagram:
“@hanoakpdx and @tokipdx’s @talktospark and @petecho will be opening a NEW restaurant at 626 SE Main Street in what is @renatapdx but will be transitioning very shortly to Peter & Sun’s restaurant. The name of the restaurant has yet to be determined.”

Haitian pickleez pop-up this weekend. At Wellspent Market on Sunday 2/19 from 1 to 3pm, stop in for some pickleez made in Portland by Haitian expat Elsy Dinvil from Creole Me Up. I love slaws of all kinds, so this is making my mouth water as I write about it. Pickleez is “a zippy, tangy, spicy cabbage slaw that is an integral part of Haitian cuisine. Perfect alongside fried foods and braised meats, pickleez adds a bright pop of flavor to every meal, and further demonstrates the possibilities of our favorite vegetable.” There’s a good chance she’ll bring some akra-fried taro fritters, too. 935 NE Couch Street, Portland

Four Things I Learned This Week (March 18)

Las Osita is moving to Montavilla. Mill Park‘s loss is Montavilla’s gain. La Osita—home to delicious breakfast tacos, coffee, and more—posted on their Instagram yesterday about their impending move to the Taylor Court Grocery space at 1135 SE 80th Avenue. “The building is a historic neighborhood market that shut down as life happened in the midst of the pandemic. It has fallen into a bit of disrepair but we are excited and thankful to have a chance to bring it back to life for the SE Portland and Montavilla community.” Why did they end up in Montavilla? “For the last year we had been looking up and down 122nd for a potential spot but nothing fit the bill.” Official opening date is to come. 1135 SE 80th Avenue, Portland

Kate’s Ice Cream opens today in North Portland. The Oregonian reports on today’s opening of vegan ice cream maker Kate’s Ice Cream in the old Ruby Jewel space on N Mississippi Avenue. Stop by starting at noon today for her creamy coconut-milk-based ice creams, including Mississippi Mayhem, “a purple cake-flavored ice cream with everything from brownies to sprinkles to cookie dough thrown in, depending on the day.” 3713 N. Mississippi Avenue, Portland

Lasagna listicle. The Willamette Week put together a list of six take-and-bake lasagnas you can get in Portland. It was a lot of fun to see what Jason and Andi chose, and I can personally give a major thumbs up to the Lasagna Project lasagnas. I started ordering them that first year of the pandemic and honestly, they have spoiled me for most others, because they are so freaking delicious. Next on my list is to try the lasagna from East Glisan Pizza Lounge. I’ll add that one glaring omission on the WW listicle is Stefania’s Kitchen, which makes a handful of excellent take-and-bake lasagnas.

Inaugural St. Joseph’s Market is Sunday. Head to Wellspent Market this Sunday from 12-4pm for their first annual St. Joseph’s Market. St. Joseph’s Day is a big day in Sicily, so expect to see some traditional Sicilian treats at this event, as well as things for the gardener, like garden-ready plants and heirloom Italian seeds. The aforementioned Sicilian treats include zeppole from Sebastiano’s and sfincione, a type of Sicilian pizza with origins in the 17th century, from Pizza Thief. Culinary Breeding network is also bringing a whole bunch of wonderful things: “authentic Italian marzipan molds in shapes inspired by the gardens of Italy, plant-themed jewelry, artwork, tea towels, linens, ‘zines, and more, including plants from Log House Nursery and seeds from Uprising Seeds.” It should be an excellent time. 935 NE Couch Street, Portland

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

pandan-cake-bui-tofu-portland-oregon

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”