Portland food news and views
I got the news in my inbox this week that Xico, a Mexican restaurant that has served Oaxacan food in kind of “relaxed bougie” surroundings, will close. Thursday, March 23 will be their final day of service.
Continue reading “Goodbye, Xico”
If you can believe it, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner—three weeks from today. A number of places in Portland are offering special prix fixe dinners, some are preparing to-go meal boxes, and pre-order sweets are being prepared by bakeries around town.
Unless otherwise specified, these meals are available only on February 14, and getting your reservation set sooner that later is recommended. Unfortunately, weather (see: 2021) and COVID can thwart things, so please double check the place you want to celebrate at before you head out.
Menu details are included where available. We will update this list as new information becomes available.
Bar Casa Vale
Four-course prix-fixe menu—three courses of tapas plus dessert. $75 per person.
Reservations via OpenTable. 215 SE 9th Avenue, Ste 109, Portland
Well, it’s been a little quiet around here since the arrival of the novel coronavirus crisis and its accompanying demon COVID-19, which has dealt a pretty severe blow to Portland’s restaurant world. I’ve also spent a month under the weather with some other kind of virus, which has squelched my own sense of inspiration; being sick is a drag. But, I’m finally feeling better and happy to post to this little blog.
Big shout out to some great spots we’ve eaten at during this crisis, in the current to-go/pickup/contactless reality we all live in: Red Sauce Pizza, Laughing Planet, Sa Bai Thai, Burrito Azteca, and Xico. Your food has been awesome with solid social distancing practicies.
I hope each one of you reading this is feeling well, and I send every good wish for continued health. Now, on to the Shake Shack news.
It’s back! I’ve resurrected my weekly Four Things, where I tell you about four new-to-me things I learned this week in the world of Portland food (week ending Friday, August 30, 2019).
Doe Donuts is backlogged with city permits. Back in June, Doe Donuts announced they were leaving their FoPo location for new digs in the Hollywood District (where Garden Monsters previously set up shop). Their signage has been up for a while at the new spot, so I asked them on their Instagram when they plan to open. “In a few months,” was the answer. And why? “Permits are holding us back.”
The calzone zone is on Wednesdays at Red Sauce. According to their Facebook page, Red Sauce will be serving their amazing calzones on Wednesday nights only, going forth. Also news: “Pan pie on summery vacay, back in the fall.” Both are excellent choices; you should go. (And get a Treat Vancouver ding dong while you’re there.)
Oregon is a cheese champion. During the American Cheese Society Competition, Oregon took home 14 cheese wins this year. You can sample some of this year’s winning cheeses at The Wedge in October. And next year’s American Cheese Society Competition, Festival of Cheese, and accompanying conference will be held in Portland (July 2020)!
Xico nixes lunch service on SE Division. We’ve learned that Xico, home to an excellent version of “winner, winner, chicken dinner” on Monday nights, has decided to close down lunch service at their Division Street location. Last day of lunch service is Sunday, September 1. But… you can go to their NW location, where they will continue to serve lunch every day, save for Tuesday.
