Welcome to a new edition of Portland food news! We've gathered all the latest happenings in the food scene, including a new Pearl District winery Like List , a drool-worthy smash burger destination Like List , a mochi doughnut pop-up Like List , and an upcoming pasta parlor Like List . Read on for all that and more essential updates. For more ideas, check out our list of places to celebrate Rosh Hashanah Like List , our takeout and delivery directory, and our outdoor dining directory.
Keep in mind that some restaurants may be closed or have reduced hours due to air quality. It’s a good idea to call ahead or check social media before going out anywhere.
NEW OPENINGS AND RETURNS
Mikiko Mochi Doughnuts
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As the trend of mochi doughnuts gains traction in the city, the pop-up Mikiko Mochi Doughnuts has found a new home in the Bar West
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space in Northwest Portland. The pop-up is run by couple Emily Mikiko Strocher and Alex McGillivray and features flavors like pandan with matcha, passion orange guava, and ube with li hing (salty dried plum powder). The doughnuts are available from 8 am-1 pm, Tuesday-Friday, and will also be on West's brunch menu on the weekends.
Northwest
Rough Draft Burger Shop
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The well-received Seattle pop-up Rough Draft, which specializes in smash burgers, opened a permanent shop at Uptown Beer Co. in Southwest Portland on August 29. The burgers are crispy-edged and dressed only with onion, pickles, and a proprietary special "RD Sauce" that contains radish kimchi. Also on the menu: waffle fries (with a side of Cheez Whiz), vegetable crudités with ranch dressing, and the "broccoli supreme" (fried broccoli with hot cheese, pickled peppers, scallions, and crispy jalapeños).
Southwest
Nanban
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This new Japanese spot opened in Southeast Portland last week, serving Japanese snacks and bites, sandwiches (including chicken karaage and pork katsu), okonomiyaki, teriyaki in flavors like lemon curd and chocolate toffee, and ice cream in flavors like white miso and banana chocolate toffee.
Southeast
Chimcking
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This new Korean fried chicken spot opened in Beaverton in early September, serving crispy wings and whole birds, with options for "hot" or "soy garlic" flavors. Sides include pickled radishes, rice, potato wedges, fries, and salad.
Beaverton
Erath
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This Willamette Valley winery opened its first tasting room in the Pearl District on September 10. The winery is open for reservations for parties under six, with careful attention to health and safety measures. Flights of wine are available, as are curated cheese pairings from local producers.
Pearl District
Momiji
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This local sushi chain, which started in Salem and has several locations, had a grand opening for its new Southwest Portland outpost on Sunday, September 13. The menu features appetizers, sides, nigiri, sashimi, mochi ice cream, and a variety of rolls.
Southwest
Sassy Souk's Pho & Boba Tea
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This new destination for pho and boba drinks opened in St. John's in August. The menu also has a selection of other Asian dishes, including a Laotian-style take on banh mi.
North
Garbonzos
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The OG kosher falafel shop Garbonzos, which shuttered in 2005, has been reincarnated as a food cart, serving falafel made with fresh chickpeas, pita sandwiches, and vegan koftas.
Southwest
Masia
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According to an email newsletter, Masia, the new sister restaurant of chef Jose Chesa's acclaimed Ataula
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, has re-opened for dine-in service, with widely spaced indoor seating as well as outdoor seating. The menu includes tapas, paella, and Spanish-inspired sandwiches, and the restaurant also has a vermouth bar with craft cocktails and wine by the glass. "Xurros" (Spanish-style churros) are also available.
Downtown
POP-UPS & EVENTS
Hello Kitty Cafe Truck
Past Event
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The all-pink Hello Kitty cafe truck will roll into the Rose City on its 2020 West Coast tour, bringing with it plenty of kawaii sweets and collectibles.
Bridgeport Village, Saturday
NEW SPECIALS
Canard
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Chef Gabriel Rucker's acclaimed French wine bar has rolled out a luxe seafood tower brunch. $120 gets you a dozen oysters, chilled mussels, prawn cocktail, Dungeness crab spring rolls, oeufs mayonnaise with smoked trout roe and bacon, albacore and melon crude, and smoked salmon rillettes. Optional add-ons include Old bay fries with aioli or foie gras French toast with orange peach marmalade.
Southeast
Castagna
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The seasonal Pacific Northwest restaurant Castagna is offering a special "grand aioli" menu from September 18-19, featuring a platter of summer beans, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, beets, baby fennel, grilled Oregon albacore, poached jumbo prawns, thinly sliced ham, marinated artichokes, baguette, a trio of aioli dips made with Prairie Creek garlic, and a lemon tart with raspberries. Add on a bottle of rosé to round out your meal. Ten percent of each box will be donated to the Red Cross Relief efforts to help with the wildfires.
Southeast
Imperial
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This locally focused American restaurant inside Hotel Lucia has introduced a new weekend brunch program revolving around smoked brisket, available for takeout or in-person dining. The menu includes a burrito made with burnt ends, brisket huevos rancheros, brisket biscuits and gravy, and brunch staples like fried chicken and waffles and potato latkes with salmon lox.
Downtown
The Sudra
The vegan Indian restaurant The Sudra, which has locations in North and Northeast Portland and is opening another in Beaverton, has brought back its happy hour. From 12-4 pm daily, the restaurant is serving soup-and-salad combos, small bowl combos with options like tikka masala or jackfruit vindaloo, and discounted drinks (including wine, beer, cider, and specialty cocktails).
North and Northeast
Wailua Shave Ice
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This Hawaiian shave ice company is donating 20% of their sales through September 20 to aid wildfire relief efforts.
Downtown
FUTURE OPENINGS
Burger Stevens
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This much-buzzed-about burger cart plans to move to the Prost! Marketplace
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pod, a top food cart destination home to heavy hitters like Desi PDX and Matt's BBQ. The cart is expected to open in its new location later this month.
North
Drink Mamey
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This BIPOC-owned juice bar will open in the former location of Tea Bar
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on NE Killingsworth on the weekend of Halloween this year, serving items like juices, smoothies, and fruit bowls. Founder Cydnie Smith-McCarthy has a mission to make wellness more accessible to Black people after her father died suddenly from an undiagnosed heart condition in 2018. If you can't wait until Halloween, Tea Bar locations are stocked with Mamey's juices in the meantime.
Northeast
Gumba
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This food cart, which has gained popularity for its fresh pasta and fried chicken sandwiches, will open a brick-and-mortar restaurant in the former space of Aviary
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, which closed last month after almost ten years. The upcoming "pasta parlor" will feature lots of handmade pasta (of course), as well as some other dishes. Co-owner Jesse Martinez hints at future "chef collaborations," karaoke nights, and vintage arcade games. The restaurant is slated to open by the end of September.
Northeast
CLOSURES
Bailey's Taproom
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According to Brewpublic, the downtown Bailey's Taproom has closed indefinitely. Owner Geoff Phillips hopes the closure is temporary but acknowledges it may be permanent: "I would hope that there will be a time in 2021 that people are comfortable being in a tight space with other people. But I’m not really that optimistic right now and don’t really see that happening next year. If that’s the case, Bailey’s is unlikely to reopen."
Southwest
Beetroot
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The modern Jewish deli, which opened just a year ago, has closed its doors. A post on Instagram read, "With a heavy heart, we are closing Beetroot and will finish out this last week by working on our Rosh Hashanah orders for Friday, and donating meals to folks impacted by these fires. We wish we could be open to the public for one last week, but it is both unsafe and doesn't feel right to operate normally during this time."
Northwest
Mirisata
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The BIPOC worker-owned Sri Lankan food pop-up Mirisata closed last weekend and is on the hunt for a new location, due to needing to vacate its current kitchen. The all-vegan pop-up has accrued a large following after 11 weeks of business.
Northeast
Fortune
The Old Town Chinatown nightclub Fortune closed permanently last week. COVID-19, as well as an ongoing legal battle with the venue's landlords, led to the closure.
Northwest
Renata
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This popular Italian restaurant will close indefinitely after September 20 and will continue to focus on delivery and takeout going forward. In an Instagram post, the restaurant cited the approach of fall as a contributing factor, explaining that operations will become difficult without the option of outdoor dining.
Southeast
OTHER FOOD NEWS
Elephants Delicatessen founder dies
Elaine Tanzer, the founder of the pioneering specialty food shop Elephants Delicatessen, died at the age of 77 on Tuesday after a fall. Tanzer founded the beloved deli in 1979, when stores of its kind were extremely scarce.