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Chris Israel Annouces Gruner Restaurant

The Oregonian reports that Chris Israel of 23Hoyt, Saucebox, Zefiro fame is going to open Gruner,  an “Alpine Themed Restaurant at SW 12th and Alder. Gruner will explore cooking of Northern Italy, France and Central Europe — Germany, Austria, Hungary and The Alps. From a peek at an early menu, think fundutas and strudels and spätzle; rye bread, sweet-spicy mustards,
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Sangria

Long before I moved to Portland, I was known for my sangria recipe. I always suspected I was invited to many parties just because they knew I would bring a batch of my easy-drinking wine punch.

One year my friend Patrick invited me to his birthday party in Healdsburg, California. It was going to be outdoors, looked to be hot, and

Alu is back, The Trib Sags Further, We’re Number 3!

Alu, the failed bar/restaurant on NE MLK, has reopened. From a press release:
We wish to invite you to the reincarnation of Alu Wine Bar & Lounge opening today, Monday, July 27th. Although the name remains the same, Alu’s concept has been reinvented from top to bottom. Enjoy our completely new menu of exquisite food, specialty cocktails, beers, and an exclusive wine list devoted entirely to sustainably-focused wines. We have outdoor

Of an Untimely Death, and a Ham Sandwich

It’s hot, lots of people are grumpy, and I thought I’d re-post this old story from 2005, four years from the original publish date . It’s all true, and might just make you smile and forget the heat for a moment.

It was a perfect ham sandwich that brought me to the brink of an untimely death. Somehow, that all seems appropriate for me. I suppose I’d better tell you the rest of the story.

52 Fords, Fallout Shelters and the Steakhouse Summary

On a recent warm night, I stuck my head out the window and smelled summer; the odor of fresh cut grass and brush drying, triggering memories of long ago.

I’ve talked many times about my summers on the family ranch in Texas. I’ll never forget one of my last trips as a kid of about 16. My grandmother was getting old, and we knew she wouldn’t be able to stay there alone much longer. My visit was as much to say goodbye to the ranch as it was for anything else, as I knew I probably wouldn’t be back again.

Soluna Grill, Branch, Free House Bar Come to PDX

Interesting new places on the horizon: Soluna Grill will open in the old Fife location. According to the website, it is being opened by Dan Straub, a chef with a wide-ranging experience. The food looks like it will be a mixture of small plates and grilled items, though the menu shows a bit of incongruity, with selections ranging from the
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Roux, R.I.P.

Restaurateur Dwayne Beliakoff and partner have decided to pull the plug on Roux, his Cajun restaurant in North Portland. According to Dwayne, he felt like he either needed to reinvent the space as a different type of restaurant, or pull the plug. “Since the bills are paid, we felt like it was a good time to re-focus and go a
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