Wildfire Pizza to open at 3925 NE MLK. Talk about a booming area! Toro Bravo, Terroir, Marco Shaw’s seafood place (opening date unknown), and now Wildfire. My question is, where are they going to get all the diners? No, scratch that; I should have said, Where are they getting all the money? None of these are exactly low-budget build-outs. Is the mafia laundering money through Portland restaurants?
As I was sitting at Rocket this weekend, I couldn’t help but think about the overhead. Big space, new building, panoramic view, rooftop garden and menu items moderately priced, yet actually not all that much seating – especially on rainy days when the patio is closed. Don’t get me wrong, I like the interior and want them to succeed. I’m just wondering how they will make a profit.
Back to Wildfire. The restaurant is being opened by Kevin Hutchinson, former owner of Sellwood Public House, and features a wood burning oven, shipped over from Tuscany, that maintains a “1000 degree temp. He says his pizza is all 12″, in the New York pizziolo style, and the oven will cook a pizza in about 90 seconds. It is slated to have a large outdoor dining area. Opening set for June 8th.
Kitchen Nightmares with Gordon Ramsay is coming to American television. They are taking applications from restaurants now. To quote from the website:
For restaurant owners in crisis with lazy chefs in the kitchen, temperamental wait staffs and few and unhappy diners, it’s time to call in the restaurant industry’s equivalent of 911.
Inspired by one of the UK’s biggest hits, KITCHEN NIGHTMARES is seen in more than 50 territories around the globe, and the series reveals a whole new side to Ramsay. He’s still prone to the explosive outbursts and spectacular confrontations familiar to fans of HELL’S KITCHEN, but he also shows his sensitive and nurturing side — a unique blend of fury, passion, inspirational leadership and tough love that can turn a small spark of talent into a roaring flame.
Suggestions? Anyone?
Typhoon owner Bo Kline has won a National Diversity Award through the National Restaurant Association. The Oregonian had a different slant, saying “Restaurateur who reported Thai cooks to immigration wins diversity award”. This came over their Rss feed, which was pulled shortly thereafter. Hmm. Anyway, here’s a snip from the press release:
As Typhoon grew, Kline faced her biggest challenge and decision on the path to her dream of U.S. citizenship. She realized the success of her restaurant depended on her ability to recruit cooks from Thailand. She could only accomplish this by giving up her green card and being classified as a foreign investor, which forced her to relinquish her dream of citizenship to ensure that Typhoon! would continue to grow.
Since sacrificing her citizenship dreams, Typhoon! has prospered. Kline has been successful in recruiting countless employees from Thailand and assisting them in obtaining legal status to work in the U.S. Through their employment at Typhoon!, many of Typhoon’s employees have gained college educations and become American citizens.
Cafe Castagna will begin opening for lunch as of June 12th. The thought of one of their burgers and a good beer, on a warm summer afternoon, is enough to curl my toes. Thanks to Bruce over at WineGuyWorld for letting me know.
Clyde Common, in the Ace Hotel building on Stark Street, is now open. I haven’t seen the final menu, but the preview version looked quite interesting. I can’t believe how fast they went from studs to opening – someone was very motivated to get people in the doors.
re: the restaurant boom…I detect some resemblence to the irrational exuberance of the dot-com heydey or the housing bubble (and the Seattle grunge scene before it). Seems like it’s fueled by the strong, heady intoxication of the local, sustainable slow-food movement that’s often considered endemic to the NW (primed by articles in the NYT and LAT, etc.).
I used to watch Ramsay’s show when I lived in the UK, and it was great (unlike that travesty ‘Hell’s Kitchen’), consistently interesting and entertaining. I was hoping someone would get around to starting it up over here!
Burgers and beer at lunch? Possibly. Rosado and Camarones a la Plancha? Definately.
Kevin, this is the cafe, right? Or is it the restaurant?
Pollo, I like my mafia idea better, but have a feeling you are right.
Hello FD, yes for the cafe side, mostly to utilize the outdoor seating. We’ll see how it goes and then make a decision for continuing after early/mid fall. Just a joke about the burger, son. Of course it’ll be on. Thanks, Kevin
Just had dinner tonight at Clyde Common. Not bad at all for being open just a few short days. The space is casual and friendly with a huge open kitchen and a generous bar area. The decor is simple, and looks almost unfinished, just like the Ace hotel itself. But that’s the charm of the whole place.
There are only large “community” tables available for seating, which is bound to get you to interact with your fellow diners on a busy night. The food was quite good. Nothing fancy, just well cooked fare that was just what we needed after a long day at work. We had the chicken thigh (much more interesting dish than the name suggests), the poached tuna and the gnudi. Apps included the wild prawns, the rhubarb salad and the radish with butter and seasalt (personal favorite). We’ll be back.
Thanks for the report, peckcheck!
Is anyone else other than me, not crazy about the idea of “communal tables”. This unfortunate trend is spreading last I checked to Pigeon, now Clyde Commons, Ken’s Pizza has some…
I don’t like it (just saying, like FD would say)
Nikos,
Whatever harm to your reputation it may cause, sidemeat agrees.
When serving, I enjoy communal tables, with certain groups the communal experience engenders a communal experience.
Other groups not so much.
Either way, the economies of crowd control
and being able to address people as y’awl
are not without appeal.
But when meat dines, (on whatever the hell it is he eats)
Don’t crowd my bowl.
It is quite common to share tables in Europe as they wish to maximize their revenue opportunities. You may or may not be asked if you wish to share a table depending on the circumstances. It can either be an enjoyable experience or something less than pleasant depending on the hygiene practices of unexpected dining companions. However, seating everyone at one “communal” table should be saved for large dining events etc., ie; plate and pitchfork, IPNC. Also, it might be noted that people who do wish to dine in this fashion will naturally gravitate towards those establishment offering “communal” dining and those who do not will not frequent those establishments.
As I recall, Toro Bravo has a community table. Remember the community BOOTHS at Gotham? Great if you clicked with the other diners, incredibly uncomfortable if you didn’t. At least at Ripe, people usually had a common interest in food.
A COMMUNITY BOOTH!?!?
I’d rather share a casket.
I like both large tables and smaller ones depending on the situation and type of meal – I’ve met several great people this way.
However sometimes they just suck. The other night at Toro Bravo I noticed a couple of large tables but was really thankful that they had smaller tables available as my dinner with a special someone was intimate and the conversation private if you know what I mean. It would have been a less special dinner if we had been seated with others.
Nobody seems to be commenting on Rocket. There’s a lot of hype building about it and I’m going to call bluff. I was in last night for the first time and had two overarching thoughts, neither of which concern the food because we had already eaten at Biwa (which was excellent). First, IT’S NOT THE 90′s ANYMORE. Who dreamed up the dated, “We love Chihuly” decor? You would think they would want to cash in on Portland’s burgeoning creative class with that location but they must be shooting for a different, read– older, demographic. The owners have missed the asthetic mark. They could have saved some serious cash and let the exterior view carry the restaurant instead of clouding the experience with distracting (and dated) visuals. And secondly, I am under the impression that Rocket shares some affiliation with Noble Rot, so why on earth is their wine-by-the-glass list so paltry?
Nitpicky, I am currently writing a review of Rocket.
That makes two of us, Nitpicky. The interior at Rocket is strange–too many design elements for a space of its size and some of them are not very original and/or dated. It is a shame because no doubt a lot of money was spent. A cleaner look with one or two bold gesturers would have been better. Paradoxically it also looks somewhat unfinished to me.
Also had dinner at Clyde Commons. Rather good service for being open such a short time. Seems like the team enjoys being there. Food was very nice–will definitely go back.
Nitpicky,
The entire drink menu is paltry, not just the wine list. I was hoping for a cocktail list to die for. That view and that patio in that area seem to have all the makings for a fine night spot. But their cocktail list is skimpy and tired, having treaded an all too familiar path.
Someone asked earlier about how limited Rocket’s profits will be when it’s raining. I think that in order for them to succeed, they need to exist both as a restaurant and as a bar.
I’m glad nikos brought up the proliferation of communal tables in local restaurants. Having to dine “family style” with a bunch of people I don’t know ain’t my idea of fun.
As much as I like Simpatica’s food, communal tables are why I just don’t enjoy eating there, especially in the morning. And, oh, how I’ve enjoyed experiencing the up-close-and-personal table manners and hygiene of some folks. I get far more elbow room sitting on my own stool at any crowded restaurant bar.
Funny thing is, I actually like talking to people and can strike up a conversation with anyone. But it’s far more comfortable and enjoyable when I’ve got my own seat and space.
Hey, Portland restaurateurs: If you’re gung ho on communal dining, add in an equal number of tables for folks who don’t want to cozy up with strangers.
I’m with nikos, and fuyuk hit the nail on the head, too. Having to dine “family style” with a bunch of people I don’t know ain’t my idea of fun.
As much as I like Simpatica’s food, communal tables are why I just don’t enjoy eating there, especially in the morning. And, oh, how I’ve enjoyed experiencing the up-close-and-personal table manners and hygiene of some folks. I get far more elbow room sitting on my own stool at any crowded restaurant bar.
Funny thing is, I actually like talking to people and can strike up a conversation with anyone. But it’s far more comfortable and enjoyable when I’ve got my own seat and space.
Hey, Portland restaurateurs: If you’re gung ho on communal dining, add in an equal number of tables for folks who don’t want to cozy up with strangers.
Don’t forget about Old Town Pizza going in on MLK too, as well as a 24 HR Fitness. It is nice to see stuff happening on that street.
Trebol just opened nearby on Albina, looks nice inside, any word on the food?
I agree with Nikos–for the most part, I don’t enjoy communal tables–especially at a more upscale place. Who you’re rubbing elbows with can dramatically affect your dining experience–one that you’re paying for and (hopefully) have been looking forward to. Bad neighbors could skew your opinion of the restaurant…it’s hard to get over a couple of bad experiences.
I bet most diners would agree with Nikos about not enjoying having to dine with strangers at communal tables. Why then, in a business as competitive as the restaurant biz, do more and more restaurants seem to be going that route lately (and thus alienating a large part of their customer base), at least in PDX? Could it be that restaurateurs around here are still enamored of the whole Ripe/Family Supper shtick, even though they’re both long gone?
There is a time and place for community seating. I haven’t been to the Montage for years due to several inedible meals and the skyrocketing prices, but that used to be a fun place to tie a few on, down some spicy food, and carouse with strangers. However, if I’m dropping $50 or more on a meal (per person), damn right I don’t expect to be rolling the dice in regards to my dinner companions for the evening. For that price, one should be assured of one’s own table (an adequate distance from others) and an atmosphere free from raucous drunks and screaming babies.
If places want to do the community seating thing at an upscale establishment, and there really is a market for it, that’s cool; I’m not gonna bitch and moan, I just won’t go (which is also what I recommend to all my foodie friends who can’t stop whining about places that don’t take reservations).
Community seating, a time and a place.
School (good food memories there)
Prison ( I remember the service more than the food)
Military (REAL Thai food, a dozen clicks up from
three color waterfall)
I’m not going to pay for the pleasure of sitting with some friend I haven’t met yet.
I hope no-one pays to sit next to me.
But if they do, they will.
GrrowWwlluff!
not just communal tables, but “family style” food serving…on my only visit to Nostrana (remember them?), my companion and I were served our salad in the big bowl, 2 plates, and a pair of tongs. thank you, no.
On the matter of communal seating. That works for me if I’m in a “gulf it down have to eat in a restaurant because I’m on the road” scenario. But never for elective dining. No offense to anyone more extroverted than me. I simply flunk out at cocktail party small talk and would most certainly be an even more wretchedly boring seatmate at a communal seating restaurant.
The Clyde also has seating in the balcony, with 4 tops and couches for those who want to not socialize as much.