New Scandinavian Restaurant
Located in a sleekly designed modern space in an odd section of Northeast Portland, I recently had the pleasure of taking lunch at this already popular family friendly establishment. I sampled a light and fresh open faced shrimp and egg salad sandwich on rye bread, some delicate gravlax salmon with greens and cucumbers, a side cup of vegetable soup, and shared a big plate of tender meatballs with cream gravy and lingonberry sauce, all for under $12.00. Yeah, you guessed it: The Ikea Cafeteria out by the airport is now open for business. It’s a guilty pleasure certainly, but I have to say, the cafeteria located on the second floor of the new Ikea is bright, airy, and has a great view of planes taking off and landing at PDX. Would I drive out there for dinner? Probably not, but it sure beats the hot dogs and nachos with cheese at the Home Depot just down the road.
Retro Frozen Yogurt Opening Summer of 1986
I was driving down West Burnside last week near the Chevron on 22nd and did a double take. Suddenly I was transported back to the 1980s, listening to Duran-Duran on my cassette player, sporting my favorite purple off-shoulder Haagen Daz t-shirt a la Flashdance, and trying to navigate through my dark Ray-Ban sunglasses and hair-in-my eyes asymmetrical haircut. Could it be, really, there is a place opening there soon named SkinniYo (or something), frozen yogurt? Tell me; is SkinniYo ironically retro or just unknowingly retro?
African Fusion or Just Confusion?
E’njoni is a new African/Mediterranean restaurant on N. Killingsworth, next to Harold’s BBQ (just west of Albina Street). Open just 2 days, they didn’t even have menus yet when I went in to get one, but I plan on eating there this week and I’ll keep everyone posted. Injera with Hummous and Tibbs Walla flavored pasta really doesn’t sound that bad…
New Restaurant Coming to NE Russell?
Speaking of African food. A reader tip indicated that the owner of Queen of Sheba, the Ethiopian restaurant on NE MLK, is opening up a new place next to Toro Bravo on NE Russell. Word on the street says it won’t be African. Any ideas?
To Market, To Market, To Buy a Fat Pig
If you aren’t doing anything Monday night (August 6th, at 10PM), OPB is re-airing a PBS documentary (with the above name) on Public and Farmers Markets throughout the U.S. Not sure if Portland is included in the documentary, but with the amount of food lovers and policy wonks in Portland, I’m certain I won’t be the only one watching.
Hola! Pimentos de Padron Available at the Market!
Finally, speaking of markets. I know I have waited all year, and so have others, for the amazing little Spanish peppers known as Pimentos de Padron grown by Viridian Farms. Originally from the north of Spain, and deliciously addictive when simply pan fried with olive oil and sea salt, I’ve heard Toro Bravo is currently serving big plates of them. Usually difficult to find in the Pacific NW, Viridian Farms sold out in about 2 weeks last year, so get ‘em while you can.
Ask and You Shall Receive a Double Scoop on a Waffle Cone…
Finally, this just in from PF&D street reporter Joanna Miller:After lamenting the dearth of homemade ice cream in Portland, it turns out that NE Portland legend, Roses Ice Cream, has been resurrected and is slated to open later this month on NE 42nd and Alberta, in the old Chan’s Palace Chinese Food place. Yesssss!
Roses Ice Cream (not to be confused with Rose’s Restaurant – another member
of the Portland Food of Yore) – was located at NE 45th and Fremont for
several decades (does anyone know exactly how many?) and left a gaping
hole in the ice cream map of Portland ever since they closed their doors
sometime in the mid 90′s.
I’ve selflessly volunteered to provide tasting reports to Portland Food and Drink as soon as they open later in August. Stay tuned…
More fancy frozen yogurt is one the way… there’s a space on NW23rd near 23rd Ave Books with a sign in the window.
this froyo trend has been going on about as long as the cupcake craze, just hadn’t hit portland yet. see pinkberry of LA, etc. speaking of cupcakes, tried cupcake jones in the pearl today – their baby gianduja, which is about the size of your thumb. it was decent, but for $1.50, too much $. i would much rather blow my money on 3 of the delicious two tart cookies at the market. CC was serving delicious platters of padron peppers on Friday night – so good. restaurant choice for NE Russell – Icelandia, that’s about half-way between Spain (Toro Bravo) and Virginia (Russell St. BBQ).
Roses Ice Cream where Fife is now? Great stuff, but when was there Chan’s Palace Chinese Food at 42nd and Alberta? What is there currently? Not the thai place is it?
There is a now closed restaurant in on 42nd north of Alberta named Chan’s Place. No Sh*t. Address is 5011. I drove by it yesterday and Joanna went back and got the scoop (er, so to speak). It is on the west side of the street.
Also, I’ve been driving down that street for 12 years and just noticed it last night, so don’t feel too bad if you didn’t notice it either. That’s probably why Chan’s went out of business. No one noticed them! Hope the ice cream place does better.
I’m excited about Roses reopening. Gooey chocolate ice cream is something I’ve been missing.
regarding swedish food, the cafe next door to savoy on clinton has re-opened as ‘broder’, and is very scandinavian in focus.. haven’t tried it, but looks like a winner.. ikea is fun, but their meatballs leave much to be desired.
i think apotheke has helped spawn some of this interest in nordic stuff, or was at least ann early part of the growth.. caleb served meatballs and jam for a little while, and they were fantastic, but alas, didn’t stay on the menu.
skol!
When I was a kid, my parents used to take me to a Scandinavian restaurant in Los Angeles, called um, Scandia. Located on Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood, It was considered gourmet food, and therefore a destination for my family. I can remember the tuxedo clad waiters with silver trays full of exotic foods, and counting all the movie stars as we’d sit and eat. You had to wear a loaner jacket if you didn’t remember to bring one with you. Quite the scene. Be nice to have a good Scandinavian restaurant here – it’s so much more than meatballs.
When I was a kid, we would go to the Tick Tok (SP?)
I remember the clocks, the train, the soft food,
wanting our waitress to take my seat, let me carry that tray, please.
On casual nights, the fried chicken place at Knott’s Berry Farm.
And where is your piece on the Helms Bakery Trucks?
Why, in my day, grumble, gripe, a girding of loins….
Ohhhh- the Helms Man! How well I remember the yellow truck, the big wooden drawer, pulled out to reveal glazed donuts, maple bars, and other assorted goodies. And I can still hear the sound of the whistle that announced arrival on our street. That’s where most of my babysitting money went! Dude, we need that story!