Americano, the coffee/cocktail bar which will be opening at 2605 East Burnside street, which is just a few blocks East of The Screen Door, has announced that New Orléans chef Chris Debarr and Kate Bolton of San Francisco’s Maven will be running the shop, which will open in early March if all goes well.
The new shop, is being created by Blair Reynolds who owns Hale Pale and the excellent line of mixers called BG Reynolds, and Ian Christopher of coco Donuts. The plan is for house-roasted coffee and homemade pastries in the morning, a brunch program mid-day, and at night, a “European-inspired cocktail bar”, which will focus on Amaro, with a full selection of cocktails, and a “European-centric small plates menu.”
Here’s the PR –
PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 14, 2015 – Americano, a new coffee and cocktail bar opening in early March 2016 at 2605 East Burnside Ave., welcomes the combined talents of award-winning chef Chris DeBarr from the famed Green Goddess in New Orleans and mixologist Kate Bolton from Maven in San Francisco. The duo will put their whimsical and professional touches on the coffee-bar-by-day and cocktail-bar-by-night, a concept created by Blair Reynolds, Tiki master and owner of Hale Pale and BG Reynolds, and Ian Christopher, owner of Coco Donuts.
The morning will begin with a high-end coffee and tea experience with the latest coffee equipment, house-roasted coffee and homemade pastries. During the day there will be a daily globetrotting brunch program. At night, the European-inspired cocktail bar will focus on the Italian digestif, Amaro, with a large selection of cocktails inspired by the Americano and a European-centric small plates menu. “The double luck we had in finding both Chris and Kate for our new venture will excite Portland, especially its craft coffee, culinary and cocktail communities,” said Reynolds.
Chris DeBarr Brings a New Orleans Culinary Pedigree to Portland
As the general manager of Americano, Chef DeBarr’s passion and culinary imagination will fuel Americano’s Euro-centered small plates menu and all-day brunch. DeBarr spent more than two decades in New Orleans at cult venues such as Commander’s Palace, Delachaise wine bar, Green Goddess, which he opened in 2009 and Serendipity, opened in 2012. Named Best New Chef by New Orleans Magazine in 2006, DeBarr is recognized for his fun-loving food that takes chances and for his taste for the exotic and unexpected. He also built the wine program at Green Goddess and in 2012 was recognized with a Top 100 Wine Restaurant designation from Wine Enthusiast.
“The food at Americano will pair well with both Americanos – the espresso drink and the Campari-based cocktail,” said DeBarr. “Americano speaks to my love of hospitality, for doing things that are both homegrown and cosmopolitan by celebrating local drinking culture while showcasing the best aspects of our American appetite for culinary innovation and our melting pot of cultures.”
Maven’s Mixologist Kate Bolton Relocates to Portland
Bolton was originally drawn to the restaurant industry by its quick energy, relentless creativity, and true sense of community. Before relocating to Portland as bar manager for Americano, Kate was the bar director and partner at Maven in San Francisco. While in San Francisco, she tended bar for several Michelin-starred restaurants and was awarded the San Francisco Chronicle Bar Star (2012), Eater Bartender of the Year (2012), 7X7 Magazine’s Best Cocktails (2013), and Nitey Awards Mixologist of the Year (2014). While maintaining a keen emphasis on balance, Bolton creates new twists on proven formulas by applying culinary techniques and utilizing spices, herbs and seasonal produce.
Follow Americano on Facebook with updates on opening date, menus and design. For more information, visit Americanopdx.com
Kelley Gardiner says
Hope it fares better than our dearly departed Alder Pastry. These by day/by night concepts can be awfully tricky.
PDX Food Dude says
It’s going to be interesting. Some strong personalities in this mix.
LocalNative says
It’s utterly noisy and I hope it closes soon.
rynor says
I wonder if it’ll close as quickly as Reynolds’s tasting room did and put some more people out of work? Guy’s way overextended and soliciting investors on his FB page!