Ben Meyer Confirms Grain & Gristle Restaurant

A few weeks ago, I noticed a local blog, Under the Table with Jen, had posted that Ben Meyer was opening a new restaurant called “Grain & Gristle” in the space next to the current Podnah’s restaurant. Yesterday, Ben sent out a press release with more details:

You may have heard rumors about a new endeavor: Alex Ganum, owner and head brewer of Upright Brewing, Marcus Hoover, designer for Roses Restaurant Equipment, and I, Ben Meyer, of Ned Ludd Restaurant, have been working on opening a public house for some time now.

We are proud to announce that we have signed on the space, completed plans, and work is underway!

Grain & Gristle will be located at 1473 NE Prescott, right here in our neighborhood.  A short but often-changing bottle and tap selection, curated by Alex, will focus on Oregon and Washington breweries along with some interesting and unique beers from around the world. The food will continue in the rustic and hearty style we brought you at Ned Ludd (but with a full kitchen! Yeah, fryer!), while aiming to support and heighten the flavors in the beer list.  The space itself, designed by Marcus, centers on a gorgeous U-shaped maple bar and showcases work by local artists and craftspeople.

It is a modest space, next to Podnah’s Pit (at least for now), Tiga, and Extracto Coffee.  We’ll be sad to lose our friend Rodney as a neighbor as he moves his delicious barbecue joint into a new space, but we are very excited to have Andy Ricker get to work on Pok Pok Noi!

Unfortunately, I have to let you know that this signals the end of my tenure at Ned Ludd.  Jason and I have decided to part ways so I can focus on the Grain & Gristle and he can take Ned Ludd to the next level.  I will miss the hell out of it and I want to thank all of you who supported me there.

As for the proposed opening date?  We are at the mercy of the buildout gods who work on their own timelines, but we are aiming to be open by December 1st.  You should hold us to that.  We’ll do our best.

For now, you will just have to hold your breath, and stalk us here.

Thanks,

Ben Meyer

Grain & Gristle

1473 NE Prescott

Portland, OR 97211

 

An example menu lists five categories: Salt, Vegetables, Protein, Cheese and Sweets.

Salt – pork rinds, Fressen pretzel, house pickles & olives

Vegetables – Farm greens, fresh herbs, champagne vin. Wilted spinach, acorn squash, sherried onions, bacon. Crisp lettuce, chanrelles, hazelnuts, shaved parm. Sweet onion rings. Freedom fries.

Protein – cured meat board, house pickles, mustard, bread. Meatloaf, glaze, roasted potatoes, herbs. Braised pork shoulder, creamy beans, kale. Our pastrami reuben, dense rye, choice. Burger, brioche roll, p;ickles, greens, tomato, fries. Beer brat, kraut, sweet mustard, rolls, fries. Mussel frites, wheat beer, onion, fennel, cream

This is going to be quite a nice little corner, with Extracto Coffee, Pok Pok Noi, and Grain & Thistle!

For now, I suppose, my upcoming review of Ned Ludd will be on hold until we get an idea of what this change will mean to them.