From the Desk of Cuisine Bonne Femme:
The Stern’s Indulge in Voodoo Donut
Two weeks ago everyone’s favorite road food trippers Jane and Michael Stern wrote a story on Portland donut darlings Voodoo Donut. As everyone else does when they report on this unique Portland donutateur (or shall we call them a donutery?), the Sterns freaked out over Voodoo’s signature Bacon Maple Bars and vast vegan donut selection. I just don’t get it.
Zilla Sake is now open for business
It’s located at NE 18th and Alberta St. We took a peek inside and it looks kind of cute and kind of funky, and very much fits in on NE Alberta Street. Promising a full bar, a decent variety sakes of course, and Japanese inspired tapas, we’ll stop by in a few days and keep you posted.
More Mexican in North Portland – Trebol to Open
This as taken from a recent press release put out by the fine folks at Por Que No on N. Mississippi:
“There is a new restaurant joining our community, and it is Mexican! Can’t wait for it to open. I have not met the owners/chef yet, but the name of the restaurant is “Trebol” and I believe that the chef is the former sous chef at Higgins. It looks like they are close to being open, and will definitely be worth checking out. 4835 N. Albina Ave.” Sounds good to us. We love Por Que No, but their closet size space and long lines, we do not. It will be nice to have another option in the neighborhood if Por Que is too busy.
Toro Bravo under construction – News from Food Dude
One of my regular walks takes me across the Broadway Bridge, down Interstate, and up Russell St. I’ve was watching the renovation of the building next door to Wonder Ballroom wondering if a restaurant was going to be moving in, but hadn’t made it by for a while. Now the liquor license is up, and most of the construction seems finished. The restaurant will be called Toro Bravo. A construction worker told me it would be Spanish. Seems like a strange location, but I wish them the best.
Cheap chocolate companies are trying to change the “definition of chocolate”
According to the Salt Lake City Tribune, a group of companies is trying to get our government to change the ‘definition’ of chocolate.
Would chocolate containing trans fats and sugar substitutes taste as sweet as the real thing? Hershey Co. and other candy makers say yes.
The Chocolate Manufacturers Association, whose members include Hershey, Nestle SA and Archer Daniels Midland Co., has a petition before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to redefine what constitutes chocolate. They want to make it without the required ingredients of cocoa butter and cocoa solids, using instead artificial sweeteners, milk substitutes and vegetable fats such as hydrogenated and trans fats.”They are trying to pull one over on us,” said Cybele May, 40, publisher of CandyBlog, on which she has encouraged more than 200 people to write the FDA to protest what she calls ”mockolate.” ”What they are asking for is permission to confuse the consumer for what we readily accept as chocolate.”
I guess I’m just an old fashioned kinda guy, but I hope they don’t get away with this. You can read the whole article here.
Nikos says
As a transplant to Portland I am embarrassed every time Voodoo donuts is highlighted as one of THE things to see and eat in Portland!! If you want your (our) city to be portrayed as a freak show keep celebrating Voodoo donuts. Besides the doNUTS themselves are not that good and the toppings are most of the times disgusting and visually unappealing (garish colors, the bacon doesn’t even fit on the donuts. Argh!
Vespabelle says
If the bacon fits, you must aquit!
Betsy says
That chocolate news is totally sacriligious!
(I have to confess that I’m commenting mostly ’cause I want to see which icon I get..!)
Food Dude says
To prevent riot, the icons will only be on during weekends
suds sister says
RE: Toro Bravo
Dude, it is indeed Spanish. It’s the venture of John Gorham, formerly of Simpatica and Viande.
Ellie says
Hooray for the Toro Bravo news! In my hood, nonetheless. Could it be Portland’s first decent Spanish place? (sorry, folks – I do not love those currently existing.) I was in Barcelona in January – anyone been to Cal Pep? Man oh man, would it be cool to have a place like that in PDX. Just dreaming, of course.
suds sister says
RE: Toro Bravo
Open House
Friday May 11th
7 pm to midnight
Come celebrate with us the opening of our new Spanish inspired tapas restaurant. We will also celebrate the 100 years anniversary of our building and the opening of its ballroom and recording studio.
Thereafter: “Soft Opening” on May 15th and Grand Opening on June 1st.
John, Courtney, Ron, and the rest of the Toro Bravo crew
120 NE Russell Street
Portland, OR 97212
503.281.4464
http://www.torobravopdx.com
eat@torobravopdx.com
Food Dude says
Thanks for all the information!
JDG says
So, speaking of Pinocchio and construction delays, what’s the word on the Brasserie Montmartre?
It used to be our go-to place for some decent late-night food and drinks after a show, and I think it was spring of 2006 that we stopped by one night and saw they were closed for renovations — due to reopen in the fall, I believe.
Well, not only have they not reopened yet, but now there is a sign in the window with the name of the same contractor that was involved in the Pinocchio construction, which is how overdue now? And a peek inside the Bra would seem to indicate a complete lack of progress there.
Fortunately the Gilt Club is serving far better food than the Bra ever did, but if it is gone for good I will miss the vibe there…
extramsg says
Hey, Suds Sister, where’d you get that little bit of info, anyway?
katie says
Not to be a dope, but where is Rocket located? Can’t seem to find an address for it.
suds sister says
RE: The Brasserie
It’s definitely closed.
http://portland.metblogs.com/archives/2007/05/shut.phtml
suds sister says
RE: Rocket
Here’s their website, such as it is. I heard that opening weekend went well.
http://www.rocketpdx.com/
From the O:
http://www.oregonlive.com/dining/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/1177376115205850.xml&coll=7
truth says
1111 E. Burnside St., Portland, OR
http://www.rocketpdx.com/
Food Dude says
Yup, went to rocket this weekend. Will try to get a quick hit up as soon as I’ve been one more time. also will have a Country Cat quick hit later today – already been three times.
suds sister says
Why, from you, my dear!
http://www.extramsg.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2257
Food Dude says
For those that are frustrated by the useless rocket website, here are the days/hours/phone:
1111 E. Burnside St.
503-236-1110
Open 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Saturday
I dunno… Rocket is so… last weekend. What’s opening this week! ;>)
sidemeat says
In some way I like that Rocket doesn’t have a $10,000 web site, or it’s own brand of olive oil (olive foam?) Perhaps the money and energy are going towards food, chairs, lighting, staff training and maybe enough cash to see themselves through the first six months in case this doesn’t take off.
Food Dude says
For some reason it is taking forever for the mail server to notify me when a message is being moderated. Sorry if it takes a while for yours to get your’s posted!
Jeff says
Michael Bazzani’s Pinocchio Bar and Restaurant in downtown Portland’s cultural district won’t open as planned tonight, May 3. Michael and Chef Nelia are looking forward to an opening date of March 10th, for dinner.
Um, a 10 month delay in opening? That’s pretty significant…
JDG says
Or a one week delay, if you assume they meant May 10th and not March 10th.
I happened by there last Friday on my way to the Schnitz, they looked pretty close to opening to me (chairs upside down on tables).
Food Dude says
Oops. I think I copied that directly from the PR person, but one of us obviously made a mistake (probably me). I’ll correct it.
Hunter says
Actually Pinocchio had their soft opening on Saturday.
vanessa bazzani Pinocchio Bar & Restaurant says
yes, it has been an incredibly long road and boy do we wish we could have opened ten months ago…..sometimes you do not get what you want. we had a “friends and family” party on saturday and it was a great success. thank you for all who came and made it so wonderful. we will be opening in the next week or so. there have some final construction issues with the hood system but we are so close. otherwise the restaurant is ready so if you’re in the neighborhood stop by and see it. thank you for all your patience these past long months.
Bird says
Brassarie Montmarte will re-open this fall,in the same location. Hayden Enterprises is the new owner/operator.
Reverend Tex B. Acon says
I really liked your blog! Praise Bacon and Hallelujah :)