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Ikea Opens Complete with Cafeteria

Last Update May 12, 2017

New Scandinavian Restaurant Near Airport

swedish_meatballs.jpgLocated 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 meatballs with cream gravy and lingonberry sauce, all for under $12.00. Yeah, you guessed it: the Ikea store cafeteria out by the airport is now open for business. It’s a guilty pleasure certainly, but I have to say, the cafeteria 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.

About Lizzy Caston

Lizzy writes about the types of food she likes to cook the most; simple dishes based on the freshest ingredients and gently coaxed to bring out their best qualities. Things like roast chicken with crackling skin, meat stews, all kinds of soups, and anything on toast. You know, peasant food like your French/Southern/Thai/Lebanese Mother might make.

In her past she held many a food service job, from a high-end traditional Japanese restaurant to a grease-pit diner off of Interstate 5. And she claims to still have nasty case of espresso wrist from the 10 billion lattes she made during her barista years.

Lizzy has an educational background that includes food sciences and politics, and has been a past writer for both cultural and academic publications. She takes a big picture view of the role that all things gastronomic are having in shaping the economy, culture, identity, and ever changing food scene both here and elsewhere. She believes Portland is at a pivotal and creative time food wise, and is constantly amazed and surprised at the bounty our city has to offer.

Reader Interactions


9 comments:

  1. onetart says

    More fancy frozen yogurt is one the way… there’s a space on NW23rd near 23rd Ave Books with a sign in the window.

  2. biabub says

    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).

  3. fuyuk says

    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?

  4. Cuisine Bonne Femme says

    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.

  5. Vespabelle says

    I’m excited about Roses reopening. Gooey chocolate ice cream is something I’ve been missing.

  6. cloudburst says

    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!

  7. Food Dude says

    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.

  8. sidemeat says

    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….

  9. SGM says

    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!