New Besaw’s Open Jan 27, Solo Club Coming Soon

Chef Dustin Clark from Wildwood will be Executive Chef, Sommelier Savanna Ray of Wildwood and Ringside will handle wine, and Pastry Chef Michelle Vernier of Paley’s and Imperial will take the helm of desserts. Zounds! This is not your grandfather’s Besaw’s anymore.

This press release from Besaws is so thorough, I’m just going to post the whole thing. Read all the way to the bottom for soft opening information. Highlights –

Well, try as we might, we didn’t quite make it back in time for the Great Holiday Whirlwind of 2015. Nonetheless, WE MADE IT; on Wednesday, January 27th, Besaw’s will be open for business!

After an extended summer (and fall, and Christmas) break, we are chomping at the bit to dive back into what we do best — breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days (and nights!) a week, delivered with the warmth and legendary service we’re renowned for. Maybe you didn’t even realize how much you’ve missed us, but once you see what we’ve got in store, you’ll be at a loss as to how you ever got by without your Besaw’s fix!

The Team is putting the finishing touches on our beautiful new space, and we’ve made every effort to craft a gathering place that will nourish Portlanders for decades to come. In addition to details referencing our colorful history (you can’t go wrong with some classic wood and brass, as well as the classic neon “Besaw’s” sign), we’re thrilled to showcase some new flourishes: original wallpaper designed by our own Kate Blairstone, spectacular bar and lighting design by both Illume and AMIGA Light, a gorgeous custom brick oven… and oh, the food…!

An example of true Nob Hill synergy has arisen at the new Besaw’s: we are ecstatic to welcome former Wildwood Chef Dustin Clark on board as our new Executive Chef. Under Dustin’s guidance, we will offer a menu that steers classic Besaw’s comfort food in a decidedly forward-thinking direction. We’d also like to introduce Sommelier Savanna Ray, formerly of Wildwood and Ringside, as Besaw’s own fount of wine knowledge! And while we’re at it, let’s take a moment to wax poetic about our esteemed Pastry Chef Michelle Vernier (who literally couldn’t be “sweeter”; get it?!) of Paley’s and Imperial, as well as the booze-tastic team at Bull In China for helping us get our updated bar and cocktail program off the ground. The addition of these delightful folks to our already passionate team can only mean great things ahead.

BRIEF DETOUR: Coming in the months ahead, keep an eye out for our upstart, spunky little sister next door: The Solo Club. Featuring an Amaro/bitters-centric bar, as well as the culinary creative vision of Chef Dustin and his extensive travels through Southeast Asia, The Solo Club will sate your coffee and pastry desires during daylight hours, then lure you in with sexy desserts and cocktails into the late hours of the evening. The Solo Club: coming soon!!!

On a more personal note: at the beginning of 2015, we couldn’t have foreseen the drastic zigs and zags our path has taken. We would just like to express how humbling it has been to hear the support from so many of our loyal patrons this summer; y’all have shown such gracious encouragement during this most trying of years. To the fellow restaurants who provided immediate and accommodating homes to our scattered-to-the-winds staff; to the neighbors who voiced their unwavering, ceaseless support this past year; to everyone who has stayed abreast and inquisitive of Besaw’s trials and tribulations, false starts and slooooowwww (but inevitable!) revving up into fifth gear: THANK YOU. Thank you from the bottom, top, and myriad other facets of our hearts. You led us to port and anchored us to shore.

But enough of that! Now that our future is HERE, we are bursting with excitement to share it with you. The countdown begins… on January 27th, Besaw’s is back and better than ever!

With all the love in the world,

Cana, Dustin, Matt, Kate, Sauer, Beth, Sam and the whole Besaw’s Gang

P.S. As a special thank you to everyone who read this email all the way through, YOU ARE INVITED to our Super-Special-Soft-Opening on Sunday, January 24th! Reservations are available on our website for brunch seatings at 10am, 10:15 & 10:30, as well as 1pm, 1:15 & 1:30. For dinner, we’d love to see you at 5pm (or 5:15 or 5:30) or 8pm (8:15, 8:30). Act fast, as seating is limited! Yay! Ok… GO!

The restaurant is located at 1545 NW 21st Ave on the corner of 21st and Raleigh.