Suze Orman, financial “adviser”, says that people should stop eating in restaurants to save money.
Unemployment has hit 10.1%, but Suzie Orman wants us to boycott an industry that supports 14 million people? How is this is going to help?
Orman made this statement on a recent episode of the Oprah show. The outcry was immediate, and Ms. Orman retracted her statement the next week, but the damage has been done. This is all our restaurants need.
Piggins. Piggins? Piggins! Greg Higgins wants to open a restaurant called Piggins?! When I first started hearing this rumor, I dismissed it, but then the Oregonian ran the story. The name sounds like something that was dreamed up during a college party. “Dude, this is such good bacon. We should totally open an all pig restaurant! (pause to inhale) We could call it, like… Piggins!”
The story I wrote on how to make butter is drawing visitors from all over the world.
So many, I’m thinking of renaming this site The Butter Chronicles. No wonder recipe sites are so popular! Thanks to a crafts site called Angry Chicken for sending more people than any referrer ever. Thank you Angry Chicken. I appreciate everyone who links to this site!
Making butter from scratch is so easy and tastes so much better, I can’t believe more people don’t take the time.
No more dogs at the Portland Farmers Markets
The Portland Farmers Market opens this weekend on the South Park Blocks. However, their announcement raised my eyebrows because it included this:
…Portland Farmers Market will no longer permit shoppers to bring their dogs or other pets to its Saturday and Wednesday markets in the South Park Blocks, due to repeated concerns of market vendors and shoppers. The pet policy applies only to the organization’s two busiest farmers markets, where long lines at vendor stalls and food carts form each Wednesday, and crowds in excess of 12,000 gather on any given Saturday.
Portland Farmers Market hopes that dog owners will find it easier to shop with their pets resting at home. Customers with children or those who are sensitive to dogs won’t have to avoid the dogs, and vendors will be able to focus on sharing goods without worrying about canine noses poking over the tables. The new pet rules are similar to those in place at farmers markets in Beaverton, Hillsdale, Seattle and San Francisco. All markets will be open to service dogs.
At first, I was a bit bothered by the announcement, but after some reflection, it makes sense. The market packs with people, and I’ve seen big dogs knock over stacks of produce, and small dogs get stepped on, not to mention a few fights. It’s probably for the best, but I’ll miss wandering through on Saturday mornings with mine, especially since he carried everything I bought (he’s absolutely perfect in every way on a good day).
Yet another Portland parking meter plan
A follow up to my parking meter story: Mayor Adams has now backed away from the idea of extending hours later into the evening, and instead, now favors raising the price by .25 an hour, and expanding the program to seven days a week, with payment required from 1pm – 7pm.
I wonder, has anyone looked to see what the cost is going to be to change all the parking hours signs vs. what the income will be? How long will it take to pay for all of this? Sunday parking enforcers, reprogramming meters, changing all the signs. Hmm. I know I’m in the minority, but I would much rather see the gas tax raised to pay for street maintenance. It spreads the pain equally over everyone, and those who put the most wear on the streets, pay the most tax.
Gourmet Magazine no longer out of touch with America
According to this article in The NY Times,
Reflecting the bad economy, Gourmet, which usually writes about expensive restaurants and faraway travel, has added a feature about what to do with leftovers, and put a ham sandwich — albeit a fancy one — on its March cover.
Food & Wine’s March issue includes an essay on buying the cheapest bottle on a wine list. Bon Appétit’s April cover trumpets a “low-cost, big-flavor” pizza party.
“There is an incredible opportunity,” said Ruth Reichl, the editor in chief of Gourmet. “People need help learning to cook again, and they need advice on less-expensive ingredients, and we’re trying to give it to them.”
Chef Morgan Brownlow to open Cafe 401 today.
The small breakfast and lunch restaurant will be open from 8am to 3pm, 7 days a week. The menu is what you would expect – pancakes, waffles, French toast, burgers and sandwiches. It’s at 401 Ne 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97232.
Update: Morgan walked away from the project in May. The restaurant folded.
wineguy says
I have to say I agree with the pet ban at the market (sorry you’ll be schlepping your own groceries FD). Being a dog lover I get wanting to take your dog….I would’ve but Chopper won’t leave the couch…but too many people with too many big dogs wasn’t good. Now, what to do about those SUV sized strollers??
divajj says
I agree, it will still be difficult to navigate, but it should show some improvement.
Sauce Robert says
I gotta say about the SUV sized strollers… portlanders at the markets are pretty rude and without the large strollers people have practically stepped on or over my daugher many times, I’ve almost been in a few fist fights over rude people not caring about children… if you dont like kids (and im talking well behaved ones… brats are another story!) dont go out in public (also not saying you dont like kids, this is just something that I have noticed around town)
pdx_yogi says
I like kids and take great care to not place them at risk of harm. What I don’t like are self-absorbed parents who believe the world should stop turning for their kids. PFM is a very crowded space so deal with it and don’t make it worse by not: bringing them during peak times, using large contraptions (needlessly large carts/wagons/strollers) that make congestion even worse, and congregating to socialize in a group of ten as you obliviously block the entire concourse.
This is directed in general, not just at people with kids.
pdx_yogi says
…and the fact that you’ve “almost been in a few fist fights” speaks more about your temper than the thoughtless behavior of others. I haven’t been in that state since, oh, about age ten.
RJ says
So I’m not allowed to go out in public because you choose to help overpopulate an already overpopulated planet? Yeah, that makes sense.
kolibri says
Who are you talking to, RJ? Did someone tell you you couldn’t go out in public?
qv says
“if you dont like kids (and im talking well behaved ones… brats are another story!) dont go out in public ”
The problem is Robert, no one thinks THEIR children are brats. Every parent considers their spawn be be charming, intellegent, beautiful, unique individual snowflakes.
If your daughter almost got stepped on it is because you weren’t supervising her properly.
Period.
No one is responsible for your daughter but you. Princess or brat, all the same.
Hunter says
Amen brother.
Good Food For Me says
So much news and some quite interesting. Piggins – Sou-wee up! If I didn’t know better I’d say he is trying to steal the pig Naomi carries around in all her ads just to get into the lime light. Beastly!
FoodRebel says
Euh… no offense, but Greg was butchering pigs when Naomi was still in diapers…
Good Food For Me says
Just saying – he didn’t feature them any more than anyone else on menus or otherwise. He didn’t exactly invent prosciutto or have his photo taken with it for the front cover of his menus. I’m glad – I feel sorry for Naomi’s pig. Likely didn’t get to enjoy the benefits of celebrity.
extramsg says
Higgins has been putting out fine house-made charcuterie for a long time now. That and the pickles might be my favorite things from them. I’d love to see them expand on that part of their business, if the rumor is true.
Sauce Robert says
Maybe he could stand around in a field with a pic of naomi photoshopped over his shoulder!
whatthef says
There are times when I think there should be an I.Q. test to buy and use a computer.
“Maybe he could stand around in a field with a pic of naomi photoshopped over his shoulder!”
It is my guess that neither chef thinks they own the concept of processing a whole pig. As has been stated by others, Higgins has been offering some incredible products on his menu for many years, IF this rumor is true – good news for all!
“He didn’t exactly invent prosciutto or have his photo taken with it for the front cover of his menus.”
I doubt Higgins ever made the claim to have invented prosciutto. But, speaking of photos, the Oregon Tourism bureau saw fit to put a picture of Mr. Higgins in a national ad campaign several YEARS ago, holding one of his house made prosciutto in hand.
So take a deep breath.
garden girl says
Dude, I think James Beard’s archives are at Reed College, so you may want to check with their library for photos.
Food Dude says
Thanks to you and all the others who have written! I have passed on the information.
pdx_yogi says
I love dogs and sadly agree with the ban. I’ve seen dogfights, dogs snapping out of fear at flailing screaming kids, huge dogs blocking the meager aisles, and dogs piddling on vendor displays while the oblivious dog owner looks on.
Enough already.
Agree with Wineguy: let’s slap a size limit on those strollers! Those damn things are a luxury that hog valuable space.
red_the_opinionated says
A note on strollers:
I’ve never understood why people don’t use the fold up umbrella strollers. I get that they don’t have storage underneath/cup holders/baby bumpers, but they are compact, easy to manuever, and great for crowds.
buck says
One parent’s answer? If you are over 5′ tall, those umbrella strollers hurt like hell after two blocks… especially if you have any sort of back or arm troubles. With the added bonus that if you are looking to actually buy anything, the storage is nice leaving you free to use both hands to drive the stroller, making you less likely to bump into people / things.
red_the_opinionated says
There was the time I walked up to a stand to check out some veggies, only to be blocked by a giant stroller. I said “excuse me”, and the owner of said stroller moved it about half an inch.
Or the countless times my feet were ran over by perents who didn’t know how to manuever it around.
Large strollers make perfect sense when you are in a setting that allows for plenty of space around you. These strollers become more than strollers – the storage is VERY nice. But when you are bringing the family to a very crowded environment, you need to take other people into consideration. Storage? Try a handy backpack. Switch back to your normal stroller after the market, no worries. Everybody wins.
pdx_yogi says
Well put, Red. The mentality behind such monstrosities is the same as those who own Hummers and the like: it appeals to the primitive reptilian part of our brain, the primal need to be bigger/stronger/more imposing than others for protection so we may crush all at will like a bug. Thought PDXrs were more evolved and socially conscious. Guess not.
Use backpacks. If the kid can walk have him walk. Take up less space and stem the tide of child obesity. Win win!
Nathan says
PDX_YOGI! Exactly, “If the kid can walk have him walk”
I have seen far too many times, children in a stroller well beyond the need for a stroller, in fact it seems more often the case than not.
red_the_opinionated says
Walking is good. ^_^
Once my child was old enough, this is exactly what we did. Our routine is to ride our bikes to the interstate market, messenger bags on our back, and the walk around the market, eat some berries while the child plays on the swings, then ride back home. She knows more about fruits and veggies than a lot of adults I know. We spend a great family afternoon, and she’s excersising without knowing that’s what she’s doing.
kolibri says
Put the kid in a sling or backpack and carry your groceries. Or the kid can walk if they are old enough. Just because it is convenient for YOU does not make it right. And yes I am a parent with a 5 year old who has not used a stroller for at least a year.
docsam says
I was at Arleta Library Cafe today with the Food Network filming for the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” show. Sarah, Nick, and staff were slinging food and drinks for hours starting early this morning with all the diners climbing over videographers, boom guys and such. Was fun seeing such a great place get the attention it deserves!
Kelly says
I’m so very grateful for the dog ban. The walkways were getting very tight last year, and while there are always well behaved dogs and their owners, there were also so many little dogs with their leashes getting tangled up in our legs, and big dogs who were allowed to snuffle around the food on the tables.
And yes, I have a child and we had a few rude surprises where owners would let their dogs barge right up to him and sniff (and try to eat!) my son’s breakfast that he was holding in his hands. No, dear owner, it’s not cute.
BTW, I won’t let my son man-handle the produce either – if he’s touching it’s because we’re buying.
(And I agree about the stroller issue as well – the double wides just don’t work in a farmers market.)
RosePetalTea says
On the “stop eating in restaurants to save money” front: Although common sense must prevail, fear is a powerful causal agent. In our desire to “protect ourselves” from terrifying projections of future doom, we end up creating the very thing we fear. Eating out as often as one can afford, plus continuing to purchase services and items that one can afford (even if just barely), is a radically wholesome, positive, and charitable approach to this current economic climate, which I suspect is fueled to some degree at least by the media, scary stories that we repeat to each other ad nauseum, and general pessimism and negativity.
This economic climate provides a wonderful opportunity for folks to demonstrate their values and to enrich themselves and others in ways that transcend money. Money is a form of energy. We horde it, we lose. The more generous I am (more about generosity of thought and action–kindness, listening–than actual dollars), the more generous life seems to be to me. Now let’s see, where am I going to eat out tonight? :-)
mczlaw says
I agree wholeheartedly with this sentiment. In fact, my Platter column in this coming Friday’s A&E makes pretty much the same point, albeit in an edited-for-space-and-avoid-any-ranting way.
The one line that was cut that I’d like to put up here, just for the record ;-) is: “If I have to endure another expensively-suited TV talking head intone the phrase ‘in these difficult times’ with all the staged sincerity he or she can muster, I think I’m going to scream.”
Fear is self-perpetuating, the very point Roosevelt was making in reference to the 1930’s economy. In my opinion, refusal to act out of fear is one of the keys to the pace and intensity of the coming recovery.
–mcz
Food Dude says
WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!! BROKE!!!
Foop says
@FD LMAO!
While the sixty minutes host says that the added expense of organic food isn’t viable to many people, I know that eating out is less so. I budget myself very strictly, and most of my meals are cooked at home using primarily local, organic ingredients that are seasonal. As such, I spend half as much as I would to eat out in almost any restaurant in the city or if I were to purchase prepared foods from the grocery store.
To me, eating out is something of a luxury…I MAKE time to cook at home, because it works $-wise and because I love doing it. Perhaps suburban soccer moms prefer hauling their beasts around all day to spending time at home. Perhaps more moms should garden and teach their kids how to do so….
Re: “stop eating in restaurants to save money”…. Does this woman seriously think that people that manage their money so badly so often would make use of any money they saved by not eating in restaurants??? I wonder how many people would put the saved $$ in a saving account or CD as opposed to spending it on a pair of jeans, a new purse, or a pair of sunglasses???
All a matter of priorities I suppose.
Cuisine Bonne Femme says
Agree with the dog ban 100%, and I’m a fierce lover of dogs. I stopped taking mine there a few years ago when I realized it was stressful for the dogs as well as the people. In fact, I love the farmers market downtown on Saturdays but I generally go now at 8:30am, then leave by 9:30 because it gets unpleasently crowded after that. I love how succesful the market is, but they have outgrown their PSU location.
And it really angers me that the City has done very little to provide them with location support or the finanancial assistance to find a better space but instead keeps throwing money at studies for a Public Market. I mean really angers me.
Other stuff: am I the only one that thinks Diners, Dives and Drive-Inns is an asinine show? I can’t stomach that TGIF dude, and after getting brainsoaked by their production company (note to national media- there’s this thing called Google, use it. We are not your damn research assistants), I’ve come to the conclusion that this show is pretty effin’ clueless. When they went to my friend’s amazing gourmet dive bar/restaurant in another city, they wanted to change all kinds of stuff in a way that “made it look better” and “would be more authentic” and were disrespectful and disruptive to staff and patrons. My friend promptly kicked them out.
I know stuff like that is good publicity for restaurants and such, and if it helps business, good for them. I personally can’t stomach the show. Heck 90% of the Food Network makes me cringe .
RosePetalTea says
Yup, agree, he needs a gag. The only thing worse than his Dive show is him trying to teach a cooking segment. Downright embarrasing.
On the dogs: I feel so sorry for the little ones and think their owners must be idiots to put them through such an ordeal: all those towering folks, flying feet, and rolling baby carriages. The dogs look terrified.
Katrus says
I also saw how miserable my dog was the one time I took her to PFM. I had to keep her on a very short leash, something she hates, so she wouldn’t nose any of the food. She also wasn’t able to sniff at other dogs because I didn’t want her causing a scene (which is known to happen when dogs socialize). I try not to take her to any environments where she isn’t allowed to be her usual dog self, and we’re all much happier for it.
kolibri says
Totally agree with dog ban- what about folks who are allergic?
CBF- you are so right about TGIF guy. He is flipping annoying.
Piggins. Seriously stupidest name ever. I think the whole PORK trend in portland is a backlash to the granola culture here. In the south nobody makes a big deal out of pork they just eat it! Mmmm, mustard-based BBQ, I am salivating…..
hilsy says
Speaking of Farmer’s Markets, I found the market at People’s Co-op on SE 17th was open last Wednesday. Not a lot of choices yet, but still some good stuff.
pdx_yogi says
People’s co-op’s Market is year-round…nothing new about that. But in winter it’s so meager.
polloelastico says
Regarding eating out dictates one way or the other: if it’s a good value, we’ll do it. If it’s not, we won’t. If I can eat at home nutritiously and deliciously and save money, wonderful. If I can go out and have a good meal and occasionally splurge as well, that’s great too.
But pointing out that you’ll save money by eating at home is no big crime, just as pointing out that by going out to eat you’re likely to enjoy yourself more isn’t some salvo against cooking for yourself and the art of frugality. This has always been the case since…ever. Axioms and truisms being somehow controversial is a testament to how insipid our dialogue has become.
PestoGal says
I like to watch D,D & D because of all the awesome food porn.
hsawtelle says
I watch DD&D because most of it is filmed in the kitchens with the cooks demonstrating how they make their signature dishes, which is interesting. What I really hate though is watching GF dig into a big sloppy meal right there on the prep counter. eew. At least get a table like Gordon Ramsay.
Pekio says
poor suze orman…. i don’t think she meant to harm the restaurant industry… for heaven’s sake she was a waitress living on tips before she went into finance. she is coming from a strictly financial perspective here, and sees first-hand where credit-happy/instant gratification mentality of the last decade has gotten us… her point was that we need to live within our means, and start socking away a little cash. food is one of the biggest variable expenses people have, so it makes sense that she would mention it as a way to do that. now if suze were a foodie, she would have followed her statement with a few sentences about how cutting back provides us with a fabulous oppty to create a more elevated relationship to how we nourish ourselves..(i.e. the value of going out once a month to a fabulous local resturant that supports local farms vs. four times a month to a national chain, the joy of tearing up a patch of lawn to grow vegetables, why it is better to buy unprocessed foods in bulk ).. but because she is a finance person, as opposed to a foodie, it’s up to us to help her fill in the blanks – which i believe we are doing quite well… ;)
Foop says
What so many people seem to be missing is the valuation of time in the equation. I’m about to explain this badly because there are so many factors, but I’ll attempt it none-the-less.
So many kids I grew up with always ate out because their housewife mother spent her time running around, taking kids to soccer practice, shopping, socializing, and always felt too exhausted from doing these things to make food at home. Really, they were too busy spending money to save money by cooking. Priorities were focused outside the home rather than in it. It seemed as if a house/home was an accessory where they had to spend time to sleep rather than a place to be.
Some of the moms didn’t cook because they worked, which is a bit of a different story… Taking time away from making money in order to save money is very different than taking time away from spending money in order to save money by cooking at home.
There are far too many people in this country that have the attitude that a very spoiled former friend does. He’s the sort of person that would rather live in a condo and pay associated monthly fees than ever have to mow the yard, pick a weed, or clean a driveway. He’s the sort that would let dishes sit in the sink for a month and then pay someone to clean the house because he valued his time so greatly (even while unemployed), that he would rather pay someone to do the work for him.
He’s also the sort that would rarely cook for himself, and felt little desire to learn to cook anything beyond the three or four dishes he knew how to make.
Without people like him, a ton of restaurants would go out of business, but I can’t help but hope that the “financial apocalypse” will help some people realize that there is worth to doing something yourself.
That’s going to take a big re-evaluation of priorities….
MyNextMeal says
Regarding, Suze Orman: If I were unemployed, I would stop dining out (with rare exceptions).
However, I’m employed (thankfully), therefore I am not able to watch Oprah during the day.
Food Dude says
;)
Cuisine Bonne Femme says
Obviously, Orman hasn’t heard of http://www.foodcartsportland.com or the Asian or Mexican restaurants around 82nd Ave and beyond. More often than not one can eat out for about the same food costs as being at home – I know, I did a food costs analysis (I learned how to do this when I studied food sciences in college). This is especially true if, like me, you usually get two meals out of one entree, or go in as a group or family unit.
In fact, if I have time, I might do a dining out challenge looking at different meals and assessing the costs of those as compared to making the same food at home. It’s interesting stuff when one starts to also add in a time factor cost as a economic model.
extramsg says
Doubtful. Even with the poor food costing that most carts have to suffer through, they’re going to be what? in the 40-50% range? Most are probably shopping at Cash & Carry where the prices are really no different than Winco. Buy a stack of tortillas for $2, three pounds of pork shoulder for $6, and some chile de arbols for a nominal amount and you’ve got a dozen or more tacos for $8 with leftover tortillas and salsa. Same tacos would cost $18 at a taco truck.
You can factor in time, but fact is that most people can’t just work more. They’re either salaried or capped on the number of hours they can work because of overtime rules.
Singling out restaurants is stupid. Recommending ways that people can spend their money more intelligently for the long-term financial security of themselves and our nation is smart. A little cutback over the whole economy on unnecessary spending, including eating out, is probably a good thing. It depends on the person and their circumstances and what’s important to them.
Then again, if they just bought a Hyundai instead of a Hummer, they could save $40k and while giving up one luxury could get a whole lot of tasty meals.
nancy says
We bought lunch yesterday at Indian Chaat House: $16 for three large dishes. Two of us had them for lunch. My daughter and her friend had them later. I ate the remains of one dish for dinner, and I still have 1/3 of one container left. That five+ meals for $16. Sure, I could probably have made that much food (or more) for a little less, but factoring in the shopping and cooking times, it definitely costs me less to eat this way. We won’t stop dining out, no way, but we are perhaps eating more often at the lower end of the restaurant scale.
Jeff says
Diners Drive ins & Dives was at Bunk on Monday too.
johneepdx says
Agree with Cuisine Bon Femme and others on dog ban. I don’t happen to be a dog or animal person — so sue me — and the “don’t you want to pet my cute doggie” thing is irritating. No I don’t want to pet your dog and yes, I am an old cranky guy, glad you noticed. Having dogs meet dogs was the biggest problem, with leashes stretched blocking the aisle with oblivious owners. Love that PSU market and setting even though you are right it has probably outgrown the location. I am there at the opening bell too, avoiding crowds. As far as the meters: FD, I think they actually research these things. Sorry, cranky man appears again but reading comments on the train bridge, parking, etc. it seems everyone thinks the city/county whatever just does things blindly. Go to the meetings/hearings and you can hear the evidence/research. Always reminds me of people complaining about school budgets when I was a newspaper editor — but they had NO clue as to what was actually in the budget. If they did, they would understand the decisions a bit better.
JandJ says
“…but reading comments on the train bridge, parking, etc. it seems everyone thinks the city/county whatever just does things blindly.”
Sorry, but given the serious proposal that the city laid on the table to extend the metered hours, I’d have to question how much research and thought went into the proposal. Obviously there was enough backlash that it forced them to reconsider that direction. But your suggestion that we perhaps we should trust that they’ve done their research… well, sorry but I’ve seen enough brain dead ideas come out of City Hall that I’ll continue to question their judgement on such issues for the foreseeable future, thank you very much.
pdx_yogi says
I don’t trust City Hall to make wise decisions based on sound research. They’ve made countless blunders in recent years: The ridiculous sums they throw at Ron Paul et al for their precious elusive public market while they do nothing for the DIY PFM, the secret negotiations for the PGE Park renovation of 10 years ago that turned into a fiasco that still owes $28mil, the pathetic un-PDX-like suburban monstrosity laughably called the “Rose Quarter”, I could go on… My point is they do things based on hunches, pet projects, powerful insider lobbying, and what CBF aptly calls irrationality.
kolibri says
“Obviously there was enough backlash that it forced them to reconsider that direction.”
Since when is there NOT a backlash when it comes to people having to pay/ spend more money?
JandJ says
“Since when is there NOT a backlash when it comes to people having to pay/ spend more money?”
That was never the real issue. I (and a ton of other like-minded posters here) didn’t complain so much about the additional costs. The additional hours were a real problem for anyone planning an evening activity, such as eating out. CBF and FD both make a very strong case for the overhead and impact of changing all this and whether there really is much return on that investment. Do you seriously think that the City thought this through? Nope… it was yet another knee-jerk proposal to bring some additional dollars into the coffers. I’m at least pleased to see that some rationality prevailed and they’ve backed off on the additional hours.
Food Dude says
You aren’t going to get very far with this logic. The city has done innumerable stupid things – just look at the tram. I have a sinking feeling the soccer stadium negotiations going on now are another one.
Cuisine Bonne Femme says
I’m with J and J on this one.
The problem is that this meter proposal A) hasn’t been studied and B) is not in any existing plans. The other main issue is that there are trade offs when changing meter hours and rates. 1. It costs to change the signs 2. It affects businesses in those areas (I mean, why come downtown and pay on a Sunday when Lloyd Mall, NW or NE Portland or Beaverton are free). That’s the impact that needs to be studied and discussed among stakeholders, including stakeholders like restaurants and other small businesses.
City of Portland is panicking since they blew their budget wad on things like the Tram and is facing a general services budget crises of epic proportions due to their own bad or lack of planning (um, that business tax on profits that Portland relies on shrinks when the economy takes a dive).
Trust me, the City and County often do things blindly, irrationally and as ill thought out proposed solutions to potential problems they didn’t plan for in the first place. This proposed parking increase is a perfect case in point.
Nathan says
In a town that already has a 23 Hoyt and Ten 01, does naming this place Cafe 401 seem a bit tired to anyone else?
And Piggins? Piggins? Why not just name it Tackyville or Gauche Central?
Please Greg Higgins, do us all a favor and reconsider. Thanks.
Joe says
+1 for Gauche Central!
Best name for anything ever.
Nathan says
ha.
WCR says
Gotta love Portland–where naming a restaurant after its address is apparently “tired.”
djonn says
Spotted a copy of the “Winter 2009” issue of Portland Menu Guide in one of their downtown distribution boxes this afternoon. It’s relatively slim — 60 pages counting the covers. Interesting tidbits: the editorial intro notes the closure of Genoa, Rocket, and DF . . . but Ibiza is among the establishments with a full-page menu included.
Food Dude says
I saw one last week, but didn’t pick it up. They are always difficult to see, because the front of the racks are so covered with stickers, and I didn’t bother to see if it was new.
farmgirl says
401 has had plastic in the window for days..and the sign is gone. I heard Morgan was gone a couple of weeks before that. Food dude, do you have the scoop here? (forgive me if I couldn’t find it among the orgy of doggy/kiddy/psycho ban comments at PFM)
Food Dude says
Yes, I’m sorry to say cafe 401 has closed, the economy as we all know is poor right now but this had much more to do with big ambitions and small amounts of cash.
I’m especially sorry to have to break up this staff team, their brilliant and I will miss seeing them everyday, special thanks to Nate Lind, Drew Marquardt and of course Morgan in the kitchen, I would gladly eat anywhere you guys cook.
thankyou all for your support and interest,
kevin