The Northwest just went through its second heat wave of the year, wildfire smoke is finally being taken seriously (now that New York City has been impacted) and schools are just about done for the year.
All of which can only mean one thing: That’s right, some of Portland’s top restaurants are rolling out their summer events series, with new pop-up press releases, um, popping up in my inbox nearly every day. And better yet, many of them look like a lot of fun, from a wood-fired Friday wine and pizza series to a Cuban-influenced rooftop taqueria to a back-patio carne asada taco pop-up.
Here are some stand-out summer pop-ups as they stand on Friday June 9 (I might add more as I hear about them; feel free to drop me a line if you know of one I missed. My criteria: The event series should take place in Portland, it should be seasonal, and it should be recurring — no one-offs, please).
Cafe Olli @ Division Wines
To celebrate the completion of their new “Wine Yard” tasting room and production facility, Division Winemaking owners Kate Norris and Thomas Monroe have invited Cafe Olli — our No. 2 restaurant of 2022 — to park their mobile pizza oven at the urban winery’s new courtyard for a Friday night pop-up pizza series. Division will sell wines by the glass or bottle, DJs will spin music, kids and dogs are welcome and Cafe Olli will offer vegan and vegetarian pie options, along with a meat. No reservations are necessary.
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday June 23, Friday, July 28 and Friday, August 11, with potential additional dates to be added
Where: 2005 S.E. 8th Ave.
Can Bar
Between Heavenly Creatures, Cache Cache and a handful of projects still in the rumor phase, seafood finally seems to be having a moment in Portland this year. Can Bar, Tobias Hogan’s new pop-up at the old Pix Patisserie space, 2225 E. Burnside St., hopes to bring local low-intervention wines, canned cocktails and 50 canned seafood options from around the world, available on their own or as part of a board. According to a press release from Pix’s Cheryl Wakerhauser, the options include “chargrilled tuna neck, ultra-thin razor clams, curried mackerel filets, tiny sardines” and more.” Starting June 16, Can Bar guests will also have access to Pix’s impressive bubbly list
When: 4 to 10 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Where: 2225 E. Burnside St.
Kachka’s Grill n’ Chill
Necessity is the mother of invention. When Kachka first took over its back parking lot with a 90s-era comfort food pop-up, it was 2020, and many Portlanders were still uncomfortable dining inside. On Wednesdays through June, the restaurant is throwing a “grill n’ chill” tailgate, with skewered meats, burgers, wings, seasonal salads and ice cold cocktails, each with a “Kachka twist.” Visit Tock to RSVP.
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday June 14, 21 and 28
Where: 960 S.E. 11th Ave. (just outside Lavka, Kachka’s upstairs deli)
Tocayo @ Palomar
After taking last year off, Palomar’s rooftop bar has reopened as Tocayo, a new taqueria from owner Ricky Gomez and chef Ricky Bella blending their Cuban and Mexican backgrounds (in Mexico, “tocayo” means “namesake”). A sample menu shows braised pork or oxtail tacos, a shrimp and tuna ceviche and a frozen guava margarita. The pop-up is 21+ and weather dependent. No reservations are required.
When: 2 p.m. to sunset Saturdays and Sundays
Where: 959 S.E. Division St
Piggins by Higgins
The dark green food cart from the Higgins team is back at the Oregon Historical Society’s terrace, this time with a casual Venetian theme, including wine and beer, charcuterie, cheese and cichetti — little snack-sized sandwiches topped with a daily selection of salumi, seafood or vegetables. In addition, Piggins is moving back to a table-service model.
When: Noon to 8 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. at
Where: 1200 S.W. Park Ave.
The Sunset Room @ Pacific Standard
The icelandic KEX hotel’s rooftop bar opened for the summer season late last month with strawberry wine coolers, smoky banana margaritas and a small bites menu including cold grilled shrimp with chili-tamarind glaze. Owners Jeffrey Morgenthaler and Benjamin “Banjo” Amberg have been busy — the second location of Pacific Standard, the former Clyde Common duo’s lobby bar at KEX — opens in Salem’s Holman Riverfront Park Hotel on June 14.
When: 4 to 11 p.m. daily
Where: Up the yellow elevator at KEX, 100 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Tacos Con Onda
This Norteño-style carne asada taco pop-up comes from Adán Fausto, a former fine-dining chef who impressed us with his Mexican seafood dishes at Paradise Mariscos, one of Portland’s great food finds of 2022. At Tacos Con Onda, Fausto is hoping to present a taste of his father’s Mexicali heritage, with steak cooked over mesquite coals, real-deal flour tortillas, pinto beans, charred jalapeños and more, including vegan and kosher options. (Keep an eye out for more on Tacos Con Onda next week.) No reservations are required.
When: 4 p.m. until sold out Thursday and Friday starting June 22, 2 p.m. until sold out Saturday starting July 8 (see locations below)
Where: Thursdays and Fridays at Hungry Heart Bakery, 7940 S.E. Stark St., Saturdays at The Woodsman Tavern, 4537 S.E. Division St.
The Woodsman Tavern’s Backyard Bash
Speaking of The Woodsman, did you know the Division Street tavern has a back patio? That’s because they’ve never opened it to the public until this year. For the first time this summer, the restaurant will welcome guests to that patio, where Woodsman chef Jeff Emerson will host a Sunday BBQ series with brewers, winemakers, creative makers, chefs and other friends along with live music and DJs, house sausages, summer sides and canned drinks. Tickets are available via Resy.
When: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday June 11, Sunday June 18, Sunday June 25 and Sunday July 9
Where: 4537 S.E. Division St.
— Michael Russell; [email protected]
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