[Avila, 8/27/14]
Who says Peking duck must be accompanied by Tsingtao? BTU Brasserie, the hybrid brewery and Chinese restaurant, is now officially open in the NE Sandy space once home to Haidu Seafood. Burnside Brewery alums/co-owners Chris Bogart and Nate Yovu have traded the Haidu's carpeted floors and wood wall panels for a fresher look, with the U-shaped bar the room's new focal point. As promised, BTU's lineup of beers will be brewed on-site in the seven-barrel, 600-square-foot brewery.
And just as Bogart — who grew up in his father's Chinese restaurants in Vermont — promised, the food menu offers a line-up of Chinese small plates, noodles dishes, and "wok-tossed" dishes meant to be shared with friends over several beers. Like a traditional dim sum menu, each section comes with its own set price point: $5 for cold dishes like sesame noodles and cuts of a roasted pork "barbecue platter"; $13 for wok dishes like ma po tofu and seared flank steak in cha ba sauce. In between sits four noodle options (both chow fun and lai fun feature housemade noodles) and the menu's largest section, highlight bao and small plates. Bao come in three varieties (smoked duck, tofu, pork belly), and several small-plate options are vegetarian and vegan friendly. Also on offer: Peking duck, served in half-duck portions along with the traditional accompaniments and Chinese pancakes.
Currently, BTU is not serving its own beers, but is instead pouring a guest-tap lineup that includes beers from Burnside, 10 Barrel, and Occidental. BTU is open now. Hours of operation: 5p.m. to 11p.m., Tuesday through Thursday; 5p.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday, 5p.m. to 10p.m. Sundays.
· All Previous BTU Coverage [Eater PDX]