Chris Israel and ChefStable Opening Mexican Concept in West End's Pinot Space

Scoopie McScooperson Karen Brooks reports this afternoon: Gruner chef and James Beard Award nominee Chris Israel will team with frequent collaborator Kurt Huffman (of ChefStable fame) to open a Mexican restaurant in the downtown space that housed, briefly, the Pinot American Brasserie. According to the piece, the as-yet-unnamed project will pair Israel's "simple" tacos with a hoppin' bar scene. Per Brooks:

"Huffman plans to slice up the 200-seat-room into two discreet arenas: one side for dining, one side for a new ChefStable project. Huffman hopes to create a new home for special dinner events, chefs collaborations, and classes from Portland's growing culinary entrepreneurs."

The space, just a stone's throw from Gruner inside the West End's twelve|west (aka "the Indigo") building, was home to Pinot for about 11 months before its, uh, unsurprising shutter in June of this year. More information as it becomes available.
· Chris Israel's New Project [Portland Monthly]
· All Previous Chris Israel Coverage [Eater PDX]
· All Previous ChefStable Coverage [Eater PDX]

Image of Chris Israel courtesy Bryon Beck