SE's Il Piatto to Shutter and Reopen as Germanic Slide Inn

Image of Il Piatto courtesy poetas via Flickr

Longtime SE Portland Italian eatery Il Piatto will shutter its doors on Sunday, March 18, to make way for an entirely different restaurant concept from the husband-and-wife team of Eugen and Lenore Bingham. The new place, combining American and German cuisines, will be called the Slide Inn. "Although this is an extremely difficult decision, it is one that is well thought out and necessary," the couple stated in an email to longtime Il Piatto patrons. "Cooking Italian food for the Portland community has been one of our greatest joys and yes, it is an emotional decision to close our doors... [but] with each ending, there is a new beginning."

The new name comes with a bit of history. Eugen's family bought and ran a small inn in the Northern Sierra Mountains in the early 1970s called the Slide Inn, where 11-year-old Eugen soon became the cook, preparing American and German cuisine. Eugen and his mother eventually moved to Germany, where Eugen began a chef's apprenticeship.

The Slide Inn will serve American comfort cooking, with a play on German cuisine. "There will be traditional favorites such as Sauerbraten, sausages and apple strudel. Of course, there will also be options for vegetarians and those preferring gluten-free meals," says the Binghams. "The cuisine will reflect the unique experiences in Eugen's life. We will feature small plate items with emphasis on lower-priced items. We will also offer German and foreign beers served in traditional large beer steins."

· Il Piatto [Official site]