Prehispanica Mexican Cuisine, Poplandia Now Open

[Avila, 5/30/13]

1) West End: After a quick name change to distinguish itself from an established NYC chain, a new Mexican restaurant, Prehispanica Mexican Cuisine, has debuted in the downtown space once home to Element Restaurant and Lounge. Along with its housemade tortillas, the spot offers lunch dishes like braised lengua en estofado, grilled pescado in achiote, and steamed clams and mussels with chile. Dinner features dishes like pescado enpapelado (paper-wrapped fish with mint, cilantro, and tomatillos), Veracruz-style sauteed rockfish, and chicken with Oaxacan mole. Hours of operation: Lunch, 11:30a.m.-2p.m.; Dinner, 5p.m. to 10:30p.m. [EaterWire]

2) NW 23rd/Alphabet District: Gourmet-popcorn shop Poplandia opened last week on NW 23rd, in the sub-underground space once home to Northwest Sweets. The retail space offers sweet and savory popcorn flavors like white truffle oil with pink Himalayan sea salt; chocolate peanut butter crumble; and chili relleno. Future plans are to launch a cocktail-themed flavor line, with pina colada and bloody Mary pops. Hours of operation: 11a.m. to close, Monday through Saturday; noon to close on Sundays. [EaterWire]
· All Previous Opening Reports [Eater PDX]