Welcome to the Plywood Report, where we fill you in on what's coming up in food. See anything happening in your neighborhood? Send us a note.
1) Southeast/Kerns: SE Hawthorne's charming cheese-plate cart Cheese & Crack has packed up its wheels in favor of an upcoming brick-and-mortar location, slated to take over the former Black Bike Cafe space across the street from the Laurelhurst Theater. According to co-owner Will Steuernagel, the 26-seat Cheese & Crack Snack Shop will feature a full cheese case ("think a little more déclassé" than other cases around town), a hot case, and a beer program run by Nathan Hall. The shop plans a February soft-opening; more as it becomes available. [EaterWire]
2) Hawthorne: A growler station dedicated entirely to to-go imbibing — no on-site drinking here — will open in early February on SE Hawthorne Boulevard. According to a press release, Growlers Hawthorne will take over the space once home to the Dollar Scholar shop, with co-owners Lucy Park and Jim Hillman offering 40 beers on tap, eight kombuchas, and a rotating handful of ciders, mead, and gluten-free beers. Growlers is aiming for a February 4 opening; in the meantime, find more information here. [EaterWire]
3) Southeast: Popular sandwich shop Shut Up & Eat is currently in expansion mode, with plans to open a next-door deli. Eat Beat reports the adjacent retail space will offer chef John Fimmano's side dishes (like potato salad and housemade pickles) by the pound, as well as SU&E's custom-made Pearl Bakery baguettes. Projected opening: January 31. [Eat Beat]
Photo of Cheese & Crack courtesy Facebook
