Davenport's Week of Pop-Up Dinners Features Biwa, Screen Door and More

Apparently, when the cat's away, the mice will cook. This week, Kevin Gibson, chef/owner of Davenport, is on vacation. But his East Burnside restaurant won't be closed. Instead, each day a different team of chefs from around the city will bring a pop-up dinner to the space.

Kurt Heilemann, Davenport's wine guru and manager, masterminded this week of pop-ups and gave Karen Brooks at Portland Monthly the details. The lineup includes chefs from Screen Door, Le Pigeon, and Biwa. Some dinners require reservations, and some are for walk-ins only, but they're all unique. Check it out:

• Tuesday, Jan. 27: Screen Door chef Dan Grill, who worked with Gibson at Evoe, is presenting a "Seafood-driven coastal bistro menu." Just pop in on this pop-up, as there are no reservations required.
  

• Wednesday, Jan 28: Le Pigeon chef de cuisine Andrew Mace and pastry chef Nora Antene are bringing their Limited Co. pop-up experience to Davenport, offering a seven-course, modern American tasting menu. Heileman tells Brooks that the duo is aiming to use ingredients to share their personal story: fish will be caught by a friend and bread will be made with wheat from Mace's family's farm in Montana,  Cost is $80, not including wine pairings and gratuity. For reservations contact eat@davenportpdx.com or 503-236-8747.

• Thursday, Jan 29: Paul Bachand, chef/owner of Recipe in Newberg is partnering with Jason Logan, former chef and current server at St. Jack, to offer a four-course menu for $55 per person. Seatings are tentatively scheduled at 6 p.m. and 8:15. Contact Davenport for details: 503-236-8747; eat@davenportpdx.com

• Friday: Jan, 30: Heilemann is a pop-up chef himself with monthly dinners at Oui Presse. But on Friday at the restaurant he's orchestrating a dinner of small plates prepared by Davenport sous chef Jacob Harth, paired with wine. Expect deviled eggs, fried oyster "potato salad," grilled octopus, and housemade pasta.

• Sat. Jan 31: The team behind upcoming Noraneko ramen shop, which includes Biwa owners Gabe Rosen and Kina Voelz, want to treat you to some of their favorite izakaya snacks. For one night only, they're turning Davenport into MommaPappa Izakaya. The a la carte menu is available from 4 to 10 p.m. for walk-ins only. Expect  sashimi, grilled oysters and sand dabs, cauliflower "steak," hokkaido cream stew, and nikujaba (meat and potatoes).