Kukai Sets Soft Opening Date; Coquine Plans Fundraising Party

KUKAI RAMEN — You could be dipping your chopsticks into a bowl of Kukai Ramen as soon as this weekend. The build-out and inspections of the first Oregon outpost of the popular Japanese-based ramen franchise are complete and owner Ron Yan is taking reservations for his soft opening Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Click here to make a reservation. The Beaverton location in the new Timberland Town Center is the third U.S. location of the popular Japanese chain. The other two  U.S. locations are in Washington. The menu will be the same as the Bellevue and Seattle spots, featuring a variety of ramen bowls, rice bowls and small plates like octopus dumplings and onigiri.

COQUINE — The duo behind the roving Coquine superclub, chef Katy Millard and her husband/business partner, Ksandek Podbielski, have the keys to their cozy new restaurant in the former Songbird Cafe space at 6839 SE Belmont St. But before they open the doors, they're hoping to raise some funds to help tie up the remaining loose ends. Instead of a Kickstarter, they're holding a "Partystarter" at the Southeast Wine Collective Sunday, May 31st, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They'll serve up porchetta sandwiches from the 7-foot rotisserie, along with salad, wine, beer, and Millard's signature chocolate chip cookies. Tickets are $100 per person and include lunch, a preview of the restaurant's plans, gift certificates, and a thank you. If you can't attend, you can still contribute $45 and get a recipe and gift certificates. Click here for details.

ALTABIRA — David Machado's Altabira City Tavern at the top of the Lloyd District's new Hotel Eastlund is coming along, and pics of the rooftop view look stunning. But its construction, and that of the ground-floor cafe, Citizen Baker, are about two weeks behind schedule. Expect both venues to be open by Hotel Eastlund's grand opening on June 1.