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"My experience of growing up in Spain was much more North-focused," says Javier Canteras, whose Urdaneta Spanish tapas and wine bar opens at 3033 NE Alberta St. July 9 (Psst: If you're in the 'hood tonight, Urdaneta is accepting walk-ins, too). Canteras also runs the Basque Supper Club, a pop-up that, like his new restaurant, will feature little-seen dishes from his native Northern Spain, home to one of the world's most renowned dining scenes (check out the full Urdaneta menu below).
Urdaneta is the latest restaurant in Portland to share the dishes of Northern Spain and the Basque region, which straddles the Spanish-French boarder. Places like Pollo Bravo and Oso Market are also heavily influenced by this area, and an interesting fact: Not far away, Boise, Idaho is commonly thought to have the highest concentration of Basque Americans in the United States.
At Urdaneta, Canteras says he wants to serve some dishes featuring contemporary techniques, but most dishes are based on family recipes to give a sense of home. You'll also find the Spanish gin and tonic, sherry, and vermouth cocktail-trends represented, as well as house sangria, rare Basque liqueurs, Basque hard ciders, and "at least one frothy egg white drink, because I love them," says Canteras.
Urdaneta opens July 9 to serve dinner Tuesday through Sunday beginning at 5 p.m. It accepts reservations, and you can call ahead to get your name on the waiting list and avoid potential waits at 503.288.1990. Urdaneta plans to launch a Spanish-style small plates brunch two or three months down the road, with things like Spanish-style french toast and cafe con leche.
Without further ado, here are Urdaneta's food and drink menus for its opening day, July 9: