Thai Barbecue Bar Eem’s Opening Is Delayed on N Williams

Those hungry for Thai-spiced barbecue and tropical cocktails at the upcoming Eem won’t have to wait much longer, but it still looks like things are delayed for the restaurant. Originally planning to open on N Williams with a big, raucous New Year’s Eve party, the team is moving the shindig to Taqueria Nueve from 7 p.m. to midnight New Year’s Eve. Co-owner Eric Nelson told Eater that the permanent restaurant will likely open the first week of February.

Earlier this year, three culinary power-players decided to team up for a new restaurant. Earl Ninsom of the illustrious Langbaan, Matt Vicedomini of the lauded Matt’s BBQ, and Eric Nelson, founder of the island-themed pop-up bar series Shipwreck, joined forces to build a barbecue restaurant with Thai flavors and tropical cocktails. The group has been busily developing menus and plans, and quickly jumped on the chance to move into the space vacated by Ray earlier this year.

“We’ve been in the kitchen smoking and cooking this whole time and it’s phenomenal; the idea is to get it out there,” Nelson told Eater. The team is still working on the menu for the event, but guests can look for dishes like fried rice with barbecue bits, soy curl stir fry with smoked mushrooms and long beans, and brisket burnt ends with jungle curry.

The event will be the first of a series of Eem pop-ups at the modern Mexican restaurant, which will run from 5 to 10 p.m. on Mondays with different dishes each week from Vicedomini and Ninsom and drink options from Nelson and his team. The pop-up series will run through January until the restaurant officially opens.

• Portland is Getting a Thai Barbecue Cocktail Bar From Three Industry Luminaries [EPDX]
• Taqueria Nueve [Official]
• All Previous Taqueria Nueve Coverage [EPDX]
• Celebrity Chef Jenn Louis’s Restaurant Ray Has Closed [EPDX]