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It’s a sad week in Portland as closures continue to plague seriously good restaurants: Peruvian destination La Leña has closed, according to the website.
“Thank you to those who provided us with the opportunity to share our favorite Peruvian dishes,” the site reads. “Now on to new adventures.”
La Leña, which opened just last year, specialized in homestyle Peruvian food, including pollo a la brasa, lomo saltado, and beef heart skewers. Co-owned by chef Adam Warren (a Navarre alum) and Angeline Perla (a Lima ex-pat), the Hawthorne restaurant was more casual than a Paiche or an Andina, but more centrally located than Gresham’s El Inka.
In other very sad news, Portland Monthly reports that Cafe Castagna will close after 17 years in business. The restaurant received a sort of tangental nod from the James Beards last year when owner Monique Siu was a semifinalist for outstanding restauranteur. Karen Brooks’ pre-emptive obit is worth a read; it’ll have Eaters dreaming of those exceptional burgers with zucchini pickles. The good news: The restaurant doesn’t officially close until mid-May, and will reopen with a new schtick. Stay tuned for how that transformation goes.
• La Lena [Official]
• Look Inside La Leña, Now Open on SE Hawthorne [EPDX]
• After 17 Years, Portland Icon Café Castagna Will Close Mid-May [PoMo]
• James Beard Foundation [Official]
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