In Other News, There’s A Serial Dine-and-Dasher on the Loose

Mei Lin isn’t opening a Portland restaurant, but it’s never a dull day in Stumptown. A serial dine-and-dasher is wreaking havoc across town, but don’t worry — Portlanders can soothe their spirits with Tusk’s new happy hour or a luxurious night at Holdfast.

Let’s get into it:

HELLES HEIST — KGW (not even going to get into the fake news mess today) reported that a serial dine-and-dasher has racked up more than $1,000 worth of unpaid tabs at 17 different bars and restaurants around town. The same sneaky dude has been using an elaborate technique: Leave a coat and a dummy phone at the bar with the check — who would leave their phone, right? — and ghost out the back door. Police are on the lookout for him, so keep an eye out. [KGW]

HAPPY HUMMUS HOUR — Joshua McFadden’s chic small plate spot Tusk will launch a weekend happy hour starting this Saturday. Before this weekend, Tusk has closed from 2:30 to 5 p.m., between weekend brunch and dinner service. Now, the restaurant will serve happy-hour-only cocktails, three glasses of wine under $10, and small bites like a $6 hummus and flatbread from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. [EaterWire]

BACK TO ITS ROOTS — While Holdfast Dining continues to sit tight, waiting for its new space in the old Associated building, the celebrated pop-up will return to KitchenCru for a series of dinners. At 7 p.m. April 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15, the gang will serve $125 meals, which includes beverage pairings. Make a reservation through OpenTable. [EaterWire]

ROOM SERVICE — As Hotel Vintage’s new pasta shop gears up for its opening, another major hotel dining option is now open to the public. Open today, The Porter has four separate restaurants: Terrane Italian Kitchen + Bar, Xport Bar & Lounge (global small plates), Chiosco Pizza Window (Roman-style pizza on the go), and Portland Exchange Grocer & Goods, all run by James Beard Rising Star of American Cuisine AJ Voytko. Xport is staggering its opening to next week, but the whole shebang will be rolling before the month ends. [EaterWire]

GOLDEN ARCHES CRASHING DOWN — The third-oldest remaining McDonald’s in America was torn down April 2, The Oregonian reports. The vintage fast food joint was supposed to go down in February, but the building sat vacant through March. Pour a McFlurry out for that old Micky D’s. [The O]

Correction: This story has been corrected to show that Chiocoso will serve Roman-style pizza, not Neapolitan pizza.

Update, April 4, 10:51 p.m.
This story has been updated to include more specifics on the Porter’s restaurant’s opening dates.

• Bar owners deal serial dine-and-dash suspect [KGW]
• America’s third oldest McDonald’s is now a hole in the ground [The O]
• All Tusk coverage [EPDX]
• All Holdfast coverage [EPDX]
• Associated Bar To Close; Holdfast Dining To Partly Take Its Space Over [EPDX]
• Holdfast [OpenTable]
• Hilton’s New Downtown Portland Hotel Unveils Four Dining Experiences [EPDX]