British-Japanese comfort food will return to Portland, the Mercury reports. Kalé, which specializes what Portland Monthly called “a fusion curry-stew-ish thing” served with rice, closed early this year after renovations pushed them out of their original SW Morrison home. The restaurant will soon reopen at 50 SW Pine Street, complete with the kalé and its cult following.
The signature dish is a British stew brought to Japan by the navy, which slowly transformed after around a century in Japan. The base uses a mixture of ground vegetables, garlic, turmeric, cumin, and other spices, occasionally cooked down with proteins like beef or smothered in cheese. Owner Makoto Yoshino serves several renditions with a variety of proteins and toppings, but the “definition of kalé rice” is served with beef or chicken. The new restaurant will also serve its popular “sidekicks,” things like salads and pickles, easily washed down with beer, wine, and sake.
The restaurant space is getting an upgrade from the original location, as well: The interior will be designed by Neal Harrod, formerly of the Ace Hotel, who is a friend of Yoshino’s. The chef hopes to open the 21-seat restaurant this fall, around September.
• Kalé [Official]
• Kalé [Facebook]
• After a Year’s Absence, Kalé is Poised to Return to Downtown [Merc]
• Kalé’s Bowls of Japanese-Style Comfort [PoMo]