Ecliptic Brewing Opens a New Taproom in Southeast Portland

Ecliptic Brewing, from veteran Oregon brewer John Harris, is expanding: the Moon Room, a tap room and cocktail bar with an extensive patio opens Saturday, November 6, on SE Oak Street in the Buckman neighborhood. The Willamette Week first reported that the tap room would open in the space formerly home to Base Camp Brewing, and would eventually feature up to 30 taps, along with a gin-heavy cocktail program.

Unlike the bright, family-friendly pub on Mississippi Avenue, the Moon Room will be a bit moodier and darker, though still maintaining the outer space theme in its warehouse-like space. The expanded tap list means the tap room will be able to feature exclusive brews, including collaborations and barrel-aged beers. The large front patio will seat nearly 90 guests, and includes an Ecliptic food cart serving a slimmer menu than the North Portland restaurant. Diners will be able to find sandwiches like pulled pork and fried chicken, as well as a few snacks and salads, including vegan wings and fried Brussels. Like many Portland spots, it will reflect the seasons and rotate every six weeks.

The Moon Room hours will be 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays. [WW]

Ripe Cooperative Reopens With Onsite Seating

Ripe Cooperative — chef Naomi Pomeroy’s marketplace that took the place of fine dining restaurant Beast — went on a brief hiatus in October, but has reopened and expanded. Ripe serves as a cafe and bistro, open noon to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, with a covered, heated patio that seats 26. Additionally, the team has brought on a new chef: Breckin VonRaalte, formerly of the famed Walrus and the Carpenter in Seattle. The bistro will feature similar dishes to Beast but in an à la carte format, with seafood snacks, salads, fresh pastas, cheese plates, dessert, and elegant French wines. [EPDX]

Montelupo Expands with Breakfast and Indoor Service

Ripe isn’t the only cafe and market to expand its service. Montelupo, known for its ready-to-cook Italian meals and pantry goods, opens Monty’s Caffè on Saturday, November 6, serving coffee drinks and pastries from Jen’s PDX each morning starting at 8 a.m. Additionally, the dining room will be open for the first time, so that diners can enjoy plates of pasta and bottles of Italian wine on the emerald green banquette. [EPDX]