Starting Friday, Portland Restaurants Can Serve Even More People Onsite

Multnomah County Enters State’s Moderate Risk Category

Starting Friday, Multnomah County will enter an even more lax risk category for the state. That means restaurants can serve up to 50 percent capacity or 100 people indoors (whichever is smaller), 150 people outdoors, and tables can seat up to eight people as opposed to six outdoors. Restaurants still need to close by 11 p.m., and indoor tables are still limited to six people. [EaterWire]

Karl Holl Is Launching a Foraging Lifestyle Company

The chef of the popular Park Avenue Fine Wines pop-up, Karl Holl, has transitioned out of direct food service in favor of his passion project: foraging. Forager Goods & Company, Holl’s new company, is meant to serve as an educational resource for people trying to get into foraging and cooking (recipes, YouTube videos), while also selling foraging-themed merch (cast-iron skillets, clothing, gear, etc.). For now, Holl has an Instagram for Forager Goods. [PoMo]

Paddy’s Bar & Grill Reopens Ahead of St. Patrick’s Day

Last year, at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. downtown Irish bar Paddy’s canceled its annual St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser. This year, it’s opening just in time for it. Paddy’s reopened March 3, and will go ahead with its March 17 event; it’ll have the usual bagpipe players, dancing, and green beer, with limited capacity and social distancing requirements. Learn more about the event here. [WWeek]

In Other News...

• A former Portland Trader Joe’s employee is suing the grocery giant, claiming the company fired her for criticizing its treatment of Black employees. [OPB]
• Red Robin has gotten into the ghost kitchen game, and it’s duped a few unsuspecting Portland diners. [O]
• Wayfinder and Modern Times are reopening their taprooms. [NSB]