clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Updating the Eater PDX HeatMap: Where to Eat Now

View as Map

Restaurant obsessives want to know what's new, what's hot, which favorite chef just launched a sophomore effort, etc., and more often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater have one question: Where should I eat right now? And while the Eater 38 is a crucial resource covering old standbys and neighborhood essentials across the city, it is not a chronicle of the "it" (ie, newest) places of the moment.

Thus, we offer the Eater HeatMap, which will change often to continually highlight where the food-focused crowds are flocking to at this very second. This time around, there's one opening to add to the list: Kir Jensen's the Sugar Cube.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

The Sugar Cube

Copy Link

Baker Kir Jensen brings her Sugar Cube cart to a proper bakery space, expanding her repertoire to include a few savory breakfast items (like a roasted mushroom and tomato strata) and spiced cornbread. But as to be expected, it's the sweets that shine: a chocolatey brownie with olive oil and sea salt; buttery crostatas, and citrusy tea cake with lemon curd.

Chef Jose Chesa emphasizes a convivial, familial vibe at his restaurant Ataula, which considers itself a Spanish gastropub more than a stuffy "tapas restaurant." The tapas themselves combine similar levels of comforting familiarity and playfulness: gazpacho "shots" arrive topped with a frozen ricotta granité; hearty canelones feature serrano ham "powder." As of this month, there's a new addition to the menu, in the form of traditional Spanish brunch.

Roman Candle Bakery

Copy Link

The three-month-old bakery by Stumptown mastermind Duane Sorenson inches back up the list, thanks to the launch of its long-awaited pizza bianca menu earlier this week (think massive squares of pizza that aren't always traditional). During the day, the case features breads and pastries by Lovejoy Bakers alum Dan Griffin.

Expatriate

Copy Link

Beast chef Naomi Pomeroy breaks from French tradition to partner with St. Jack founding bartender Kyle Webster to open a bar featuring an Asian-inflicted take on drinking food. The highlight's a Burmese tea leaf salad, but expect big flavors in dishes like samosa chaats, a tempura halibut sandwich with kimchi, and of course, the cocktails.

Teote Areperia

Copy Link

Chef Michael Kennett has traded in his food cart Fuego de Lotus for a proper brick-and-mortar restaurant dedicated to masa arepas and a menu of grilled meats. Early buzz suggests you should go for the family-style "La Cena" meal, with grilled lamb and fino ribs.

Alberta Street Pub

Copy Link

The chef behind cultishly beloved food cart Garden State, Kevin Sandri, resurfaces at the revamped Alberta Street Pub. The menu truly does elevate expected pub fare, offering a solid neighborhood experience — and yes, folks are making special trips to reconnect with GS' chickpea sandwich. [Photo: Facebook]

Block + Tackle

Copy Link

Chef Trent Pierce pulls a switcheroo at his Division spot Wafu, transforming the space and concept into a casual seafood restaurant that celebrates his Oregon roots. The result is an American take on seafood, elevated: hot crab dip is re-imagined as a light interpretation of Wafu's crab roll; seafood "charcuterie" arrives in the form of marlin rillettes and mussels cured in pimenton.

Like at his familiar sandwich spot Lardo, Rick Genarelli debuts a similarly fast-casual take, this time on fresh pasta. The menu features impressively varied and well-executed takes on carbonara (with a perfected cracked egg), gigli (simply cracked pepper and cheese), and chitarra (with squid ink, octopus, and chorizo).

Sen Yai

Copy Link

Andy Ricker takes his familiar approach to Thai cooking — authentic, unexpected, and street-influenced — and applies it to the humble noodle, devoting an entire menu to stir-fried and soup-stewed iterations of the dish. As expected, the place is already packed during lunch and dinner hours, but head in for a leisurely morning brunch.

Old Salt Marketplace

Copy Link

The team behind NE's comfortable bar Grain & Gristle joins forces with Pastaworks alum Tray Satterfield to bring a similar homey spot to the Cully neighborhood. Chef Tim Wastell churns out simple-yet-hearty dishes from the open-hearth kitchen (don't miss the housemade biscuits); meanwhile, the lunchtime deli offers sandwiches and salads crafted from house-butchered and cured meats.

din din supper club

Copy Link

Courtney Sproule's always meticulously planned, always surprising series of "din din" supperclub dinners now have a permanent brick-and-mortar home. But the concept — rotating themed dinner parties — remains the same, with the even calendar shifting every few weeks. The spot also provides a charming site for a leisurely weekend brunch or a "ladies who lunch" midday meal.

Loading comments...

The Sugar Cube

Baker Kir Jensen brings her Sugar Cube cart to a proper bakery space, expanding her repertoire to include a few savory breakfast items (like a roasted mushroom and tomato strata) and spiced cornbread. But as to be expected, it's the sweets that shine: a chocolatey brownie with olive oil and sea salt; buttery crostatas, and citrusy tea cake with lemon curd.

ATAULA

Chef Jose Chesa emphasizes a convivial, familial vibe at his restaurant Ataula, which considers itself a Spanish gastropub more than a stuffy "tapas restaurant." The tapas themselves combine similar levels of comforting familiarity and playfulness: gazpacho "shots" arrive topped with a frozen ricotta granité; hearty canelones feature serrano ham "powder." As of this month, there's a new addition to the menu, in the form of traditional Spanish brunch.

Roman Candle Bakery

The three-month-old bakery by Stumptown mastermind Duane Sorenson inches back up the list, thanks to the launch of its long-awaited pizza bianca menu earlier this week (think massive squares of pizza that aren't always traditional). During the day, the case features breads and pastries by Lovejoy Bakers alum Dan Griffin.

Expatriate

Beast chef Naomi Pomeroy breaks from French tradition to partner with St. Jack founding bartender Kyle Webster to open a bar featuring an Asian-inflicted take on drinking food. The highlight's a Burmese tea leaf salad, but expect big flavors in dishes like samosa chaats, a tempura halibut sandwich with kimchi, and of course, the cocktails.

Teote Areperia

Chef Michael Kennett has traded in his food cart Fuego de Lotus for a proper brick-and-mortar restaurant dedicated to masa arepas and a menu of grilled meats. Early buzz suggests you should go for the family-style "La Cena" meal, with grilled lamb and fino ribs.

Alberta Street Pub

The chef behind cultishly beloved food cart Garden State, Kevin Sandri, resurfaces at the revamped Alberta Street Pub. The menu truly does elevate expected pub fare, offering a solid neighborhood experience — and yes, folks are making special trips to reconnect with GS' chickpea sandwich. [Photo: Facebook]

Block + Tackle

Chef Trent Pierce pulls a switcheroo at his Division spot Wafu, transforming the space and concept into a casual seafood restaurant that celebrates his Oregon roots. The result is an American take on seafood, elevated: hot crab dip is re-imagined as a light interpretation of Wafu's crab roll; seafood "charcuterie" arrives in the form of marlin rillettes and mussels cured in pimenton.

Grassa

Like at his familiar sandwich spot Lardo, Rick Genarelli debuts a similarly fast-casual take, this time on fresh pasta. The menu features impressively varied and well-executed takes on carbonara (with a perfected cracked egg), gigli (simply cracked pepper and cheese), and chitarra (with squid ink, octopus, and chorizo).

Sen Yai

Andy Ricker takes his familiar approach to Thai cooking — authentic, unexpected, and street-influenced — and applies it to the humble noodle, devoting an entire menu to stir-fried and soup-stewed iterations of the dish. As expected, the place is already packed during lunch and dinner hours, but head in for a leisurely morning brunch.

Old Salt Marketplace

The team behind NE's comfortable bar Grain & Gristle joins forces with Pastaworks alum Tray Satterfield to bring a similar homey spot to the Cully neighborhood. Chef Tim Wastell churns out simple-yet-hearty dishes from the open-hearth kitchen (don't miss the housemade biscuits); meanwhile, the lunchtime deli offers sandwiches and salads crafted from house-butchered and cured meats.

din din supper club

Courtney Sproule's always meticulously planned, always surprising series of "din din" supperclub dinners now have a permanent brick-and-mortar home. But the concept — rotating themed dinner parties — remains the same, with the even calendar shifting every few weeks. The spot also provides a charming site for a leisurely weekend brunch or a "ladies who lunch" midday meal.

Related Maps