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Updating the Eater PDX HeatMap: Where to Eat Now

by Erin DeJesus
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by Erin DeJesus
1 comment / new

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.

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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

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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.

3039 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211

Also featured in:

ATAULA

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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.

1818 NW 23rd Pl, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 894-8904
(503) 894-8904

Also featured in:

Roman Candle Bakery

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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.

3373 Southeast Division Street, Portland, OR 97202

Expatriate

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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.

5424 NE 30th Ave, Portland, OR 97211
(503) 805-3750
(503) 805-3750

Also featured in:

Teote Areperia

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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.

1615 Southeast 12th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214

Also featured in:

Alberta Street Pub

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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]

1036 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211
(503) 284-7665
(503) 284-7665

Also featured in:

Block + Tackle

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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.

3113 Southeast Division Street, Portland, OR 97202

Grassa

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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).

1205 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205

Sen Yai

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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.

3384 Southeast Division Street, Portland, OR 97202
(503) 236-3573
(503) 236-3573

Also featured in:

Old Salt Marketplace

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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.

5027 NE 42nd Ave, Portland, OR 97218
(971) 255-0167
(971) 255-0167

Also featured in:

din din supper club

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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.

920 Northeast Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97232
971-544-1350
971-544-1350

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The Sugar Cube

3039 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211

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.

3039 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211

ATAULA

1818 NW 23rd Pl, Portland, OR 97210

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.

1818 NW 23rd Pl, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 894-8904
(503) 894-8904

Roman Candle Bakery

3373 Southeast Division Street, Portland, OR 97202

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.

3373 Southeast Division Street, Portland, OR 97202

Expatriate

5424 NE 30th Ave, Portland, OR 97211

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.

5424 NE 30th Ave, Portland, OR 97211
(503) 805-3750
(503) 805-3750

Teote Areperia

1615 Southeast 12th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214

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.

1615 Southeast 12th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214

Alberta Street Pub

1036 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211

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]

1036 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211
(503) 284-7665
(503) 284-7665

Block + Tackle

3113 Southeast Division Street, Portland, OR 97202

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.

3113 Southeast Division Street, Portland, OR 97202

Grassa

1205 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205

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).

1205 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205

Sen Yai

3384 Southeast Division Street, Portland, OR 97202

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.

3384 Southeast Division Street, Portland, OR 97202
(503) 236-3573
(503) 236-3573

Old Salt Marketplace

5027 NE 42nd Ave, Portland, OR 97218

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.

5027 NE 42nd Ave, Portland, OR 97218
(971) 255-0167
(971) 255-0167

din din supper club

920 Northeast Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97232

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.

920 Northeast Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97232
971-544-1350
971-544-1350

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