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Updating the Eater PDX HeatMap: Where to Eat Now

by Erin DeJesus
2 comments / new
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by Erin DeJesus
2 comments / 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, please welcome two spots in one! building! (that'd be Blue Star Donuts and Lardo, in the twelve | west building), a downtown lunch counter (Portland Penny Diner), and a new bar in the Mt. Tabor 'hood (The Tannery Bar).

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Blue Star Donuts

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One of the buzziest recent openings, somewhat surprisingly for this doughnut-happy town, is Micah Camden's Blue Star Donuts, which takes a from-scratch approach to deep-fried dough. Expect unique, house-made glazes (blueberry bourbon basil!) and savory options (like a doughnut topped with fried chicken).

1237 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205
(503) 265-8410
(503) 265-8410

Also featured in:

Portland Penny Diner

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The casual little sister to Vitaly Paley's upscale downtown spot Imperial, the Portland Penny Diner feeds nearby lunch crowds with flatbread sandwiches, salads, and a soda-fountain-inspired cocktail menu.

410 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97204
(503) 228-7222
(503) 228-7222

Also featured in:

The Tannery

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Caleb McBee transforms his Skin & Bones Bistro into a bar that still provides upscale eats in a casual, neighborhood setting. Pair a craft cocktail with an order of duck wings, shepard's pie, or the Monte Cristo sandwich.

5425 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97215

Also featured in:

Lardo

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Exactly like the Lardo Hawthorne location. Only downtown. There will be lines.

1205 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205

Also featured in:

Trigger

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The rock-n-roll-leaning Bunk Sandwiches team offers its version of Tex-Mex in the space under the Wonder Ballroom. As to be expected from Bunk-Mex, queso comes pimped out with brisket ends, giant margaritas arrive with Corona bottles submerged, and tacos offer twists like fried chicken sandwiched between the tortillas. Debuting soon: lunch and late-night service.

128 NE Russell Street, Portland, OR 97212

Also featured in:

Lauretta Jean's

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Farmer's market pie-slinger Kate McMillen opens her second brick-and-mortar shop, this one complete with indoor seating for guests enjoying an expanded menu featuring savory hand pies, soups, sandwiches, and quiches.

3402 SE Division St., Portland, OR 97202
(503) 224-9236
(503) 224-9236

Also featured in:

Uno Mas

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Lines are quickly forming outside Oswaldo Bibiano's casual taco spot at the Ocean. The Autentica and Mextiza chef/owner offers nearly 20 overstuffed options for $2 apiece, from carnitas to barbacoa to nopales. Also available: tacos de canasta (literally "basket tacos," which are steamed in their corn tortillas).

2329 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97232

Imperial

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Beard-winning chef Vitaly Paley opens his hotly anticipated second restaurant in downtown's Hotel Lucia. Unlike the understated Paley's Place, the sprawling Imperial adds a bit of drama to Paley's Pacific NW-inspired recipes (tuna a la plancha arrives with crab-dotted, vanilla-scented creamed corn), while grilled proteins (like an oyster-stuffed quail) shine. Former Beaker & Flask chef Ben Bettinger helms with kitchen, while Brandon Wise manages the impressive bar program.

410 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205
(503) 228-7222
(503) 228-7222

Also featured in:

Xico

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Nostrana alum Kelly Myers debuts a light and airy Mexican-inspired spot in Xico, where the experience varies based on the time of day. At the take-out window, lunch highlights Sonoran hot dogs and tortas, while late afternoon features pollo asado; in the seated dining room, Myers up the ante with seafood pozole, grilled culotte steak, and pork belly quesadillas.

3715 SE Division Street, Portland, OR 97202
(503) 548-6343
(503) 548-6343

Also featured in:

Roe

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Wafu chef/owner Trent Pierce hit a sweet spot with his SE Division ramen-ya, but Pierce (also, famously, of the much-missed Fin) makes a dedicated return to the ocean with Roe, an exclusive mini-restaurant that sits in the back of Wafu. Seafood dishes lean toward clean and modern, with several Asian influences (octopus with shiso, ginger, and yuzu; sashimi tuna with ponzu) and grilled preps (swordfish belly; blue prawns).

3113 SE Division, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 232-1566
(503) 232-1566

Also featured in:

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Blue Star Donuts

1237 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205

One of the buzziest recent openings, somewhat surprisingly for this doughnut-happy town, is Micah Camden's Blue Star Donuts, which takes a from-scratch approach to deep-fried dough. Expect unique, house-made glazes (blueberry bourbon basil!) and savory options (like a doughnut topped with fried chicken).

1237 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205
(503) 265-8410
(503) 265-8410

Portland Penny Diner

410 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97204

The casual little sister to Vitaly Paley's upscale downtown spot Imperial, the Portland Penny Diner feeds nearby lunch crowds with flatbread sandwiches, salads, and a soda-fountain-inspired cocktail menu.

410 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97204
(503) 228-7222
(503) 228-7222

The Tannery

5425 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97215

Caleb McBee transforms his Skin & Bones Bistro into a bar that still provides upscale eats in a casual, neighborhood setting. Pair a craft cocktail with an order of duck wings, shepard's pie, or the Monte Cristo sandwich.

5425 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97215

Lardo

1205 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205

Exactly like the Lardo Hawthorne location. Only downtown. There will be lines.

1205 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205

Trigger

128 NE Russell Street, Portland, OR 97212

The rock-n-roll-leaning Bunk Sandwiches team offers its version of Tex-Mex in the space under the Wonder Ballroom. As to be expected from Bunk-Mex, queso comes pimped out with brisket ends, giant margaritas arrive with Corona bottles submerged, and tacos offer twists like fried chicken sandwiched between the tortillas. Debuting soon: lunch and late-night service.

128 NE Russell Street, Portland, OR 97212

Lauretta Jean's

3402 SE Division St., Portland, OR 97202

Farmer's market pie-slinger Kate McMillen opens her second brick-and-mortar shop, this one complete with indoor seating for guests enjoying an expanded menu featuring savory hand pies, soups, sandwiches, and quiches.

3402 SE Division St., Portland, OR 97202
(503) 224-9236
(503) 224-9236

Uno Mas

2329 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97232

Lines are quickly forming outside Oswaldo Bibiano's casual taco spot at the Ocean. The Autentica and Mextiza chef/owner offers nearly 20 overstuffed options for $2 apiece, from carnitas to barbacoa to nopales. Also available: tacos de canasta (literally "basket tacos," which are steamed in their corn tortillas).

2329 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97232

Imperial

410 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205

Beard-winning chef Vitaly Paley opens his hotly anticipated second restaurant in downtown's Hotel Lucia. Unlike the understated Paley's Place, the sprawling Imperial adds a bit of drama to Paley's Pacific NW-inspired recipes (tuna a la plancha arrives with crab-dotted, vanilla-scented creamed corn), while grilled proteins (like an oyster-stuffed quail) shine. Former Beaker & Flask chef Ben Bettinger helms with kitchen, while Brandon Wise manages the impressive bar program.

410 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205
(503) 228-7222
(503) 228-7222

Xico

3715 SE Division Street, Portland, OR 97202

Nostrana alum Kelly Myers debuts a light and airy Mexican-inspired spot in Xico, where the experience varies based on the time of day. At the take-out window, lunch highlights Sonoran hot dogs and tortas, while late afternoon features pollo asado; in the seated dining room, Myers up the ante with seafood pozole, grilled culotte steak, and pork belly quesadillas.

3715 SE Division Street, Portland, OR 97202
(503) 548-6343
(503) 548-6343

Roe

3113 SE Division, Portland, OR 97214

Wafu chef/owner Trent Pierce hit a sweet spot with his SE Division ramen-ya, but Pierce (also, famously, of the much-missed Fin) makes a dedicated return to the ocean with Roe, an exclusive mini-restaurant that sits in the back of Wafu. Seafood dishes lean toward clean and modern, with several Asian influences (octopus with shiso, ginger, and yuzu; sashimi tuna with ponzu) and grilled preps (swordfish belly; blue prawns).

3113 SE Division, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 232-1566
(503) 232-1566

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