Portland/Vancouver's local Russian population has come out of the woodwork to celebrate the opening of Kachka, Bonnie and Israel Morales' toast to the vodka-fueled zakuski tradition. Order up the "zakuski experience" for tastes of the cold menu (unfolding in a variety of cured, smoked, pickled, and salted fishes), then savor a bowl of comforting dumplings.

The team that "Portlandized" the steakhouse (at Laurelhurst Market) returns with another meaty venture: This time, a family friendly neighborhood barbecue spot tucked away in Sellwood. Familiar LM items — fried chicken, house-made sausages — make the trip, but here, the meat comes smoked, rolls of paper towels top tables, saucing is DIY: slather ribs and brisket with your choice of four regionally based barbecue sauces.

Eater 38 stalwart Nong's Khao Man Gai has fiiiinally opened a proper sit-down space where Hainan chicken devotees can sit and linger over their places of chicken-and-rice and soup. As of yesterday, the restaurant's liquor license has kicked in — meaning beer is now available — and chef/empire builder Nong Poonsukwattana further sweetens the deal with KMG soft-serve ice cream.

Earl Ninsom's 24-seat Langbaan is hidden behind his popular Thai spot PaaDee, but it's no speakeasy. Here, Ninsom and his co-chefs offer a comforting, friendly take on "back of house" dining, inviting all guests to sit in on a family meal. It's a gussied-up family meal, to be sure: Each dinner features a 11-12 course rotating chef's tasting menu (available at $40 and $60 price points), with otherwise rare dishes like muu, sai, lin yaang and Asian pennywort-and-lobster salad.

John Taboada's long-awaited neighborhood bar Angel Face opened its doors very quietly, but quickly amassed crowds drawn to its charming space (with hand-painted "wallpaper") and equally alluring menu: Pair a glass of bubbly with a dozen oysters, boudin blanc with crisp fries, and assemble-it-yourself steak tartare. Want to nerd out over drinks? Acclaimed barman Kelley Swenson shakes up a literal do-it-yourself menu, crafting whatever the guest's heart desires. [Photo]

A pair of ringers team up for this dual bakery space on N. Williams: St. Jack's award-winning pastry chef Alissa Frice gets more room to play, presenting beautifully plated caramelized apple bavarians and matcha-and-yuzu chiboust (fret not, favorites from Frice's St. Jack patisserie menu remain, including caneles, madelines, and macarons). One counter over, baker Philippe Garcia's eponymous bakery stocks shelves with baguettes, olive thyme loaves, and croissants.

With the abrupt and unfortunate closure of its original SE location, St. Jack's new NW digs are now front-and-center, and thankfully, still serving chef Aaron Barnett's menu of updated Lyonnaise classics and lighter twists. A larger kitchen (and bar, and dining room) give Barnett and bar manager John Salas more room to play: expect a much-expanded cheese selection, entrees like oxtail bourguignon, and lamb shoulder confit.

Nate Tilden and Jeffrey Morgenthaler's bunker bar Pepe Le Moko was approximately 29 months in the making, and now, it's finally open, serving everything you'd want if trapped in an underground bunker: raw oysters, bocadillos, and boozy cocktails. The spot's sense of humor emerges in its drink menu, which re-imagines the shitty drinks of your youth — Grasshoppers, Long Island Iced Teas — as craft cocktails. [Photo]

Chef Chris Whaley and owner Jenny Nickolaus take risks with their eclectic menu at the American Local (it's described as "New West drinking food"), but the risks pay off. Expect blood orange and miso with your Brussels sprouts, shaved foie gras on your poutine, and wasabi leaves and corn nuts atop salmon carpaccio.

Nearly six years after its closure in 2008, Billy Schumaker has resurrected his beloved Mexican restaurant in the former Beaker & Flask space, bringing back familiar favorites like wild boar tacos, ceviche, and strawberry margaritas. Entrees prove more satisfying than the a la carte tacos: a rich chicken mole and bowl of caldo de mariscos provide high comfort.