THE SEVEN-DAY COUNTDOWN

GENTLE READERS,

Beaverton fans of

Pho Van

will be pleased to note that the Vietnamese masters of noodle soup are coming to their 'hood. Lam Van tells Miss Dish that a brand-spankin' new Pho Van will slide into Beaverton Town Center in early 2003. This one will embody the same concept as the 82nd Avenue outpost that focuses mostly on the soup, but with a new twist: It will feature a sugar-cane juice bar. Also, look for evolution at the Pho Van Bistro in the Pearl: a

bahn mi

to-go counter will be unveiled in the coming months.

Bahn mi

are delish Vietnamese sandwiches that commingle the best of Asian cuisine (lemongrass, ginger, cilantro, slices of grilled pork and chicken) with the only good part of the French occupation (airy, crispy baguettes and pâté). Extremely popular in other cities for their cheap cost and exotic taste, the

bahn mi

revolution has been slow to catch on in Portland (Cali Sandwiches--6620 NE Glisan St., 254-9842--is one of the few outposts that offer a wide variety). Expect Pho Van's sandwiches to be state of the art.

*

Speaking of seductive Vietnamese food, please note that a really swell new Pho Thanh Thao recently opened at 902 N Killingsworth St. (289-3326). There are about a gazillion different soups available, and Miss Dish indulged in a peppy, fresh papaya salad with shrimp and barbecued pork that cost a mere $3.95. The place is done up all swanky, and everyone who works there is beyond friendly. This part of town was in desperate need of an Asian restaurant that can do it right; with its bright, clean flavors and spotlessly fresh ingredients, Thanh Thao has answered the call.

*

Move over Caprial and Cory--you've got company. The next Portland chef to put out a cookbook is none other than Pambiche and Cañita's John Connell Maribona. The prince of plantains tells Miss Dish that he and his agent just inked a deal with local bookies Graphic Arts Publishing Company; expect a bound volume with the best of Maribona's Cuban Creole recipes in the near future.

*

According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, Salty's on the Columbia is in danger of being seized by the IRS. Salty's in Seattle reportedly owes $587,000 in back taxes and Salty's on the Columbia $246,000. The IRS says no taxes have been paid on either since 1999; owner Gerry Kingen has sued the federal agency to buy time. The article reports that part of the company's plans to raise funds to pay its tax bill is to sell development rights to add a hotel and marina to Salty's on the Columbia.

*

Miss Dish has been getting quite a few emails lately asking about the date of the next WW restaurant guide, and she's pleased to report that the 2002 Restaurant Guide, featuring WW's favorite 100 restaurants, restaurant of the year and general culinary babble, rears its head next issue. Pick it up, won't you?

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