Cultural Elites Unite!

GENTLE READERS,

News from the biggest media seducers on the planet: While I'm sure readers of this column are pleased to know that

Ripe

is now opening its Gotham Building Coffee Shop for Saturday breakfasts from 9 am to 2 pm, the big dish is that Ripe has now been formally inducted into the cultural elite with a juicy treatment in a

New York Times

piece last week on fringe restaurants. Miss Dish felt vindicated that the Gray Lady misspelled co-owner Michael Hebb's name throughout the piece, just as she herself had done when she was the first two years ago to announce Ripe's intention to take over North Portland and then the world. Miss Dish's error: Hepp.

New York Times

: Hebbe. It's H-E-B-B.

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From March 30 through May 1, a bunch of PDX's high-end eateries are taking part in a marketing campaign geared toward filling up tables on restaurant's deadlier nights, Sunday through Thursday. Twenty-five restaurants (Cafe Azul, Castagna, Paley's Place and Wildwood, to name a few) are offering a three-course prix fixe meal for $25. Is it a good deal? Depends on what's on the menu. Call your favorite restaurant to find out.

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Become a self-satisfied glutton. It's that time again--Taste of the Nation is gearing up to take over the Portland Center for the Performing Arts with tons of top restaurants offering samples. That's the gluttony part. All the proceeds go toward fighting hunger. That's the self-satisfied part. The paradox of stuffing your face so needy people can get a meal? That's America. Being a purebred American, Miss D. has attended this frenzied event in the past, and she can tell you first-hand that it's fun in a crowded, sloppy, spill-heavy way. Feed the children!

6-9 pm Monday, April 28. Tickets $60 advance, $70 at door. Call 222-4644 with questions or check out the site at strength.org/taste/portland.

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The 19th annual Great American Meatout drops down Thursday, March 20, on Pioneer Square. A bunch of restaurants, such as Laughing Planet Cafe, Thai Peacock and Horn of Africa, are offering discounts on meatless entrees through March 26. Starting at 11:30 that Thursday, a free vegetarian lunch can be had if you get yourself down to the Square. If there's no such thing as a free lunch, what does this one cost you? Bacon, my friend. Bacon.

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Southwest Portland has a new Italian eatery to check out: Alba Osteria & Enoteca. Chef Kurt Spak promises cuisine "of Piemonte and points north." Check it out at 6440 SW Capitol Highway, 977-3045.

WWeek 2015

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