Skip to main contentGENTLE READERS,
After a fruitful trek to the Big Apple last week, Miss Dish can tell you, based on the experience of enduring two nasty pizza slices at two different shops and calling only one day ahead to make a reservation at hotsy-totsy Nobu (and not being laughed at), NYC is still really smarting. But while the food world seems tender, Broadway is booming. Lady D. took in the hysterical Urinetown, a searing parody of the musical genre. (Hint to Great White Way goers: Lots of clueless souls buy seats to Urinetown based on buzz, then can't understand why they're not transported to a magical la-la land à la Cats. These are the people who leave during intermission. This is your gain. Buy tickets for the nosebleed seats--literally bar stools above the floodlights--and then take the spendy but abandoned spots on the floor after the halftime break. Don't try this at The Producers.)
But enough of Miss D.'s egocentric reportage about her life and loves: We all know this column has a greater purpose than that. Uh, er, and that is? Yes, right, to uncover all the news that's fit to ingest in the world of eats and drinks in lovely, quaint and biohazard-free (at least at press time) Portland, Ore.
First off, let us bang a gong for the recently departed Original Portland Ice Cream Parlour that served up sundaes and cacophony at Northeast 16th Avenue and Weidler Street. A sign outside says they're selling off all the interior fixtures, so hurry to get a sticky memento of the days when Farrell's (its old-school name) ruled the birthday roost.
And let us say hello to Saucebox's new chef Jon Beeaker. According to the drinkaporium's owner Bruce Carey, Beeaker is going to "elevate the food, which is where we want to go." Beeaker moves to Saucebox after a stint as sous chef at Bluehour and prior to that he was part of Kenny G.'s stable at Pazzo. Cute as a few buttons former Saucebox chef Eric Johnson is off to other adventures says Carey. The plan is to keep the menu status quo and then Beeaker will gradually inprint his own style.
And let us welcome the incoming O'Cielo, set to open this month at the site formerly occupied by Tubby's Deli at 911 SW 10th Ave. Owners Stefano Brusch (a real Italian! From Italy, even!) and Betty Schmidt envision a lunch-only Italian deli with sandwiches, soup, pizza and baked pasta at reasonable prices--or, as Brusch says, "nothing too fancy." According to this native of Rome, O'Cielo translates (roughly) to "Oh heavens!" Why just lunch? "I work all my life at night," says Brusch. "It's about time to enjoy my Friday night."
Let's hope it hits Little Italy heights--or at least has a really good slice (especially since her lady-in-eating can eyeball it from the Dish desk).
WWeek 2015