A Filipino Brunch Debuts, a Vegan Grocery Store Lives On, and More Food News

Spring has technically sprung, although some days certainly feel more “sprung” than others. If you’ve traded in rainy Portland weather for somewhere more spring-break- esque, check out the new women-in-aviation themed bar at Portland International Airport on your way back into town. And if you stayed in the Rose City, be sure to grab a slice at Precious Pizza while you still can, or stop by Food Fight to say hello to the new owners and pick up some picnic necessities for a sporadic sunny day. Wherever you may be, here are our can’t-miss upcoming foodie events in PDX.  

This Thursday through Saturday may be the last chance for a while to grab a slice of nonna pie at food cart Precious Pizza. The pandemic-era pop-up turned food cart got its start on Instagram, after owner Alejandro Preciado’s abuelita-style pan pizza proved popular among his friends. Soon enough, the Salem-based pop-up opened a cart in Northeast Portland’s Barley Pod (6035 NE Halsey St) on a three-month trial basis; which then turned into eight months thanks to a loyal following of “regs and homies,” who visited for “weekly staple”–worthy pizza, according to Preciado and the comments on his Instagram announcement. Precious Pizza will be shifting to markets and pop-up sales while Preciado figures out his next move.  

Food Fight, the all-vegan mom-and-pop grocery store at 11155 NE Halsey St in Gateway (its longtime location on SE Stark in Buckman closed in 2020), welcomes a new mom and pop: Beth and Adam Sullivan. The couple (alongside their dog, Radar, and cat, Flash) will be taking over from longtime owners Chad Miller and Emiko Badillo, who founded Food Fight back in 2003. Starting April 1, Beth and Adam commit to “keep Food Fight kicking for at least another 20 years,” according to a Food Fight post on Instagram.   

Juliett, a new women-in-aviation-themed bar, opened on March 19 inside Concourse E at the Portland International Airport. The swanky, midcentury bar is a collaboration between Lightning Bar Collective (Century, Sweet Hereafter, and more) and ChefStable, decorated with elaborate light fixtures, gold accents, and black-and-white portraits of famous female pilots like Bessie Coleman and Hazel Ying Lee. The bar will serve up Oregon wines from Coopers Hall, along with six new beers specially crafted by Fracture Brewing such as the Amelia Pilsner, an ode to Amelia Earhart.   

Sunrice, an “elevated and intentional” Filipino pop-up, captured our appetite last year with dishes like mushroom sisig and chicken katsu adobo. Now, the pop-up based at Southeast cocktail bar Deadshot (2133 SE 11th Ave) is trying its hand at brunch. This Sunday from noon to 3 p.m., Sunrice will be serving up everything from waffles to pan de sal to breakfast sandwiches on house-baked ube buns.

Learn to Cook Some Izakaya Fare 

Stop by Cookshop (2627 SE Clinton St) on Monday evening to learn how to make Japanese izakaya staples from Megan Barrie, who teaches vegetarian Japanese cooking under the moniker Seasoned Cook. Barrie will be teaching guests how to make “classic Japanese side dishes into a full meal” by providing the tools and ingredients to create the dishes, as well as the opportunity to take leftovers home for dinner. Monday’s menu is all vegan and vegetarian friendly, including kushiyaki (grilled vegetable skewers), onigiri (rice balls), and tsukemono (pickled cucumber salad). Class runs from 6 to 8 p,m., and tickets are $80.    

Kau Kau is back for another pop-up at Little Griddle (3520 NE 42nd Ave). On Tuesday, March 29 from 4 to 7 p.m., the homestyle Hawaiian eatery will feature its “Onolicious Grinds” (a.k.a. delicious eats) like kalua pig, mac salad, lau lau (steamed pork and fish wrapped in a banana leaf), and the classic Spam musubi.