Today’s newsletter is a certified fresh catch of the day — maybe not draped across some sticky rice, and sprinkled with scallions like this mouthwatering sushi from Musashi’s, but it’s bound to be just as good. Tag #bridgeliner to be featured here. (📸: @cassieniscient)
😷 Here's what Oregon's new mask mandates mean for PDX eateries. Due to the continued spread of the delta variant of COVID-19 through local communities, Gov. Kate Brown announced earlier this week that masks will need to be worn both indoors and outdoors, regardless of vaccination status. Exemptions include children five and younger and anyone outdoors eating or drinking. From what we gathered, it looks like application of the new rules will be left up to local eateries to implement — and some, like the East Burnside Public House, never stopped following the original restrictions. Regardless, one of the best things you can do to help slow the spread is wear your mask and social distance. (OregonLive / EaterPDX / Oregon Health Authority)
➡️ Speaking of the delta variant shaking things up: Oaks Park has canceled its 2021 Oktoberfest. The theme park explained that they want to protect attendees and performers and that the gathering of groups of people during a surge in COVID cases would not be safe. They hope to return to an in-person Oktoberfest in 2022. (KGW / Oaks Park Amusement)
🤔 What does the authority of the term “chef” mean in 2021 and post PDX’s Top Chef? Writer Reem Assil dives into the concept of restaurant culture and how the prestige of the title “chef” has allowed for unchecked abusive behavior throughout the culinary world. The end of Top Chef 2020 (which was shot here in Portland) caused controversy when Gabe Erales won. This shone a light on some of Erales’ past behavior — including having a relationship with a fellow coworker and then proceeding to cut her hours — as well as abuse of restaurant industry workers overall. (EaterPDX / OregonLive)
- Quotable: “‘Chef’” has come to mean commander-in-chief, auteur, and career pinnacle — and the power that comes from the role has been a cover for abusive behavior for decades. Since #MeToo, it seems like the game plan is to punish the bad white male chef, and create a new narrative: One that shows someone like me, a Brown girl with an unconventional path to cooking, and says: Look at her, she can be a chef and get a James Beard nod, despite the odds. This industry is redeemable. In reality, calling me ‘chef’ mostly serves to propagate the American dream myth that with hard work and a compelling vision, anyone can make it to the top. That narrative reinforces the very system my being hailed a ‘chef’ is meant to disrupt.” — Reem Assil
🍵 Delivery? Nah, more like deliver-TEA, because Smith Teamaker launched a new service. This Portland icon has expanded to include a new online ordering system through the app Tock. What’s that mean? Basically, there’s no reason to not wake up with a beautiful mug full of Big Hibiscus to kick off your day. You can get your order started here. (KOIN / Smith Teamaker)
🍜 Here’s where you can get some choice noods in town this week. Whether you’re going with the trailblazer option like Birreria PDX and slurping down their spicy and delicious birria ramen or sticking with the classics like Hapa PDX with their pork belly topped AND brothed G-Special Ramen — Willamette Week has you covered.
🍳 These 11 PDX breakfast sandwiches are worth rolling out of bed for. From Cafe Rowan’s the “Dame” (which features a fried egg, sausage, manchego cheese, gochujang peppers, and a deliciously peppery aioli) to Toki’s pork belly breakfast sandwich (juicy, koji-cured pork belly, a fluffy folded egg, gooey and oozy cheese, on an impossibly airy bao bun), you’ll be singing “Oh What A Beautiful Morning” in the AM. (Portland Monthly)
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