Huge Food Hall Pine Street Market Opens In Downtown Portland
Portland is famous for its unorthodox food scene, from our foodie friendly bars to our plethora of food carts. Given the community of restaurants in Portland, and the demand for space, Pine Street Market makes all kinds of practical sense.
The building itself is beautiful: exposed brick and high ceilings with industrial wooden beams and bare bulbs. Seating is plentiful in the already busy space, with both table seating and bar seating at each of the participating restaurants. Unlike at other food courts, Pine Street Market also has booze.
Most of the food spots in the market are offshoots of restaurants around town. Olympia Provisions takes the center of the market, with OP Wurst. It's one part homage to American hot dogs and one part "frankfurter test kitchen," serving up Wrigley inspired foot longs with a variety of toppings, from a plain dog to mac n cheese, and even poutine. Of course, nothing goes as well with hot dogs as champagne, and OP Wurst has a number of bottles of on hand, as well as glass pours of whites and rosés, even some liquor.
Marukin, the new ramen spot from straight from Tokyo, has a branch here, serving traditional ramen, along with wine, beer, and sake. Across from Marukin is the WizBangBar, the newest branch of Salt & Straw Ice Cream, serving soft-serve and sundaes. Of course, it wouldn't be a Portland gathering without coffee. At Pine Street it's provided by Barista, at the Brass Bar.
For those looking for pizza and baked goods, Trifecta Annex delivers. This newest branch from baker and restaurateur Ken Forkish cooks up Ken's Artisan Pizza and Ken's Artisan Bakery goods. It's the perfect place to grab a slice of Ken's famous pizza without ordering an entire pie, though you can do that as well, or grab a daily toast, Ken's famous leaven bread with seasonal toppings.
John Gorham, founder of Toro Bravo, Tasty n Sons, and Tasty n Alder has a new location as well in Pollo Bravo. He and executive chef John Scofield, who was inspired by trips through Mexico, have developed this as a tapas restaurant focused on rotisserie chicken and latin inspired sides. Split a half-chicken with a friend and get some papas bravas and asparagus in romesco sauce. Pollo Bravo also boasts a large supply of vermouth and sherry.
Pine Street Market also hosts new ventures. Longtime executive chef of Paley's Place, Patrick McKee, and Langbaan chef Earl Wilson have teamed up for the French/East Asian fusion restaurant and bar, Common Law. The menu includes items such as beef tongue banh mi and spice bone marrow and mussel toast. Tucked into one corner of the market, Common Law sports a full cocktail bar with Asian inspired drinks.
Finally, the excellently named Shalom Y'all, also from John Gorham as well as Kasey Mills from the Mediterranean Exploration Company, is bringing vegetarian friendly Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food to the market. Calling it Israeli Street Food, the restaurant focuses on falafel, hummus, and house made pita, as well as shakshuka, an Israeli breakfast dish with tomatoes, peppers, and baked eggs. Shalom Y'all also has a bar, which serves cocktails, wine, and a Levantine spirit known as Arak, a grape based liqueur flavored with star anise.
The market officially opened May 1st, and its hours are 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. every day of the week.