Southeast

SE Sandy: Chef Benjamin Bettinger is leaving the Beaker and Flask kitchen to join the team behind Vitaly Paley’s new downtown restaurant. Bettinger’s relationship with the Paley’s is nothing new: the chef manned the Paley’s Place kitchen from 2002 to 2007, and aided Paley in his Iron Chef victory last year. In his place, current sous chef Anthony Walton will take over the Beaker and Flask kitchen when Bettinger departs in four weeks (720 Southeast Sandy Boulevard).

SE Water: Any week, another round of Bunk Sandwiches news! The formerly evening-only Bunk Bar in the Industrial Southeast is now offering daily lunch service, starting at 11 am. Get your sandwich on (1028 Southeast Water Avenue #130).

Sellwood: Killer Burger’s new location in the former Hash space at 8728 SE 17th Avenue is now open. This is the decadent eatery’s third location in the region, offering signature sammies like the peanut butter pickle bacon burger. Leap year baby bonus: If you were born on February 29th, bring proof of DOB to any Killer Burger location for some free grub.

Southwest

SW Naito: Truss, the new restaurant on the second floor of the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel is now open (1401 SW Naito Pkwy). Named for the truss-style bridges that span the Willamette River, the 80-seat eatery’s kitchen will be manned by former Aquariva chef Andy Ardnt. Menu items are inspired by the bounty of the Pacific Northwest, and include pan-seared trout and braised lamb-shank with hazelnut polenta.

Northwest

W Burnside: According to the Willamette Week, KOi Fusion’s Bo Kwon has purchased the former Stadium Flowers building across from Jeld-Wen Field (2010 W. Burnside St) that will serve as an indoor dining area for the Korean-inspired taco truck, complete with liquor license and bar. This West Burnside space will be Koi Fusion’s third brick-and-mortar location, joining kiosks in downtown Portland and the Bridgeport Village mall.

Citywide and Beyond

National Listage: The Daily Meal has released its take on the"101 Best Restaurants in America for 2012":http://www.thedailymeal.com/101-best-restaurants-america, and three of Portland’s top restaurants nabbed some nods: Beast comes in at number 69, Le Pigeon sits pretty at number 62, and Andy Ricker’s Pok Pok ranks highest among PDX hot spots at number 12. Among the illustrious judging panel that determined the list? Food editors and writers around the country, including Portland Monthly’s own Karen Brooks.

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