Northeast

Culinary globe trekker: Every couple of months, the intimate and off-center Navarre digs into a specific international region with a blow-out list of blackboard specials and a rigorous hunt for wines to match. This month, Navarre shifts into gear with finds from Normandy and Brittany. "This is a part of France that has all kinds of good food—seafood, lamb, duck, great cheeses and cream. Some of the best butter in the world comes from here," says owner John Taboada. Expect to find a good selection of the region's signature Muscadet, plus pear and apple ciders meant to pair with foods from these regions. Navarre's special menus typically post for several months and yield surprising rewards. 10 NE 28th

Get fired up: Chef Jason French and his team at Ned Ludd are ringing in their fifth year of wood-fired creations on NE MLK with new hours. The colorful space will be open for dinner service Wednesday through Sunday at 5 pm and Sunday brunch from 9 am until 2 pm, closing Mondays and Tuesdays for "wood fired events". 3925 NE MLK Jr.

Woodlawn's non-profit pub: Beer blog The New School sheds light on the hotly-anticipated Oregon Public House, the state's first non-profit bar located underneath the Village Ballroom. The preview includes great photos and an official opening date: Friday, May 10. 700 NE Dekum

North

Burgertown, USA: Eater PDX brings word that Kuza Burger, a food cart offering Yakuza's popular spicy mayo-topped sandwich, will sit pretty amongst the mobile restaurants and shops of the Trading Post at Dayna McErlean's upcoming St. Johns multi-use space The Colony. 7525 N Richmond

Southwest

Bar snack attack: Cocktail hub Kask now features an expanded snack menu, complete with next-door-neighbor Grüner's beet-pickled eggs, Raclette cheese-stuffed polenta croquettes, and house-made "Czech" Mix. 1215 SW Alder

Ramen revolution: The man behind Little Big Burger and Boxer Sushi is aiming for the triple crown. This summer, Micah Camden will debut noodle-powered Boxer Ramen in the under-construction pedestrian alleyway between SW Stark and W Burnside, across the street from Clyde Common. Stay tuned for updates. 1035 SW Stark St

Northwest

Happy beginnings: For the first time in its seventeen-year history, Paley's Place is offering an official Happy Hour menu, available seven nights a week (Monday through Thursday 5:30-6:30 pm; Friday through Sunday 5-6:30 pm). Nosh includes $2 oysters, $5 fried lamb tongue with saffron aioli, and a $7 signature cheddar burger on housemade brioche. Drinks include $5 glass pours, hibiscus coolers, and Paley's Manhattan and $3 beer selections.

Citywide

Feast on, folks: The Oregonian delivers the first news from Feast Portland's 2013 festival lineup, returning to PDX September 19-22. The list of culinary headliners at the national food festival is set to include Danny Bowien (San Francisco's Mission Chinese Food), Stephanie Izard (Chicago's Girl & the Goat), and Andrew Carmellini (New York's Locanda Verde and The Dutch). 

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