Honky Tonk Taco closes abruptly

The counter-service taco and tequila joint from Nate Tilden (Olympia Provisions, Spirit of ‘77, etc.) and Clyde Common chef Carlo Lamagna closed suddenly October 18 after less than 3 months. Per the Oregonian: “'The food wasn't where we wanted it to be,’ Tilden said by phone Tuesday. ‘We feel like it's a really great space, and we want to execute at a higher level.’” Honky Tonk took the space formerly occupied by Andy Ricker’s Sen Yai, and, according to the O, might reopen with the same concept. Tilden has been spreading himself thin as of late, opening two more Portland eateries in the past year: OP Wurst, and Bar Casa Vale. That’s some Micah Camden (Blue Star, Boxer Ramen)–level expansion.

Blue Star founder Micah Camden to open pizza chain

Speaking of everyone’s favorite hometown serial restaurateur, Willamette Week reports that Micah Camden and his longtime general manager Matt Lynch will open Heart Pizza, a grab-n-go, affordable Neapolitan pizza spot in Southwest Waterfront. Two more locations will open shortly afterwards in the Lloyd Center and in the West End. Expect 10-12-inch, vegetable-focused pies, salads, and affordable wine. Says Lynch in WW: “We're going to do what we've always been doing, get a big fancy oven, make this artisanal thing and dumb it down." Sounds…great? 

Portland Bagelworks explodes (as in, really explodes)

Anyone working or living in the Portland metro area saw the billowing smoke clouds—or felt the shockwaves—on October 19, when a natural gas line was hit by a construction crew at the corner of NW 23^rd and Glisan, causing an explosion that leveled Portland Bagelworks and caused damage to the surrounding buildings. Bagelworks is currently holding a GoFundMe campaign to help recovery efforts.

Celebrity chef Chris Cosentino to open Jackrabbit restaurant inside the Hilton

EaterPDX dished out details on the Top Chef Master and A-list San Francisco chef’s plans for our city. Jackrabbit will open in Portland’s Hilton hotel (545 SW Taylor St.) and will “draw inspiration from Portland’s history,” with “an extensive raw bar, gin-centric cocktail program, house-cured meats, and large-format signature plates.” Cosentino’s venture is the latest in a string of new talent-backed hotel restaurants, including Doug Adams’ upcoming Bullard and Vitaly Paley’s just-opened Headwaters. 

Smokehouse Tavern owner BJ Smith to compete on Top Chef season 14

BJ Smith, the man behind Smokehouse Tavern and the original Smokehouse 21 (which will, confusingly, soon become a second location for Kim Jong Smokehouse, the new Pine Street Market venture between Smith and Han Ly Huang of Kim Jong Grillin) is competing on Top Chef: Charleston, the show's umpteenth season. He follows in the footsteps of Portland’s season 13 competitors, Gregory Gourdet and Doug Adams.