Food News: Oregon Legislature Passes To-Go Cocktails Bill
Soon, we'll able to order to-go cocktails and wine with our takeout.
To-Go and Delivery Cocktails on the Horizon
The Oregon legislature’s third special session of the year took place on December 21. That day lawmakers finally, passed a bill allowing the sale of to-go and delivery cocktails—a request the restaurant and bar industry have been fighting for for months as a lifeline that might save their businesses. The bill (full text here) allows for the sale of up to two mixed drinks—or individual servings of wine—per “substantial food item” ordered. The bill also places a statewide cap on the fees that third-party food platforms can charge restaurants, capping delivery commissions at 10% and pick-up commissions at 5%. This cap is similar to the one implemented in Portland earlier this summer. The bill, once signed into law, would be effective immediately, and last 60 days after the end of Oregon’s coronavirus-induced state of emergency. Governor Kate Brown is expected to sign off on it soon.
Plant Based Papi Opens Brick & Mortar
Plant Based Papi started out as a pop-up, serving vegan dishes like honey jalapeño chicken-fried chanterelle tacos, butternut squash cavatappi mac and cheese, and jackfruit quesabirria tacos. Now, owner Jewan Manuel is turning Plant Based Papi into a brick-and-mortar, as Eater reported. The restaurant opened at 1412 SE Morrison St on Saturday, December 19. They're currently on a break for the holidays, but they’ll be back in the New Year.
Last Chance for Sunshine Noodles, The Bakery at Bar King, and Akadi
It’s time to say goodbye, at least for now, to three of PoMo’s favorite restaurants. The Bakery at Bar King is closing permanently on January 2 (and the restaurant portion of Bar King has already permanently closed), so grab your miso-walnut sticky buns and matcha gateau Basques while you still can. Tomorrow, December 24, is your last chance to grab noodle soups from Sunshine Noodles before they go on hiatus until March, when the contemporary Cambodian eatery plans to open a permanent brick-and-mortar. Your last chance to grab fufu and mafe from Akadi, one of Portland’s only West African restaurants, is also fast approaching. The restaurant will serve its last plates on December 31 before going on a long hiatus, with plans to reopen in a bigger location with a more expansive menu sometime in late 2021.
