This week we’ve got a restaurant closure, a Sicilian feast, and pop-up recommendations. Plus, a vegan and gluten free ice cream shop opens its doors, and more.

Save the date: Feast Portland returns September 16 through 18 

On March 17, Feast Portland announced in an Instagram post that it would be returning to its original weekend-long festival format this September. It’s a notable departure from last year’s Feast, which took place over the course of a month and focused on local chefs. Stay tuned for further details on the festival. 

Fine dining spot Willow has closed for good 

Farm-to-table venue Willow, opened in 2016 and known for its hyper-local six-course prix fixe tasting menu, has closed permanently, according to Eater Portland. For extra confirmation: “As of March 8, we are permanently closed,” intones the restaurant’s recorded voice mail message.

Kate’s Ice Cream opens a scoop shop 

Just in time for spring, one of Portland’s favorite vegan and gluten-free ice cream makers, Kate’s Ice Cream, is celebrating its grand opening in Mississippi at the former Ruby Jewel space (3713 N Mississippi). Known for flavors like salted peanut butter brittle and marionberry cobbler, the concept got its start in 2014 when Katelyn Williams started making ice cream for her lactose-intolerant sister. Hours will be 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. 

Alchemy Desserts holds a bake sale fundraiser 

Brandi Lansill of Alchemy Desserts, along with a team of over a dozen bakers, is holding a  bake sale to benefit For Goodness Cakes PDX, a nonprofit organization that bakes cakes for underserved and houseless youth. The event will take place on March 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the patio at Montelupo Italian Market (344 NE 24th Ave). 

Soen serves coffee jelly and more at Courier Coffee 

Soen is doing a popup on March 20 and 21 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Courier Coffee (923 SW Oak St). Though it’s best known for its summertime-only kakigori, or Japanese shaved ice, the pop-up is doing something different this time with shiitake mushroom inari, handmade dango with flavors including toasted rice powder, and Japanese coffee jelly featuring homemade milk gelato and a hand-drip dark roast by Courier Coffee.  

WEPA pops up with Puerto Rican lunch at Magna 

Puerto Rican pop-up WEPA is serving lunch March 21 and 22 from 11 am. - 3 p.m. at Magna (2525 SE Clinton). The event will feature rice bowls, rellenos de papa, pastelillos de guayaba, and Puerto Rican cheese danishes, as well as coffee to sip from Puerto Rican producer Alto Grande. The menu is take-out only, but there will be a patio for those who want to dine onsite. 

Festa di San Giuseppe on March 21 at Café Olli 

Celebrate Festa di San Giuseppe with a Sicilian feast, wine, and amari at this pop-up at Café Olli (3925 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd).The menu includes mussel salad, sardine meatballs, and sfinci, Italian fritters with ricotta and orange.  Grab tickets, $80 each, for the 5:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. time slots. at Café Olli (3925 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd).  

Companatico pops up at Dame Restaurant 

Companatico is doing its weekly hoagie pop up on March 22 from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Dame Restaurant (2930 NE Killingsworth St). The event will feature meatball parmesan as well as Genovese ragu with beef slow cooked in onions and pecorino. Meatless options include a vegetarian rabe melt and a vegan sott’olio mixed with veggies, radicchio, arugula, and bean spread. Potato salad and pasqua (Easter) buns will be available as a side. Proof of vaccination is required to dine indoors.