Welcome back to CascadiaWire, covering the latest restaurant news from up-and-down the Pacific Northwest corridor.
Photo of Mediterranean Exploration Co. courtesy Avila/EPDX
PORTLAND— After a few weeks' worth of "soft opening" dinners, one of Portland's most anticipated openings debuts for real starting tonight, August 1. Eater PDX takes a look inside the Mediterranean Exploration Company, the latest venture by lauded chef John Gorham (of favorites Toro Bravo, Tasty N Sons, and Tasty N Alder). As with Gorham's other restaurants, both space and menu are designed for group dining experiences; here, the menu flaunts influences from Israel, Morocco, Tunisia, and Greece. [EPDX]
VANCOUVER— The best-selling bitters at the recent Tales of the Cocktail came from Vancouver's own Bittered Sling. Here now, in co-founder Jonathan Chovancek's "disco diary" from NoLa, Chovancek tells tales of making 900 cocktails in 45 minutes. Keeping things liquid, our all-essential guide to the top 10 bargain by-the-glass sparkling wines across the city as picked by Eater wine correspondent, sommelier Kurtis Kolt. [EVAN]
PORTLAND— The buzziest bar news from Portland comes courtesy a tantalizing future possibility: Bartender Jim Meehan, of New York City's lauded PDT, confirmed to Eater that he's moving to PDX later this summer, with plans to "eventually" open a new bar. Meehan says that the cross-country move is fueled by family needs, but he will retain his partnership in PDT. Stay tuned. [EPDX]
VANCOUVER— The annual celebration of all things meaty, beery, and barbecued, Brewery and the Beast was a sell-out hit this past weekend. From compressed pig's head snacks to tomahawk ribs, Eater Vancouver was on hand to capture the action. There has been an inspirational outpouring of support from the Canadian bartender community for one of Vancouver's own this past few days. The Fairmont Pacific Rim's Grant Sceney is currently down to the last six at the World Class Bartender contest in London right now. See what the Sceney Supporters have been up to and feel the love. [EVAN]
