Bang Bang Thai Izakaya Opens in NE Portland; Andina Loses Head Chef

NORTHEAST — Chef Adam Kaplan, along with Aalto Lounge owners Kate and Alex Wood, just opened Bang Bang. The small, modern space offers a menu built on booze-friendly snacks with a Southeast Asian spin, and made-from-scratch curries served over composed bowls of rice, vegetables, and proteins like cold-smoked beef tongue, grilled octopus, and house-made rau ram sausage. After 10 p.m., the late-night menu offers bold sandwiches until 2 a.m. on the weekends.

PEARL DISTRICT — Andina, the perennially packed, upscale Peruvian spot, just lost its head chef of five years. Hank Costello departed to work on his personal chef service and restaurant consulting business. The restaurant has now launched a nationwide search to find a new chef.

SOUTHEAST — One of Portland's most popular food carts was given notice to pack up and go last month, much to fans' dismay. But Big Ass Sandwiches, known for french fry and bechamel topped creations that nearly won them the title of Best Sandwich in America on Adam Richman's Travel Channel show in 2012, found a new spot in the Carts on Foster pod in Southeast Portland. Best of all, there's an enclosed beer garden with half a dozen taps.