Liz’s News and Views from the Portland Area: Food, Churro Collabo, and Recyled Arts

There's so much going on in the Portland/Vancouver area. Some events are happening this weekend and others are coming up soon.

Portland’s newest Indian restaurant, Open Tandoor, will debut in The Wilmore Apartments on North Williams Avenue in mid-August 2016. Located at 4311 N. Williams on the corner of North Skidmore, the new restaurant will feature healthy Indian cuisine inspired by the food mecca of Chef Kinder Gill’s native Punjab and her family’s traditional recipes. The restaurant will feature dishes such as Garbanzo Bean Curry, Red Lentil Curry, Saag, Ground Lamb Curry, Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, Kebabs, Naan Bites with Housemade Dipping Sauce and Naan Wraps. 

All dishes will feature hand selected, freshly ground spices and be prepared without corn, soy, food coloring or MSG. There will be vegan, gluten free and vegetarian options.

For more opening details, please follow her on Facebook at @opentandoorpdx and Twitter and Instagram at @opentandoor.

Huge Recycled Art Fair: Clark County will hold the 11th annual Recycled Arts Festival in Esther Short Park downtown. The event showcases artwork made of recycled materials. The free festival runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 25; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 26. Attendees who show reusable mugs or water bottles at the Information Tent will be entered in a special drawing.

More than 145 artists will display and sell items such as metal and glass garden art, sculptures, mosaics, jewelry, clothing, furniture, bird feeders and wall art made with 70 percent or more recycled material. Additional highlights include music on the main stage, a sculpture garden with large pieces of recycled art, environmental education activities, tours of a tiny house, food vendors, free tours on Couve Cycle, and much more. For more information, visit RecycledArtsFestival.com

Churro Collabo - 180, Portland’s first Spanish xurreria, launched the Chef Xurro Collaboration series in April, welcoming local chefs each month to create their own xurro creations, inspired by their favorite sweets and memories from childhood.

180 continues the popular series this July with Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall’s Haute Sauce.  Her Strawberry, Cucumber and Thai-Chili Jam-Stuffed Xurro Relleno is made with Marshall’s Strawberry, Cucumber and Thai-Chili Jam which is prepared with local strawberries, cucumbers and a touch of heat from the Thai chiles.

This collaboration will be available beginning Friday, July 1st through Sunday, July 31^st. 180 is open daily weekdays 12 to 8 p.m., and weekends 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information visit http://www.180pdx.com/

Portland Flea and Food - It's time for the first summer weekend block party at #pdxflea. Hunt for finds and chill with a Bunk cocktail in the lounge styled by Something Borrowed PDX this Sunday, June 26^th, 11-4pm at the intersection of SE 6th + Salmon. 50+ vendors of vintage + well-designed goods, local food purveyors + trucks, pints, and live sets.