New cart: Let's Eat Thai Food!

This week my Food Cart Monday post was pre-empted by all the "Grimm" excitement. So for this week, it is Food Cart Tuesday - and the lucky cart is... "Let's Eat Thai Food"!

Let's Eat Thai Food is located at the north end of what we are now calling Food Cart Row in the South Waterfront, including the 4 carts* parked along Moody Ave.

This is the first food cart venture for owner/founder "Venus". She started the cart business up a few months ago and is working together with her parents. Her mom is doing the cooking and to give you a hint of what you are in for...she is using HER OWN FAMILY RECIPES.

Venus said that their standard noodle dishes, Pad Thai & Pad Kee Mow, are popular, as well as Green Curry & Yellow Curry on the rice dish side of the house.   I chose to go with the Pad Thai for lunch (medium spice). Three words to describe it?
Light
Fresh
Tangy...maybe even Citrus-y (if that is a word)

It was a full, hot box of tangy, fresh pad thai, maybe the best I've had in Portland. I'll be back to explore the menu further!  (Those salad rolls looked good.)

We also ordered the Thai Tea, upon recommendation from a friend.  It faintly reminded me of an orange creamsicle, in a good way. Definitely $1 worth of wonderful-ness there.

A crowd of people were eating & waiting for orders, including a few regular customers (already). Venus said that while business was a little slow starting, it is now picking up. They are also getting some 100% straight positive reviews on Yelp. These are all good signs!

By the way, Let's Eat Thai Food is the only one of our food carts open through dinner, and some on the weekends. So, it is a good option if you are looking for somewhere to stop by on your walk, bike, or drive home from work.

I continue to be surprised and impressed by what I'm finding on Food Cart Row.

* Kai's Kitchen, Taste of a Gyro, & last but not least, yet to be reviewed, Rip City Grill

On the set of "Grimm" at OHSU CHH - Photos

Episode 4 3 of the new NBC series "Grimm" was filmed here in the South Waterfront yesterday. The story line includes a flash mob on the Streetcar, and a murder.  

The main scene was filmed at the Streetcar stop at the OHSU CHH building. Filming started around 8am and wrapped up around 7pm, when the crew moved down the street to the corner of the park at Gaines & Bond. 

Later in the evening, a second scene involving a streetcar was filmed at the corner of Gaines & Bond streets.

Leverage episode airs Sunday night @ 9pm

The "Leverage" season finale, "The Queen's Gambit", filmed in the South Waterfront as Dubai, will air on Sunday night @ 9:00pm on TNT.

The episode includes a ferrari chase down SW River Parkway and some footage around the park and Mirabella/Dolce Vita Bistro.

Promo here:

TV Show "Grimm" Filming in South Waterfront Area Aug. 29

The NBC TV show Grimm will be next in line to film on location in the South Waterfront.  "Grimm" is a new crime-related drama "inspired by the classic Grimm's Fairy Tales. Portland homicide Detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli, "Turn The Beat Around") discovers he is descended from an elite line of criminal profilers known as "Grimms," charged with keeping balance between humanity and the mythological creatures of the world."


The trailers and cop cars have already rolled into town:

On a practical note: Streetcar service will be disrupted on Monday, as "Grimm" will be using the Streetcar as part of their filming. TriMet buses will be shuttling people from the South Waterfront stops. However, the stop across the street from OHSU CHH will be operational. Apparently the Streetcar & City of Portland approved the event and notified OHSU.  


Also be prepared for a "grimm" parking situation. (If you are having trouble reading the 6 pt font below, bottom line is that many streets will have "no parking" on Monday):

More details on what to expect: 
A crew will arrive early Monday morning. Filming begins "as the morning's peak commute traffic".  We hear there are over 60 extras already cast, including many dressed as police officers (this is a crime-related drama). Locals are advised to "keep our distance and minimize disruptions".


Apparently the crews visited Bojack's neighborhood last week; photos are posted on his blog.


Here is the "Grimm" trailer:

So, I'm waiting to hear when the Portlandia crew will be stopping by... any tips???

Another beautiful night at Concerts in the Park

Last night was the 2nd Concert in the Park at Elizabeth Caruthers in the South Waterfront. It was a good crowd again, although plenty of room to stretch out. We saw many familiar faces from the 'hood...plus dogs, bikes, babies, food and drink.

The Blue Cranes played their mellow jazz tunes... but I think the weather, clear sky, and chilling out with friends and neighbors stole the show.





A few vendors returned again this week - Ross Island Cafe, Island Daydream Shave Ice, and TutorDoctor.

Go Team(s)















Many thanks to all of the organizers and sponsors for bringing Concerts in the Park to the South Waterfront!  We hope to see more of these events in the future!

(If you have any comments or feedback on these concerts, shoot me a note - I'd love to hear it.)

Preview of Concert in the Park

Friday's Concert in the Park will feature a band called Blue Cranes. They are described as "downtown-jazz aesthetic with overtones of arty indie rock".  You can find their YouTube Channel here.

When: Friday, August 26 @ 6:00
Where: Elizabeth Caruthers Park

I'm expecting good things! Last week's concert was a great success and a fun evening.

Stylefront opening next week

I stopped by Stylefront, the new clothing store opening up in the Ardea, and had a chance to chat with the crew setting up shop.

Here's the scoop:
They are planning to open next Monday - Aug. 29!
Designer Jeans, Handbags & Shoes

I will post an update Monday.

First Concert in the Park & photos

The Water Tower Bucket Boys played a great show last night at the first "Concert in the Park" at Elizabeth Caruthers. 

Jamming

The band brought down the roof...I mean tent. The tent came down, before the show started. The south waterfront wind was a problem for the smaller vendor tents as well. It didn't phase them, the show must go on, and the open air stage was a huge hit.

A large crowd showed up to enjoy the gorgeous evening, free food and drink, and great live music!

I'm not sure what you call this...rhythmic stick tossing, baton twirling...festive.

P.S. DRY Soda also posted a bunch of photos of the event on their Facebook page: Concert in the Park album

Concert in the Park tonight: The Water Tower Bucket Boys

Looking forward to tonight's Concert in the Park!

Tonight's concert features The Water Tower Bucket Boys. They are self-described as "Loosely based in the traditions of  bluegrass, punk rock, blues, cajun, folk and country their sonic creations transcend all musical boundaries.  Their songs feature tight 3 part harmonies and powerful instrumentals. "

You can check out their song "Greasy Coat" here: 

I predict some foot-stomping and dancing tonight... bring your food, drink, dogs, kids, parents, etc!

When: Friday, August 19 @ 6:00pm
Where: Elizabeth Caruthers Park, 3508 SW Moody Ave

Blackberry season

It's that time of year again, when the banks of the Willamette overflow with blackberries.

Food Cart Monday: Kai's Kitchen

Today I visited Kai's Kitchen for lunch, and I'm a little embarrassed to admit it was my first time.

I have often wondered about this lone, green food cart stationed at the NW corner of Moody & Bancroft. It always seemed an odd spot for a teriyaki stand, right at the exit to Macadam, and especially so when the foreign car dealer/shop was located in the same lot.

Kai's Kitchen is a hidden gem!  Why did I wait?

It turns out, Kai's Kitchen may be one of the longest running businesses in the neighborhood. Kai says she opened the stand over 10 years ago. At that time there were no high rises or OHSU CHH in the neighborhood, just some businesses in (what is now) the OHSU Research Administration offices & surrounding buildings. The spot was a good choice due to very affordable rent, although pretty isolated. She says her business has not really benefited from the growth of the South Waterfront yet, but I predict it is just a matter of time, as the older buildings are filling up again, new ones are popping up, and the word gets out.

There are 4 items on the menu, including 3 standards and a daily special. Kai's secret ingredient is her thai sweet chili sauce, used on all the dishes. I tried the chicken bento box. I thought the extra pop of the sweet chili sauce was perfect, and an order ($6.95) was enough for 2 lunches.

The delightful Kai prepares and serves her teriyaki goodness:

 That was one tasty bento box!

Appeal hearing on immigration facility pushed to Sept. 21

The recent decision to block the ICE detention facility project in the South Waterfront has been appealed. The official appeal by Lindquist Development and federal authorities will be heard by City Council on Sept. 21. This hearing was pushed out from the earlier expected date of August 24.

OregonLive article by Brad Schmidt:  http://blog.oregonlive.com/portlandcityhall/2011/08/hearing_on_us_immigration_faci.html

New overpass sign, I5 shutdowns, Dahlias

 I was out of town all week, soaking up the scorching rays of southern Idaho. In the meantime, several changes in the SWF...

New overpass signage went up on I5.
Heads up for Aug 16-18 (7:30pm-4:30am): I5 N exit 299B and I405 N exit 1A will be closing for additional work on this signage. You can find more details on the schedule on the Gibbs Bridge website.

Another heads up for South Waterfront residents, also from the Gibbs site: 

"Lair Hill and South Waterfront residents can expect night time noise including noise from trucks and cranes, lights powered by generators, and high powered drills. With I-5 traffic detoured to SW Hood Avenue and SW Macadam Avenue, noise from moving vehicles may be more noticeable for nearby residents. 

The most noise is expected between 1:00 and 3:00 am when crews set the sign bridge into position and attach it to the supports."

A quick shot of the current progress on the Gibbs St pedestrian bridge:

In progress around the neighborhood: the barge is painted black and...

the Old House Dahlias are starting to pop.

What else did I miss? Send me a message or comment here if you've seen anything noteworthy this past week.

OHSU tram on Groupon

Surprise! The OHSU Tram is on Groupon today: $4 for 2 round-trip tickets. 

The fine print: 

• Expires Sep 30, 2011
• Limit 1 per person, may buy 3 additional as gifts. Limit 1 per visit. 

Movie night in the park

Here is your chance to watch "E.T. The Extra Terrestrial" out under the stars! Thursday Movies in the Park starts tomorrow night at Elizabeth Caruthers Park. 

http://www.southwaterfront.com/parks_and_trails/movies-in-the-park/

When: Thursday, August 11, 6:30pm

What: "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial", plus pre-movie entertainment by local band, "Over the Edge"

Where: Elizabeth Caruthers Park is located on Moody Ave in the South Waterfront.  

The full schedule for the Portland Parks & Rec Movies in the Park series can be found here: http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?&c=52643

Decision on ICE Detention Center = NO

The decision is made - ICE detention center is not coming to the South Waterfront.

As reported by the Oregonian tonight at 6:37 pm:
Hearings officer: 'No' to proposed US Immigration's detention facility in South Waterfront

Official construction cam on Block 49

For those of you following the Block 49 construction photos, which I've been casually updating every week or two, we have a new and better source.

Thanks to @PortlandHousing, I discovered the website which displays the official construction cam at the Block 49 site.

Here it is: http://oxblue.com/pro/open/REACH/Block49

The camera is located at the corner of Moody & Bancroft. New images are updated every 10-15 minutes.

I look forward to seeing the time lapse function as the project progresses. Also...I guess I should be on my best behavior when passing by that corner, now that I know it's on camera 24/7!

August 2 - Block 49 construction photos

New Food Cart: Taste of Gyro

A new food cart popped up overnight on SW Moody: Taste of a Gyro, "your neighborhood Greek spot". The cart was previously located at A La Carts in SE Portland, and offers an "I'm sorry" sauce which was featured on the food network.

The gyros were tasty, and service was swift and friendly.

Taste of a Gyro joined the other 3 carts currently located in the SWF, all on Moody: Rip City Grill (local fave), Let's Eat Thai Food, and Kai's Kitchen.

The Hot Pink Taco Truck was hanging around the SWF for a few weeks around the time of the Leverage filming, but I haven't seen them for a month or so. The last I saw, they were by the Atwater tanking up with water from the SWF Community Garden water hose... which I must say is probably looked down upon by the gardeners and did not go unnoticed by the Atwater residents.