FOOD GOSSIP

[March 8th, 2006] After butcher paper appeared on the windows of Cobras & Matadors a few weeks ago, the buzz was that the year-old Pearl District tapas spot was kaput. Not true. Los Angeles-based owner/quick-turnaround artist Steven Arroyo has emigrated the small space's cuisine focus from Spain to Mexico. He reopened the joint as La Vanguardia last Thursday, a rougher-edged taqueria featuring everything from "skunkweed" salsa and ropa vieja to churros. "Tapas never hit the right pulse [in Portland]," Arroyo says. Now let's see how hungry the city is for his tacos. >> Wanna eat in tonight instead? Harriet Fasenfest , the legendary mouth behind Groundswell Cafe , is launching a tasty new project for Portland's sustainability freaks and foodies with former Oregon State University home-ec prof Marjorie Braker . It's called Preserve (3033 NE Alberta St., 542-4338) and dedicated to "the art and science of food preservation ." That's right, a six-month series of classes focused on canning local berries and veggies as well as drying and pickling your own foods, starting this May. Check out www.portlandpreserve.com for a schedule.