Openings, closings and dishy gossip

[April 23rd, 2008]

RESU-RESTAURANT: Wondering what’s going on with the empty, circa-1907 shell that once housed downtown Portland’s swanky cabaret classic, The Brasserie Montmarte ? Building owner Carl Coffman , of Oregon City’s Norway Development, says the work to retrofit and upgrade the structure is nearly done and he’ll soon start looking aggressively for a restaurant tenant to come in this summer and open as soon as September. The Oregonian reported back in March that the now-imploded NW Hayden Enterprises planned on a deal with Coffman to run the restaurant, but he says papers were never signed. Whew! He’s kept many of the Brasserie’s vintage fixtures and hopes someone local will be interested in keeping the restaurant’s vibe alive, but he’s ultimately open to all comers. Any takers?