Openings, closings and dishy gossip

[March 26th, 2008]

SPICIN’ UP THE BLOCK: Thailand native Noo Gerritsen and her husband, James Gerritsen, hope to open Asian-fusion joint Wild Spice next month at 902 N Killingsworth St., next door to Ethiopian joint E’njoni Cafe . The couple is completely overhauling the space, previously home to Harold’s BBQ—yanking out the bubbling buffet hot wells and giving the dining area a complete makeover. This will be the Gerritsens’ third—and most adventurous—Portland restaurant. The pair together ran NoPo fave Thai Ginger and Northeast Sandy Boulevard’s Thai Grill before they sold.

BEARD ME: When Beard beckons, Oregon listens. Country Cat chef Adam Sappington will head to the Big Apple next month for dinner at the James Beard House , and he’ll bring with him a generous stash of wine stars from Oregon’s upcoming Indie Wine Festival . Sappington is planning a Pork and Pinot course , featuring the belly, chops and shoulders of a Eugene-raised Sweetbriar Farms pig and 2006 Willamette Valley Grochau Cellars and Dominio IV “Rain on Leaves” pinot noirs. Also in the larder: Strawberry Mountain beef for the house-cured bresaola from John Day, Ore., greens and vegetables from Nehalem’s Kingfisher Farm and orange-blossom honey from Buzzing Canyon Apiary in Estacada. Too bad there won’t be a practice dinner at home before this show hits the road!