Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

Let’s eat, drink, and be merry:

Picnic Sandwiches

Planning a picnic? Portland Monthly recommends five tasty sandwiches to pick up before you go. Check out the eggplant & mozzarella muffuletta at Sebastiano’s, egg salad at Oyatsupan Bakers, Italian train station at Bella’s Italian Bakery, daily market sandwiches at Café Olli, and jamon and cheese at Ken’s Artisan Bakery. [Portland Monthly]

Food Cart Pod to Become Beer Garden

The oldest food cart pod in the city, on Southwest Fifth Avenue (between Harvey Milk and Oak Streets), is getting a major upgrade. It’s set to reopen as Midtown Beer Garden this summer, with up to 28 food carts eventually. There will also be bathrooms, covered seating, and security. It comes after the pandemic and the ensuing decline of downtown caused trouble for the pod, along with a frightening propane tank explosion last summer. [Oregonian]

New ‘Unapologetically Traditional’ Italian

The owners of Olympia Provisions are trying their hand at “unapologetically Italian.” Grand Amari opened this week, and Little Bitter Bar will open next week in the Hotel Grand Stark. Expect drinks with Italian herbal liqueurs and dishes like squid ink bucatini and salt-crusted branzino. [Eater Portland]

• Related: Eater Portland editor Brooke Jackson-Glidden discusses Portland Italian restaurants' renewed self-pride. [City Cast Portland 🎧]