💰 Why health inspections could cost restaurants more

Ritz Developer Never Paid City

The Ritz-Carlton’s Portland developer still owes the city $7.8 million for not providing low-income housing on site. Walt Bowen, the man behind the project, is a self-described poor kid from Southeast Portland who made it big — but has now sold his 40-acre estate in the West Hills along with all its furnishings. [Willamette Week]

33% Cost Increase for Health Inspections?

Multnomah County is considering raising the cost of health inspections for restaurants, food carts, and spas. The county halted any cost increases in 2020 to help businesses recover from the pandemic, but now is looking to return to covering the program’s costs with fees. [Oregonian 🔒]

No Local Bid for Mt. Bachelor

A local group collected $100 million in pledges toward buying Mt. Bachelor ski resort. They received national attention for their effort but ran out of time and won’t submit a bid. [Oregonian]

Readers have some notable additions to recent recommendations I featured in the newsletter:

🍸 Where To Go on Southeast Clinton Street

A number of favorite spots weren’t in my guide:

“Xenana Spa is also on Clinton and is fabulous.” — reader Peggy Pf.

“I think Libre deserves a shoutout too. Great small plates and innovative cocktails in a vibey romantic setting.” — reader Karim Fischer

“The Lucky Horseshoe Lounge! Most of the menu — food and drinks — is under $15, [with a] full bar, great food. It’s one of the few places I can think of with a kids menu where you don’t feel like a complete parent loser (sorry Hopworks!!!). Highly, highly recommend!!!” — reader Hilary Price Waks

🥪 Portland’s Best Bakeries

The newsletter’s recent tour of excellent baked goods didn’t include one of my favorite sandwich shops; it’s a place this reader likes too:

“Sebastiano’s in Sellwood. A wonderful Sicilian bakery and focaccia shop.”— Anonymous

🌸 Cherry Blossoms

You don’t have to go down to the Portland waterfront — or even wait for those cherry trees to bloom:

“There is a group of trees at Terry Schrunk plaza, across from City Hall, which blooms weeks earlier than the trees in Waterfront Park. Then if you go to the Hollywood district there is a whole city block of trees on Tillamook, which are already well into blooming. Cherry trees seem to be very sensitive to minor variations in climate.” — reader Stephan Vertal

“My first year in Portland I lived in University Park, and we were wowed by the cherry trees whose blossoms look like giant pink snowballs.” — reader Jane A. Black

As always, I welcome your responses to the newsletter. Please feel free to drop me an email with your feedback or ideas for what to see and do in Portland.