🛏️ Drug treatment beds are mysteriously empty

Puzzlingly Empty Beds for Drug Treatment

Portland has two two large-scale drug-withdrawal treatment centers, and at least one is seeing empty beds after years of long lines. Experts say it points to the need for supportive housing that offers help for people who have gone through the initial phase of drug treatment. [KGW]

Lake Oswego Won’t Appeal Ruling

The city of Lake Oswego voted not to appeal a ruling that opens their lake to the public — even as a local homeowners association plans to continue its court battle. The City Council is now considering what safety rules need to be in place for people using the lake. [OPB]

Better by Contrast

On the midweek roundup, attitudes toward the city have improved since President Trump’s inauguration, new polling finds: 34% of metro-area residents reported a positive perception of downtown Portland — an increase of 13 percentage points from a year ago. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Three notable recent openings bring tasty delights from around the world to a restaurant near you. It’s a good month when we see more diversity in Portland’s dining options:

🐖 Kau Kau | 2026 NE Alberta St.

Hours: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday - Monday

When a popup or food cart makes the change to a brick-and-mortar, you can guarantee they’re onto a winning formula — as is the case for Kau Kau. The Hawaiian food on offer is itself influenced by food from around the world — and very tasty:

Go for: a plate of Hawaiian food.

Stay for: approachable food prepared with the skills of chefs honed in the fine dining establishments.

Return for: the pastele stew — braised pork shoulder spiced with influences from Puerto Rican cuisine.

🥢🍸 Moon Pocha | 28 NE 28th Ave. (Kerns neighborhood)

Hours: 4:30 p.m. - midnight, Tuesday - Saturday

Moon Pocha is a notable addition to Northeast 28th Avenue's restaurant row, featuring Korean-style street food and late-night cocktails.

Go for: the hype from a local food influencer, The Korean Mama.

Stay for: the tasty tapas-size snacks and the cocktails.

Return for: the late-night hours. Portland’s late-night scene is coming back!

• Your late-night picks: What are your favorite late-night spots? Please send your recommendations and we’ll share them.

🍸 Palomar | 1422 NW 23rd Ave.

Hours: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. daily

This opening is a move and expansion of the well-regarded Cuban bar and restaurant. They’ve got all their old cocktails and now more space to expand into.

Go for: their classic cocktails.

Stay for: simple side of rice and beans— or a flank steak churrasco with salsa verde and tortillas.

Return for: lunch or brunch (hopefully) when they expand hours.

• Related: Your guide to April 2025 in Portland. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Other quick bites:

🎉 Bar Nouveau, a pop-up on Monday and Tuesdays in the Gracie’s Apizza space, has opened. They serve “French-inspired” food.

🍔 A slew of new burger options have also hit town:

• Face Plant serves all-plant-based fast food and wants to compete with McDonalds.
• Champs Burger, previously a pop-up, has opened a food cart with its much-hyped smash burger.
• Alphabet Burger, a new food cart in St. Johns, serves a Twin Cities-style cheese-stuffed burger and an Istanbul-style burger slathered with spiced tomato sauce.