🍜 Filling the Pok Pok-sized hole in Portland

The Biggest Restaurant Opening of the Year?

When Pok Pok closed in 2020, it was the end of an era in Portland dining. Next week, a new restaurant will fill the iconic spot on Southeast Division Street that’s been vacant ever since. OK Chicken & Khao Soi will serve Northern Thai cuisine, just like Pok Pok. [Oregonian]

• Related: It’s the partnership between the restaurateurs who opened Yaowarat — Earl Ninsom, Eric Nelson, and Sam Smith. Ninsom’s other restaurants include Langbaan, Hat Yai, and Eem. [Oregonian]

City Council Selects a New President

After 13 rounds of voting, over three days, Portland City Council selected City Councilor Jamie Dunphy, a former City Hall staffer who represents District 1 (East Portland), as their new president. Last Thursday, the voting was halted over security concerns, when a federal agent shot two people in East Portland — and then over the emotional moment that followed. It took multiple hours yesterday, too, before Dunphy emerged as a compromise candidate. [Oregonian]

Indictment for Driver Shot by Federal Agent

A grand jury has now indicted the driver shot last week by a Border Patrol agent in East Portland. Luis Nino-Moncada pleaded not guilty. He’s accused of using the vehicle he was driving as a dangerous weapon against federal agents. [OPB]

• Related: After the shooting, Homeland Security officials accused Nino-Moncada and his passenger, Yorlenys Zambrano-Contreras, of having a link to a Venezuelan gang. A federal defender has said that’s without evidence. None of the charges relate to gang affiliation, but court filings say investigators are still looking into that. [OPB]

Occasioned by today’s news on restaurants, here’s a quiz on our dining scene. How well do you know Portland food?

The first question links to a longer quiz, and answers appear after each question, so you can learn as you go.

Portland Has How Many New Italian Restaurants?

Last year, our city might have set a record for new Italian restaurants. If you want to try them but are overwhelmed by all the options, we’ve got an expert guide on which ones are actually worth the visit. Oregonian restaurant critic Michael Russell shares his favorites and what to order — plus, which ones are maybe not yet worth the hype.