Navarre to Expand
Owner John Taboada’s unnamed project will rise this summer in the former Chin Yen space on Northeast 28th Avenue
Posted by: Karen Brooks on Feb 08, 2012 at 12:56PM
4 Comments
Chef John Taboada always has harebrained ideas going, and most of them work. Taboada was ahead of the curve in 2001 when he helped pioneer Portland’s do-it-yourself Eastside food scene at Navarre, an icon of farm-to-city eating. Luce, a reimaged Italian mom-and-pop shop run with his wife Giovanna Parolari, is humming along to happy reviews on East Burnside since opening in late fall. (Read our review here)
But Taboada had long dreamed of a four-table bar serving his beloved Europeans sips—aperitifs and digestifs—when Navarre neighbor Chin Yen recently shuttered. “I’ve been sandwiched between Starbucks and Chin Yen for ten years,” says Taboada. “I couldn’t resist.”
Game on. Taboada is starting the build-out for a new and as-yet-unnamed bar; what Taboada calls “a kindred spirit to Navarre, but not the same thing.” The plan, so far: a menu of appetizers and desserts only, to pair with drinks meant to be sipped before and after meals. A “secret dining room” is in the works, to house small groups and spontaneous parties. Meanwhile, a large prep kitchen means Navarre can expand beyond the nano-batch limits of its closet-sized kitchen. More charcuterie is on the table, and no one makes a pate like John Taboada. ETA is three to six months.
The new project occupies roughly one-third of the vast space held for decades by Chin Yen. According to Taboada, the landlord agreed to break the space into three spots rather than one large restaurant, opening up possibilities in a neighborhood of small businesses.
Is Parolari on board? The style maven and scavenger supreme is busy relocating her popular Una boutique to SE Ankeny St. “Oh, I don’t know, but I hope so” Taboada says. “She’s so busy right now I can’t even ask her. I’m just going to say yes!”
Navarre
10 NE 28th Ave
503-232-3555
navarreportland.blogspot.com
Luce
2138-2140 E Burnside St
503-236-7195
luceevents.blogspot.com
It’s a shame really. Navarre hasn’t been good in a long time. Ever ask someone to compare the food at Toro Bravo to Navarre? Or Andina to Navarre? There’s no comparison. It’s just mediocre. I was hoping the new Beast would move in to Chin Yen. twitter: @vkennedy61
Navarre is my FAVE place for breakfast! Glad to hear they are doing well and expanding!
Sounds great! Love me some amaros!!
@vkennedy61… Did you READ the short write up??? It’s not Navarre. It’s a BAR for aperitifs & digestifs serving apps & ugly desserts only. Under it’s own name. Plus, how in the world did you make the leap between Toro Bravo and Andina with Navarre?!? Other than the option to do small or large portions, there is NO similarity in concept or cuisine. They’re not even representing the same countries (or even continent in the case of Andina).
Perhaps you’d be more comfortable on yelp.
@ PtH – Navarre in it’s own words: “we have small and large plates, serving food based in italian, french and spanish origin”. I’m not sure geography has anything to do with the food in this case. All 3 serve small and large plates with influence from multiple cuisines. Perhaps a trip abroad would serve you well.
Lastly, didn’t anyone ever teach you about polite discourse? You’ve somehow determined that from this mighty food alter of Eat Beat that you can look down on Yelp? You obviously take yourself and your food creds far too seriously.