July 30th, 2010
Okay, who hasn’t checked out the great food-news site, EaterPDX? Well, you should, because they are the first to write about our awesome new place, Ford Food + Drink. See their writeup HERE…see the FF+D website HERE. We will be open by the end of August…stay tuned for details about the big opening party!
July 12th, 2010
“The Don” egg sandwich is praised in this month’s issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray as one of the best egg sandwiches in the country! The article’s not available online–so go pick up a copy and check out the “Eat & Run” column. The Don is served on our housemade potato focaccia bread, with mushrooms, onions and feta right in the eggs; it’s topped off with avocado, tomato, basil, and Italian sausage. This delicious combination was suggested by our friend and employee, Portland’s own Don of Division Street–who just happens to have a new record coming out! Check out his website HERE.
June 21st, 2010
Come on down to the Detour this Thursday–we’re participating in Bites for Rights, which means a portion of our sales will be donated to Basic Rights Oregon. Click HERE to see their cool website.
June 13th, 2010
Hey folks, just want to let you all know that we are taking a break from the monthly family dinners for the summer. We’re concentrating on getting our new place, Ford Food & Drink, up and running. More on that later–click HERE to see the preliminary website. Family dinners will be back in September!
May 11th, 2010
We’ve had many requests for an all-vegan family dinner, so voila! The menu this month will include green olive ciabatta, fava bean soup, quinoa salad, spring vegetable crostatas, and our absolutely heavenly vegan chocolate mousse. The price is only $30; this includes wine and gratuity. This one is going to sell out quick, so don’t delay–make your reservations now! Just email us at info@detourcafe.com.
April 28th, 2010
On Thursday, April 29, we’re participating in a great event called Dining Out For Life. This is an annual event where restaurants donate a portion of the day’s sales to the Partnership Project and the HIV Day Center, both of which provide vital programs and services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Come eat at the Detour on Thursday to help support these folks–it’s a great cause!
And on the very next day, it’s April Family Dinner, Friday April 30! This month’s theme is “Famous Alice”. The meal will include recipes by Alice Waters and Alice B. Toklas. (No “funny” brownies, but we will have a chicken dish that, Ms. Toklas wrote, dates back to the 17th century.) Only $30 will buy you a beautiful four course meal, including wine and gratuity…but remember, reservations are required. Email us at info@detourcafe.com if you would like to save a seat.
April 3rd, 2010
There’s so much happening this month, folks! The most important event is not at the cafe–it’s at the very excellent Laurelthirst Public House on Saturday evening, April 10. Our mascot, Dylan the Dog, is very ill and the music community of Portland is coming together to perform a benefit show for her. Aptly, these great musicians will be performing Bob Dylan songs, because, you know, Bob Dylan was named after Dylan the Dog. Or something like that. If you love the Detour, dogs, Bob Dylan, or all of the above, join us at this great event!
Also this month: we’re participating in a great event called Dining Out For Life. This is an annual event where restaurants donate a portion of the day’s sales to the HIV Day Center, which provides vital programs and services for people living with HIV/AIDS. This special day is Thursday, April 29. Come eat at the Detour on this day to help support these folks–it’s a great cause!
Last but not least, it’s April Family Dinner, Friday April 30! This month’s theme is “Famous Alice”. Why? While brainstorming, we just kept thinking of people named Alice…Alice Waters….Alice Coltrane…and wouldn’t you know, April 30 happens to be Alice B. Toklas‘ birthday. So, this month’s menu will be an homage to the cafe part of Alice Waters’ famous Chez Panisse. Only $30 will buy you a beautiful four course meal, including wine and gratuity…but remember, reservations are required. Email us at info@detourcafe.com if you would like to save a seat.
March 9th, 2010
Spring is here, and we’re so excited to have more choices from the local farms every week. We plan to include as much locally grown produce as possible in this month’s family dinner. It’ll be an Italian theme: Tuscan white bean soup, Caesar salad, spring vegetable lasagna, and our famous red wine ice cream. The dinner is on Friday, March 26 at 7pm, and reservations are required. You can make reservations by calling the cafe at 503.234.7499, or by email at info@detourcafe.com….or in person, next time you’re in for breakfast or lunch!
February 11th, 2010
We just want to thank everyone who has ever eaten at the Detour, or encouraged us from afar. We are so thankful to be starting our tenth year of business today! The secret ingredient is still love.
February 10th, 2010
It’s a short month–don’t forget to make your reservations for the February dinner. This month’s theme is food from the menu of Shopsin’s Restaurant in New York. Shopsin’s was the subject of an amazing essay by Calvin Trillin in the New Yorker, then a documentary (called “I Like Killing Flies”), and a fantastic cookbook called “Eat Me: the Food and Philosophy of Kenny Shopsin”. Click here to see their incredible menu; click here to see a video of Kenny making his famous mac’n'cheese pancakes.
February 2nd, 2010
We’re excited to tell you that we now serve Oregon Kombucha. Oregon Kombucha isn’t pasteurized, so you get all the great probiotic benefits. Right now we have Strawberry-Green, Blueberry-Black and South China Black! Let us know which flavors you like best…
January 4th, 2010
Hooray! We are really excited for this one. We researched foods that are eaten all over the world for good luck in the new year. Hoppin’ John, cornbread, greens, lentils, soba noodles, and more! Seats are already going fast, so contact us to make your reservations! The dinner is on Friday, January 29 at 7 pm; $30 includes wine and gratuity.
December 15th, 2009
We had no idea Detour was going to be featured in the new Fearless Critic Portland Restaurant Guide! And such kind words..we’re blushing. Check it out: www.fearlesscritic.com/portland/restaurant/4975/detour-cafe-portland
December 15th, 2009
Wow! Another sold out dinner! Everyone is in such a festive state of mind. The first dinner of 2010 will be Friday, January 29. Yes, we are already taking reservations…
December 1st, 2009
…And that means another family dinner! Usually, our monthly dinner is on the last Friday of the month; but this month we’re doing it a week early. So that means, December Family Dinner is on Friday, 12/18 at 7:00 pm. This month, we’ll feature the cuisine of Provence. $30 includes wine and gratuity; the dinner is open to one and all, but reservations are required and seating is limited. Reserve your seat now by email (info@detourcafe.com, or click the link on the contact page) or phone us at 503.234.7499.
November 11th, 2009
Now is the time–make your reservations for November family dinner! After the fantastic response to the last couple of dinners, we can’t wait for the next one. The date is Friday, November 27 at 7pm. The menu will include Chicken Biryani, baked samosas, curried tofu with spinach, and lots of other Indian-style treats…very un-thanksgiving-y. Remember, reservations are required, and last month’s dinner sold out in just a few days. Save your seat by calling the cafe (503.234.7499), or send us an email (info@detourcafe.com) OR, click {{here}}to use PayPal…just don’t forget to include your name in the ‘notes’ field.
November 2nd, 2009
From the great book, “Eat Me; the Food and Philosophy of Kenny Shopsin”:
“Running a restaurant for me is about running a restaurant. It is not a means to get someplace else. I wake up every morning, and I work for a living like a farmer. Running a restaurant is a condition of life for me. And I like everything about this life. I like waking up in the morning knowing I am going to the restaurant to cook, that something unexpected will happen to me in the kitchen, and that no matter what, I will learn something new.”
October 19th, 2009
Thank you so much everyone for embracing our monthly dinner! We are completely sold out for our October family dinner… but the good news is, this includes the winner of our drawing for two free seats! we still don’t know who this will be. We’ll do the random drawing on Monday, October 26…if you would like to enter, just click the link on our “contact” page or email us at info@detourcafe.com. November family dinner is 11/27; we are already accepting reservations for that dinner too. Thanks for being part of our family.
October 4th, 2009
Wow! We were absolutely amazed by the response when we reinstated our monthly dinner. Make your reservations now for the next one – Friday, October 30 at 7 pm.
September 10th, 2009
We’re bringing back an old tradition from our first year of business. On the last Friday of each month, we’ll serve up a family-style feast; one seating at 7 pm will take over the restaurant. The cost is only $30; this includes wine and gratuity! And, if you make reservations for four or more, it’s only $25 per person. We expect this event to fill up quickly, so we’re asking folks to pre-pay in order to reserve their spots. You can pay in person at the cafe, by phone (503.234.7499) or click here to use PayPal (if you use this last option, please don’t forget to include your name in the “notes” section!) This month’s meal includes our famous lasagna with handmade herb noodles, and Becky’s red wine ice cream.
September 5th, 2009
We’re taking the day off on Monday, September 7
August 31st, 2009
It has been a great summer, and we’re looking forward to another gorgeous Portland autumn. As of today we are changing back to our fall/winter hours: 8 am ’til 4 pm daily. And yes, we still serve breakfast all day.
August 27th, 2009
Yes, it’s true…we’re bringing back family dinner night! Click here to find out more.
August 22nd, 2009
What a great summer we’ve had! Just want to let you know, our hours will be changing after Labor Day. We’ll be open 8am-4pm daily, and the cafe will be available in the evenings for parties and special events! Just shoot us an email if you are interested in booking a dinner at the cafe after Labor Day.
August 19th, 2009
Wow, what a response! Our vegan specials this week are getting rave reviews. If you haven’t yet, come on down and try the vegan french toast, beet salad, or the black bean fritters! And of course, our soup is always vegan…delicious.
August 14th, 2009
Hey, it’s a personal choice when you decide what you wanna eat…and we’re definitely not a vegan restaurant…but there’s no denying that there are many benefits to eating vegan–for your health, and for the health of the planet! So we’re embracing this event, and making all our specials for the week 100% vegan! Delicious.
July 17th, 2009
Division-Clinton Street Fair is coming up and we’ve got the most ridic music on our patio after the parade! Rollie Tussing’s trio, the Galvanized Junk Band–featuring our very own The Don on washboard!
July 10th, 2009
We had a great vacation and we’re feeling quite refreshed. Hope to see you this weekend.
June 29th, 2009
See you Saturday July 11!
June 22nd, 2009
Now’s the time! We’ll be closing for a couple of weeks on Monday, July 29 for a much needed vacation! So come on down and get your fix! We’ll re-open on Saturday, July 11.
May 26th, 2009
Well, we’ve had a few weeks to work on it now, and we’ve come up with some pretty great food for our supper specials (available after 4pm Monday-Thursday.) We’ve got these amazing black bean and quinoa fritters, and shepherd’s pie, and hazelnut encrusted tilapia…the list goes on. Oh, and the $1 Rainiers at happy hour don’t hurt either. They go down real smooth.
April 30th, 2009
Yes folks, we are now open until 9pm on Monday through Thursday. And we will serve our breakfast menu all evening…no questions asked.
