May Kicks Off with the First Thursday Street Gallery and Cinco de Mayo - Oh My!
It’s a Big Week in the Pearl!
The Pearl District is kicking off May with gusto! Tonight we have First Thursday and the First Thursday Street Gallery, and tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo! If you’re looking for a couple of excellent evenings out, look no further! We have recommendations for restaurants, art galleries, and great ways to get out into the community!
Art, art, and more art!
First Thursday Street Gallery
Rain or shine! Join your neighbors, visitors, and local artists for an evening of creativity and community. Date: May 4th (First Thursday through October)
Time: 5 pm-9 pm
Urban Art Network hosts Portland's finest artists, makers, and creatives who come together to showcase their talent and inspire us all.
Don't miss out on this amazing, free community event - see you there!
Check @urbanartnetwork on Instagram for more details!
First Thursday
Art galleries across the Pearl District will also host a First Thursday Art Walk. This monthly art event is an opportunity for art lovers or those who just enjoy gallery hopping to peruse Portland’s finest galleries.
“First Thursday, Portland’s flourishing art walk, was initiated thirty years ago by the founding members of the Portland Art Dealers Association. During this year-round monthly event, galleries in and around the Pearl District and Northwest host opening receptions for new exhibitions.” - Portland Art Dealers Association
Elizabeth Leach Gallery, Blackfish Gallery, Gallery 114, Eutectic Gallery, LAURA VINCENT DESIGN & GALLERY, and Waterstone Gallery.
Portland Art Dealers Association (PADA) has a great directory of art galleries to visit on the first Thursday of the month - https://padaoregon.org, or for upcoming art events https://padaoregon.org/events.
J Pepin Gallery
Our newest tenant, the J Pepin Art Gallery, is also open for First Thursday! Founded in 2013, the gallery features 14 artists and jewelry makers, offering an array of styles, mediums, and sizes. The gallery just relocated to the Pearl this year, and we can’t wait to stop by for First Thursday! We feature Jennifer Pepin, proprietor of the J Pepin Gallery, in our article on all of the fantastic women of the Pearl district. You can read more here.
Visit the J Pepin Art Gallery website http://www.jpepinartgallery.com/
Instagram @jpepinartgallery
532 NW 12th Avenue
Pearl District, Portland, OR 97209
Friday, May 5th, is Cinco de Mayo!
Cinco de Mayo celebrates the victory of the Mexican army over the invading French at the Battle of Puebla. The battle, which took place on May 5th, 1862, was the first time the French military had known defeat in decades. While the holiday is a relatively small regional celebration in Mexico, it became a large-scale celebration of Mexican heritage and culture in the U.S. We have a more in-depth look at Cinco de Mayo’s history on the Pearl District Portfolio blog.
Portland has our very own Cinco De Mayo celebration at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park every year with live music, food, and artisan vendors! Check it out at https://cincodemayoportland.com/.
In the Pearl District neighborhood, If you’re looking to grab some tacos and margaritas, these are our recommendations for fantastic local Mexican cuisine! We have a plethora of local restaurants in the Pearl to visit on Friday.
Verde Cocina en la Perla
For a locally owned, locally sourced choice for Mexican cuisine, there’s no better call than Verde Cocina. Owner and Chef Noé Garnica is proud to offer a menu that caters to all comers: vegetarian, vegan, omnivorous, gluten-free, or otherwise.
1131 NW Hoyt Street
Pearl District Portland, OR 97209
https://www.verdecocinamarket.com/en-la-perla
Photo: Verde Cocina en la Perla
Papi Chulo’s
This locally-owned Jalisco-style taqueria has been the talk of the town for some time, and customers rave about the birria tacos and margaritas. They also have plenty of veggie options, like their very popular Fresca bowl with greens, beans, grilled Anaheim peppers, avocado, pico de gallo, and salsa roja.
611 NW 13th Avenue
Pearl District, Portland, 97209
https://www.papichulospdx.com/
Photo: Papi Chulo’s
Carlita’s
Tacos with a NW flair are the house signature, locally sourced Northwest ingredients served up in soft shells to pair with items from an à la carte-focused menu of traditional like corn, chicharrones, and fresh ceviches.
The back bar is stocked with various whiskey and agave selections, with tens of bottles lining the shelves with a few beers and wines to round out the offerings. House-selected barrels, flights, and seasonal tasting events will draw drinkers from novice to connoisseur. Carlita’s is a 21+ ONLY establishment.
1101 NW Northrup Street
Pearl District, Portland, OR 97209
Photo: Carlita’s
República & Co.
Republica & Company represents a staggering collection of excellent Mexican cuisine across the city and many in the Pearl! Their mission is to “To create the greatest Mexico-Forward restaurant group in the Americas by challenging the way (Mexican) culture, food, and people are perceived.”
The flagship restaurant, República, is a “a Mexico Forward Chef's Tasting Experience” by Executive Chef Jose "Lalo" Camarena.
Wednesday - Sunday: 4:30 pm - 8:15 pm
7 Course & 10 Course Chef's Tasting Dinner (only)
Reservations highly encouraged:
https://www.exploretock.com/republica-portland
100 NW 10th Avenue
Pearl District, Portland, OR 97209
Photo: Republica & Co.
Matutina Cafe
The Pearl has its very own Panaderia Americana! Stop by Matutina for a full Brunch, fresh Pan Dulce, and espresso drinks by Reforma Roasters.
7 Days a week: 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
804 NW Couch Street
Pearl District, Portland, OR 97209
https://www.panaderiamatutina.com/
Photo: Matutina
Fuego Burritos
This little cart is our go-to for fantastic lunchtime burritos and more! The cart is right down the street from the Maytag building!
Monday – Friday 11 am–2 pm
NW 12th and Hoyt Street
Pearl District, Portland, Oregon, 97201
http://www.fuegofoodcarts.com/
Photo: SVCO Strategies
Looking for a great salsa recipe? You're in luck! Our friends at Basics Market shared three versatile salsa recipes to cook at home.
Cleaning Up the Pearl District
Earth Day 2023
3200 Pounds of Trash Cleaned Up in the Pearl District!
Hosts Pearl District Neighborhood Association (PDNA) and Loving One Another (LOA) had a very successful Earth Day gathering on April 22nd. Over 120 volunteers gathered to clean the Pearl District: removing graffiti, cleaning the streets and parks, and making the Pearl District safer and healthier for our businesses, residents, families, and visitors. Special thanks to our sponsors Milgard Windows & Doors and the MITER Foundation,
We’d very much like to thank the volunteers and the sponsors that made all of this possible: Transformation Strategies, Loving One Another, Echelon Protective Services, Pearl District Portfolio, SVCO Strategies, Pearl District Neighborhood Association, Father's House City Ministries, Portland, REI, and Commissioner Dan Ryan!
We appreciate the Canopy by Hilton for hosting this amazing event!
The Pearl District Portfolio: Distinct creative office and retail space located in Portland’s original creative district.
The Pearl District Portfolio has space available! The eight historic buildings across the Pearl have modern, beautiful spaces that compliment the vintage architecture and brickwork. The neighborhood is extremely walkable and bikeable, as well as being one of the nation’s most beautiful. Take a look at the Pearl District Portfolio to learn more!
We take pride in our community and are committed to ensuring this mixed-use district continues to function as a vibrant center of art and culture, urban housing, and creativity.
Explore Pearl District Portfolio’s website and blog for more information on the Portfolio, the history of the Pearl District, the community, and events.
Sign up for the newsletter and follow us on social media @pearldistrictportfolio to stay in touch with local events and activities!
