The Lowdown

Growing Garden Goods

Cheffy building planter boxes.

Cheffy building planter boxes.

 

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Cheffy has been hard at work making our garden beautiful for the arrival of summer!  He’s also been refreshing our sidewalk planter boxes.

It’s truly a blessing having this perk here at Besaw’s, and we try to utilize it to the fullest.   Our own lettuces, herbs, peas, cabbage, heirloom tomatoes and so much more, brought straight to your table… yum!  Take a peek next time you stroll down Savier and check it out.  And if you ever need to host a garden party, let us help!  It’s the perfect spot for an intimate outdoor gathering…

 

Cocktails in the garden

Cocktails in the garden

Lift Urban Portland

Hooray, it’s May!  This month, Besaw’s is proud to support Lift Urban Portland as they hold their annual food drive.  Founded in 1981, Lift Urban Portland has continued to grow and add new programs with the support of the community.

This community support is of the utmost importance to us; therefore, for the entire month of May, Besaw’s will be donating a portion of our dinner sales to Lift Urban Portland to aid in their mission to feed those less fortunate in the Northwest neighborhood.

But we’re not the only ones!  Other local favorites such as Food Front, Salt & Straw, Cinema 21, Blush Beauty Bar, On Deck, and Ellington Handbags will be offering their support to Lift Urban Portland’s food drive as well.

How wonderful it is to be part of such a supportive neighborhood; thanks all!

What’s New for Spring

 

 

Halibut, fresh orzo salad, pickled fennel. Fantastic!

Hello NW friends and neighbors!

With spring upon us we have some fresh new additions to our dinner menu. Who has Halibut? We do! As always, we pride ourselves in serving classic comfort food with a contemporary flair, such as our famous Meatloaf, Fried Chicken and Waffles, and our ever-so-delicious Buffalo Lasagna.  If you’re looking for something on the lighter side, we always have fresh salads and local charcuterie.

We love our neighborhood and enjoy spending time with our loyal locals and first-time visitors alike. If you don’t know our bar, well… you should!  Classic, original, comfortable, intimate, and woven together by the velvet touch of our own Madame Beth.  We pride ourselves in stocking all the finest local beers, spirits and wines.

Now, come join us for scrumptious food, dizzying house cocktails and great company. See you soon!

Just a couple house cocktails waiting to be sipped on.
“Portland Daiquiri” – Key lime & Pacific rum. Perfectly refreshing.
“Spring Is In The Air” – House-infused lavender gin, Cointreau, lime, orange twist.  The name says it all.

Easter Bunny Fun

The Besaw’s Bunny at Food Front, relaxing with his favorite snack.

Hanging out with the little’uns in the garden after a successful hunt.

The First Annual Besaw’s Easter Egg Hunt is officially in the books, and what a rousing success it was!  Can’t believe we didn’t think of this years ago.   All the adorable kids in their Easter finery, and their excitement during the hunt, has got us looking forward to next year already. In just a few scant hours, The Besaw’s Bunny has moved from relative (well, total) anonymity to Phillie Phanatic-level celebrity. To all those who came out to play:  we thank you and hope you had just as much fun as we did. Special shout-outs to our favorite neighborhood co-op, Food Front, for their enthusiasm and holiday spirit, as well as providing our Bunny with such nutritious snacks! Here are a few snapshots to enjoy; head on over to our Facebook page for even more!

Just hopping around the garden!

The hunt is on.

First Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Break out your Easter bonnet and bunny slippers, guys, and join us for our first annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday March 31st! The Besaw’s garden (between 23rd and 24th on NW Savier St.), is popping with Spring flowers and will be stocked with brightly colored goodies for the kids. We’re holding a hunt every hour (on the hour) between 9am and noon. Remember, Friends: no matter how much we love our wonderful city of Portland, the weather is not always on our side, so come prepared for a possibly muddy hunting adventure. You can’t miss it if you come down for brunch. Happy Hunting!!!

Bradley Angle

As we move forward through this new year, we occasionally need to take a moment to reflect on what we have accomplished and been a part of. Growth and change are constant; the key is to keep this evolution positive and community-strengthening.

This March, we offer a fresh perspective for this growth, change and zeal for life through our partnership with Bradley Angle.

In addition to their ongoing efforts to fill the needs of the survivors of domestic violence and their families, Bradley Angle is pleased to announce that they have recently started their first Trauma Recovery Empowerment Model (TREM) group in partnership with Providence Portland Medical Center and Portland State University. The only trauma-informed mental health group of its kind in the area focuses entirely on the victims of domestic violence.

Bradley Angle have also entered a promising new partnership with Kinship House to provide clinical counseling to address the concerns of child welfare.  Participants can now address concerns of financial education, culturally-specific services, youth support, and mobile advocacy under one roof at the Bradley Angle Resource Center, removing many long-standing barriers which previously inhibited access.   Their current efforts also include the use of an Advocate Institute to bring financial education to the survivors of domestic violence.

Besaw’s is pleased to donate a portion of its March dinner sales to the ongoing efforts of Bradley Angle.

Snow Day for Besaw’s

 

Holiday party… WHAT holiday party?! Okay, so we were a little late this time around, but all in all it couldn’t have worked out better. This year the Besaw’s crew jumped the big blue bus for a night of frolicking in the snow at Government Camp.
Memories of snow days past hold a special place in the collective Besaw’s heart.  These days, however, “no school” has been replaced by “no work”.  We shuttered the doors for the day and blew out of town for a date with that most mysterious of Portland-based weather conditions:  snow.
Our chaffeur Alex (@oldschoolpdx), ever the consummate professional, fetched us in the aforementioned bus with a couple delightful wrinkles:  a selection of… ahem… adult beverages in tow, and full-blown karaoke madness.  Seriously, all, if your group is looking for a way to liven up your travels, there is none better than Alex, Norman (the bus’ name, natch) and OldschoolPDX.
With Alex and his faithful karaoke-bar-on-wheels having delivered us up the mighty mountain, it was time to get down to business.  In this case, “business” consisted of an all-night dance-a-thon, card games, risque snow sculptures, and a snowball fight of such epic proportions that many of the participants were stricken with minor rotator cuff damage (thankfully, no one had to spend any time on the DL).  Truly an adventure for the ages; many inner Vikings were unleashed.

Moreover, it reminded us why we are so grateful to have each other to call family, and this neighborhood to call home. Enjoy some photos here, and more on Besaw’s Facebook!

 


 

 

White Shield Center

Can you believe we are already one month into 2013? Hopefully everyone is on a positive path this new year. Let us continue supporting one another’s triumphs and encouraging each other’s goals.

The middle of winter is a trying time of year in the northwest. Our days are long, grey, and rainy. We just spent all our money over the holidays and tax season isn’t necessarily giving us a break even though we could all use one. Here at Besaw’s we like to recognize and support organizations that lend a helping hand year round. There is a home in our neighborhood that exemplifies this attitude. Offering specific programs dedicated to their success and safety, White Shield Center creates a safe environment for young women.

What originally began as a maternity home and hospital in Northwest Portland in 1917, The Salvation Army’s White Shield Center has grown into a facility that not only serves the needs of pregnant and parenting clients between the ages of 12 and 18, it also provides a safe, secure environment for adolescent girls who need guidance.

At White Shield, their treatment philosophy is that individuals will make positive changes for themselves when provided with the appropriate teaching, support and the opportunity to do so.  Through their work, the staff hopes to promote independence and to effectively prevent the continuing cycle of abuse, teen pregnancy, delinquent behavior, substance abuse, and welfare dependency in each girl who enters the White Shield Center.

It is so important to support organizations like this and ensure that the children in our community have safe resources available to them during difficult times.

For the month of February a percentage of our dinner sales will directly go to White Shield Center.

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
Charles Dickens

THE FRIENDS OF CHAPMAN FOUNDATION

 

Ask anyone here, one of our favorite things about working at Besaw’s is that we’re a neighborhood spot. We have an amazing family of regulars, and we get to know our community. We love being a part of birthday breakfasts before school, dinner with the family, and much needed date nights for mom and dad. The sense of community that fills this neighborhood  is a wonderful thing to be a part of. As we start the new year may we all resolve to spend more time with family, community and building lasting relationships with our neighbors.

 It is in this spirit that we’ve chosen to feature The Friends of Chapman Foundation as our charity this month. For the whole month of January, a percentage of dinner sales will be directly donated to this wonderful foundation.

Friends of Chapman is a partnership between the Chapman Education Foundation and the Chapman PTA. They believe in a supportive partnership between the staff, parents and community. Friends of Chapman works to make connections in our neighborhood and our community through partnerships, fundraising activities and community service in order to support enrichment programs including art and music at our neighborhood school, Chapman Elementary.

They help to continue enrichment programs such as partnerships with OMSI, field trips, Science Fair, Art Ball, artist-in-residency programs, library books, musicals, field day, teacher allocations for classroom supplies, activities and much more! Organizations such as this one are what make for strong communities, healthy partnerships and bright opportunity for generations to come.

Chapman is a very special school and we are proud to be a part of this community based program. We hope you’ll stop in and visit us for dinner, and help to support this fantastic neighborhood and the people that live and work here.

 

 

 

 

 

Make-A-Wish Foundation Of Oregon

Hi Friends! Can you believe we’re almost half-way through with December? Christmas is fast approaching and the Besaw’s staff has been busy-busy putting up twinkle lights, shiny ornaments and garland.

Holidays are a time when the world seems so magical and wishes can come true. It’s a time to brighten lives, enliven spirits and remember what’s truly important. For the month of December, Besaw’s will be featuring Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon and its wonderful mission: throughout the month, a percentage of our dinner sales will be donated to this charity in an effort to grant more holiday wishes to children in need of magical, joyful memories.

While you are out doing your holiday shopping, we invite you to come get cozy, enjoy one of our warm, seasonal cocktails, and let us make you dinner in support of this wonderful foundation.

The mission of Make-A-Wish Oregon is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Oregon’s was the fifth chapter to form and started its roots here in 1983.

The first wish granted in Oregon

It began when Sam, who struggled with leukemia, wished to meet Erik Estrada from the hit television show, “CHiPs.” Since then, with the help of dedicated supporters and 200 regional volunteers, the Oregon chapter has granted more than 2,200 wishes to children in Oregon and Clark County, Washington from its headquarters in downtown Portland. They grant about 180 wishes each year with the help of volunteer wish granters throughout the region.

In Oregon, and across the 64 chapters throughout the United States, the Foundation’s mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish® experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities.

As the Foundation continues to mature, its mission will remain steadfast.  Wish children of the past, present and future will have an opportunity to share the power of a wish®.

Adeline, age 5 “I wish to have a play structure”

Upcoming Events - Season of Wishes - December

This holiday season, we invite YOU to bring hope, strength and joy to kids in our community by participating in Season of Wishes. Visit www.oregonseasonofwishes.org

Much Love and Thanks to Our Besaw’s Friends & Family!

Happy Holidays,

Besaw’s