Tag: Sebastiano’s

Community, Food and Drink August 9, 2024

Montavilla Food Co-op’s Kitchen

Almost 15 years ago, the Montavilla Food Co-op (MFC) formed as neighbors sought an organized way to bring healthy and locally sourced food into the community. The group’s early participants envisioned a co-op grocery store connecting shoppers with local farmers and producers. Those efforts never manifested in a dedicated physical location. However, recent advances by the current board have the organization partnered with a local restaurant, using its commercial kitchen to repackage bulk items for its membership. Members and shoppers can now purchase a selection of reasonably sized food items from the Montavilla Farmers Market, which previously were only available in bulk quantities.

The current four-member board began searching for a physical kitchen space last year, talking with several area businesses. When Sebastiano’s announced their intention to close the original Montavilla location at 411 SE 81st Avenue and move operations to Sellwood, MCF found a new opportunity in the business taking Sebastiano’s place. Christa Voytilla opened her first brick-and-mortar location on SE 81st Avenue for Quiche Me if You Can in February 2024. As a long-time farmers market vendor, Voytilla knew the difficulty in finding a commercial kitchen space and agreed to make space at the new shop for MFC board members to expand operations. Access to the commercial kitchen allowed MFC to obtain an Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) license to package food for sale and store items on-site. This summer, the food co-op began repackaging select bulk items from the Quiche Me if You Can location, allowing people to buy smaller quantities. Additionally, the commercial dishwasher at this location allows the group to take back some reusable glass containers, sanitizing and refilling them to reduce waste and cut costs.

Currently, the only two local board members, Christian Parker and Alex Warnes, are permitted in the kitchen space. Food handling requires specific procedures and training. The work must also happen when the primary business is not using the shared space. The board wants more experience running this process before allowing volunteers to assist. Members and interested people can help run the farmers market booth. MFC currently has four volunteers who take shifts running the booth. Board members take care of setup and teardown to simplify the work needed from people handing out pre-purchased items or selling to non-members.

The board is seeking new members with skills in food handling, grocery operations, or other relevant experience to help the organization grow to its next level. Even with the new shared space, MFC has limited capacity in what it can handle. They only have a single baker’s rack of storage space at Quiche Me if You Can, and what they buy is dependent on items pre-ordered by members. They do not have room to keep large quantities of food that would take months to distribute. Their long-term goals look similar to the original intention of the food co-op: a dedicated facility with fresh produce and storage space sufficient to make economically advantageous purchases. People interested in discovering what MFC offers can look at the group’s online store or visit their booth at the Montavilla Farmers Market. This leap into packaging could be an exciting new phase for an initiative that started in 2010. Residents who have lost track of this group’s activities can attend a future monthly board meeting and learn more about what they can do to support this community-run organization.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Food and Drink, New Business, Restaurant February 24, 2024

Quiche Me if You Can Opening in March

By the end of March, Quiche Me if You Can restaurant will open in the former Sebastiano‘s space at 411 SE 81st Avenue. Owner Christa Voytilla will take over the shop on March 1st and begin reshaping the space with an indoor service counter and quiche-focused kitchen. Since 2019, the farmers’ market chef has grown her business and is now expanding into the company’s first brick-and-mortar location. Although the new Montavilla storefront will become the central home for Quiche Me if You Can, they will retain their farmers market roots.

Christa Voytilla started selling her culinary creations while working as a full-time nanny during the day and a waitress in the evening. Having worked in the food service industry since age 16, she knows how to cook and developed a passion for baking quiches. That personal interest soon attracted attention and launched her current career. “I was bringing these little quiches to the Barrio at the Portland Mercado, spending time with the community there, and I got close with the owner, Chris Shimamoto,” recalled Voytilla. A regular Barrio customer noticed the baked goods and asked to sample one of her quiches, offering to pay. Seeing an interest and receiving an enthusiastic review of her food, Voytilla wondered if this personal passion could evolve into a business. Shimamoto encouraged her to explore it further and use the Portland Mercado’s resources for small businesses. “I wanted to stop waitressing and do something more for myself,” explained Voytilla, and this was the opening she needed. With the direction from a business advisor at the Portland Mercado and access to the Portland Mercado Commissary Kitchen, Quiche Me if You Can started selling food at a farmers market in November 2019.

For the last four years, people have found Quiche Me if You Can at farmers markets all over Portland, including Lloyd, South Waterfront, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Hollywood, PSU, Woodstock, Moreland, and the Montavilla Farmers Market. The markets are a place to sell to customers and also where this chef finds her ingredients. “We source all of our produce from the farmers market, explained Voytilla. She built lasting relationships with egg farmer Trent Family Farms and shiitake supplier Mindful Mushrooms during the early years working the markets. “I’m pretty loyal to our farmers, and they’re loyal back,” remarked Voytilla.

The mutually beneficial relationship with the market community is essential to Quiche Me if You Can’s past success and future operation. “I’m definitely still going to do farmers markets. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them, and I think there’s such an excellent opportunity to meet new customers and stay connected,” said Voytilla. However, the market-based business has limits, and after years of expansion, Quiche Me If You Can needed to adjust the model. “I’ve been looking for my own space because, as your business grows, it is easy to outgrow the commissary kitchen, and it becomes challenging to find enough time to produce your products. Sharing hours and space is possible, but it’s more of a challenge as your business grows,” explained Voytilla.

*_{Quiche Me if You Can’s owner Christa Voytilla. Courtesy Quiche Me if You Can}*

After two years of looking for a dedicated kitchen, Christa Voytilla received a tip about the Sebastiano’s storefront and jumped at the opportunity. “I heard about it before they made the [move] announcement public, and I knew in my heart that the space was right for me,” said Voytilla. The small restaurant on SE 81st Avenue is perfectly sized for Quiche Me if You Can. They expect to cook all menu items in the shop, and although the restaurant will not offer indoor seating, they will make room for people to order and wait inside. “I am excited to open up the space for people to come in for the first time in -I don’t know how long- because it’s been strictly window service at Sebastiano’s,” explained Voytilla.

Quiche Me if You Can’s chef is still working on setting the menu and hours for the new location. However, Voytilla intends to emulate Sebastiano’s schedule so customers have a seamless experience eating at that location. Patrons can expect various quiches on the menu, changing seasonally and served in 4-inch petite versions, slices, or whole full-sized quiches. The menu will also offer gluten-free waffles, from-scratch soups, and sandwiches. Voytilla will not expand the menu drastically until they hire staff and settle into the new format. Since 2019, Christa Voytilla has worked the business alone with occasional help from her boyfriend, Jared Hacmac, who will increase his involvement at the new shop. Knowing that the store will require more support than the two can offer, Quiche Me if You Can is now looking to hire staff.

This restaurant is a Portland Mercado success story. That group offers affordable retail space and a cultural platform for Latinx and other entrepreneurs to start or grow a business. The non-profit organization and Barrio recently suffered a fire on January 3rd, 2024. They have raised funds to rebuild, and the many food carts outside the main building are open. However, they can always use continued support from the community, and Barrio still has its fundraiser underway. Look for Quiche Me if You Can to open its first permanent location next month and watch the company’s Instagram for details about their grand opening.

Jacob Loeb

Bar, Food and Drink, New Business, Restaurant December 30, 2023December 30, 2023

Ranch Pizza Location on SE Stark

Ranch Pizza will open a new location in Montavilla’s downtown within the former Hungry Hearts storefront at 7940 SE Stark Street. This shop will be the seventh pizzeria for the local chain restaurant since owners Richard Corey and Eric Wood founded it in 2017. The menu honors the square Sicilian-style pizza, and most orders include a side serving of handmade ranch dressing.

*_{Inside Ranch Pizza location at 2239 SE 11th Avenue}*

The restaurant’s name focuses on a polarizing topping for pizza aficionados. However, Ranch Pizza’s owners feel it enhances the flavors and deserves a spotlight. “The one argument for ranch on pizza, and what I tell most people if they’re confused about it, is that it makes each bite really balanced. Most pizzas have a really tangy red sauce. The tomatoes are really acidic, and it has salt and garlic or whatever. If you add ranch to that, the creamy and tangy, salty flavors are polar opposites, but when you combine them, it’s perfect,” said co-owner Richard Corey to Vice News in 2018. The combination has proven popular for the chain, earning a spot on Willamette Week’s 2018 The Greatest Things We Ate This Year list.

*_{Ranch Pizza Quarter Pie of pepperoni and one vegan slice in the back.}*

The thick-crust pizza is reminiscent of focaccia bread, and the cheese spreads over the edges, making a toasted crust as it cooks in its pan. The menu offers vegan options, and most pizzas are available by the slice, which is a quarter of the whole pie. The company has stores all over the area, with locations as far out as Beaverton, Oregon City, North Portland, and Happy Valley. This new restaurant will fill an East Portland gap. People interested in sampling the Pizza can visit the inner SE location at 2239 SE 11th Avenue.

Ranch Pizza will join several other pizza locations in the neighborhood, with Flying Pie Pizzeria on the same block and two other pizzerias within walking distance. However, its Sicilian-style pizza and affinity for ranch dressing has successfully carved out a niche for the chain across the region. “We’re happy to join the Montavilla pizza community. We feel we’ll bring a welcome new option and style of pizza to the area, especially with Sebastiano’s relocating to Sellwood in March,” explained Eric Wood.

Ranch Pizza hopes to open the Montavilla Location in March. It will house both the pizzeria and a sister business, Loro Coffee. Loro will serve customers coffee, tea, and pastries in the mornings and early afternoons. The pizza shop will open daily at 11 a.m. and close between 9 and 11 p.m., depending on the day of the week and time of year. In addition to regular menu items, they will offer rotating quarterly special items specific to Montavilla and pastries supplied by Hungry Heart Bakery.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Update 2:45 p.m. December 30th, 2023: This article was updated with additional information regarding the timeline and format of the new restaurant.

Business Relocating, Food and Drink, Restaurant October 4, 2023October 5, 2023

Sebastiano’s Relocating to Sellwood

October 4th, Sebastiano’s announced their intention to close the original Montavilla location at 411 SE 81st Avenue and move operations to Sellwood. The transition will happen in early 2024 after completing construction at the new shopfront. For the owners, this difficult choice resulted from steady growth and a pragmatic investment in their business.

Since opening in June 2020, Sebastiano’s Sicilian Deli has increased its citywide brand and expanded its customer base, often bumping into the limits of the sub-700 square foot storefront on SE 81st. The pandemic prevented the store from offering indoor seating at launch. By the time restrictions were lifted on table service, kitchen operations had already expanded to take over the entire shop. Over the years, owners Elise and Daniel Gold invested in sidewalk coverings, parking lot tents, and food trucks as a way to make their constrained space support onsite dining while expanding their offerings.

In May, the Golds leased a second location at 8235 SE 13th Avenue to serve as a production kitchen. A healthy farmers market presence, event popups, and diverse menu items require a full commercial kitchen that will not fit in their current location. Even as they worked on that new 2000-square-foot space, the Golds intended to keep Montavilla at the center of their business. However, the kitchen space at SE 13th and Umatilla Street had enough floor area to support a respectable amount of customer seating, and the other restaurants around the Sellwood storefront were creating substantial foot traffic.

The opportunity to create a quality indoor dining experience for their customers appealed to Daniel Gold, and it was not something he could accomplish in the existing Montavilla storefront. “All the cool and quirky things that we’ve gotten good at – whether it’s popups, aperitivo, special meals or, you name it – in that [new] space, we can do those sorts of things on a daily basis and provide seating.” Even before completing renovations, the purpose of the Sellwood shop shifted towards a full restaurant format and a true second location.

With rising build-out cost and cautionary tales from other multi-location restaurant owners, the reality of running two locations became apparent and now seem excessively ambitious to the Golds. Although the couple are no strangers to taking on business challenges, running both restaurants full-time would stretch the family business thinner than they would like. The practical choice is to focus on one location that can serve all their needs and free up a mighty micro kitchen for another startup business. Daniel Gold feels the affordable space that hosted their creation is one of the factors that helped Sebastiano’s pass the three-year mark where most restaurants fail. He is looking for another fledgling business seeking the same opportunity they had to take over the Montavilla space.

Even after transitioning to Sellwood in the new year, Sebastiano’s will continue its Montavilla presence at the Farmer’s Market and potentially hold special events with other businesses. Daniel Gold expressed sadness regarding this change. The connections within the community have been greater than he imagined when starting this journey, and he hopes people will still support them in their choice. There are still several months before Sebastiano’s moves, and all their regular customers will find an enhanced dining experience at the new Sellwood location in 2024.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscribers or sponsors. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Bar, Event, Food and Drink June 13, 2023

Portland Beer Week starts June 16th

This Friday, Portland Beer Week 2023 starts with several events in Montavilla and across the Portland Metro region. The ten-day-long celebration of beer runs from June 16th through the 25th, offering unique tastings, creative food pairings, and some of the best brews from around the world and around Portland. Area residents do not have to travel far to participate, with three of the nearly 50 events in the neighborhood.

Industry leaders and enthusiasts founded the Portland Beer Week organization in 2011 as a decentralized effort to expand beer education and promote Portland’s brew culture. The group uses sponsorship funds to promote the participating businesses and organize large events like the Brewers Burger Brawl taking place at SE 79th Avenue Montavilla Street Plaza on June 23rd. That is just one of three neighborhood events during this year’s Beer Week.

*Chefs Elise *and* *Dan* Gold*. Image courtesy Portland Beer Week and Sebastiano’s

Sebastiano’s at 411 SE 81st Avenue will offer Italian-style Pilsners from Italy and Portland during their Forza Azzuri! Italian Pilsners from on and off The Boot event. This opening day gathering starts at 5 p.m. on June 16th with a ticket price of $25. Located on Sebastiano’s back patio, this event is co-hosted by Von Ebert’s Sam Pecoraro and Daniel Wavrin of Ferndale Farmstead Cheeses. Ticket price includes five 5oz tastings of Italian Pilsner from Italy and the Pac NW alongside an artisan cheese plate of Ferndale Farmstead cheese.

Neighborhood newcomer StormBreaker Brewing will host a meet-and-greet at their newly acquired tap truck on June 22nd inside The Yard at Montavilla food cart pod at 8220 Northeast Davis Street. Brewery owners, brewers, and the StormBreaker hospitality team will be on-hand to share some beers and delicious food while answering questions.

Then on Friday, June 23rd, Portland Beer Week and Threshold Brewing and Blending present this year’s Brewers Burger Brawl. This marquee event pits five local breweries against one another to present the “best” burger and beer pairing. Threshold was last year’s Judge’s Winner and will compete this year against Grand Fir Brewing, StormBreaker Brewing, Vice Beer, and Great Notion Brewing. Fifty $35 advance tickets are available for those who want a discount and a guaranteed serving of all five pairings. Otherwise, people can show up between 5 and 8 p.m. at 403 SE 79th Avenue, paying $6 per burger or $8 for a burger and 5oz beer pairing.

This year’s Portland Beer Week is on track to becoming the busiest since 2019 and marks another return to successful community events post-pandemic. Montavilla residents are fortunate to have a handful of local events within walking distance this year, and any alcohol-themed event is best enjoyed without needing to drive afterward. However, although beer drinking is encouraged, this is an opportunity to eat a wide range of brew-adjacent foods, and people are also welcome to visit other non-participating beer businesses. The neighborhood has many to choose from.

Jacob Loeb

Event, Food and Drink November 2, 2022March 25, 2023

Annual 82nd Ave Dining Event

Last week, the seventh annual Around the World in 82 Dishes began along the entire length of 82nd Avenue in Portland. The business district’s promotion runs for two weeks, concluding on November 6th. The event highlights a wide selection of dining destinations on 82nd Avenue with a focus on multicultural flavors found along the busy roadway. As an incentive, the event organizers created a contest that enters participants into a drawing for multiple $50 gift cards.

Although any food and drink-related business on 82nd Avenue is eligible for the contest, a group of Montavilla eateries are featured participants in this year’s event. Most of the food carts at The Yard at Montavilla are on that list, along with Sebastiano’s. That level of participation yields increased promotional exposure and includes free digital menu services from Foodi-Menus. Ads for the event are currently running in local news publications like Willamette Week and the Portland Mercury, along with Instagram. Koin 6 News featured the event last Wednesday, showing off foods from vendors at the neighborhood food cart pod.

The contest is just one part of this event, presented by the 82nd Avenue Business Association with funding from the American Rescue Plan and Portland’s Bureau of Transportation. The two-week-long food celebration focuses on the diversity of Portland by exploring tastes from cultures across the globe. Many establishments are owned by immigrants that bring their culinary skills and enthusiasm to the foods they serve. Around the World in 82 Dishes seeks to spotlight those businesses and bring people out to East Portland during the traditionally slow season for restaurants.

The appreciation of food alone is not the only motivator for people to participate. The contest for $50 gift cards is a strong incentive to draw people out to the district, even during rainy weather. Interested contestants can use the BabbleBuy mobile app to find locations and post on social media with the hashtags #82ndFoodies and #82Dishes. Those who want to avoid using the mobile app can post on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or TikTok using the two hashtags.

There are only a few days left before the event concludes, but that leaves plenty of time to get out and visit your favorite location or experience someplace new. Keep up to date on the event at 82dishes.com, and bookmark that site to stay informed about next year’s Around the World in 82 Dishes.

Jacob Loeb

Disclosure: Montavilla News is a member of the 82nd Avenue Business Association and the author of this article serves on the board.

Community, Event, Food and Drink July 8, 2022March 25, 2023

Thursday Night Montavilla Market Opens

Last night at 4 p.m., the first Thursday Night Farmers Market opened to customers in the recently reopened Public Plaza at SE 79th Avenue and Stark Street. Representatives from Montavilla Farmers Market, Montavilla/East Tabor Business Association (METBA), and vendors gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by the traditional bell ringing to open the market. Visitors quickly filled the square to shop the five booths and refreshments providers at this min farmers market.

Starting on July 7th, farm and food vendors will set up in the Plaza on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Moorish Roots, Kulfi, Sebastiano’s, and Threshold Brewing & Blending are some of the inaugural participants making a regular appearance. An assortment of vendors will return weekly this summer, with the final evening market held on September 29th.

This mid-week market is possible through a Vibrant Spaces Community Events Activation Fund grant from the City of Portland, in conjunction with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) Public Street Plaza Program. The Montavilla/East Tabor Business Association (METBA) is hosting this public space in partnership with Montavilla Farmers Market, which will program the Plaza Thursdays, in addition to its regular market held on Sundays at 7700 SE Stark Street.

The Plaza will also feature live music and other entertainment events throughout the summer. Plaza organizers will post updated information on the METBA events calendar. Visitors can shop at the Montavilla Thursday Night Farmers Market throughout the summer or sit and relax on the shaded seating. All people, families, dogs, and outside food are welcome in the Plaza.

KPTV FOX 12 Oregon’s coverage of opening night

Jacob Loeb

Disclosure: The author of this article serves on the METBA Board.

Promotion: Montavilla News has a Patreon account. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to please consider becoming a paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Bar, Community, Event, Food and Drink June 30, 2022March 25, 2023

SE 79th Ave Plaza Reopens July 1st

Tomorrow, July 1st, the Montavilla Public Plaza reopens for its second year at SE 79th Avenue and Stark Street. The public gathering space will feature outdoor furniture and event space for community use. Last year, the space coordinators provided musical-themed programming to activate the area. This time, in a partnership with Montavilla Farmers Market, the Plaza will feature an evening min-market on Thursday nights.

Starting on Thursday, July 7th, five farm and food vendors will set up in the Plaza from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Moorish Roots, Kulfi, Sebastiano’s, and Threshold Brewing & Blending are some of the confirmed participants making an appearance. An assortment of vendors will return each Thursday this summer, with the final evening market held on September 29th.

This mid-week market is possible through a Vibrant Spaces Community Events Activation Fund grant from the City of Portland, in conjunction with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) Public Street Plaza Program. As with last year, the Montavilla/East Tabor Business Association (METBA) is hosting this public space to encourage outdoor recreation in the center of the neighborhood’s historic downtown area. All people, families, dogs, and outside food are welcome in the Plaza.

The Thursday evening Montavilla Farmers Market is in addition to its weekly market on Sundays at 7700 SE Stark Street. The Plaza will also feature live music and other entertainment events throughout the summer. Plaza organizers will post updated information on the METBA events calendar.

Drivers who use SE 79th Avenue should plan an alternate path, as the roadway is closed to through traffic from SE Stark Street to SE Pine Street. Local vehicle access to homes and businesses on the Street is permitted. This year, METBA staff expect the Montavilla Public Plaza to repeat last year’s success, attracting residents and visitors to the area during the warm season. Look for activities to begin in the space next week and continue through September.

Update: Thursday Night Montavilla Market Opens

*Sign from March 2022 PBOT event renewing Street Plazas*

Jacob Loeb

Disclosure: The author of this article serves on the METBA Board.

Community, Food and Drink, New Business May 6, 2021December 30, 2021

Sebastiano’s in More Places

Sebastiano’s Sicilian Deli is venturing outside the four walls of its storefront at 411 SE 81st Ave. Starting this Friday night, the restaurant will open Aperitivo Sebastiano within a food cart located in the back parking lot behind the shop. This endeavor joins Sebastiano’s inaugural participation in the Montavilla Farmers Market last Sunday. Both new locations feature unique menu items and serve expanded tastes.

Many restaurants use food trucks to spread out to new locations, but co-owners of Sebastiano’s, Elise and Daniel Gold, are taking a different approach. Their food truck is parked behind the original restaurant, enhancing that location instead of transporting the business elsewhere. “Months ago, having no sense on where things would be at with covid, we came up with the idea of a food cart for summer. As a way to continue to grow but do it outside”, explained Daniel Gold. Traditionally, the deli serves the lunchtime crowd. By adding the food truck, customers can now enjoy a pre-dinner appetizer and drink on select nights. In Italy, an aperitivo is a pre-meal drink specifically meant to whet the appetite. This cultural tradition is the concept driving Aperitivo Sebastiano’s menu. Customers can start their night at the cart and then move on to dinner at another Montavilla eatery.

According to Gold, the food truck’s kitchen opens up a host of culinary options for the nighttime menu. “We’re pretty excited to be able to offer more types of food, essentially because now we have a full kitchen. We have fryers, we have a grill, we have four burners, more refrigeration, and the space for a cook to work safely.” The Golds optimized the restaurant’s existing food-prep for a deli operation, making the most out of limited space. Baking and pan-based cooking dominate that workflow as most menu items rely on cured protein ingredients.

Daniel Gold believes that the Italian doughnuts will become a favorite item at the cart, and that is not something that they could have created without the complete kitchen out-back. The food truck’s fryer supports a focus on Sicilian street food, a cuisine that favors fried foods. Beyond sweets, the menu will offer Arancini (stuffed and fried risotto balls), Zeppole, and House-pulled fresh Mozzarella. As the summer progresses, the expanded kitchen will allow for experimentation in the menu. Vegetarian and Vegan options are prime areas that Gold wants to expand on.

Up to this point, Sebastiano’s has offered takeout only, except for reserved group events last summer. Now outdoor seating around the truck lets customers stop in and order food and drinks to enjoy onsite. They will serve wine by the glass, Spritz, Rosato (Italian rose wine), and some nonalcoholic cocktails. The tables will be open during Aperitivo Sebastiano’s hours of 3 PM through 6 PM on Friday and Saturday nights, with post Farmers Market service on Sundays from 2 PM to 5 PM. Customers can also order items to go and bring them over to Threshold Brewing and Montavilla Brew Works seating area.

The collaboration with other Montavilla businesses is core to Sebastiano’s operation. All beer sold there is from local breweries. Sourcing within the neighborhood for foods and beverages is essential to the Golds. That is what brought them to the Montavilla Farmers Market, first as buyers for their seasonal dishes and now as vendors.

Only one weekend in, the farmers market booth has already proven worthwhile for Daniel Gold. “We’re super excited and had an incredible first day at the Montavilla Farmers Market.” Just as with the food truck, some menu items are locations specific. Sebastiano’s staff bake Castelvetrano olive focaccia exclusivly for the farmers market. The market menu items feature favorite Sebastiano’s food like orange marmalade, sweet and savory brioche rolls, and a “tremendous amount” of Sicilian cookies. The Golds sold out within an hour and a half of opening at the market. They are going to double their efforts for next Sunday.

The farmers market project is pure fun for Golds. “It’s really a lovely end of our week to be outside and to be with our community and seeing a bunch of people that we now know,” said Daniel Gold. Sebastiano’s will keep a booth at the market at least through October. That coincides with the end of their food truck lease. At that point, they will reassess and see if customers enjoyed the expanded options.

The Golds started Sebastiano’s at the beginning of the pandemic. That challenge forced the couple to adjust their plans and create new ways of engaging customers. This summer, the Golds and their staff continue to push forward, with new ways to serve residents who are venturing out after an extended stay at home. Stop by behind the shop any post-work-week night for a pre-dinner visit, have lunch at the original shop on Thursday-Saturday, or wave hello at the farmers market. They would love to see you at any of their many places.

*Amanda Morales at the Aperitivo Sebastiano* *window*

Images courtesy of Sebastiano’s Sicilian Deli

UPDATED May 10th 2021 – adjusted hours listed in article to reflect a change and corrected spelling of menu item.

Food and Drink, New Business, Restaurant June 30, 2020

New Local Restaurant Adapting

Sebastiano’s Deli has decided not to have indoor seating during any phase of Oregon’s reopening. Instead, owners Elise and Daniel Gold are interested in a new approach to serving their hungry customers.

Sebastiano’s launch this month exceeded their expectations. They served over 200 customers in the first ten days. Since opening with pickup service, a clear customer pattern has emerged. Two customer types are prevalent, the lunchtime rush and people buy provisions to take home. As Multnomah County reopened with phased restrictions, inside dining was never going to be an option for Sebastiano’s. “Our space is just too small,” said Daniel Gold.

Gold’s observations about Sebastiano’s customers, and the limits of the space, called for a creative rework of how the restaurant will serve customers. Elise and Daniel Gold realized they would need to operate differently based on the time of day. Starting July 8th, Sebastiano will modify their schedule. From 11 AM to 3 PM, Wednesday through Saturday, they will offer pickup service as they have for the last month. This schedule will fully cover the lunchtime crowd. For those customers, they intend to enhance the lunch menu with “weekly sandwich and salad specials to give people fresh options each week beyond Muffuletta’s. ” said Gold.

After 3 PM, Sebastiano’s will transitions from pickup orders at the shop to home delivery. For $5, they will deliver orders over $50 to local addresses. The delivery area will expand out beyond Montavilla, into the adjacent neighborhoods. The Golds wanted to avoid the big names in third-party delivery services. “We are trying to avoid those [companies]. It’s really a tax everyone else.” Said Daniel Gold. He explained that delivery services charge a substantial percentage of the order’s total. To cover the lost margin paid to third party delivery services, they would have to increase menu prices for all customers. Working with companies like that did not fit what the Golds wanted for Sebastiano’s. Instead, the Golds will do the delivery themselves, and with help from family. Daniel’s cousin, Rachel, will be helping deliver orders over the summer.

Beyond basic delivery options, The Golds will launch an outdoor garden party package. That service is called Sebastiano’s Pop Up. It will deliver all the food and drinks needed for an outdoor party at a customer’s house. The customer needs to have the tables set up, and they will drop off an arrange the food in a yard or driveway.

Sebastiano’s has received OLCC and Healthy Business permits to offer seven tables for outdoor seating. They may consider offering table service on the sidewalk, like many others in Old Town Montavilla have. However, the outdoor dining space is competitive in Montavilla, and the Golds are not sure they want to be just another location trying to keep people distanced. “I really appreciate anyone who feels comfortable eating out right now and any restaurant operator who is comfortable and feels they can do it in a safe way.” Said Gold. However, Daniel Gold feels there are other types of people looking for a dining experience. “For that subset of people who still want to eat good food and still want novel experiences but don’t feel safe going out right now, we’re trying to rise to the occasion and provide them something enjoyable.”

Behind Sebastiano’s is a semi-private courtyard. There, the Golds have constructed a tent and outdoor seating geared towards private events. The Private Happy Hour can be booked for groups to “hang out with their friends in a safe, private, outdoor setting.” said Gold. With only a $200 Food and Drink minimum purchase, the whole menu will be available to the group. Only one group can book the space at a time, between 3 PM to 6 PM. Events can be kid-friendly, and pets are allowed.

The Golds hope this will be a safe and comfortable way for friends, large families, or coworkers to get together. Daniel Gold sees this as an “adapt or die” moment for restaurants. Even with his early success, he knows that they still have to earn each customer’s continued patronage. “We don’t take a single one for granted,” said Gold, talking about Sebastiano’s customers.

Sebastiano’s opening looks different than other businesses reopening efforts. They believe they have found a model that will work for customers and keep everyone safe, regardless of the changes from COVID-19. Some people have mentioned to the Golds that they are waiting for Sebastiano’s full opening before trying them out. The Golds want everyone to know that this is the full Sebastiano’s. They are entirely open and waiting to earn loyal customers.

Sebastiano’s is located at 411 SE 81st Ave.