eatdrink

This recent Willamette Week blurb caught our eye with some Pearl District restaurant news. The first part we already knew about:

Mio Sushi will open a Pearl location next door to Paragon on Irving Street later this summer, and Il Mercato, a Mediterranean restaurant and lunch counter is setting up shop kitty corner to the Pearl Bakery on NW 9th and Couch. Another Mediterranean venue is said to be opening in the long-vacant building in front of the Elizabeth lofts on 10th Avenue.

... Ben and Jerry’s won’t be the only new sweet shop in the Pearl as local Cool Moon Ice Cream will soon front the Pearl’s mom-and-kid hangout Jamison Square.

... Plus, a certain high-profile Portland restaurateur is scoping out empty Pearl spaces for what would be an American-style restaurant. Now who might that be?

Edited to add: While you're over at Willamette Week, check out their 2007 Best of Portland poll (upper right corner of home page). Vote for your favorite Pearl District spots. Oh, and we're not above hinting that you can fill-in Pearl Insider as your favorite local blog... shameless, yes, we know.