June 2016
BUSINESS
THE COUNTRY STORE
By Erik Vidstrand
The Southwest Portland Post
Casa Vaca Taqueria opens in
Multnomah Village
The mural of the Mexican coastline is
gone, and without much fanfare, local
restaurateurs Nick and Sara Medici,
along with their lifelong friend, Pete
Vranizan, have opened Casa Vaca
Taqueria in the heart of Multnomah
Village.
A complete makeover replaces
Acapulco Southwest Gold, which
closed earlier this year. The menu
has polenta, kale, caramelized onion,
and pablano crema tacos. A full bar
specializes in signature margaritas and
local beers.
Having all grown up in the Village,
this trio attended Wilson High School,
they have let the neighborhood they
are excited to continue and modernize
the Mexican tradition in the old space.
Appetizers run around $3-6 and
entrees start at $13. On opening
night, this reporter found most of the
old-style wooden booths full of new
customers including Anne Bocci, who
has a clothing boutique on the same
block.
“The carne asada (marinated beef)
with guacamole, caramelized onions,
cheese, and cilantro were to die for,”
she said as co-owner Pete Vranizan
brought her bill. She said she didn’t
have room for the flan.
Located at 7800 SW Capitol Highway,
Casa Vaca will be open from 4–9 p.m.
weekdays with some weekend hours
as well.
French Quarter boutique mall
gets green light from city
After many months of negotiations,
an online petition, and support from
community members, the city of
Portland has approved permits for the
French Quarter boutique mall to begin
operating once again.
Yves Le Meitour, who owns the
property, was closed down last year
by city bureaus for
a variety of issues.
Wi t h j u s t a f e w
street and sidewalk
improvements now
needed, several small
business owners will
return to an indoor
street modeled after
New Orleans’ famed
business district.
“This means our
plans for a community
gathering place will
continue to grow,”
Le Meitour said,
beaming as he bought
a few fresh pints of
strawberries.
Tracy Schulz (left) and Anne Bocci opening night at Casa Vaca
He hopes to attract
Taqueria. (Photo courtesy of Casa Vaca Taqueria)
more people to the
The Southwest Portland Post • 7
area for dining and
shopping in addition
to just gathering for
the latest news and
gossip.
The French Quarter
is located at the
corner of Southwest
3 5 t h Av e n u e
and Multnomah
Boulevard. Parson’s
Farm
Stand
reopened in its usual
location earlier this
spring and several
food carts have
sprouted up around
the stand.
The food carts
continued to operate
during the closure Casa Vaca Taqueria co-owner Pete Vranizan shows off the new
since they were not Mexican restaurant on opening night. Co-owner Nick Medici
affected by the strict can be seen in the window cooking.
rules of parking, (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand)
rights-of-way, and
Meitour said, “and the city decided to
access for the indoor businesses.
work with me. I’ve also appreciated
Inside the mall, Interstate Pizza
the support of the community.”
will continue building its kitchen and
Plans for a grand re-opening are
getting its wood-burning oven ready.
tentatively
scheduled for Bastille Day
“The story in The Post last year
(July
14).
helped sway city leaders’ views,” Le
June 2 and run from 6:30 – 8:00 pm.
Cost is $15 for members and $25 for
non-members.
Lifeguard Training Course: June 13
– 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The MJCC
aquatics department is recruiting
potential lifeguard staff. Bring swim
suit and goggles. Swimmers must
be able to swim 300 yards without
stopping, tread water for two minutes
with no hands, and retrieve a brick
from the bottom of the deep end of
the pool and bring it to the shallow
end. Cost is $100 (reimbursed if
hired by MJCC). Training is for those
aged 15 and older. Participants must
attend all class sections.
MJCC Summer Activities
(Continued from Page 5)
Portland, a Jewish CSA (Community
Supported Agriculture) program
bringing local and sustainable food
with a distinctly Jewish flavor to
Portland. MJCC is a pick-up location:
Wednesdays starting June 1 from 3:30
– 5:30 p.m.
Restorative yoga with guided
meditation: Focus on stretching
soft connective tissues by holding
poses longer, and using props to
support the body. Begin and end with
guided meditation. Instructor: Tara
Atkinson. Classes start on Thursday,
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