Each week, KGW provides a list of four events you may want to attend in the Portland area over the weekend, and a list of four restaurants you may want to try. Here are our picks for this weekend.
NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament
The NCAA women’s basketball tournament is in the Rose City this weekend and a local team will be playing. The No. 2 seed Oregon Ducks will play No. 6 seed South Dakota State on Friday night at the Moda Center. Another game between No. 1 seed Mississippi State and No. 5 seed Arizona State will also be played Friday night. The winner of those two games will play at the Moda Center on Sunday for a spot in the Final Four.
- What: NCAA women’s basketball tournament
- When: Friday, March 29, 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, March 31, at a time to be determined.
- Where: Moda Center
Women’s Film Festival
The Portland Oregon Women’s Film Festival showcases films directed by women. The festival is in its 12th year. While honoring pioneers, the festival also recognizes the next generation of leading women filmmakers. Tickets for a single film are $9. A festival pass is $40.
- What: POW Film Fest
- When: Wednesday, March 27, to Sunday, March 31.
- Where: Clinton Street Theater and Hollywood Theatre
Portland Gold & Treasure Show
Rub elbows with some of the best prospectors in the business at the Portland Gold & Treasure Show. You can learn about gold panning and metal detecting at the family event. There will also be vendors and seminars. The event is at the Portland Expo Center. Pre-sale tickets are $5 for people 13 years and older. Children 12 and under get in free. Active military and vets also get in free. Parking is $10.
- What: Portland Gold & Treasure Show
- When: Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Where: Portland Expo Center
Dog Craft Fair
More than 50 vendors will be selling art, soaps, toys, and dog treats at Puplandia’s Spring Shopping Extravaganza. The event, hosted by Puplandia Dog Rescue, will also have a silent auction and a puppy kissing booth. Proceeds from the silent auction go to helping dogs in care of Puplandia Dog & Rescue. The free, family fun event will be at Oaks Park Pavilion.
- What: Puplandia Spring Shopping Extravaganza
- When: Saturday, March 30, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: Oaks Park Pavilion
Kim Jong Smokehouse
Kim Jong Smokehouse is a collaboration of three Portland chefs that came together to create a Korean-style street food menu using Southern-style BBQ smoking techniques.
The menu focuses on two Korean street food classics: steam buns and bibimbap (bowls of scorched rice, sweet potato noodles and seasoned vegetables). The bibimbap comes with an order of smoked galbi short ribs, salmon, pork, chicken or mushrooms, and it's served with a choice of house-made sauces. They also offer desserts, classic sodas and seasonal draft beers.
Kim Jong Smokehouse has two locations, one at 413 NW 21st Ave and the second at 126 SW 2nd Ave.
Kachka
Kachka has garnered rave reviews and national attention since sparking a Russian food revolution when they opened in 2014.
James Beard Award-nominated chef/co-owner Bonnie Morales cooks many dishes inspired by those she grew up eating in her Belarusian family. Meals at Kachka begin with table zakuski (drinking snacks) paired with vodka chosen from their 50+ selections. Dinner becomes an event fueled by a parade of dishes featuring savory meats, dumplings, cured fish and bright pickled vegetables. Kachka also serves up a list of house-made infusions, craft cocktails and a curated beer and wine list that focuses on Eastern European producers.
Kachka is located at 960 11th Ave.
Yakuza Lounge
Yakuza Lounge is a food lover’s bar serving delicious food and drinks enjoyed best among friends. Yakuza is inspired by the Japanese izakaya concept. It is located at 5411 NE 30th Ave.
Chef Brian Kenney creates daily food specials around organic and local ingredients to create favorites like kale salad, Kobe tartar, tempura scallops, Hamachi, pork cheek and the Yakuza Burger (Portland Monthly’s Best Burger in 2009). The restaurant also features a wide selection of sakes, house cocktails, beer and wine.
La Calaca Comelona
La Calaca Comelona (The hungry skeleton) celebrates Mexican culture and traditional cuisine. Chef and owner Patricia Cabrera's menu is inspired by her experiences growing up in Morelia, Michoacan and her frequent trips to Mexico researching gastronomy and its cultural influence. La Calaca Comelona is located at 2304 SE Belmont St.