Foodies Favorite Finds: Augusto Carneiro, founder of Nossa Familia Coffee
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Monday, August 31, 2015
GoLocalPDX Lifestyle Team
Nossa Familia Coffee founder and CEO’s Augusto Carneiro's relatives have been harvesting beans from their coffee estate in Brazil since 1890.
Nossa Familia Coffee founder and CEO’s Augusto Carneiro's relatives have been harvesting beans from their coffee estate in Brazil since 1890. In 1996, more than 100 years later, Carneiro moved to Portland to earn a degree in engineering and play tennis competitively for the University of Portland Pilots.
After graduation, Carneiro found life as an engineer to be unfulfilling, so he began plotting a way to combine his love of his family’s business and his personal passion: social responsibility. He decided he could do both by sharing his family’s coffee with the community in Portland and in 2004 he co-founded Nossa Familia (“Our Family” in Portuguese).
He started slowly and unconventionally “without a café, a roaster, a business plan or funds,” jokes Carneiro. He also shares that the initial investment to open the company was $800 to pay for the first FedEx shipment of beans. Today, Nossa Familia is one of the very few vertically integrated coffee companies in the nation.
In 2012, Carneiro opened his Pearl District roastery and the Espresso Bar followed in 2013. He also began expanding beyond the family line by importing and roasting coffees from other families and co-ops in different growing regions of the world. Today, his coffees can be found in dozens of locations in Portland, including New Seasons, Zupan’s Markets, Grand Central Bakery, Whole Foods Markets, Verde Cocina, Petite Provence and many more.
In addition to coffee, Augusto’s family raises cattle and chickens as well as grows corn, potatoes, eucalyptus, fruit, rice and beans. His love of farm fresh foods persists today and is evidenced by his Foodie Find: Fuego Food Cart, which has been in business for more than 20 years – long before “food carts were hip”.
“Like the cooking of my childhood in Brazil, Fuego only uses fresh and unprocessed ingredients. Each burrito comes with brown rice, black beans, house made salsa, sour cream or yogurt and a choice of several hot sauces – I like to go with the milder salsas, which allow the other flavors to pop. My favorite burrito is their chicken burrito with fresh guacamole, rice and spinach. Funnily enough, I’m one of very few Brazilians that prefers no beans!
There are several carts in town, but I go most often to the one nearest my roastery on NW 12th and Hoyt because Laura, the woman who runs it, has a killer smile and a winning attitude. Great food and positive energy: that’s a combination I can’t resist!”
Nossa Familia Coffee, Roasting & Wholesale 1319 NW Johnson St (503) 719-6605.
Nossa Familia Coffe, Espresso Bar. 811 NW 13th Ave (503) 719-6605. M-F 7am – 4pm and Saturday & Sunday 8am – 5pm.
Related Slideshow: 15 Mother’s Day Brunches in Portland
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EastBurn
Portland’s EastBurn restaurant hosts a Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 10th, from 10am - 3pm. This brunch will be excellent for the mothers out there who could really use the chance to kick back and drink $2 mimosas to their heart’s content.
Click here for reservation details.
EastBurn, 1800 E. Burnside St.(503) 236-2876. Open 11am -2:30pm.
Photo Credit: EastBurn (Image Cropped)
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Pix Patisserie
If your group has a sweet tooth and an appreciation for the finer things in life, Pix Patisserie is the spot for you. For Mother’s Day, the patisserie serves a special of ten bite-sized treats and sparkling wine. There is also a kid’s version of the special that serves six treats coupled with a nonalcoholic beverage.
Click here for reservation details.
Pix Patisserie, 2225 E. Burnside St. (971) 271- 7166. Open 2pm - 2am.
Photo Credit: Pix Patisserie (Image Cropped)
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Zoo Brunch
This Mother’s Day, the Oregon Zoo hosts its annual Mother’s Day brunch at the Cascade Crest banquet center. The brunch includes a buffet for all ages and is followed by a tour of the zoo’s favorite families, including the African lioness, Kya, and her three 8 month old cubs.
Call 503- 525- 4299 for reservations.
Oregon Zoo, Cascade Crest banquet Center, 4001 SW Canyon Road. Seating for the brunch begins at 9am.
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Bread & Ink
Bread & Ink Cafe serves up a Mother’s Day Brunch that you won’t forget anytime soon. Enjoy a plate of their signature Chicken and Waffles or have a lighter meal of Lox Benedict. Reservations are going fast for this one, so be sure to call soon.
Click here for reservation details.
Bread & Ink Cafe 3610 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Open at 8am, Sunday - Saturday.
Photo Credit: Bread and Ink Cafe (Image Cropped)
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Trinket
One of the best kept secrets in SE Portland, Trinket offers a unique and great brunch menu from Duck Eggs Benedict to their Polenta with Steamed Eggs & Kale. It’s the perfect place to spend mother’s day.
Click here for reserveration details.
Trinket, 2035 Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. Brunch, 8am to 3:30pm.
Photo Credit. Trinket’s Facebook (Image cropped)
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Brix Taven
Brix Tavern celebrates Mother’s Day with a buffet brunch and Bottomless Mimosas. If that’s not a way to show your mom you love her, I don’t know what is.
Click here for reservation details.
Brix Tavern, 1338 NW Hoyt St., (503) 943-5995. Open 11am - 12am.
Photo Credit: Brix Tavern (Image Cropped)
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Down to Earth Cafe
Located in Portland’s picturesque Multnomah Village, Down to Earth Café is a great option for an affordable yet delicious Mother’s Day Brunch. Try out some of the café’s delicious French toast with a mimosa on the side.
Click here for reservation details.
Down to Earth Café, 7828 SW 35th Ave.(503) 452-0196. Open 8am - 3pm. Dinners are for private parties only, call to reserve.
Photo Credit: Down to Earth Cafe (Image Cropped)
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Portland Spirit
If you want to actually help your special momma “get away" for Mother's Day, you might want to make a reservation aboard the Portland Spirit. The Portland Spirit offers a brunch cruise, a dinner cruise, and a special gorge dinner cruise. This is a great option for an unconventional yet still elegant Mother’s Day meal.
Click here for reservation details.
The Portland Spirit, boarding locations vary, (503) 224-3900. Times vary from 9am - 930pm.
Photo Credit: The Portland Spirit (Image Cropped)
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Chart House Restaurant
If your mother, or the woman you’re celebrating, loves seafood and a great view. Chart House Restaurant is a great choice for brunching in style on Mother’s Day.
Click here for reservation details.
Chart House Restaurant, 5700 SW Terwilliger Blvd, (503) 246-6963. Open 11:30am - 9:30pm.
Photo Credit: Chart House Restaurant (Image Cropped)
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Henry's 12th St. Tavern
Henry’s 12th Street Tavern keeps the mommas of Portland happy all day long by offering brunch in the early part of the day and a special dinner in the evening. The restaurant celebrates both Saturday and Sunday for those of us who like to celebrate a day early, or all weekend long for that matter.
Click here for reservation details.
Henry’s 12th Street Tavern, 10th NW 12th Ave., (503) 227-5320. Open 11:00am - 12:00am.
Photo Credit: Henry's 12th Street Tavern (Image Cropped)
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HopCity Tavern & Market
The Hilton’s HopCity Tavern & Market, the former Bistro 921, kicks off the Mother’s Day celebration with a bottomless champagne fountain, live jazz, and delicious cuisine.
Click here for reservation details.
HopCity Tavern & Market located inside Hilton Portland & Executive Tower, 921 SW Sixth Ave. (503) 220-2565. Open 6:30am - 11:30pm.
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Irving Street Kitchen
Rumor has it, Irving St. Kitchen has the best Bloody Mary’s in rip city. So grab your mama and bring her down to the Pearl District for a delicious and nutritious Mother’s Day.
Click here for reservation details.
Irving Street Kitchen. 701 NW 13th Ave. (503) 343-9440. Open for brunch from 10am - 2:30pm.
Photo Credit: Irving St. Kitchen (Image Cropped)
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Sur La Table
Maybe that maternal person in your life would like more than just an average brunch. If so, the cooking class at Sur La Table might be the best option for a Mother’s Day celebration. Together, you will learn to make chocolate dipped delicacies and other sumptuous treats.
Click here for reservation details.
Sur La Table, 1101 NW Couch St. Sunday, May 10, 10am - 12:30pm.
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Bluehour
Keeping things local, Bluehour serves a Mother’s Day brunch that features Oregon’s ripe and delicious spring produce. Portlandia’s mothers will love this unique menu made especially for the holiday.
Click here for reservation details.
Bluehour, 250 NW 13th Ave. (503)226-3394. Normal hours are M - F 11:30am - 2:30pm, with a special Mother’s day opening.
Photo Credit: Bluehour (Image Cropped)
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Olympia Provisions
Both Olympia Provisions’ locations will serve a unique Mother’s Day meal. Give a toast to your mom using the restaurant’s signature rhubarb mimosas and enjoy a tasty meal from their classic brunch menu.
Click here for reservation details.
Olympia Provisions. 1632 NW Thurman St. (503) 894 - 8136. SE location is at 107 SE Washington St. (503) 954-3663. Open Sunday, 10am - 10pm.
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