Endorffeine

Jack Benchakul, a former biochemist and pastry cook, opened this Far East Plaza counter in Chinatown in summer 2015 and works the bar himself so that every drink comes from the same hands. The name joins endorphin and caffeine, and the shop follows the Thai street vendor tradition of doing very few things extremely well, a discipline that shows in a menu with no sweeteners offered and no milk added to pour overs.

The core lineup of roasters is Sey, Drop, Ilse, Prolog, April and Leaves, with guest roasters that change, a long way from the early days when everything came from Portland's Heart. Benchakul wants guests to feel that a person is behind every cup, and the counter also hosts an intimate dessert and drink pairing evening for nine guests, each course matched with a cocktail made to suit it.