Pilots Prevent
June 29, 2021
The Pilot House reopened for on-campus dining for Summer Session II on Monday, June 28, and executive chef James Green is excited to start serving the University of Portland community again. Approximately 60 student-athletes will be on campus, plus limited staff, but as COVID-related restrictions are lifted and more staff begin to return to campus, Green says he’s ready to get back into the flow of things.
Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Breakfast is served 8 to 10 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and dinner 5 to 6 p.m. Mack’s Market is open from 11 a.m. to close. The patio is open, and inside dining will open at 50 percent capacity, or about 200 seats, with no more than eight seats per table. Safety is the first priority. “We are working with University Events to make sure we’re following COVID policy for food service,” Green says. “It depends on what the state and county limitations may be, and then deferring to Events on how to best interpret policy. That will be the moving target.”
Fortunately, there are no restrictions on the delicious menu offerings that accommodate all kinds of appetites and dietary needs. In addition to a coffee and tea bar, there will be hot breakfast options, fruit, yogurt parfaits, and the espresso bar should be up and running. Lunch options include grilled sandwich specials, smash burgers, salads, and cold sandwiches. Dinner will offer a variety of Americana entrees, pasta specials, Pilot Bowls, and more items that are popular with the crowd. “We’re going to grow menu from there,” says Green. It’s all about adapting to what the campus needs, which can be tricky in uncertain times.
Green is proud of his staff, who have been on campus serving the community throughout the pandemic. “We’re figuring out how to adapt with our university,” he says. “We’re riding the wave, and taking care of our staff. It’s been exceptionally difficult sometimes, and that’s important to recognize. But we’ve got a job to do, and we’ve got people who have been awesome and effective.”
The bar in the Pilot House will also be reopening—and expanding its offerings to include non-alcoholic beverages. Along with wine and beer available from 4 to 6 p.m., there will be Crater Lake root beer, kombucha, and cold brew coffee on tap. “We’d been getting a lot of requests for non-alcoholic options at the bar,” says Green.
As with anything else right now, the dining services will adapt to changing guidelines imposed by the state and the county, but Green says Bon Appetit staff are ready to rise to the occasion. “We are excited, a little nervous, and not sure what’s next,” he says. “But we want to provide great food, and great service, and keep everyone safe.”University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
Portland, Oregon 97203-5798
503.943.8000
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