For Chef Ethan Leung and his wife Geri, opening Pamana was about more than opening their own restaurant. It was an opportunity to celebrate Filipino cuisine and create a lasting legacy for their family right here in Portland, inside The Hoxton Hotel (5 NW 4th Ave.)
Before becoming a full-time chef, Ethan worked as a design engineer. His transition into the culinary industry began with a restaurant stage in Bellevue, where he met his mentor chef and then continued developing his skills at several notable restaurants in Seattle.
In 2021, they launched a Filipino food cart, Baon Kainan, which they operated for several years. The experience ultimately helped prepare him for the next step: opening a brick-and-mortar eatery that would introduce more people to Filipino cuisine.
“It came from wanting to be grounded in something we create. Working on something we created ourselves gave us a sense of stability and a greater sense of purpose,” the couple explained in an exclusive interview with What Now.
Since opening at the hotel last year, Pamana has experienced a warm reception from the community.
“We see first-hand the experience of our guests, and overall it’s been so positive. We’ve experienced such amazing success at the Hoxton Hotel. The response to our brunch menu has been overwhelming, and we’re so grateful to Portland for trying us out,” they shared.
The Leungs have remained closely involved in its daily operations. Ethan and Geri work alongside their team, either serving guests on the floor or preparing food on the line. One of the most gratifying parts of the venture for them has been seeing how people connect with Filipino food, regardless of their background.
“It’s rewarding to us when our food reminds people of home. It’s rewarding to us when we get new regulars. It’s rewarding to us when someone tries Filipino food for the first time and loves it,” the couple said.
Pamana also hosted the most recent What Now Portland Accelerate event, a networking meetup that brought together the local hospitality industry at the space. Held October 8, the event welcomed 37 attendees for an afternoon of relationship-building, giving business owners and industry professionals an opportunity to connect and be introduced to Pamana.
The restaurant is preparing to expand with a second location in Portland at 5424 NE 30th Ave, in the former Expatriate space. They are excited to be bringing the concept to a new neighborhood and to reach more patrons and expand on the brand’s offerings and experience.
“We will be focusing on our second location to create a dinner concept that pairs well with beer, wine, and sake. We hope to continue broadening the greater Filipino food narrative,” they shared. “It’s a much smaller space than where we’re currently located, so it will allow us to create a more intimate, cozy dining experience.”
And as Pamana grows, the Leungs are focused on maintaining a workplace where employees feel valued and supported. They value their staff’s satisfaction as much as they value their customers’.
“One thing we learned is that when your team is taken care of, your guests and business are too.”
