Bar Avignon – Portland

It seems like dinner on a Friday is a tradition best pursued at home. It is near impossible to eat out as a group of five, so why fight it. But our last attempt was at Bar Avignon, and we were seated with a 20 minute wait, and had cocktails to while away that time. [...]

Spring Beer and Wine Festival – Portland

Shalene turned us onto this event. A beer, wine and cheese festival held in the Portland convention center. Entry fee, plus purchases are made with pre-bought tokens, plus a purchase of a mug to do tastings with. We went into it expecting a rip off. But with a little timing, our entry fee was waived, [...]

Broder – Portland

Broder is a cute little Danish/skandinavian restaurant in the SE, and terribly popular. We came here to start off our day, and the wait for a table required much patience. Perhaps it was not the best idea to pitstop en route at Little T Baker, but Amy had such rave reviews for it, and it [...]

Violetta food cart – Portland

After a leisurely afternoon wandering the contemporary art wing of the Portland Art Museum, I started to make my way to the Pearl District to meet up with Shalene and also Ted. I passed through Director’s Park, where a solitary food truck was set up. This was the Violetta food truck, a “slow food” restaurant [...]

Tabor Hill Cafe – Portland

  This was a cafe recommended to us by Chris. Not because he’d been there, but because he hadn’t, and was curious to know what it’s like. He especially commented on the photographs in the front window of the menu items, noting the photographic quality was of an extremely faded and questionable nature. And that [...]

Portland, Oregon

Just a casual update, I am taking a week-long vacation in Portland, and going crazy with the great food here. The first couple days have been blessed with bright sunny weather, and the spring weather has created an explosion of flowers with street trees and herbaceous borders. It is like an English spring at Kew, [...]

Pok Pok – Portland

Pok Pok is remisicent of a Thai food stall, with a combination of street food and dinner dishes served in an outdoor setting that does, indeed, look like a food stall, but with primarily white foodie types lavishing over the dishes. We added little to change that ambiance. Pok Pok also has nationwide recognition for [...]

Whiskey Soda Lounge – Portland

Dinner was supposed to be at Pok Pok, but unsurprisingly there was a wait to be seated. That is okay, the unofficial waiting space is the Whiskey Soda Lounge across the street.  The appetizers are the same menu as are most of the cocktails. Pok Pok will call over to say the table is ready. [...]

The Tea Zone and Camellia Lounge – Portland

My friend Shalene recommended this spot to us. She knows my trip to Portland was very much based on food exploration and upon hearing of combined interests in cocktails and food, explained that the Tea Zone specialized in tea infused cocktails. That was enough to get our attention. She also said the regulations in Portland [...]

Powell’s City of Books – Portland

Ah, Powell’s. At least four hours were spent here on our first full day in Portland. I stocked up on more Oishinbo books. In the cafe, a cappuccino revitalized me in time for a round of drinks and snacks for happy hour down the street. Powell’s 1005 W Burnside St Portland, OR 97209 Powell’s website