Lovely Leftovers + Portland Advice

Today we had a very nice light lunch of leftover homemade bread + a potato and chicken soup improvised from one of the soup-making techniques in this excellent soup book. The plates looked so pretty together on the counter, I had to take a photo.

I'm doing as hoped/planned in yesterday's post (drawing/reading/listening), but I thought I'd hop on and ask for some advice. Any Portlander's (the Oregon variety for now) out there, we need some armchair travel agents to represent for their favorite Portland restaurants/shops/haunts. Portland aficionados, feel free to chime in, too of course!
General advice is very appreciated, as well as specific recommendations. We're flying out to that fair city on Friday, and we have this wee book which is full of nice suggestions, but I trust you guys more than that little tome. Are there any particular neighborhoods/areas we should definitely visit? I mean, house-neighborhoods, not just shopping neighborhoods.

I'm excited to hear what you have to say, and am also very excited about our "interview" with Portland.

Happy Monday!

Comments

[tiffany]

When I am out that way.. it's more in the Seattle area.. although I understand Portland is beautiful and wish you both great luck in the "interviewing" way! My only suggestion.. Eat Fish! Yum!

[Chelsea]

If you want to check out some charming little house neighborhoods I would definitely check out the south east portland. Walking around around Hawthorne and Belmont streets makes me happy every day.
Also while in town, there are some cool shops/ restaurants on NW 23rd avenue. but definitely check out the SE section of town.

[kickpleat]

oooh, portland is my favorite city. here are my portland faves:

movie theaters where you can drink great microbrews like the laurelhearst, the bagdad and the mission.

the hedgehouse has great sandwiches and beers and is right next door to pix patisserie!

amnesia brew pub is also great in the mississipi neighbourhood!

http://www.basementpub.com/ for sunday night trivia and beer.

hmmm, i guess i like portland beers!

[miss.michelle]

...oh miss.emily you are going to fall in love with portland.
I've never been to athens, so I can't very well compare it.

Oregon is b-e-a-utiful! I think it's a climate you may be looking for.

I am sure someone here can recommend some neighborhoods, I can imagine you living in a charming, small, 1930's tudor/bungalow built in an old-district neighborhood in portland.

I actually visit Carmel, Ca, a ocean town near me.
You would SOOOOO fall in love with that town and all the charming little cottages. (reminds me of you a bit).

Have fun and stay safe :)
<3~michelle

[Renee]

I live in Portland, and I will just say that it's the best town! For trendy shops, you can check out the Alberta Arts and the Mississippi neighborhoods (in N and NE Portland), the Hawthorne area in SE Portland, and NW 23rd Ave. I'm not a young chickie anymore, so I'm not really up on what's hip with the kids as far as restaurants and things. My husband and I usually just get pho in our ghetto neighborhood, ha! Just avoid the outer SE part of town, lovingly referred to as "Felony Flats". Though, there is a really good, humongous fabric store out there called Fabric Depot! Have fun on your trip! :)

[Gina Cooper]

Hi there,
If you like antiquing and fun shops Visit Sellwood in Oregon...Not sure where it is as we only visited once, but it was so much fun...Take care..

[Fox]

I live in Seattle but have been down to Portland many times and I love it. I second the Laurelhearst and The Bagdad. And Fabric Depot is pretty awesome. You have to go to Powell's Books of course. And drink coffee while sitting at an outside table in the Hawthorne or Belmont area.

[Du Buh Du Designs (Dolls)]

I live in Bend about 3 or so hours away. I don't have any restaurant recommendations but the Pearl district (artsy area) is a favorite to roam around. The Portland museum is worth visiting as is OMSI the science /tech museum there. You should actually get some decent weather there this week and it's a great walking/biking town. You may want to see who's playing in concert there as well :) I'm heading to fabric depot later in April and I always check out paper zone for paper, envelopes, midori ribbon, etc. You should ask Dave (who sent you the video or you on Martha)~he lives in Portland.
On a side note, I agree with Miss Michelle who mentioned Carmel, CA. I was born there and it's a beautiful area to visit for a day or two if you're anywhere near San Francisco for some time.
Have Fun!
~Christine

[Rebecca]

Soup! Yum! You lay out your meals quite nicely. Have a happy Monday!

[Ariana]

I am from Portland and while I have lived all over the world I always come back to Portland. It is perhaps one of the most European cities in America. For neighborhoods (living) I would say Overlook which is in North Portland, and parts of SE and NE close-in are really pretty.

For shopping and eating here are my recommendations.

Downtown (SW & NW)If you go to Powell's Books there is a great lunch spot around the corner on the opposite side of Burnside called Half & Half, next to that is a great zine store called Reading Frenzy. Just up from that is Buffalo Exchange.

The best restaurant in town is about 10 blocks from Powell's if you don't mind spending a little money I highly recommend Higgin's.

If you head down Burnside and cross the river there is a to die for lingerie boutique called Lille it is across the street from the much talked about Doug Fir, but don't eat at the Doug Fir head down a couple of blocks and try Farm instead a really great yet reasonably priced restaurant.

If you are renting a car you should head to Mill End fabrics my favorite fabric store, my second favorite is Bolt on Alberta St. If you do go to Alberta Arts district La Bonita is some of the tastiest Mexican food in town. I could go on but this seems like a very long comment! If you want more details e-mail me and I can send you addresses for any or all of these places. I hope you have a great visit, and I dare you to not fall in love with Portland!

[Du Buh Du Designs (Dolls)]

I'm back..I was trying to think of the area I thought was nice and it's called Nob Hill. It's a beautiful area with nice homes where I'd want to reside if I lived there. It's over by Nw 23rd Ave. as mentioned by some other people.

[kate]

_The Zinester's Guide to Portland_ is another great travel book!

I live here and I agree with much of what was said above, but I'll think on it some more!

[Ana]

ohhhh I loved Portland OR when i was there visiting...lovely art gallery.

Oh and visit voodoo donuts and stumptown coffee and and...

Have fun! How exciting for you :)

[SummersCamp]

Let me just say that I love Portland, and I'm pretty sure you will, too! Enjoy!! *B

[bainbridge island florist]

aww, soup and bread makes for a hearty lunch!

[brigette b]

I've only been a few times, BUT I can highly recommend...

Stumptown Coffee! Even non-coffee drinkers like me can vouche for its total yumminess. It's like coffee that tastes as good as it smells. That's saying a lot.

Tea Chai Te, a little tea/coffee shop on NW 23rd. Try the bubble tea (boba!) and sniff all the varieties that are on display...the Creme de la Earl Grey is stupendous.

Farm is a super yummy restaurant...it's got a great vibe and really good food.

If you lean towards vegan/vegetarian I'd say swing by Food Fight and the Sweet Pea bakery, just for fun.

And spend a day in Powell's. Just set a day aside, trust me. It's worth it. So many other things...but you'll find 'em.

Have fun!!

[Lisa]

I used to live in SE Portland, and there are lots of lovely houses on that side of town. One of my favorite pastimes was just walking around looking at houses. Portland is such a compact little city that you can see the bulk of it by foot, or at least by short bus rides.

[adrienneleanne]

My hubby and I went to Portland for our honeymoon! If you're up for ethnic food, there's this great Moroccan restaurant called Marrakesh.....sooooo good!! And a very fun vibe!

[Cameron]

It has already been suggested, but I must also recommend Powells Bookshop. Its an entire city block, and the first thing that happens when you walk in is that they give you a map! Truely there is something for everyone within its walls! Have fun on your trip!

[Kirsten]

Portland is rad, and I fully support all the above suggestions (actually, it sounds like exactly the trip we took to Portland a couple of months ago!) While there, we ate at a bunch of interesting places, and I even remember the names of a couple. We had a yummy breakfast at a place called the Tin Shed, I think it was on Alberta? Maybe Mississippi? I don't remember. We also had beer/dessert at this really crazy place called the Pied Cow, which was in the front rooms of this house, and had a dark, Victorian vibe. It apparently has a nice patio too - though the weather did not allow us to sit outside at the time. We also had yummy sandwiches and art-gazing at Half & Half. Have lots of fun!

[Kit Knitty]

Reading Frenzy!!!
http://www.readingfrenzy.com/

[SInead]

I'm a native Portlander, but haven't lived there for a while. However, I can say that it is a grand city. The last time I visited I ate breakfast at a little place call Fuller's. It's not fancy, but it's mighty cute. It's on 9th and Davis.

[masha]

I live in Portland, and it is a fabulous city! And quite supportive of cottage-industries and charming girls with fabulous wares. While SE draws a lot of people, it is too congested and "hipster" for some. Judging from some of your proclaimed favorites, such as vintage stores and Anthropologie, I think that you will LOVE Mississippi Avenue in North Portland. It is a charming blend of local couture, gently used talismans, and good food such as "Lovely Hula Hands" and "Gravy," where all the waitresses where their own vintage aprons. Stores are adorned with names like Amelia, Hovel (one of my favorites), Pistols, and Frock.

Alberta Street is also in North Portland, and intersects Mississippi. While Alberta can be hit or miss, I think you would love Imp and Mabel and Zora (around 13th and Alberta), along with The Tin Shed, which is especially noted for their breakfast food.

I wonder if your wee tome Eat Shop Portland? I hope that our weather turns around for you, and that you have a lovely time. Please share some of your impressions afterward - I would be so interested to listen.

[Mark Begley]

A lot of good suggestions so far. Definitely hit Stumpton for coffee, Hawthorne/Belmont, The Pearl District, and NW 23rd for shopping, and St. Cupcake for some yummy cupcakes.
If you like Thai food you'll be in heaven.

[son]

hooray!!! wondering what's bringing you to town? here's hoping the weather is clear and sunny when you arrive!

my picks- ken's artisan pizza, you MUST (fennel sausage OH MY). henry's tavern for beer and gorgonzola fries. pix patisserie for creme brulee. bread from pearl bakery. the hawthorne district. nw 23rd, don't miss alotto gelato (hazelnut!) on 23rd/lovejoy, also check seaplane. powell's in the pearl. antiquing in sellwood or you may want to try monticello in SE. catch a show at the crystal ballroom. drinks at doug fir lounge. the ace hotel in the pearl. bakery bar or baker and spice for baked sweets. pambiche is a cuban restaurant known for their delicious cakes. livingroom theaters shows some interesting films. fenouil in the pearl has good wine (melbac!) and desserts. finnegan's is a cool toy store downtown. clothes shopping at english dept. wander around SE clinton and SE division if you have time.

you may want to sign up for one of the walking tours downtown. a fun way to spend an afternoon if the weather's good.

hope you have a blast!