Weekend in Portland Recipe

oh, you did good! Yes, definitely do lovely hula hands, pok pok, toro bravo. Also... the best french onion soup i have had is at Chez Machin creperie on SE Hawthorne and it's made vegetarian and still such good deep flavor but not too heavy Broder on SE Clinton and 26th for Scandinavian breakfasts Nuestra Cocina on SE Division and 21st for amazing upscale/country mexican (not tex mex) and amazing Sangria! Khun Pic's Bahn Thai on SE 34th and belmont Best thai food I have ever ever had. The wife is the (only) cook and the husband is the waiter and they are wonderful! Bara Sushi on SE Clinton and 21st for sushi that rivals what we had in Tokyo. Fresh and tasty! Sounds like you had a beautiful time. You've given me more places to add to my ever growing list of restaurants to try around here. :)

Oh I'm so glad you went and sounds like you love it! I'm from there but live in PA now and really miss my Pacific NW. Anyway, yes, that schoolhouse brewery is a McMenamins and it's awesome :) Also, if you like McMenamins, check out Edgefield! http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=3

it was really great meeting you!! next time you're in Portland, you have to let me know. we'll meet up intentionally this time. :) I'm glad to see you went to Blossoming Lotus - my absolute favorite. I work really close to there, and eat there at least once a week!

I am a Portlander of a mere 10 years and counting though. I love this town dearly after being raised in the SF Bay Area. So much in common! Some spots to stop in the future . . . Alma Chocolate on NE 28th makes the most amazing stuff. My favorite is the salted peanut butter cup and her absolutely fabulous ginger creations. Screen Door makes great southern food plus a very local, seasonal special menu that is wonderful. Full of greens and veggies my favorite! I love Poc Poc too. Plus Nostrana on Morrison for seasonal Italian food that is well . . . fresh cream for your coffee . . . you add the adjective! I also love the smaller neighborhood farmer's markets like the Eastside on Thursdays and the Hollywood on Saturdays. PSU will remain a favorite but these small markets are a favorite for so many reasons. Oh and finally - the delicious baked goods at Baker and Spice in Hillsdale and at their FM post. The hand pies are amazing. Come to Portland a foodies wonderland!

I've spent a ton of time in Portland over the last couple of years, since my boyfriend lives there. Ken's and The Farm are two of my all-time favorites. I definitely agree with the folks who said the Kennedy School is cool for atmosphere but their food is AWFUL and their beer's just so-so. Noble Rot is a great wine bar. Can't remember what neighborhood it's in. And I love beer and cheep movies at the Laurelhurst. I could go on forever! Lovely Hula Hands in the Mississippi neighborhood is fantastic, as is Por Que No, a little taqueria in the same area. Lovely Hula Hands has the best burger I've ever had, and Por Que No's Watermelon margarita is dee-licious. If you get a chance to get out of the city a bit on your next visit, I definitely recommend heading out to the Columbia River Gorge for some hiking -- Multnomah Falls is lovely, if a bit crowded (less so if you hike all the way to the top).

I would highly recommend the Pearl Bakery. It's one of the best bakeries in Portland. Their selection of bread and cakes are just heavenly!

I'm a student in Eugene, and my sister is at PSU...I LOVE PORTLAND! McMennamins (I think it's the owner of the Kennedy School) has some AMAZING brews. My personal favorite is the Ruby made with raspberry and is light and fruity. I wouldn't eat there though...the food can range from great to lousy and it would stink to waste a meal when there are so many amazing restaurants. But at least have a beverage!

I second Lovely Hula Hands- one of the best meals I've had in PDX. If you do go to Kennedy School next time- Kenny is right, the food and drink are missable, but check out their soaking pool- $5 for non-hotel guests- or catch a 2nd run flick in their movie theater- recliners set up in what was formerly the gymnasium. In the Pearl try Bluehour for a fab happy hour (or dinner if you have the time/bucks).

I'll be in Portland next month (visiting family) and I can't wait to try some of the places you mention

Head over to the Kennedy School to check out the atmosphere, but then hie yourself back to Alberta Street and wander around. There are tons of fun shops, and while it's not home to anything like what's in the Pearl, it's got some good, cheap food. Plus the people-watching is divine.

I'd put Bridgeport Brewery on your list for next time. Their cask-conditioned ale is *almost* as good as the real ale we had in England.

Wow, you really did Portland well! You must have had some good advice. For next time, you may want to consider: Lovely Hula Hands Pok Pok Screen Door Navarre I really don't like Masu (next to Ken's). It's one of those places that has too many ingredients and the sushi gets all mushy-flavored (IMHO). The Kennedy School is really beautiful and fun, but their beer is mediocre and their food pretty darn bad. Go for a drink and the scenery, but don't waste one of your dance card spots on it. If you'd like to bike next time you're here (when in Rome...) please drop me a line and I'd love to get you set up with maps and routes. The Ace actually has two beautiful Dutch loaner bikes for guests. I've also made a google map of my very favorite places in Portland - many restaurants and cafes, but also parks, theater pubs, shops, and quirky only-in-portland stops. I'm happy to send it to you if you like, just email me at this address. HS: Pok Pok was on my list too! I wish we would have made it there. There were a bunch of things on the menu I wanted to try. And YES I saw the loaner bikes at the Ace, they were huddled up in the lobby like the rest of us trying to stay dry. I'll absolutely hit you up for your map the next time I'm headed up.

I haven't been to Portland, but I love your pictures and the places you visited - great suggestions for when we get to visit.

hrm... the rest of my comment was deleted or something. Anyhow, glad you enjoyed your visit here. Next time, definitely try Bamboo Sushi (right next to Ken's) - I'll be there on Saturday. They're supposedly the first sustainable-only sushi place in the US. HS Hi Devlyn, It looks like your heart emoticon was giving Movable Type some trouble (reading it as HTML)....so I spelled it out - all fixed. The sushi place next to Ken's looked great as well. What a cute street that is....certainly looking forward to a trip back there at some point.

I 3rd Toro Bravo, and feel a little guilty that I've not yet been downtown to 1/2 of what you hit, after 8 years here. thanks for the re-inspiration.

Aw, I *heart* Ken's. I've never stayed at the Ace (well, I live in PDX), but walk past it all the time on the way to Kenny & Zuke's. Directly next to Ken's is a re-opened sustainable sushi spot, Bamboo Sushi (which I'll be enjoying on Saturday). At least you got some sunshine on Saturday, eh? It rained heavily *all day* yesterday (thought there was some sunshine today)... glad you enjoyed your visit. :)

Wow! You were haunting some of the same places as me this weekend! The PSU farmer's market is where I pick up my fruit and vegetables each week. And that Whole Foods? I'm there almost every week as well. You definitely hit some of the greatest places here, but I would also recommend the Veritable Quandary (VQ) near the waterfront - the food, service, and atmosphere are all amazing. Glad you had a good time, despite the rainy weather!

Portland is such a fun (and foodie) city. I stayed at the Ace back in July and loved having delicious coffee AND a b+w photo booth downstairs. I'm looking forward to visiting again and checking out the places you mentioned. HS: Hey Jen, yes, I loved the photo booth and the lobby with the huge windows and nice light. The Ace worked out great as a base where we could walk to quite a lot of places and then hop in the car if we needed to without too much of a hassle. Would love to see your Portland hit-list as well - (or any other city for that matter)

The Kennedy School is the brewery you're thinking of. And I would definitely second Toro Bravo for your next trip - but man, did you pack in the best that Portland has to offer! -amy in portland

Unfortunately, I've never been to Portland beyond a quick stop at Powell's books once on a day trip up from Eugene. However, I have been planning a visit there sometime in the next year to visit a good friend. Part of me desperately wants to go to the Meadow, and another part of me realizes it could very well be the ruin of me...at least financially. Sounds like a great trip! Welcome back. :)