I’ll be teaching in Portland, Oregon, for most of July. (Come, play!)
If you live there or know Portland, what sights should I see, which restaurants should I try? Best place to buy berries? Odd little places to visit? Where can I get Japanese things for Emma who is spending a month in an immersion language camp learning Japanese?
Tell all….
*If you’re there this week, the Waterfront Blues Festival is one of my favorite summer activities (along the Willamette River downtown). Only sorry we won’t be there this time (J’s played it many times and we went last year just to see friends). Great setting…tons of great music…good food…fabulous vibe…and inexpensive.
*Poppi Swim on N.E. 42nd for the best-fitting swimsuit ever (for us gals of a certain age)…bought mine a year ago…still getting compliments on it. Owner is Pam (have only met her virtually).
*Jazz club–Jimmy Mak’s in (now trendy) Northwest…haven’t been to the new venue, but we loved the old one (nearby)…great music, good food, great bartender.
*One of my favorite restaurants–Doug Fir on N.E. Burnside. (Can’t speak to the restaurant scene since it’s changed since we left…but this is a place I frequent when we go there now.)
*Saturday Market (also on Sundays) in Old Town is a must (even for locals). (Max is free around downtown and in the convention center area).
*Favorite radio stations: KINK 101.9 (eclectic and great in-studio stuff), KMHD 89.1 (jazz and they feature local artists), KBOO (90.7 – community radio, very eclectic, they always broadcast the blues festival live).
*Zoo concerts – The Oregon Zoo has for years done a summer concert series which is a great event for families. Not sure how they’ve changed with popularity, though…
I know you must know to go to Powell’s, since everyone does. There are so many glorious sites…Forest Park, the Gorge, the Rose Garden, Pittock Mansion, the Waterfront, just to name a few.
I’m completely enamored of Portland (despite some of the yuppy yuck) and always will be. I heart it in a big way and always love going back. Have a great month there, Patti!
Excellent resource for food in and around Portland.
http://www.extramsg.com/uploaded_misc/portland_tipsheet.html
The Rose Gardens are exquisite, as are the Japanese Gardens. Yuki’s does great sushi.
We were in Portland for a couple days last September and I just loved the city. Have fun!
Patti: Yes, come for a glorious walk in Forest Park with me! I am your student from last year’s class and live just down the street! I’ll show you a funky gallery along the way and then there’s always coffee coffee coffee. Oh, and the French Bakery that’s out of this world. Glad to see you coming back to our neck of the woods.
Also, great walking along the river. Farmers Market in the SW Park Blocks. Rent a kayak at Portland Kayak Company. Take the boat down the Willamette River that leaves daily and nightly (The Portland Spirit) from the westside waterfront. all best, Maura
Patti: Yes, come for a glorious walk in Forest Park with me! I am your student from last year’s class and live just down the street! I’ll show you a funky gallery along the way and then there’s always coffee coffee coffee. Oh, and the French Bakery that’s out of this world. Glad to see you coming back to our neck of the woods.
Also, great walking along the river. Farmers Market in the SW Park Blocks. Rent a kayak at Portland Kayak Company. Take the boat down the Willamette River that leaves daily and nightly (The Portland Spirit) from the westside waterfront. all best, Maura
Hi Patty!
I’m not from Portland, but I recommend you check out Uwajimaya, the Japanese grocery store! There are lots of fun things from Japan and other (mostly) Asian countries, plus a branch of Kinokuniya Bookstore with lots of Japanese books — I’m sure you can find a good gift for Emma. I go every time I’m in Portland. I’d be glad to give you a ride if we can work the timing out. It’s on the west side in Beaverton.
Take care and see you soon,
Mary
Welcome to the neighborhood. Thanks for the links.
btw, http://www.portlandfood.org is probably the best place to get info on eating and drinking in Portland and a good place to find people to eat and drink with, too.
My daughter lives in Portland–so I visit there frequently—don;t for get the SATURDAY MARKET–an great outdoors craft market!
If you go to Portland you should try Olea as well as Fenouil in the Pearl District …both excellent restaurants that have yet to let me down or anyone I know in terms of food or service. If you have local transportation you should also go to Alba Osteria…They have the best pasta in the west coast and is a chefs favorite, but it’s a little out of the way on capital highway…well worth it. For a great drink and some nice bar food you can’t beat the SoLo Bar in the Pearl…and then the everpopular Park Kitchen, Paley’s Place and Higgins, all of which have well deserved excellent reputations one of which was just rated a top 50 in the US by Food and Wine.
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In 2005, Patti Digh started her blog, 37days, following the death of her stepfather who died just 37 days after being diagnosed with cancer. Six books about living mindfully followed. And there’s more to come.
