Sunday, July 7, 2013

Portland Favorites, as shown to friends



Hi! Look at me, two blog posts in two days. WOW. Ha. But isn't that a cool picture, above? It's at Latourell Falls in the Columbia River Gorge. Last weekend, after Leaky Con was over, Jim and I took Barry Lyga and his fiancee Morgan for a little waterfalls tour, and this one was cool because you can actually walk right up to it, like this guy did, and kind of shower in it. (If you're crazy.)

But let me back up and put up Stephanie Perkins pictures!

Look: a Stephanie!




Stephanie and I have been friends for ... around five years? But she had never been to Portland! So we did a brief whirlwind of favorite things, including Powell's Books, of course (of which I have no pictures) and Cargo, which I've posted about before

Steph paying the parking meter with a wee Clementine shadow:




I'm still in pain over this sea green cabinet at Cargo, which is too large for our dining room. Dang. It. I'm willing the house to stretch overnight. 




And we had a lovely morning on Alberta St, which I've also posted about before (I need to resume those out-and-about-in-Portland posts!) Started with breakfast at Helser's (see my Dutch baby, below.)




Followed by strollery and shoppery. Green Bean Books, as shown yesterday (at least their vending machine), and Grasshopper, full of French toys and locally handmade kid's clothes:




Tumbleweed next door. Locally handmade clothes for grownups.




Passed by here. Don't you love? A pie bar. 




Pies, cocktails, and coffee. The three basic food groups. 

My favorite clothing store in Portland, Frock:





And then it was time to eat again. At the Grilled Cheese Bus, of course!







Embiggen this so you can read the description of "the Cheesus." We did not get this.




Can you IMAGINE? :-)

And then, you know, there's always ... Voodoo Donuts.
 



The evening crowd, waiting in line. Nuts, huh?

And lastly, no trip to Portland is complete without a visit to the Rose Garden. This after breakfast at Mother's Bistro with David Levithan, also in town for Leaky! 

















Above: Steph in a cute frock from Frock. Below, Jim and David, being manly among the roses.




It was so lovely having Stephanie here, and all the other fabulous author friends (new and old) who were here for Leaky. I love writers. *smile*



So that's kind of a Portland highlights according to me tour, minus some photo-documentation. But definitely many favorites:


PORTLAND FAVORITES BY ME: 

For SCENIC BEAUTY: the Old Columbia River Highway (engineering feat of 1913, unbelievable views, lots of waterfalls, cool old buildings); the Rose Garden, perched above downtown, stunning stunning stunning. 

If you're feeling active, go for a hike in the Gorge. Punchbowl Falls/Eagle Creek is a favorite.


For EATING:

Favorite Mexican/eclectic outdoor patio = Porque No (Hawthorne location)

Favorite pizza = Dove Vivi; runner-up = Firehouse

Favorite fun kids lunch: Grilled Cheese Bus

Favorite Vietnamese = Jade Bistro in Sellwood. Could eat their hum bao every single day. Also Vietnamese meatball sandwich.

Favorite Indian = Bollywood Theater, surprisingly displacing runner-up Bombay Cricket Club, though I'm sure Jim would disagree. They're completely different. I'm just more keen on the former at the moment. More fun, and also next door to:

Favorite ice cream = Salt & Straw

Favorite dessert = Pix Patisserie (get the Shazam, you won't be sorry)

Favorite breakfast = Mother's Bistro; runner-up = Waffle Window



For SHOPPING: 

Favorite bookstores = Powell's Books. Green Bean Books. Cosmic Monkey Comics (Jim took Steph there. It's really the best comic book store. Jim and Clementine have a weekly father-daughter date there for tea and comics :-) 

Favorite furniture store = Cargo. A wonderland in the Pearl District.

Favorite clothing = Frock, Alberta St.

Favorite art gallery = Guardino Gallery, Alberta St.



Of course there's a ton, ton more. And these are highly subjective personal favorites. As written by a tired person in that weird state half-awakeness that comes after one has fallen asleep getting one's child to bed and then made an attempt to resume functioning. And now I'm giving up the attempt. 

Good night!







13 comments:

Joy Lanzendorfer said...

Thanks for this! I am going up to Portland for a week to attend the Tin House Writer's Conference, so this should come in handy. I used to live in Portland in the late 90s, so all my information is old....

Alison Harris said...

I met David Levithan one night while working an event at Annie Blooms - I made Holly W. introduce him to the audience (too shy)- and immediately developed a crush. The man knows how to wear a wool coat!

pdxjess said...

There is nothing lovelier than having out of town guests so you can do all the favorite things in a city you love.

~THE OPTIMISTIC PESSIMIST ~ said...

Wow! This is an awesome post! Now I really want to visit Portland!

Laurence King said...

I love Portland! I have been there maybe 4 times in my life. It's been far too long since my last visit. Another trip is in order...

Jenn said...

That is one nice looking Dutch baby! I love making those, especially with apples.

This just solidifies that I must go to Portland...soon.

Connie Onnie said...

Looks like you guys had a fun and delicious time. Your blog really makes me want to visit Portland.

K said...

Wow, this makes me want to visit Portland even more!

tone almhjell said...

... Weekly father-daughter date for tea and comics. Am tearing up! And I love the Steph/Clementine photo! I want to live in Portland.

Shveta said...

This is a pretty great guide! Thanks, Laini; maybe I'll be able to use it in the fall . . .

Anonymous said...

Curses! I needed this post a month ago when I visited. I made it to the falls, Powell's, and the rose garden, but I didn't get to put any of that food in my mouth. I'm saving this for my next trip.

Z.A. Elise said...

Hi! I was wondering if you would ever consider doing a meet-up, or something of that sort, in Portland?

Thank you,
Zoe
http://yateenbookblog.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I would love for you to visit Art ala Carte PDX! Seems right up your alley!! Bring kiddos, friends with kiddos, or just have a day of art with your girlfriend.

Love your style

info@artalacartepdx.com If you want to email or learn more about us :)

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