[ue]

Hi,

So I've been planning a 8-day trip to Portland this summer and I hope all goes well that I do get to go down to your city. I really like Portland.

I've got a good idea of places to check out through PMs with Sekkle.

But I'd love for some restaurant and store recommendations for in Portland. I know about Powell's Books on Burnside and will definitely check that ouut. The Pearl District, Downtown, Northwest, Multnomah (Village), and Lloyd Districts are the main areas that I'm looking for suggestions although if there any others from other spots I'd love to hear them.

So what are some good restaurants? Ones with websites would be awesome. Could be fast food, restaurant, or café just nothing expensive. I'd actually like suggestions from each groups. I don't want to be eating at A&W, Applebee's, and Starbucks the whole time. I don't really like seafood places or steakhouses too much but any other suggestions would be wonderful.

Also retail. What are some cool, quirky, odd, unique, or otherwise interesting shops?

Also one less thing - which doesn't have to deal with the title. What are some nice places to check out (not necessarily shops or restaurants) downtown? Not so much into too many tourist traps but what are some good spots to check out in the downtown of Portland? I know Pioneer Square is pretty good and what not so is the PSU Urban Centre for the Streetcar.

Thanks in advance :)!



EE.

[jaxg8r1]

Hi,

So I've been planning a 8-day trip to Portland this summer and I hope all goes well that I do get to go down to your city. I really like Portland.

I've got a good idea of places to check out through PMs with Sekkle.

But I'd love for some restaurant and store recommendations for in Portland. I know about Powell's Books on Burnside and will definitely check that ouut. The Pearl District, Downtown, Northwest, Multnomah (Village), and Lloyd Districts are the main areas that I'm looking for suggestions although if there any others from other spots I'd love to hear them.

So what are some good restaurants? Ones with websites would be awesome. Could be fast food, restaurant, or café just nothing expensive. I'd actually like suggestions from each groups. I don't want to be eating at A&W, Applebee's, and Starbucks the whole time. I don't really like seafood places or steakhouses too much but any other suggestions would be wonderful.

Also retail. What are some cool, quirky, odd, unique, or otherwise interesting shops?

Also one less thing - which doesn't have to deal with the title. What are some nice places to check out (not necessarily shops or restaurants) downtown? Not so much into too many tourist traps but what are some good spots to check out in the downtown of Portland? I know Pioneer Square is pretty good and what not so is the PSU Urban Centre for the Streetcar.

Thanks in advance :)!



EE.


I always have a good time at Bistro Montage underneath the Morrison Bridge across the river from Downtown. Good New Orleans/Cajun food at reasonable prices with a great atmosphere! :cheers:

[pdxhome]

If you hanging out in the Lloyd District it would be worth while for you to check out the streets in the Irvington/Sullivan's Gulch neighborhood (approximately NE 15th & Broadway). if you're there in the morning, I would recommend stopping in at Grand Central Baking Co (southwest corner of NE 14th & Broadway... ish) Get there early for a cinnimon roll. In you're in the neighborhood in the evening there is a small restraunt called "Colosso" on about 19th & Broadway (south side of Broadway). It a Spanish restaurant, they have great happy hour tapas, a good wine selection (if you're into wines) and great cocktails. Also the some of the old houses in the neighborhood north of Broadway in this area are nice to look at.

[ue]

Thanks for the suggestions so far you guys they've been helpful. I'll definitely note them down.

I didn't say this earlier but restaurants that allow minors would be preferred.

[PacificNW]

Interesting: Coming from Edmonton and interested in the Lloyd District. You are being kind, and humble. :) Edmonton Mall?...Lloyd Mall?... I think there probably isn't much of a comparison. Isn't the Edmonton Mall currently one of largest in the world? Lloyd Center was the largest in the world for a very short time right after it was constructed in the early 60's.

[ue]

^I am going to be staying at a hotel in the Lloyd District probably because it's close to downtown and easy access via the MAX but cheaper than the Downtown hotel(s). I also have an odd fetish for brutalist buildings but I will not be visiting Lloyd Mall! I really don't like malls. I only visit the ones in Edmonton because I live here.

I also hate West Edmonton Mall :P, which is the mall you're referring to. That butt ugly thing killed our downtown in the 90s, and we've only recently seen a resurgence of life in the past five years in the downtown (although other urban neighbourhoods have developed). I guess in a sense it has attracted retailers to Edmonton that would not have considered us before Calgary or Vancouver. H&M was first here before Calgary, only Urban Outfitters outside of Toronto, only Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch outside of Toronto, I think we had the first Sephora in Western Canada, and lots more. US Chains that may have 3 locations in a city 10 times smaller than Winnipeg, but they're less spread in Canada. So getting a Hollister or Urban Outfitters is a big thing.

West Edmonton Mall was the largest mall in the world up until the the late 90s. Now it's the largest mall in the Western World, with only malls in China and Dubai being bigger. If you ever visit Edmonton, that mall should be the last thing on your list. I hate that place very much and try to avoid it as much as possible. I prefer City Centre (our downtown mall) or Southgate (high end mall in a matured 80s suburb). But above that I prefer urban street shopping, like (in Edmonton) Whyte Avenue, 124 St., or Jasper Avenue. In Portland, 23 Avenue, the Pearl District, Pioneer Square, Multnomah Village.

You'll notice most Edmonton forumers also have a form of hate on WEM (West Edmonton Mall).

****

any other suggestions?

[Okstate]

Not sure if you've already booked your hotel but if you get on priceline.com & reserve a room "downtown" & the options really are downtown you can get a killer good deal. My family does it this way EVERY time they visit. I am talking about a hilton across Pioneer Square for $50 us dollars.

My favorite breakfast spot is Besaws on 23rd street within a couple blocks of a streetcar stop. All menu items within $10 or under. http://www.besaws.com/

Kornblatts is a great deli on 23rd street also.
http://www.kornblattsdeli.com/index.iml

You can't go wrong at Blueplate either for a cheap lunch downtown.
http://www.eatatblueplate.com/

If you want real cheap ~$5 check out the streetcarts all around downtown
http://foodcartsportland.com/

As for browsing non-conventional stores I would head to 23rd or Alberta Street. Maybe Hawthorne although it's not my cup of tea.

[ue]

.

[PacificNW]

I have had great luck with www.priceline.com, also.....I have never paid more than $50.00 for a excellent downtown, or Lloyd Center hotel.... I think Priceline considers the Lloyd District as part of downtown.

BTW, I agree with you about malls....not my favorite place to shop...although I wouldn't mind visiting the West Edmonton Mall or Mall of America once.

[ue]

^I see where you're coming from. Actually many people who visit WEM are dissapointed and don't ever want to visit another megamall. I've heard it even more so with the MOA.

Just don't spend 2 days in WEM if you do come LOL ... way more stuff to be seen.

Thx.

****

Sorry to pest, but I'd love some recomendations of places to check out downtown...buildings, theatres, stores, museums, etc.

[pdxdash]

How about hanging out in Old Town/Chinatown for a morning? Visit the Chinese Gardens, have Dim Sum at Fong Chong on NW 4th Ave., do a little shopping for street wear (graphic tees, vintage style Nike shoes) and Japanese toys at Just Be and other shops around NW 5th and Couch (pronounced kooch), play a few games of Asteroids or Ms. Pacman at Ground Kontrol next door, examine 19th century cast iron architectural gems such as the newly refurbished University of Oregon building, and finish off the day with a cocktail at Ping on NW 4th. And throughout you'll be entertained/scared/propositioned by the multitude of drug users/dealers, homeless, mentally ill, beggars (often all in one person) that populate the neighborhood. And if you want to make it a night you should go to the Embers nightclub on NW Broadway...sort of a retro disco on one side and a bar featuring fantastic drag queen performances on the other side. A true Portland experience.

[MarkDaMan]

Free parks and stuff:

-Waterfront Park (walk the Eastbank Esplanade for terrific city views)
-Saturday Market...Sunday's too
-Farmers Markets (various days/locations, you probably have these too, but ours have Oregon goods!)
-downtown fountain/park tour
-Schnitzer Auditorium and The Portland Center for the Performing Arts are next door to each other and have free tours

Free interesting buildings:

-Central Library
-Pioneer Courthouse (terrific views of the city from the glass rotunda)
-Commonwealth Building (first glass box tower ever built)
-the lobby of the US Bank building on Broadway
-Portland Building ~ YUCK! (first postmodern building)
-Main lobby of The Nines hotel, don't let the bellmen scare you away from taking the elevator up to the lobby.
-Happy hour at Portland City Grill (I don't know if minors are allowed, but the food is cheap, cheap, cheap, with million $$$ views, 30th floor of the US Bank Tower) you don't have to buy anything to check out the views!

Interesting attractions at a cost:

-Portland Art Museum
-Oregon Historical Museum
-Washington Park (Oregon Zoo, Children's Museum, Forestry Center) accessible off the MAX, take the 1 hour hike down to the Rose Garden, and then back into the city through Kings Hill, an incredible neighborhood!
-Streetcar to the South Waterfront, ride the Tram up to OHSU
-Chinese Classical Garden

Downtown Retail:

-Made in Oregon
-The Real Mother Goose
-Finnegans Toys and Gifts
-Columbia Sportswear's flagship store
-Nike Town (kinda boring)
-Voodoo donuts
-Powell's, a given...

[PacificNW]

If the weather is good...spend some quiet time on the South Park Blocks (next to the culture center of downtown Portland. Also, Portland State University sits at the south end of the blocks.) Bring your newspaper, tour guide and coffee and relax. Well worth the break. For people watching try Pioneer Courthouse Square.

[ue]

Maybe to give you guys an idea of what I had planned to see before your suggestions. Because of your (wonderful) suggestions I might make some adjustments.

This is what I had planned earlier:

-Saturday Market
-Pearl District (any particular areas?)
-Museum of Contemporary Craft (is it ny good?)
-Pioneer Square
-Maybe check out a vendor
-Hot Lips Pizza
-Powells
-23rd Ave
-Lloyd District
-East Side Industrial
-Ladd's Addition
-Hoyt Aboretum
-Oregon Zoo
-Pittock Mansion
-Streetcar (as well MAX)
-SoWa
-Rose Test Garden
-Multnomah Falls
-PSU Urban Center
-Multnomah Vill. (age)

Thanks for the suggestions. I wasn't seriously considering the Old Town just because it seemed quite sketchy, but maybe if I go during the day I'll check out a few places there. I usually take photographs, cause of the homeless, will it be a problem with an expensive camera (SLR camera here)?

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions really! Thank you! I really appreciate it.

[brandonpdx]

I would add Hawthorne, NE Alberta (if you're here the last thursday of a month you must go to NE Alberta) and N Mississippi as enclaves to check out on your itenerary. Old town is perfectly safe in the day (and night), you'll see some sketch balls but just keep walking.

[jaxg8r1]

Council Crest is a cool park located up in the hills with a good view of the city/mountains...

[ue]

^^I'm supposed to be coming at the beginning of August. If Old Town is pretty safe, rather than what I thought then I'll try to put it into my itinerary.

How is the MAX at night time...I also heard that it can be kinda sketchy ... but then again I heard Old Town was sketchy and kinda scary and I guess it isn't.

^Thanks. Never heard of that spot. Any pictures?

Thank you guys - all of 'ya - so far for all the suggestions - even the ones that didn't pertain to my original question - I really appreciate it. Thank you.

[jaxg8r1]

^^I'm supposed to be coming at the beginning of August. If Old Town is pretty safe, rather than what I thought then I'll try to put it into my itinerary.

How is the MAX at night time...I also heard that it can be kinda sketchy ... but then again I heard Old Town was sketchy and kinda scary and I guess it isn't.

^Thanks. Never heard of that spot. Any pictures?

Thank you guys - all of 'ya - so far for all the suggestions - even the ones that didn't pertain to my original question - I really appreciate it. Thank you.

I've ridden Max for years and never had a problem. I think the only problems have basically been out on the far east side, near 181st. But I've never felt threatened or even uneasy out that way. In fact, one of the first things I noticed about Portland (the first time I visited) was how friendly people on the Max are.

[ue]

^even at night? That would be odd. The transit system is great in Edmonton during the day but some characters do appear at night.

[jaxg8r1]

^even at night? That would be odd. The transit system is great in Edmonton during the day but some characters do appear at night.

Yeah, I do most of my riding at night. Again, there are some "characters", but I've personally never felt threatened. I think if you ride and use common sense, you'd be fine. (ie if someone is visually acting strange, just avoid them) :cheers:

[ue]

^one more quick question about the MAX.

if you

a) get on a station in the Lloyd district heading towards downtown, like only 1-2 stations from the downtown

b) getting back from downtown and getting off 1-2 stns off downtown in the lloyd

Do you need to pay, or will it still be considered apart of the "free zone" ... I mean it is just 1-2 stns off the free area so I assume there wouldn't be any trouble but i just want to make sure.


****

otherwise, thanks all so far and any more suggestions would be lovely.

[jaxg8r1]

^one more quick question about the MAX.

if you

a) get on a station in the Lloyd district heading towards downtown, like only 1-2 stations from the downtown

b) getting back from downtown and getting off 1-2 stns off downtown in the lloyd

Do you need to pay, or will it still be considered apart of the "free zone" ... I mean it is just 1-2 stns off the free area so I assume there wouldn't be any trouble but i just want to make sure.


****

otherwise, thanks all so far and any more suggestions would be lovely.

Fareless square extends from Downtown to the Lloyd Center Mall stop, so if I'm reading you correctly it should be all free.

[ue]

Thank you.

To extend ... is there any specific shops worth noting in the Pearl District or NW 23rd to check out as well? I heard Cheeky B was nice, but then I heard it closed (in the retail thread).

[philopdx]

I second what has been said so far, walking in any part of downtown at any time of day is pretty safe. I actually got stuck over on East Burnside at 2 in the morning a couple weeks ago, so I walked across the Burnside bridge, down the stairs right at the homeless shelter and saw nothing more extraordinary than two dudes french-kissing one another at a MAX stop.

And I've also wandered all around this place with a nice DSLR at all hours and have never had the slightest problem with theft or intimidation.

That being said, we have an abundance of kooks wandering around, so pay them no mind. It's more fun than anything - let's see I can think of tourette's man, the guy who wears a dress (he has pants now), the white girl who screams in ebonics about being black, the grungy kids with dogs, the guy with the sign that just says "I want crack", the man who bats the MAX handles like a cat, the man who blows up balloons and sticks them in the bars on the MAX, the really really bad toupee man and a few proselytizers scattered in the mix. What a great urban fabric they provide.

[philopdx]

I like the Turkish imports shop (Turkish Imports) and the Korean restaurant (BeWon) on 23rd. You can get yourself an evil eye (a GOOD luck charm, btw) then chow down on some Bibimbop and kimchi.

In fact, if you have the time, walk down 21st and then back on 23rd. 21st isn't quite as developed or trendy, but they have two fantastic restaurants I love: Indish (a new Indian place that does NOT focus on curries) and Cha Taqueria and Bar, especially if you can sit outside on a warm day.

I also like Coffee House NW on the corner of Burnside and Trinity (just shy of 20th).

Also, the south park blocks is a real gem, I'd put that high on your list. We have a funky group of independent theatres as well, like the Bagdad, Clinton Theatre, Hollywood Theatre and Laurelhurst theatre. With most of those you can bring beers into the theatre itself. And I know it's a chain, but living room theatres is nice too, and it's downtown, right next to Powell's books.

In that area there is also Clyde Common and Kenny and Zuke's Deli, both of which I recommend.

Also, the Armory theater (live plays) is great, just a block north Powells' books. I went to go see Frost/Nixon there last week and I really enjoyed it!

Ohhh, yeah for a slightly out of Portland experience, you can check out McMenamin's Edgefield. Many restaurants and pubs/bars spread across an old public farm. I think there's a wine tasting bar too.

Speaking of McMenamin's properties there's also the Kennedy School! I better stop myself from rambling, there's just too much to do. I've been here three years and have still done only a fraction of what I've wanted.

Enjoy!!!

[Okstate]

the guy who wears a dress (he has pants now)

Is this the super skinny white guy? I saw him in a short skirt the other day.

[Dougall5505]

I second what has been said so far, walking in any part of downtown at any time of day is pretty safe. I actually got stuck over on East Burnside at 2 in the morning a couple weeks ago, so I walked across the Burnside bridge, down the stairs right at the homeless shelter and saw nothing more extraordinary than two dudes french-kissing one another at a MAX stop.

And I've also wandered all around this place with a nice DSLR at all hours and have never had the slightest problem with theft or intimidation.

That being said, we have an abundance of kooks wandering around, so pay them no mind. It's more fun than anything - let's see I can think of tourette's man, the guy who wears a dress (he has pants now), the white girl who screams in ebonics about being black, the grungy kids with dogs, the guy with the sign that just says "I want crack", the man who bats the MAX handles like a cat, the man who blows up balloons and sticks them in the bars on the MAX, the really really bad toupee man and a few proselytizers scattered in the mix. What a great urban fabric they provide.

you ever run into the old guy that is always yelling? Its sorta like he's preaching but I can't remember off hand what he is talking about. I used to deliver stuff around downtown and it seemed like he was always hanging out and yelling at people on the transit mall.

I'll second some of the things already said. I've never felt unsafe anywhere downtown no matter the hour of day. There's some weirdos but you can just avoid/ignore them.

[Okstate]

Speaking of weird things. I saw a couple girls topless sitting outside Voodoo a couple days ago. They were street kids. Is this common?

[ue]

Boy is this getting off topic!

Admittidly it is a little entertaining hearing about weird people around Portland. We have some here in Edmonton but nice to hear about them in Other cities.

Anyways if you have any more suggestions, especially to my last question (See 23) that would be helpful.

Thank you to all those whov'e given suggestions.

[MarkDaMan]

Speaking of weird things. I saw a couple girls topless sitting outside Voodoo a couple days ago. They were street kids. Is this common?

maybe a couple times a year I'll see a woman topless in public. It's not common, but since it isn't illegal, it does happen...and that doesn't count the lesbian march during pride...hundreds of topless woman parading through Portland. Or the naked bike ride for that matter.

keep it weird

[ue]

^"Keep Portland Weird"?

[downtownpdx]

Vault Martini in the Pearl District (12th between Davis and Everett) - if you need a martini this place has an enormous selection like a wine list, it's great! Don't know if anyone mentioned Portland City Grill @ 6th and Oak downtown -- 30th floor, amazing views, decent food.

[MarkDaMan]

"Keep Portland Weird"?

yep

[zilfondel]

Hawthorne Vintage has good vintage stuff, Lounge Lizard has cool 1950/60s furniture (they're on Hawthorne), lots of cool bars on NE 28th Burnside to Glisan. For restaurants there are tons of thai restaurants on Hawthorne and Belmont that are pretty good, although I also like the one on NW 23rd and Overton.

For stores you should just walk up 23rd, Mississippi, Hawthorne, and visit Multnomah Village (its pretty small, maybe 5 blocks long?). Portland's main streets cluster all of the stores along a single street outside of downtown and the Pearl, so they're easy to hit everything in one go.

Make sure you hit Alberta too, 15th-28th.

For cheap food many people eat out at pubs to enjoy the good beer, burgers and dinner are usually around $6-7 bucks if you're on a budget.

We should sticki a list of tourist places in Portland for people to visit, as we seem to lack consistency...

[ue]

^No need for a sticky, every other city has people asking citizens for ideas upon visiting their city. Besides each person has individual questions.

Definitely am going to Multnomah Village as I saw a photothread a couple weeks ago of it and loved it.

.

[downtownpdx]

ironically, for some great local advice check out sunday's new york times travel edition -- a pretty good article focusing mainly on cheap places to eat in portland. "Frugal Portland"

http://travel.nytimes.com/

23rd has places like Urban Outfitters and Gap, but lots of local boutiques and cafes too. a cool new store i found recently was Brooklyn Industries (not so local, but i liked it!) Papa Haydn's is a great locally owned place for dessert, been around for about 25 years.

[ue]

^Thanks. I can't check that link today, hopefully it still works on Monday but I will check it out later.

[downtownpdx]

A bit off-topic from the previous posts, but thought it was worth mentioning - a nice face-lift for Morning Star Cafe downtown. It's moved to a bright, airy corner on 3rd and Washington. I've always thought this little corner was the perfect spot for something like this, but it's been home to FedEx or something boring like that for a long time. Looks really attractive from a quick outside glance -- and it's nice to see a local downtown biz expand and update, (a new sushi place is in its old spot now) rather than fold under the recession, like many have lately. Downtown could use a few more places like this, or Kenny and Zuke's -- places that fall somewhere in between fancy hotel restaurants and dive bars. Btw it apparently has a nice beer selection now too. :)

http://www.morningstarcafe.com/about.php

[ue]

The article was great, by the way, sadly no Edmonton articles there except from 1989 or 7.

Any how is there any suggestions? I have a fair bit for downtown - but any specific places in the Pearl or NW 23rd to gcheck out??

[zilfondel]

Yeah, the Museum of Cont Craft is good, and its free, although its small. Its really small, but last time I was there had high-quality art showing.

For the Pearl, the anchor is Powell's Books, and the cluster around Burnside, followed by a stroll up 10th or 11th. Major cross streets are Everett, Glisan, and Lovejoy, with some great restaurants along 13th as well. On last thursday 13th is hoppin'

I like going to REI on 14th, besides the Jamison & Tanner parks

[ue]

^Thankyou. The Tanner Springs Park looks interesting, kinda funky.