Grain and Gristle is one of the new residents that offers up German-esque comfort food and quality brews.  Think homemade pretzels and spicy mustard, smoked kielbasa, mussel frites, and a fair share of potatoes and cabbage.

During my visit, I happily devoured the samplings offered on Steve’s Cheese board, fingerling potatoes, and the braised pork shoulder.  I highly suggest the spring onions while they’re still in season!  They also feature a rotating tap that highlights some of the best of the region.  The inside of the space is warm and inviting.  The bar area is the central feature of the room and is surrounded by a long, live-edged maple bar; a great addition to the space.

The newest tenant on this corner is Pok Pok Noi.  Chef Andy Ricker has brought the original Pok Pok shack menu to NE Portland and I am more than grateful.  The menu includes 12 Thai dishes, all executed with great care and detail.  The space inside is small with a handful of stools available at the bar.  There is additional seating on their back patio but the intention is for this to be a small, friendly space mainly concentrating on counter-service and take out.  Please note, Pok Pok Noi is cash or debit card only.

Though the fare can run a tad pricey, I laid down $33 at lunch for 2, but the quality is high and I have never left hungry.  The standout dishes are Ike’s Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings and the Khao Man Som Tom.  The wings are addictive and feature juicy chicken wings marinated in fish sauce and palm sugar, deep fried, tossed in caramelized Phu Quoo fish sauce and garlic and then complemented by a small Thai salad.  Spice lovers can request to kick this one up a notch to really feel the burn.

The Khao Man Som Tom is a sweet shredded pork dish with fried shallots and cilantro served on a warm bed of coconut rice.  This is accompanied by the green papaya salad which is delicious and sweat inducing – a warning for the spice averse.   You can wash all this down with any number of tasty drinking vinegars, Thai teas, or soda. If you have saved room, Pok Pok Noi also serves dessert.  You’ll find your standard mango with sticky rice but for the daring, you have the opportunity to consume durian – though you may lose your dining companions.

Prescott Village also houses Tiga, a dark neighborhood bar that serves up craft brews and spins music by a variety of local DJs.  It’s a good neighborhood standby and favorite local haunt for many in the area.

Extracto Coffeehouse has also taken up residence in this small business pod.  This space is much smaller than their Killingsworth location but the coffee is the same – amazing!  Baristas are friendly and they roast a nearly perfect cup of coffee.

If you’re feeling the need to beat on something, check out Revival Drum Shop.  This small, locally-owned spot is your one-stop shop for all things drumming.  You’ll find some cool vintage drums here as well as anything your kit could need.  All levels are welcome to come in and browse or just hang out and talk drums, really.

Need a trim?  Check out Headquarters, a barbershop that is also tucked into this corner.  Friendly folks are always outside and you can often find people playing chess inside.

As you can see, it’s easy to spend quite a bit of time and money on this crave-able NE corner.  So, what are you waiting for, go check it out for yourself and see what else you can find:

NE 15th Ave and NE Prescott

Mmmm.

However, if it’s the Italian touch you crave, head to North Portland’s Overlook neighborhood and visit DiPrima Dolci.  This little bakery/coffee shop seems unassuming from the exterior but opens up to a large seating area and a glass bakery case that will easily induce drooling.  There is also a nice garden patio out back, which is lovely when the weather is warm and the skies clear.  Until those sunny days return, plop yourself inside for a cookie or pastry and warm cup of coffee.

Diprima Dolci serves up pizza, salads, and sandwiches in addition to tarts and pastries.  Though, I’ve heard the sandwiches are hit or miss but I haven’t experienced them myself so can’t qualify these statements.  The pizza seems to get good reviews and one can take pizza dough to go if you’d prefer to make your own pie.  They also have delicious bread and baguettes available for purchase.

What you really want to come here for though are their sugary, butter filled delights.  Cookies, tarts, pastries and CANNOLIS!  This is Portland, not Littly Italy, so I think this is as close as we’re going to get as far as authenticity goes.  And trust me, this is pretty close.  Their cannolis are made to order and can be topped with chocolate bits, crushed pistachios, and more.

I recently tried a fig and apricot treat that was amazing.  Most of their cookies are pretty good too.  The only down side is that a lot of these confections are a bit on the pricey side.  My advice is to mix-n-match a bag and split it with friends.  Find out what you like, then go back for more.  A cheap trial by fire.

Regardless, this is one quaint Overlook neighborhood bakery that serves up great pastries with a smile.  Think you’re going to find a more authentic bakery anywhere else in town?  Fuggitaboutit.

DiPrima is also hosting a Feast of the 7 Fishes dinner on the 18th and 19th for those interested.  Reservations are required.  Call them at 503-283-5936 to reserve your spot in this Italian-American holiday tradition.

Salud!

DiPrima Dolci
1936 N Killingsworth St

To view M Realty’s interactive map of the Overlook neighborhood, click here!

Giving thanks, Portland style.  That’s one way to describe the Thanksgiving Day offerings from Coffeehouse Northwest.

For the third year in a row, this local coffee shop will be brewing, baking, and giving to it’s customers and community.  From 8:00am – 12:00pm, this Thursday, November 26th, Coffeehouse Northwest will be giving out coffee, fresh pastries, and homemade eggnog – all on the house.  This equals free Stumptown Coffee!

There will be a tip jar available, with all proceeds donated to the charity(ies) of the baristas choice.  Previous charities have included theater groups and Sisters of the Road.

Also, it should be noted that the crew will be hosting a potluck on Thanksgiving Eve.  Bring some food and drink and escape your in-laws for a bit.  Or, bring them along and let them get a feel for the Portland spirit of giving and camaraderie.

If you’re planning on attending the potluck, please R.S.V.P. to coffeehousenw@gmail.com.

Coffeehouse Northwest
1951 W Burnside St

Swing by Cellar Door Coffee, a cozy cafe located on 11th and Harrison near Ladd’s Addition, and try what is arguably one of the best french pressed, locally roasted, fair trade organic cups of coffee around town.

Owner-operated by a charmingly coffee-obsessed couple, Cellar Door is one of Portland’s up and coming micro-roasters who have garnered much deserved attention recently for their subtly flavored, delicious brews. The folks behind Cellar Door started out roasting very small batches of beans in their basement (hence the name cellar door), grew into selling whole bean coffee by the pound at farmers markets, worked really hard, and opened up their own shop. Nice work, Cellar Door Coffee!

Whole bean roasts are available by the pound at the the cafe as well as a few shops around town (Limbo, Food Fight, Market of Choice on SW Terwilliger, and some more on the way). You’ll also find snacking options at the cafe including homemade quiche, vegan pastries from Dovetail Bakery, and some great soups.

Cellar Door boasts some stellar green credentials: in addition to fair trade organic beans, they always use compostable coffee cups and bags. Also, PGE’s green power program offsets the electricity used for roasting.

After the cafe closes, Cellar Door becomes Portobella Vegan Trattoria, a small, upscale restaurant. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time by calling 503.754.5993.

Location: 2001 SE 11th Ave

To view an interactive map of the Abernathy/Ladd’s Addition neighborhood, click here!

Here’s where their eclectic approach is dead on: the falafel waffle. Genius! Delicious!

The falafel waffle’s the show-stopper on the waffle menu, and waffle menu is what saves this young and confused establishment from a wholly unfavorable review. Tigers also offers traditional, cornmeal, or vegan waffles with a good mix of sweet or savory toppings. Check out the Three Sides (tradtional waffles, sweetened with honey and walnuts, topped with prosciutto, brie, and apples) or the Avocado Rancheros (vegan waffle with black beans, avocado, tofu sour cream, and rancheros sauce), for instance.

There’s much I would change about Tigers Cafe if I could: I’d get rid of the plasma TVs, the store-bought muffins (if I wanted spudnickers, I’d go to the Costco myself), the soft drink displays, and the mid ’90s music. On the whole, however, I think this still merits a visit, if only for the aspects left over from Jace Gace: the art (you should check out the new murals), the sunny and spacious front patio and, of course, the waffles.

Location: 2045 SE Belmont, 97214

Hours: 9 am to 7 pm Monday-Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm Sunday

I usually eat at Arleta Library Cafe to mark some important event, like a birthday, even though it’s not the most convenient place to take a larger group. It’s just so good and it’s in my neighborhood. Being a small, popular brunch spot, Arleta Library Cafe tends to get really packed, especially since they were featured on the Food Network. Be patient. Everything from your table to the check will most likely take a while on weekends. It’s well worth the wait.

Since I’ve ordered or sampled pretty much everything on the menu at Arleta at this point, I feel qualified to offer some opinions:

If you’re really, really hungry, go for Portland’s Best Biscuts and Gravy. That’s a bold claim but Arleta backs it up. They really are.

Carnivores, I have three words for you but it’s served on weekends only: Corned Beef Hash.

Vegetarians, try the Hawthorne, a simple medley of local veggies, sauteed potatoes, and cheese.

Amazing pastries any day of the week, a cut above what you find in most coffee shops. Memorable coffee cake.

A few interesting points: Most of the veggies they serve are grown nearby in Southeast Portland by Your Backyard Farmer. It’s worth mentioning their lavatory decor feels like stepping into a rustic kitchen somewhere in 19th century France. Arleta serves their own homemade ketchup (or should I say catsup?). It puts that store-bought stuff to shame.

There’s not much of a library to speak of, but for brunch, it’s Arleta Library Cafe all the way.

Location:

5513 Southeast 72nd Avenue

Open Tue-Fri 8am-7pm; Weekends 9am-3pm

To view an interactive map of the Mt. Scott neighborhood, where this is located, click here!

If coffee shops exist, in part, to provide a third space that’s neither private or publicly owned, I’d say Backspace has some of the best third space around town. There you are on 5th between Couch and Davis, where Downtown, Old Town, and the Pearl District all come together. You’re rubbing elbows with PNCA students, computer geeks, hobos, and yuppies. You have a unique mix of offerings in one business: a modern arcade, live music evenings, an art gallery, a pool table, couches and board games, as well as a full cafe at your fingertips. What more do you need?

No surprise Backspace bills itself as “entertainment mecca of Portland.”

Not being a gamer, I’m not the best one to evaluate Backspace in terms of the computer games. Actually, I’ve never actually played a computer game at Backspace, so please go do that and post comments to tell me how it went (ahem…Simon). I go to Backspace to be entertained, sure, but mainly I enjoy the general milieu and the snappy wifi connection. I keep going back because it seems to always be on the way to where I’m headed next and the coffee’s good. Whether framed on the wall or scrawled in the bathrooms, the art wows me.

Because it does such a good job of providing that third space, I think it’s an ideal spot to arrange to meet people downtown.

My opinion is that Backspace has improved considerably with time. I recall exploring Backspace right after it’s inception, back when the shop primarily focused on computer games and the coffee was, frankly, mediocre. I’m glad to have re-discovered Backspace, and glad to announce: those days are over. The computers (which had felt like standardized testing terminals) are available but no longer dominate the main room, the coffee is much better (switching to Stumptown will do that), and the space generally feels friendlier and more social. By broadening their focus, Backspace won me over.

Location: 115 NW 5th,  97209

Hours: Mon-Wed 7am-11pm
Thu-Fri 7am-12am
Sat 10am-12am
Sun 10am-11pm

www.backspace.bz

503.248.2900.

To view an interactive map of the Pearl District, click here!

Newly opened in North Portland’s Kenton neighborhood is Posies, one of the city’s few family-friendly coffee cafes.  Parents Jessie and Jonathon were only too aware of the “evil eye” when trying to enjoy coffee or dining out of the house while with their child, and wanted to create a space where families were welcomed, rather than treated with annoyance and irritation.  Coupled with the desire to have a job where their child wouldn’t mean sacrifice or liability, the resulting Posies is a family-friendly place that includes a sound-proof playspace and specially-trained “mommy-ristas” (other neighborhood stay-at-home moms) serving locally micro-roasted Ristretto Beaumont Blend espresso, as well as flaky Florio Bakery baked goods and house-made sandwiches and wraps.  Although the cafe may not be in a hip location, the fine people and families drawn to it are worth the outing.  Pack up the kiddos and go get some good coffee, vibes and playtime today!

Location:
8208 N Denver Ave

Mon – Thur: 7am – 9pm
Fri: 7am – 10pm
Sat: 8am – 10pm
Sun: 8am – 6pm

To view an interactive map of the Kenton neighborhood, click here!

THEME: What Goes Around, Comes Around

Your 3:30 battle with the school bully was canceled due to their leg-breaking accident in gym class. You gave up your seat on the bus and when you got home your missing wallet was there, cash and all. You’re sure that you are still paying for stealing cookies twenty years ago.

DIY (Do It Yourself) Stories!
Storytelling for the people, by the people.
website

Sydney’s
1800 NW 16th Ave.
(At the corner of NW 16th & Thurman)

Thursday, August 14, 2008
Doors open at 7:30, Stories 8-10
$3 cover

Urban Grind is living proof that getting your daily fix doesn’t have to involve paying above average prices for a below average experience. On the contrary, this place is a perfect example of a local business that has established a huge following by providing a great atmosphere to compliment amazing products.

First and foremost, the drinks are outstanding. Whether you’re the type who prefers a jet-black shot of life, a flavor-laden mocha or latte or one of a dozen teas, Urban Grind will not disappoint. The drink menu, which also features several beers and wines, has something great for everyone. And that’s not all…

The food selection may be what really sets Urban Grind apart! All the food is made locally by eco-conscious companies and tends to be an experience in itself. Featured are several tarts, pasties and baked goods that will tempt even the best of us. But the real winners may be the paninis. Urban Grind offers both breakfast (highly recommend is the “spicy” with ham, egg and salsa!) and lunch paninis with your choice of sides.

Yet what it really boils down to is the people. Expect to be greeted with a smile by any of the employees or the owner Kevin (who you’ll likely find tending the espresso machine). And don’t be surprised to find yourself on a first name basis after only a few visits. So next time you’re in the Pearl District, grab a seat on one of their sofas, take advantage of free wireless internet, enjoy some quality food and drink and discover first-hand why Urban Grind is a true oasis in a city saturated with coffee shops.

Urban Grind Coffeehouse
911 NW 14th Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 546-5919

To view an interactive map of the Pearl District, click here!