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

Rain rain go away come again another day

Avoiding the rain is nearly impossible in Portland, here’s a  list of activities that will keep you out of the downpours.

1. – Go to OMSI!  Located in the inner SE neighborhood of Buckman, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is one of Portland’s great escapes on a rainy day.  It’s a fun place for families and couples of all ages to enjoy an afternoon and forget about the soggy weather outside.

2. – Go to PAM.  The Portland Art Museum is a great place to see a wide variety of artworks and styles.  From Native American art of the Pacific Northwest to Old Masters Classics PAM has a great collection.  Be sure not to miss the Contemporary section.

3. -Hit the slopes.  When it is raining in Portland just remember that the temperature drops roughly 3 degrees every 1000 feet.  Head up to Timberline ski resort.  The base elevation of the resort is at 4,850 so if it is 45 degrees or colder in Portland it is always snowing at the mountain.  Timberline is not just an awesome ski resort, the lodge is a national treasure built during the New Deal.

If you want to embrace the rain I would recommend heading up to the Japanese Gardens amongst the luxury homes in Arlington Heights.  The gardens are beautiful in any weather and there will be no crowds.

One awesome benefit of scouring Concordia Real Estate is that we get to stop in at the Kennedy School every once in a while.

The Kennedy school is a NE Portland mainstay for residents and a must visit location for visitors.  Renovated by the McMenamin brothers in 1997, this former elementary school is sure to bring back some memories.  Catch a movie in the old gymnasium, grab a bite to eat in the Courtyard Restaurant, or roam the halls sampling the beer selection from the five bars scattered throughout the school.  Rebels and misfits will feel at home in the Detention Bar whereas straight shooters may want to head to the more refined Honors Bar.  The school also functions as a hotel, replete with well appointed and charming rooms.  There is a soaking pool on the grounds as well.

I was previewing homes in NE Portland today and stopped into the Kennedy School to grab a bite to eat.  As with all McMenamins establishments the Kennedy School is chalked full of great art.  Check out some of the pictures I took of the artwork and grounds:

12►

Ready to be a kid again?  Have a blast!

736 N.E. 33rd Ave.
Portland, OR 97211

Local: (503) 249-3983
Elsewhere: (888) 249-3983

You may not know this, but there are 3 main types of Garden Gnomes found in Portland.  They are as follows:

Worker Gnomes – Generally equipped with tools from the mining and horticultural industries.
Leisure Gnomes – Often found relaxing in the garden with his pipe of fishing rod.
Cultured Gnomes – The most interesting variety of Gnome. These little fellas like to show they’re cultured and educated, by playing a musical instrument or reading a book.

Here are my favorites:

If you’d like to do something to help, head over to the Buckman neighborhood tonight where Holocene is throwing a benefit concert to raise funds.

All proceeds will be directed to the family-run Edhi Foundation, an indigenous NGO that has been providing relief.  The history behind this foundation is quite remarkable.  What started as a one man operation has evolved into Pakistan’s largest welfare organization.  For a full bio click here!

Here’s the line-up for tonight’s concert:

Dragging An Ox Through Water

Golden Retriever

Whip

DJ Yeti

DJ Swami Davis Jr.

Ilyas Ahmed

Event Details:

Venue:
Holocene
1001 SE Morrison St

Date & Time:
Wednesday, October 27th
8pm

Cost:
$5.00

The Lone Fir Cemetery, Portland’s oldest and located in the Buckman neighborhood, holds many of the city’s famous and infamous past residents, founders, and pioneers.  I should also mention that there are a few gravestones that are beyond impressive.  Bring your camera.

Friends of Lone Fir Cemetery put on most of the events here and are a wealth of knowledge.  In addition to regaling you with stories of the dearly departed, they’ll also be taking you on a tour through the 30 acres of gravestones – all by candlelight.

Each tour will last approximately 45 minutes and will be running constantly throughout the evening in order to accommodate the maximum capacity of 2,000 visitors.  Trust me, this is popular and more than worth it.  You should also dress appropriately as the tour takes place rain or shine.  For more details or other Lone Fir events, click here!

Now, here are the relevants:

6th Annual Tour of Untimely Departures
Lone Fir Cemetery
Entrance on SE 26th, off of SE Stark

Date & Time:
Sunday, October 31st
6:00pm – 9:00pm

Admission:
$10/adult
$15/family (parents w/children under 12)

A few local skaters have been diligently working to clean up this skate spot in the Brooklyn neighborhood.  Their mission statement: To provide the community with a safe positive place to skateboard, while cleaning up the neighboring area.  Nice!

With clearance from the community, they have been doing this all by themselves… and doing a mighty fine job I might add.

However, everyone can use a little help sometimes, especially if it’s for the good of the greater community.

This Thursday, October 14th, they are holding a benefit concert.

Here’s the lineup:

White Fang
Gepetto
Oakrot
&
Moth Dust

The Benefit Show is being held at the Artistery.  Here’s the details:

Brooklyn Street Skate Park Benefit Show

Location:
The Artistery
4315 SE Division St

Date & Time:
Thursday, Oct. 14th
@
8:00pm

Cost:
$5-10 Sliding Scale

To check out the skate park, head to SE Brooklyn & 16th.  Go forth and skate!

]]> http://www.portlandoctopus.com/brooklyn-street-skate-park-benefit/feed/ 0 http://www.portlandoctopus.com/hood-river-hops-fest/ http://www.portlandoctopus.com/hood-river-hops-fest/#comments Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:50:14 +0000 jean http://www.portlandoctopus.com/?p=7822 It’s October in Portland which means it’s time to get your beer on. Since September is hops harvest month it’s only natural that beer events, Oktoberfest or not,  abound this time of year.  This weekend is no exception!…

Portland Food Adventures provides us with an opportunity to not only sample a chef’s best offerings but enjoy dinner with them as well!  Here’s how it works:

Each limited ticket dinner starts off with a private multi-course dinner at the chef’s restaurant.  Joining you will be the chef as well as other dinner guests, think family-style dinner.  You’ll get to hear inspiring food stories, kitchen horrors and wonders, as well as ask the chef those questions you’ve been dying to ask.

In addition, the chefs will also let you in on their Portland foodie secrets – the places they recommend to friends and family, where they shop, dine, wine, and more.  Some will even introduce you to the proprietor of one of these establishments.  It’s worth noting that dinner guests will not leave empty handed as everyone will be given up to $50+ in coupons to visit the mentioned P-town hot spots.  Pretty nifty.

The next Food Adventure will be held on Wednesday, October 13th and showcase chef Scott Dolich of Park Kitchen.  No doubt it will be a delicious evening.  For more details, click here!

The cost of each dinner is $99 and includes gratuity.  An optional wine pairing will set you back another $24.

Check out Portland Food Adventure online for more information or to purchase tickets.   Space is limited, so act fast!

Cheers!