Portland Octopus

Is there a beer of the Eastside?

Anna — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:07:05 +0000

On the weekends I work at a bar, which is located in the Nob Hill neighborhood, in Northwest Portland. There, I have the opportunity to serve many different types of folks beer. However, whenever anyone orders a PBR, their friends, or people around them always say things like, “you must live on the Eastside” or “such an Eastsiders beer” or some how relate the beer to the Eastside. While there are many stereotypes between the differences of the Eastside and the Westside of Portland, I personally had no idea why PBR would relate any more to either side of Portland.
Until today…

Driving through Southeast Portland today, on Belmont St., I ran across these murals:

Then, driving back on Morrison St., I saw these!

So maybe its not such a far stretch to say that one beer fits in more on one side of the river. I’ll continue not to judge, but at least now I know where people got the stereotype started.

To see a map of Portland, to understand the boundaries of the East and West sides, click here.

To view active real estate in Northwest Portland click here.

To view active real estate in Southeast Portland click here.

Tour De Lab – A Pub Crawl on Bikes

Jeff — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:43:10 +0000

One of the things that caught my eye yesterday as I was walking through Multnomah Village (besides the amount of beer at John’s Marketplace) was this sign that was posted on the fence at the Luck Lab Brewing Company.

Exercise and beer are usually two things I don’t associate with each other, but this actually sounds really fun!

The Tour De Lab starts at the Lucky Lab in The Pearl District (1945 NW Quimby) and depending on if you want to be a puppy, or a big dog, you can choose the optional extended route with hill climb which takes you to the Lucky Lab in Multnomah Village for your first pit stop of the day. Otherwise, you’ll be hitting the double L in SE, then North Portland, and finishing up back in NW for the “finish line party”.

Registration is $35 and benefits DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital. Visit TourDeLab.com for more info.

The Beer Overfloweth in Multnomah Village

Jeff — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:44:48 +0000

Nestled in the center of Portland’s Multnomah Village Neighborhood is one of the city’s hidden gems when it comes to the brown bubbly stuff.

John’s Marketplace, or John’s Market for short, has one of the best selections (if not THE best selection) of beer in the city, possibly even the state. There are literally rows and rows of bottled beer. What seems to be thousands of choices, and even beer from the fabled country of Ukrania! (watch the video below)

According to John’s Marketplace website, they have over 800 different bottled beers, 400 different wines and the best selection of kegs in the Portland Metro area.

Residents of Multnomah Village enjoy the convenience of being within walking distance of this iconic marketplace. Next time you’re in the area, be sure to stop by and check it out. If you’re a beer lover, you won’t be disappointed.

View Multnomah Village Real Estate

The Village Hut in Multnomah Village

Alicia — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:40:04 +0000

If I find myself in Multnomah Village at lunchtime I like to stop by the Village Hut for yummy bento. They offer more selection than the standard chicken or beef kabobs. Today they had Ahi, shrimp, steak and I think even lamb. They also serve beer which feels like the right thing on a hot summer afternoon relaxing on the little hut patio.

The Village Hut

7647 SW Capital Hwy

Portland, OR 97219

503-768-3975

Village Hut Picture Gallery…

View Multnomah Village Real Estate

Sugar Cube

jean — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:38:08 +0000

I recently had the opportunity to indulge in something I’ve been dying to do: eat every meal at a food cart. It goes without saying that Portland has made its mark on yet another foodie scene. So I finally decided to spend part of my weekend sampling what our delicious city has to offer, on four wheels that is.

One of my stops was at Mississippi Market Place, located at the intersection of Mississippi and Skidmore in North Portland. I’ve been reading and salivating over reviews from the Sugar Cube since it first opened. I had yet to satisfy my craving though, until now.

These were the menu offerings that I partook in:

Fizzy Lifting Drink-
This is ginger ale infused with fresh ginger and a splash of Japanese plum drinking vinegar. Not only did it sound interesting from an ingredient standpoint but it’s name scored major nostalgia points. I was hooked on this drink with my first sip. Cool, crisp, and refreshing with a very pleasant flavor. I don’t know if I can visit this food-cart pod without stopping by for a drink, especially on a nice warm day. This beverage is delicious and comes highly recommended from yours truly.

Passion Fruit Panna Cotta-
This passion fruit panna cotta is topped with whipped cream and, when I visited, blueberries. It’s creamy and smooth with that wonderful tart flavor of passion fruit. It’s hard to resist licking the spoon and bowl. It’s oh so heavenly and definitely ranks high on the crave-ability scale, go try this soon!

Chocolate Caramel Potato Chip Cupcake-
I had to try this written up treat as it was too decadent and ridiculous to pass up. The cupcake itself was like a really good, dense, moist chocolate cake. Indulgent and delicious. The potato chips, which jaggedly rose from the chocolate frosting like Stonehenge, added an interesting salty texture. Overall, the cupcake was good, I’m glad I tried it, but I think I would return for another offering of the panna cotta or sample another menu item.

I shall highlight my other food-cart experiences in posts to follow. For now though, do yourself a favor and go treat yourself to a little something from the Sugar Cube.

To view their menu, click here! As a clue to another Miss. Marketplace standout, head to Garden State before dessert.

Location:
The Sugar Cube
4237 N Mississippi Ave

Hours:
Wednesday – Saturday, 12-7pm
&
Sundays, 12-5pm

iSalsa in La Calle!

jean — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:24:32 +0000

After indulging in the weekend’s many food & beer events, why not spend Sunday dancing off all those calories?

Salsa en La Calle, returns to the Eastbank Esplanade in Downtown Portland this Sunday, August 29th.

General admission is $15, with children under 12 admitted for free.
The price tag includes live music and entertainment, group percussion lessons, and free dance lessons – which will be going on all day and include a wide variety of styles. All lessons are taught by some of Portland’s premier salsa instructors.

For a full schedule of events, click here!

For dancing fuel, head to one of the many food vendors on hand showcasing flavors from Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, and Cuba.

In addition, there will be a beer garden area for the adults and a children’s art tent for the younger crowd.

Don’t miss out on the Pacific Northwest’s largest salsa party. Head down to the Eastbank to get your dance on!

Event Details:

Salsa En La Calle
SE Main St & Water Ave
Right off the Eastbank Esplanade
For detailed directions, click here.

Date and Time:
Sunday, August 29th
11:00am – 11:00pm

Admission:
Adults – $15
Children under 12 are free!!

iTenga un buen fin de semana!

Bike to Beer Fest!

jean — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:30:06 +0000

This Saturday, August 28th, Hopworks is hosting their annual Bike to Beer Festival! This fun event runs from noon to 10pm, in SE Portland, and is filled with activities for all ages. There will be competitions, trick riders, lots of music, food, and of course beer! In fact, there will be 15 Hopworks beers on tap to keep you happy.

As the event title suggests, this is a car free event. To plan your bike route, click here. (Public transit is okay too!)

Or, Portland Bicycle Tours will be leading a group ride from the Salmon St Springs Fountain to Hopworks @ 5pm.

This event is all ages & kid friendly as well. Go have fun & be safe!

Event Location:
Hopworks Urban Brewery
2944 SE Powell Blvd
503-232-4677

Date & Time:
Saturday, August 28th
12:00 – 10:00pm

Portland Landmarks – Pittock Mansion

Anna — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:41:48 +0000

You know those landmarks in Portland, that people who don’t live in Portland, always associate to Portland? Like the Rose Garden (I guess we’re the Rose city for a reason) or the Japanese Gardens? Well, I don’t know about you, but I hardly ever take the time to go to the places that out-of-towners most appreciate about Portland, mainly because there is just too much other fun stuff going on. Friday evening I took the opportunity to finally check out Pittock Mansion, which is in the West Hills of Portland. I hiked my way through Hoyt Arboretum to get there, and finally realized what I’ve been missing out on! While the hikes at Hoyt Arboretum and through Washington Park aren’t strenuous, they are beautiful and can be educational if you stop to read the plaques. Only minutes from downtown, we are lucky to be able to escape from the city to 400 acres of trees and gardens. The house is spectacular and offers some of the prettiest views of Portland I have seen. I suggest you go before the weather turns!

Waterfront Bike Rentals

admin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:48:41 +0000

If you’re looking to get out for a nice ride and great people watching, head over to Kerr Bikes in Tom McCall Waterfront Park – right by the fountain. They have various fun bikes for rent and the proceeds go to the Albertina Kerr Center. Even if you don’t rent a bike from them they have a repair station where you can use their tools and bike stand. Perfectly located for a loop around the waterfront and east bank. Adjacent neighborhoods include The Pearl, and Downtown on the west side and Buckman, Ladds Addition on the east side.

Music on Main Street

jean — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:19:02 +0000

It’s summer in Portland which means free music and fun abound! This years installment of Music on Main Street is currently in full swing. For those who don’t know, this is a yearly concert series that shuts down Main Street, between Broadway and Park, right next to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in downtown Portland.

All shows are free and open to the public. The adjoining Art Bar will be on hand, starting at 4:30pm, to quench your thirst and satiate your hunger. Yes, wine, beer, food, and music!

Tonight’s show features Jujuba, along with Nojeem Lasisi. This Nigerian Afrobeat ensemble will be enticing the crowds with their funky rhythms and danceable beats.

Here’s the remaining lineup:

July 28th: Young Fresh Fellows

August 4th: Shanghai Woolies

August 11th: Freak Mountain Ramblers

August 18th: Dr. Theopolis

August 25th: Derby with The Angry Orts

September 1st: St. James Gate

All shows run from 5-7pm and are free! Go check it out!

For an interactive map of downtown Portland, click here!