Today is Monday, December 16, 2013.
It’s the end of the year 2013 and I thought I’d go through my list of favorite places in Portland, Oregon. Different publications do this through polls, but I’m just going to tell you where I like to hang out; where I like to eat, drink and be merry. I am lucky enough to live in what is often considered one of the top 10 best cities in the United States to live, work and have fun.
My favorite brewery: Breakside in the NE Woodlawn District.
My favorite restaurant: Laurelhurst Market in Laurelhurst on E. Burnside
My favorite French Fries: Pause (restaurant) in N. Portland at Interstate/Webster
My favorite burger: Hop and Vine on N. Killingsworth.
My favorite non-food tavern/bar: 1856 at NE 15th/Prescott
My favorite restaurant/bar: Hop and Vine, N. Killingsworth
My favorite Alt Beer: Crazy Ludwig’s Alt, Lucky Lab
My favorite Pilsner/Lager: Breakside Pilsner
My favorite Koelsch: Occidental Koelsch
My favorite Pale Ale: Breakside Woodlawn Pale
My favorite IPA: Breakside Wanderlust
My favorite local winter ale: HUB’s Abominable
My favorite non-local winter ale: Anderson Valley Winter Solstice
My favorite German style Helles: Occidental Helles
My favorite German style Dunkeles: Occidental Dunkeles
My favorite Caesar Salad (w/ Chicken): Pause, N. Portland
My favorite winery: Maresh-Redbarn outside of Dundee
My favorite Riesling: Maresh-Redbarn
My favorite Chardonnay: Anam Cara (Newberg OR)
My favorite Pinot Noir: Maresh-Redbarn
My favorite Cabernet Sauvignon: Zerba (Walla Walla) but there’s a great tasting room in Dundee!
My favorite inexpensive red wine blend: 14 Hands Hot to Trot
My favorite place to relax: Chinese Garden in Old Town/China Town
My favorite Italian Restaurant: Mama Mia’s (downtown)
My favorite Thai Restaurant: Beau Thai in NW
My favorite Chinese Restaurant: Shan Dong in Hollywood
My favorite wine-tasting: Magnolia’s Corner in Hollywood
My favorite local coffee roaster: Stumptown
My favorite coffee house: Pied Cow in the Belmont District
My favorite dessert restaurant: Papa Haydn’s
My favorite cake: Papa Haydn’s ‘St. Moritz’
My favorite artisan bread: anything from Ken’s Artisan Bakery
My favorite donut: Helen Bernhard’s, buttermilk old-fashioned, East Broadway
My favorite bakery/boulangerie: Petite Provence
My favorite Portland clothing manufacturer: Pendleton Woolens
My favorite local bourbon: Monkey Puzzle from McMenemin’s
My favorite route to walk: The Eastside Esplanade and Waterfront Park
My favorite park: Mt. Tabor
My favorite view of the city: from the Sellwood area on the bluff above Oaks Park.
Best place in the world to go roller skating: Oaks Park Roller Rink
My favorite movie theater: Progress Ridge Cinetopia
My favorite theater company: ART
My favorite Portland band: Pink Martini
My favorite bridge: St. Johns
My favorite Mexican Restaurant: none…everything I’ve ever found here in the Portland area is average to good, but I have no favorites. None compares to what I’ve had in San Diego!
My favorite bar food/Happy Hour: 15th Avenue Hop House
My favorite Portland musicians: Jeff Donovan and Anne-Marie Sanderson
My favorite chocolatier: Alma Chocolates, NE 28th ave
My favorite BBQ: Russel Street
My favorite spaezle: Widmer’s Gasthaus
My favorite German-style fondue: Gustav’s
My favorite Schnitzel: Widmer’s Gasthaus, pork
My favorite really expensive restaurant: Paley’s
My favorite classic diner: Overlook
My favorite breakfast place: Gravy, N. Mississippi
My favorite neighborhood/urban village: Alberta St.
