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Eateries

Le Bistro Montage

This Cajun-inspired restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner, though we’ve only been there for dinner. They serve food until until 2am which is outrageous and wonderful. They feature items like jambalaya, alligator, and frog legs but their varieties of mac-and-cheese are extremely popular. Everything is spicy with tons of garlic. It is a busy, hectic and loud place with family-style seating, not conducive to intimate conversations but fun for people watching. There is usually a line at the door which given its weird location in a warehouse district under an overpass on the east side of the Willamette River implies that there is something about the place that people love. Dining there is certainly an experience, some would say bad, we call it interesting. With sassy (sometimes rude) staff and good food at reasonable prices in an unusual setting it gets bonus points from me for daring to be quirky and different. Hint: Half-priced wine on Mondays and Tuesdays. They only sell two kinds of beer but they have a decent wine list and a full bar. Caution: They do not take reservations or credit cards.

Phone: (503) 234-1324
Address: 301 SE Morrison St, Portland OR 97214

Eleni’s Philoxenia

In the Pearl District Eleni’s looks elegant with its black walls, high-backed booths and white tablecloths and the menu is far more fancy and creative than most Greek restaurants (forget about Gyros). But Philoxenia translates as hospitality and Eleni’s was very welcoming. The four of us, Lance, myself, Lisa and Gino sampled our way down Eleni’s extensive list of appetizers, washed it down with retsina and finished with some ouza. It was a perfect dinner since we were able to try tons of new flavors without overstuffing ourselves. While we wouldn’t eat here every night, if we lived nearby Eleni’s would certainly be one of our favorite stops. Caution: Reservations are highly recommended. Moderate prices.

Phone: (503) 227-2158
Address: 112 NW 9th Ave, Portland OR 97209

Drinkeries

BridgePort Brewing Company

Known for their award-winning IPA BridgePort which started in 1984 is the oldest craft brewery in OR. Located in the historic Pearl District their brewery, brew pub and bakery still reside in an old rope factory. I stopped in one afternoon in 2006 for a refresher and to get a look around. The place was hopping with people coming from work. The dining areas were beginning to fill up and the bar area was soon crowded. They offer a substantial menu but I was there for liquid refreshment only. I found it to be a casual and relaxing place to sample some tasty beer. Hint: BridgePort also offers tours of its brewery.

Phone: (503) 241.3612
Address: 1313 NW Marshall St, Portland OR 97209

Lucky Labrador Beer Hall

Located in an old warehouse in a relatively undiscovered part of Portland, Lucky Lab’s Beer Hall was a casual stop for Lisa, myself, and her dog Luna. As the name implies dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area. There were plenty of large picnic tables for us to choose from and even water bowls for the pooches. We were there for a to relax over a late lunch and to sample the brews. We ordered inside from the eclectic menu with sandwiches, salads and pizza at one counter and then it was over to the beer counter. It was hard to decide as they brew quite a few tempting options, even a couple organic ones. We had the place to ourselves at first but people began to trickle in as the day grew longer. I’m sure it gets crowded and noisy later in the day, from what little we saw it would be a fun crowd to hang out with a random assortment of characters from very different walks of life. Hint: There are two other locations in town, each with different atmospheres and menus. Pop in for special beer prices on Tightwad Tuesdays. Caution: Just remember that service is minimal and you’ll be fine.

Phone: (503) 517-4352
Address: 1945 NW Quimby St, Portland OR 97209

Adventures

Oregon Historical Society Museum

The Museum is located in the arts district, across from the Art Museum. Several great exhibits focus on the history of Portland and the state with multiple exhibits that rotate throughout the year. The Museum covers several floors and I spent several hours wandering through them. Their well-stocked gift shop deserves a few minutes of your time too. Just outside is a historic Benson Bubbler that you will have learned about inside the Museum. The on-street metered parking is limited but there are several parking garages nearby. Hint: Along the South Park Blocks which is a beautiful, relaxing area with lawns, trees and benches a great place for a picnic before our after you visit the museum. Every third Saturday of the month is a free day at the Museum. Moderate entrance fee.

Phone: (503) 306-5198
Address: 1200 SW Park Ave, Portland OR 97205

World Forestry Center Discovery Museum

Located in Washington Park this Museum, operated by the World Forestry Center a non-profit corporation that was formed to promote the management of forest resources around the globe, claims it will change the way you think about trees. I enjoyed wandering the Museum’s two floors and trying the hands-on exhibits but the focus was less on the wonder of trees and more on humans and the way trees can fulfill our many needs. The lower floor catered to the younger crowd with multiple hands-on activities (some for an extra fee) while the second floor was geared towards adults or older children. The highlight for me was the walk-through video journey of the world’s forests, it was very well-done, requiring the visitor to move through various life-sized modes of transport along the way. Hint: The museum offers free preview passes to educators or trip leaders, check their website for more information. AAA members receive a small discount on the admission fee. Also, avoid the hassle of parking, ride the MAX which stops right in front of the museum. Moderate fee.

Phone: (503) 228-1367
Address: 4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland OR 97221

Powell’s Books

Powell’s has several locations in the Portland area but the store on Burnside is the company’s flagship. As the largest independent bookstore in the U.S. and perhaps even the world Powell’s “City of Books” occupies a three story building that covers an entire city block. All the books, new, used, hard cover, and paperback reside next to each other on the same shelf; a book for every budget. The store has several entrances with maps conveniently located throughout the store. Trust me, you’ll need a map to find your way around and a cell phone to find your friends after they go off searching for a certain rare, old book… Powell’s also has a small coffee shop to revive your poor, overwhelmed, book-happy head. And it isn’t all about books, there are plenty of funky gifts, kitschy items and tchotchkes strewn throughout the store. As is fitting for a book lover’s heaven two bibliophiles are interred in the big building, though their resting spots are not marked. One is purportedly inside the Pillar of Books outside one of the entrances. Best of all, the place is free, unless you find a whole bunch of stuff to buy. Metered on-street parking. Hint: Numerous bibliophile events are held at Powell’s, check their website. And, just as a reminder, Oregon does not charge sales tax.

Phone: (503) 228-4651
Address: 1005 W Burnside St, Portland OR 97209

Shanghai Tunnel Tour (Portland Underground)

Though it can be hard to reserve a spot on this tour into Portland’s seedy underground history it is worth it. The tour starts at Hobo’s Restaurant, 120 NW Third Ave with a short introduction. Then the tour enters the underground through a flight of stairs. Built in the 1800s to transport goods from basement warehouses to the waterfront a network of tunnels under the streets soon found nefarious uses. From the 1850s through 1941 the tunnels housed shanghaied men, opium dens, illegal bars during the Prohibition, and young women soon to be forced into prostitution. The guided tour lasts about 90 minutes, wandering through dark, dingy, dusty basements and tunnels. We were a bit disappointed by the short route since we were hoping to see more of the passageways (many of them are still privately owned or filled with debris) but overall we enjoyed the informative tour. Besides, money from the tour goes to help preserve and restore this part of Portland’s seedy history.Hint: There are other theme tours available, check the website for more information. Photographs are allowed. Caution: Steep stairs, uneven surfaces, and dust. Dress in layers since it can get quite warm down there; wear pants and closed toe shoes.

Phone: (503) 622-4798
Address: 120 NW Third Ave (Hobo’s Restaurant)