But do they have cupcakes? That’s my question. You say Rose Festival and I hear “cupcakes”. I blame Cupcake Jones. I stumbled into this place on NW 10th last Tuesday and have been three times since then!

I mean, come on, the cupcake is the perfect dessert in the perfect size. It’s even made to travel, sitting in its own little crinkly jacket. And Cupcake Jones has a different special every day, as well as a bunch of other flavors. The strawberry rhubarb pie is not made by human hands.

So I say roses are fine to name a festival after. They’re nice to look at and all. But can you fill one with toasted coconut pastry cream or cover it with homemade caramel drizzle and eat it while walking down the street?

Later,
Keith

The beginning of summer in Portland can be reduced to two words: Rose Festival. This century-old event is as Portland as latte-stained clothing. This year it runs from May 29 through June 4.

It starts with Fleet Week, which brings navy ships to dock in the Willamette. This year we’ll also see the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain, two double-masted brigs that appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean.

Word is the brigs will host cruises on the river and take each other on in mock cannon battles. Nothing says summer like a cannon battle. I hope they’ve alerted the competitors in the dragon boat races…

And then there’s all the stuff on land, like the WaMu Waterfront Village with rides, food, and music; at least three parades; car races, though not at the same time as the parades; fireworks; concerts. It’s bona fide extravaganza.

Later,
Emily

Here’s some news for the healthy minded: Whole Foods just down the street from Hotel deLuxe at NW Marshall and 10th is opening a new exercise studio on its second floor.

Called Barre3, the place offers a workout that combines ballet, yoga and pilates for a unique workout. Hmm, sounds difficult. But interesting.

Barre 3 doesn’t actually officially open its doors until July 15, but you can get in for classes now. (I don’t really know what the difference is between what you can do now and what will be available when it’s “official”.)

It’s a 60-minute workout in a group setting along with personal instruction, and is designed to combined flexibility work with aerobic and strength training.

Thanks to the Neighborhood Notes blog for pointing us to this new exercise option right around the corner. If only it wasn’t so close to Cacao…

Cheers,
Emily

Have we not talked about Cacao? What kind of blog is this?! Cacao is, well, it’s like a corner of heaven melted off and dripped onto S.W. 13th. A chocolate corner, that is.

Because Cacao, as the name suggests, is all about chocolate. The shop offers an array of varieties from around the world, including the finest solid chocolate bars, special handmade chocolates, and the store’s own exclusive drinking and hot chocolates.

There is so much it’s hard to know where to start. Luckily the owners are very helpful, and know their way around a chocolate bar. They pointed me to a drinking chocolate with chili for that extra kick that was sublime.

Their beautiful shop also carries a range of chocolate-related accessories, including cookbooks, and even has a chocolate-scented perfume. Now that is going out smelling sweet.

Cheers,
Emily

I just learned about this cool ongoing film series the Broadway Metroplex is doing. They’re calling it a “revival” because every Monday night at 7:30 they’re showing some indie classic from the last few years.

Yes, you can get these movies from the video store or whatever, but here’s a chance to see them on the big screen. And there are some great ones on the list. I was bummed that I missed Trainspotting, but am looking forward to Rushmore on May 26. That’s a classic.

Here’s the rest of the schedule:

May 26: Rushmore
June 2: Annie Hall
June 9: The Squid and the Whale
June 16: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
June 23: Punch Drunk Love
June 30: Secretary
July 7: Foxy Brown
July 14: In the Company of Men
July 21: Storytelling (may change)

Later,
Keith

Forget Napa or Burgundy; they’ve had their day. Try our own promised land of wine right here in the Willamette Valley. In honor of our ascending star in the wine world, Hotel deLuxe is offering a special package called “Sniff, Swirl, Sip.”

This overnight offer helps you start your taste of Oregon wine country with a bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir and a cheese plate handpicked by our chef and cheese connoisseur, Chris Carriker.

When you’re ready to get tasting, we’ve prepared a detailed wine guide on which we’ve mapped out the perfect route for an ideal day in wine country. Recommended stops include Archery Summit, Argyle and Sokol Blosser wineries, all in the beautiful Dundee area.

Close it out with breakfast the next morning at Gracie’s restaurant or, if you can’t quite be bothered to get out of bed, order it up from room service. Perfetto!

Cheers,
Emily

In my fight against these tough economic times, I’m going to give you a two-fer post today. It’s true. And this is no Nigerian scam.

Item #1: Cool design, cool music, good food
If you’re looking for a great place to catch some live music, you’ve got to check out Doug Fir. This bar/lounge/restaurant is really a one-of-a-kind spot. The décor is sort of 50s modern meets fur trapper’s cabin. There are clever touches everywhere, including a great patio.

And they get top acts. Upcoming bands range from Clinic (May 18) to Foals (May 28) to the Detroit Cobras (June 16).

Bonus item: Doughnuts!
A lot’s been written about Voodoo Doughnut, and it’s all true. Sample doughnuts on the menu? Dirty Snowball, the Arnold Palmer and the Memphis Mafia. I recommend the one with Cap’n Crunch and those ever-loving crunchberries on top.

Cheers,
Keith

I thought the folks at the Portland Mercury blog were kidding. Nau closing? Say it ain’t so! Sadly, it is so. I’ve just about had it with this “economic downturn” as we’re calling it. First, it demands nearly $4 for a tank of gas, and now this.

If you don’t know Nau, it’s a local clothing company that brought the very best products – and the very best intentions – to their business. Five percent of every purchase went to one of their partner groups, and you got to choose which one. And that’s just the beginning.

The only upside of all this is that now everything on their site is 50 percent off. But it’s not clear how long they’re going to drag it out, so if you want some very well designed clothes for a steal, you best head over to the site now.

Goodbye Nau, and thanks!

Emily

Here’s something you might not know, and thanks to PDXArtWork for pointing it out: Among its many public statues Portland boasts a bust – why I don’t know – of former South Vietnam president Ngo Dinh Diem.

Portlandia, I understand. The elk (though oddly proportioned) on SW Main, OK. But an 800-some-odd concrete memoriam to the former leader of South Vietnam? That’s about twice normal size? Hmm. And speaking of elks, the pedestal of the statue is apparently adorned with the antlered beasts. Does Vietnam even have elk?

Anyway, if you want to add this peculiarity to your must-see list while you’re in town, you’ll find the monument in the front yard of a home on NE Columbia Blvd, where PDXArtWork says it is “overseeing thousands of trucks and trains each day.” Diems da breaks.:-)

Cheers,
Emily

So I was cruisin’ Facebook today and much to my surprise I found the Hotel Lucia! That’s right, the same Hotel Lucia that you can find here in Portland! For those of you who don’t know, Hotel Lucia is our sister hotel and just so happens to be one of my personal favorites (of course, Hotel deLuxe still holds the keys my heart).

Anyways, I thought I would share the news. The page is actually pretty cool. They stream our blog right there on the page along with the blogs from Hotel Preston in Nashville and Hotel Murano in Tacoma. It also has maps, reviews, sample art, and pics. If you get the chance, you should check it out (I hear they may be running special promos there).

Drop us a note and let us know what you think, maybe we’ll make our own deLuxe page.

See ya laters alligators,
Emily