Every place will be packed. But, you still want to take your honey out for Valentine’s Day, right? Well, this year, go that extra mile. Your girl will think you didn’t plan and you’re just heading downtown to roll the dice at finding a table somewhere, anywhere. But, instead of long lines and frustration, you pull up in front of the Hotel deLuxe.

You start with a signature cocktail in the Driftwood Room (the Hopeless Romantic seems a natural choice). Then step over to Gracie’s for dinner (because you’ve got that $100 credit included in your Valentine’s Day package). Now’s the real surprise: up to your swanky room, all decked out with roses, Pinot Noir, and Two Tarts Bakery double-chocolate chews. Throw in a $10 gift certificate to Cacao, and you’ve just won Guy of the Year honors. Or you could choose that wait-in-line-frustration option.

See you around,

Brandon

Every New Year’s Eve, we get a big group of friends together, cover the dining room table with lots of newspaper, several bottles of good Oregon wine, bring out the pliers, seafood crackers, and sit down to a Dungeness crab feast. And at some point in the midst of the sweet gluttony, each one of us invariably exclaims, “This is my favorite meal ever!” Maybe we’re just drunk on the garlic butter (or Pinot Noir), but who can deny the unmatched fantasticness of PNW seafood?

So, you’d just be plain crazy to miss the Portland Seafood and Wine Festival. In addition to the afore-lovingly-mentioned crab, indulge in the Oyster Shuck and Swallow Contest, and sample myriad additional seafood offerings. With dozens of participating wineries (and a few breweries, too—hey, it’s Portland!), you certainly will not go thirsty, either. Live music, plenty of crafty booths—eat, drink, wear a bib!

Date: February 5 & 6, details >>

Ciao,

Emily