OK, this is a great idea: I love hanging out in Portland on New Year’s Eve. But, I’m really not into driving home with all the yahoos who have lived it up a little too much.
So, this year my friends and I will be at the Hotel deLuxe. OK, I work there, so it seems like home away from home, but I think anyone would have a blast. There’s going to be a great party, a cool New Orleans-style jazz band, The Stolen Sweets, dancing, and general carrying on. If you stay the night, you get free parking, two drink tickets, midnight champagne, and of course, entrance to the big bash. And if you’ve ever been to the deLuxe, with all the old-timey glitz, you know it’s a perfect spot for it.
Last month I mentioned how great the Driftwood Room Bar at the Hotel deLuxe is, so I figured I should tell you why. First, a little history: Our hotel was originally the Mallory Hotel, built in 1912, now listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. It was the kind of place that people in the know knew about. A little off the beaten track, but special.
The deLuxe wanted to keep that vibe, and the Driftwood Room is a perfect example. Tucked away in a quiet corner, you feel like you’ve discovered something a little bit secret. It’s cozy, comfortable, and sophisticated, all at the same time. The bartenders are true mixologists, always coming up with amazing new concoctions. And the Driftwood’s bar menu is one of the best around.
Here’s what I’d have… I’d start with a Caesar, followed by Smoked Roasted Chicken Chowder, with a Tiramisu Coffee for dessert. Now, that’s the way to spend a rainy Portland evening.
Well, this Portland event claims that Oregon is the “Mecca of craft distilling.” Who knew? I’ve had a fabulous pear brandy from Clear Creek, and a great martini made with New Deal vodka, but the Mecca? Just to prove its point, on October 24 & 25, Portland is sponsoring the 5th Annual Great American Distillers Festival at the Bossanova Ballroom.
For a reasonable $10, you get a one-day pass to sample three different vodkas, rums, gins, whiskies, brandies, or other spirits, from as far away as Freeport, Maine. You can expect all of Oregon’s stills to represent—Artisan Spirits, Clear Creek Distillery, House Spirits, Ransom Spirits, Sub Rosa Spirits, Integrity Spirits, Highball Distillery, New Deal Distillery, Rogue Spirits, Edgefield Distillery, and Indio Spirits.
This delicious Portland festival will also include seminars and the opportunity to interact with and tap into the expertise of the distillers themselves. Bottoms up!
This is where I should probably just link to Keith’s previous post from last year. I wait for MusicFest NW. I don’t know how many times Keith and I have mentioned it in our posts. I should search to see. That and the Brewer’s Fest. The festival has just gotten better every year. The last couple of years I checked the lineup early and bought a handful of the CDs from the bands I hadn’t heard of, which I also did this year.
Among these acts I’d say I’m most eager to see The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. I really like the CD and it seems like a sound that would be great live. The same with Portual. The Man. But maybe the worst name for a band ever, or least since The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.
There are something like 18 venues participating this year. I don’t know if that’s the most but it just seems like an incredible number. How many other performance venues can there be in Portland?
For $60 you get a wristband that gets you into every show for three days at all those venues. It’s like a larger, real-life version of what you do on iTunes anyway.
Nothing tricky here: The Bite of Oregon is just what you would expect. Every summer at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, we flock to get a nibble here, a morsel there. I’ve been to plenty of great events at the waterfront, lined with vendors hawking corn dogs and cotton candy, but this one is a little different. And no carnies.
There are so many great restaurants around these days that I just can’t find the time (or money) to get there before the next one has sprouted up. If that’s true of you, too, or if you’re just in town for a few days, here’s a chance to sample dishes from over 20 kitchens, including sushi and teriyaki from Mio Sushi, Dungeness crab cakes from Bell Buoy of Seaside, and Pacific halibut ceviche from Portland’s H50 Bistro and Bar.
There are also tastings of chocolate, fruits and vegetables from local farms, ice cream, and so much more. Need something to complement the yummy bites? Plenty of wineries and breweries will also be represented on Aug. 7-8. Better find some long-term parking.
On the gray and rainy days in P-town, when I’m wondering if the sun will ever shine again, I try to remember one of the best things Portland summers offer: beer. I’ve been a loyal fan of the Brewer’s Fest since I moved out here, but that’s not until July. What to do until then? Well…
On the last weekend in June, head over to the North American Organic Brewers Festival at NoPo’s Overlook Park. Breweries from North America, England, Scotland, Germany, and Belgium will be represented, showing off everything from pils to porter.
In addition to promoting organic beer-making, the festival will have sustainability-oriented vendors and non-profit organizations showing off their wares. And, it just wouldn’t be Portland without a squad of local food carts, including fare for you veggies. Whoever said beer wasn’t good for you?
Speaking of deals (who isn’t speaking of deals these days?), here’s a little something you should be getting out to, while the getting is good.
Wednesday nights at Jimmie Mak’s jazz joint on NW 10th, you can see the legendary Mel Brown Quartet for a mere $5. For over 20 years, the guy’s been wowing jazz fans with both original and classic arrangements.
It’s worth it just for Mel. The guy exudes happiness when he’s playing. Plus, he’s one of the best drummers I’ve ever seen. His band is great too with pianist and musical director, Tony Pacini; bassist Ed Bennett; and guitarist and arranger Dan Balmer. This is the kind of old-school stuff I dig.
Go before 7 p.m. and get in on the $5 happy hour menu, including some very tasty Greek dishes, and then stick around for the music. Think of it as your own private stimulus package.
We were talking the other day about the state of the economy (over beers at Bailey’s Taproom, so not as painful as it sounds) and were saying that times are tough but that it’s a really good time to take advantage of all the special deals out there right now.
There are some pretty deep discounts on airfare, at restaurants and all kinds these days it seems if you’re shopping minded. Hotel deLuxe too. And every time we offer a deal, I try to use it to get my friends and family to head out to Portland for a visit.
So here’s the pitch, friends and family: Right now at the deLuxe, there’s 15 percent off our best available rate. In order to get the discount you must pre-pay for your room. Totally worth it and can save you roughly $20 bucks.
Pretty sad that I need a deal to entice you guys to come see me, but whatever it takes.
My Mom and I had breakfast at Gracie’s last weekend, which I don’t know if we’ve ever done, and it inspired me to cheer them again.
Yes, I’m well aware they’re our restaurant here at Hotel deLuxe. So would you have me not recommend their great food due to the simple, unavoidable case of proximity? That wouldn’t be fair to you.
So I’ve extolled the virtues of their dinner menu (get the scallops, they’re my absolute fave) and now I can recommend, unabashedly, the Gracie’s breakfast. So if you’re tired of bagels at home or your Tasty Puffs, how about some German pancakes? Or maybe the best Benedict you’ve ever had?
It’s coming up on green beer time. And in Portland, the biggest green beer game in town is Kell’s. A nice old-school Irish bar every other day of the year, with music and darts and whatnot, it becomes the St. Patrick’s Day mecca from March 13-17. They need an entire week to do it.
There’s food, dancing, music, drinks of course and all kinds of Irish-inspired frivolity to be had. As for music, they’ve got people performing all day in the pub or the tent behind, as well as dancers. Not sure how Everclear fits but they’re even playing on Sun. night.
And then on St. Paddy’s Day itself the bar opens at 7 a.m. That’s a commitment. So my advice is to pace yourself. Take your time. Have some bangers and mash. Listen to some music. You’ve got a long day ahead of you.
OK, this is a great idea: I love hanging out in Portland on New Year’s Eve. But, I’m really not into driving home with all the yahoos who have lived it up a little too much.
Last month I mentioned how great the 
