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.

Erin go bragh,
Keith

(photo courtesy of Grundlepuck on Flickr)

Shopping and stores are usually Emily’s domain, but I just learned of this new spot that deserves mention.

It’s on the other side of the Hawthorne Bridge on Madison and is called the Retro Image Apparel Company. The place has some of the coolest, most unusual cycling jerseys. Stuff I’ve never seen before. A lot of the images are taken from what look like old posters. But there are others with the Grinch on them or Popeye.

They share the huge space with BicyclingHub.com, which itself has a huge selection of clothing, gear and whatnot for the bike-minded person. But Retro Image is worth checking out. So ride on in. And there’s stuff for men and women by the way. Forgot to mention that.

And thanks to bikeportland.org for pointing me there.

Later,
Keith

Oh, I do remember one thing from new years and that is celebrating that it was the last night for smoking in bars and taverns in Oregon. Hallelujah. I’ve been avoiding certain places forever because of the smoke.

It was actually a pretty big topic of conversation during the night. And a couple of people said they thought certain places would just take the fine. But I really think they’re only going to get more business. They’ve not seen me in there for months. The bartenders can’t dig it either.

Once it’s had a chance to air out a bit the first place I’m looking forward to going would have to be Horse Brass. That means there’s an espresso stout in my future. Happy new year.

Later,
Keith

I wish I would’ve known about this place before all my Christmas shopping. Though actually maybe it’s better to do it now. I’m talking about Talula’s, which thankfully is just a stone’s throw from us.

They have joined the ranks of those who married peanut butter with jelly and gin with tonic. Talula’s combines a shoe store, with labels from designers like Miss Sixty, Bronx, Vince Camuto and DKNY, and a foot spa. I know.

You’ve shopped. You’ve toiled at a hot stove. You’ve endured in-laws, or are still and need an escape. You deserve a reward. Thank your feet with a new pair of shoes and a bit of ped pampering. I don’t even have any in-laws and I deserve it.

See ya,
Emily

Where do we live anyway, Minnesota? What is it with this weather? Blizzards? I thought the globe was supposed to be warming. Anyway, if you’re like me and you’ve still got shopping to do, may I remind you about NW 23rd.

If you’ve stayed at Hotel deLuxe before you’ve no doubt wandered around NW 23rd, but I’d say it’s probably the best shopping in the city if you’re looking for a special, one-of-a-kind something.

It’s outside, but you can warm up in all the boutiques while you search for everything from shoes to accessories to lingerie to beauty items. OK, there are a few chain stores, too (Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Urban Outfitters).

I recommend some spicy Thai for lunch.

Stay warm,
Emily

Just ran across this post on OurPDX about our own Driftwood. Glad to hear you found it, Capricious. Welcome.

I don’t want to talk any smack about other hotel bars, but the rest are not places you’d go if they weren’t just an elevator ride from your bedroom. The Driftwood is a great bar, plain and simple.

We always have a few interesting beer selections but their real deal, like you said, is the cocktail. So if you like your booze stirred or shaken, you’ve got to drop in. I’ll have to try the Vesper. I love the Coburn, which is first rate.

And thanks for telling people about the “Bartender’s Call.” I don’t think we’ve even mentioned it here. It’s a great way to find new things to try. I’m going to do it next time myself.

Cheers,
Keith

Last year my friends at the Oregon College of Art and Craft gave me a bad time about not letting people know far enough in advance about their holiday sale. So…

So this year I’m giving the shout out nearly weeks early so people can empty their penny jars, liquefy their assets (what’s left after recent Wall Street goings-on) or harvest an organ. Whatever they need to do.

Seriously though, if you have any art-loving people in your circle of friends and family this is the best place to do your shopping. Some incredible student and alumni art is on offer. Or you can point those buying for you to the event.

It takes place at OCAC from Nov. 28-30. But my recommendation is to get there at 7 p.m. on the 28th when the doors open. Happy hunting.

See ya,
Emily

Ha! This month I beat Emily to mentioning the Hotel deLuxe movie for movie night! I told her I would. You’ve got to be on the ball with her, but this month I win. You owe me a mocha. Extra chocolate.

So November’s movie is called “Freedom State” and is directed by Cullen Hoback. It will show on Nov. 16, so you have some time to get ready for it. And tell me it doesn’t sound interesting. It’s a comedy about mental hospital patients who wake up and realize they’ve slept through the apocalypse. I know, right?

It’s a road movie. They get in their short bus and go out and try to find the edge of the world. Come on. What could be better? Combine that with food and drinks from Gracie’s and the Driftwood and you’re set. See details on our Movie Night page.

Later,
Keith

I’m here to talk movies today. A week of movies. Though I guess I should say “films.” You’re not likely to see Ashton Kutcher or what’s her name from “Sex in the City” in these (she has too many names; I can never remember.).

This is the NW Film Center’s 35th Annual NW Film and Video Festival, which bills itself as a “showcase of new work by regional media artists.” This year, from Nov. 7-15, it will show 44 feature, short and documentary films made by people from Oregon, Washington, B.C., Montana and Idaho.

Everything is chosen by a panel that in the past has included names like Gus Van Sant, Matt Groening and Todd Haynes. Big hitters. So it should be a tad different than your multiplex fare. But too hip to serve popcorn? Let’s hope not.

See ya,
Emily

I’d heard about Multnomah Village, but I’d always thought, “Village? Isn’t that just a little precious?” But I’m here to tell you it is precious, and I mean that in a good way, not a grandmother’s hard-candy dish way.

The place is adorable. It’s about 10 minutes south of the city proper, but you’d think you were at the coast or on some delightful movie set. The little one-street burg has a great bookstore (Annie Bloom’s), a couple of fine restaurants (O’Conner’s, Thai Herbs), some boutique shops and a couple of great drinking establishments (Journeys, Sip D’Vine).

We’d gone to Journeys for a wine tasting and I can’t wait to go back to that great little place with the stellar wine and beer selection and really warm owners. So there’s my recommendation for the week, people. And now I just learned they have a First Friday, too?!

See ya,
Emily