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

I’ve got to give a shout out to the owners of the Indian food cart on Yamhill (or Morrison, I can’t remember). That place is just downright spectacularly awesome. It’s my favorite lunch spot around the hotel. It’s the only thing there next to the parking lot. It’s even got some covered seating.

It’s all vegetarian and the portions are absolutely huge. Seriously. I can get two meals out of one order. And they’re only like $5, $7 if you add a mango lassi which I’d highly recommend. Especially on a hot day.

So just go out the door of the Hotel deLuxe, turn left, walk down the street and turn right on Yamhill (or Morrison). Walk over the freeway and just a couple blocks on you’ll see it sitting on the corner. Just an old trailer. But don’t be fooled, it’s the bomb.

Later,
Keith

You know what amazes me? Libraries. Seriously. I was thinking about this the other day when I was at the downtown branch. Think about it. You go to this place and you can just borrow any book or CD or DVD you want and walk right out with it.

And if they don’t have it you can just order it. I don’t know, I just think that’s pretty incredible that first, as a civilization, we do that and second that it works. Free books for anyone who wants to read them. That’s pretty incredible.

It’s a beautiful building too, the main one. I don’t know what kind of options you have if you’re from out of town but at least you can read them there. There’s also a lot of newspapers and magazines, and free Internet. Plus, it’s just down Taylor from Hotel deLuxe.

Later,
Keith

Its movie season again, everyone. After a short intermission as we catch our breath from the summer, we’re getting things off to a banging start. The first installment of the fall/winter lineup on Oct. 19 is Taylor Brodsky’s Hear and Now.

You might’ve heard of this one; it took the Audience Award at Sundance last year. It’s the story of the filmmakers’ parents. Deaf their entire lives, both decide at age 65 to try this risky ear surgery. The documentary follows “their journey from a world of silence to a brand new world of sound.”

For any newbies, our movie night takes place the third Sunday of each month. The Screening Room opens at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at 6:30. And you can order food or drinks from Gracie’s or the Driftwood. Just RSVP at 503.219.2093 to let us know to expect you.

See ya,
Emily

I’m not huge on Halloween. It’s OK, but not a big deal to me. Even when I was a kid I sort of did it because my friends did. It just seemed like too much work or something. I don’t know.

But I do still enjoy carving up pumpkins. I wonder if they’ll have that at the Open Studio deal, Emily… its great fun. I end up doing them for my friends as well. I think I also like that they don’t last forever. You make it, and then rots. Come on, rotting art is cool.

I’m told by some people here that Rasmussen Farms in Hood River is a good place to go for a fun-filled pumpkin picking time. There’s even something called Pumpkin Bowling out there which I like the sounds of.

Later,
Keith

It’s that time of year again when a range of Portland artists agree to open up their studios for art voyeur types to wander through and gawk, and hopefully spend a little money along the way.

I talked about it last year and am really trying to get people to go and support local art. Called Portland Open Studios, it gives you a great opportunity to see how different artists work and maybe start your collection with a personal connection.

This year there are almost 100 artists participating, including emerging talents and well-established artists from just about every media, including acrylic, ceramic, collage, drawing and colored pencil, furniture, glass, jewelry and photography.

It costs $15 and runs Oct. 11-12 for the westside and 18-19 on the eastside. Doors are open from 10 to 5. Check the website for a tour map.

See ya,
Emily

Looking for that new outfit that no one else has? Something to go with that cute skirt you just bought? Try Fashion Week. What the tube top is Fashion Week? That’s a good question since fashion is really a year-long commitment.

This annual event (from Oct. 8-12) gives independent designers a chance to introduce their spring/summer 2009 collections here in Portland in a week-long series of runway shows, this year in the Pearl.

And you thought we were a fashion backwater, all fleece and Gore-Tex. It’s actually the second-longest running fashion week on the West Coast. Just a few of the designers on hand include: In Harmony, Dimitri, Saffrona and Amai Unmei.

Best of all, the event benefits the Children’s Cancer Association and is earth friendly and sustainable from the lighting to the recycled fabric, to the organic food and transportation.

See ya,
Emily

Maybe you want to do a bit of grocery shopping while you’re here? Perhaps you wish to make a platter of raspberry tarts for the warm and solicitous reception staff? A smashing idea.

And you’re actually well situated for two of the finest specialty groceries stores in the area. If you go to Burnside and turn left, you’ll eventually run into Zupan’s. Their wine selection might be the best of any supermarket. Their produce and meat counter is also incredible.

Or maybe you’ve been pawing through the CDs at Everyday Music. In which case continue toward downtown and you’ll come to Whole Foods on Burnside. They’re known for their range of organic choices and items you’re not likely to find elsewhere.

Both should have the ingredients for those tarts. A bottle of Oregon pinot would work in a pinch, too.

See ya,
Emily

The Crystal Ballroom is awesome. Probably my favorite spot for larger shows. If you’re in town I definitely recommend seeing some music there if you can.

And then you can walk across the street to Everyday Music, which is the best record store in town and buy the CD. There’s one entire room that’s all classical music, jazz and world music. The whole other room is rock and rap. New and used.

You can get a CD from like $6 to $15 or so. And they’ve also got a lot of special stuff. Like posters, stickers, box sets and whatever. And a lot of cool vinyl, which I dig (I just got a new turntable for my birthday.) For the 5 or 10 people who still listen to cassettes they have a bunch of those too.

Later,
Keith

I really have to say, one of the best things about Hotel deLuxe is the location. And this is not just a brazen promotional post here. If I was visiting the city it is the exact sort of location I would prefer.

If you want to write it off to this actually being a hotel blog, I totally understand, but when you do stay, you’ll want to send me a basket of fruit for doubting me. (No papayas please. Tastes like meat.)

I went to the Crystal Ballroom and remembered again how perfectly situated we are. It’s just a short walk over and you’re right there on Burnside near Powell’s, great restaurants, the Pearl and the heart of downtown. Walk the other direction and you’re on NW 21st or 23rd with more great restaurants and some of the best shopping in town.

Couldn’t be easier.

See ya,
Emily