I am so excited that my mom is coming to Hotel deLuxe for Mother’s Day; see if you can figure out why. I sent her an email asking her:

How would you like to come stay at the deLuxe on May 9, with a bottle of champagne and chocolate toffee (from the local fab shop, Cacao) waiting in your room? After you’ve settled in a bit, you’ll head to the Aveda Spa for a pedicure. Then you can sidle up to the bar in the Driftwood Room for something from the Happy Hour menu or later for a tasty Bar Menu dinner. The next morning, on Mother’s Day, meet me downstairs in the hotel at Gracie’s Restaurant for a great brunch.

Um, she said yes.

Ciao,
Emily

I’m not one of those guys who gets out to every event on the Portland waterfront, but throw in some great Mexican food, beer and music, and chances are you may spot me, lounging in my serape.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the five-day Cinco de Mayo Festival. It all begins Friday, May 1, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. There are way too many musicians to name, but there’s everything from pop star Graciela Beltrán to mariachi, along with dance performances from local high schools. If you’re going to see just one act, though, come for the amazing Ballet Folklórico — unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

And, if you get a chance, take a minute to Google the history of Cinco de Mayo. You just may be surprised to find that it’s actually not the day the margarita was invented.

¡Hasta la vista!
Keith

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.

Later,

Keith

(thanks to Marilyn M on Flickr for the photo)

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.

Later,
Keith

A four-year-old I know recently had the audacity to claim that there is no Easter Bunny. Au contraire, my little ami. If there is no Easter Bunny, how could the awesome Alpenrose Egg Hunt at Alpenrose Dairy be such a hoppingly successful event for 46 years?

This year things get started on April 12 at the SW Portland dairy at 10:30 a.m. Three to eight year olds are divided into different groups, by age, and one lucky curtain climber from each group will win a six-foot Easter Bunny.

But the Bunny is hiding something else this year that might prove to be an undeniable enticement for moms as well: a diamond. Yes, I said diamond. So if you’re wondering why make the trek when you’ve got a perfectly good backyard at home to fill with colorfully dyed alternatives, ask yourself this: Is there a diamond in my yard?

Kiss Kiss,
Emily

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?

Kiss, kiss,
Emily

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)

I see the bumper stickers more and more around town asking me to help keep Portland weird. Alright then. Here’s a starter kit:

•    Voodoo Donuts on SW 3rd or NE Davis – It’s time you try your first ever “Memphis Mafia.”
•    McMenamins – I think they were the first geniuses to combine beer and movies. The Kennedy School may just be the weirdest place in town.
•    Glowing Greens – Haven’t we been counting the days till glow-in-the-dark, pirate-themed mini-golf?
•    Lucky Lab – Beer’s never weird, but drinking it with your dog is kind of. You can do that at any of their places.
•    Cat’s Meow – This place is all cats all the time. OK…

And that’s just the tip of the weirdberg. Don’t even get me started on the naked cyclists…

Later,
Keith

Everywhere I go I hear people virtually complaining about how many great new restaurants keep popping up in Portland. This is a dilemma? I say, bring ’em on!

The other night a friend told me to get ready and that he was taking me to a mystery spot. When we arrived at Por qué No? on SE Hawthorne he said I could now stop complaining that the best tacos were served from the “roach coaches.” And I have.

Por qué No? has nine varieties of tacos (including calamari and porque tinga, my favorite), mucho grande salads, inventive vegetarian choices, the best guacamole I’ve ever tasted and housemade tortilla chips. And after a couple of pint-sized margaritas I wobbled out one happy señorita.

They also have a location on N Mississippi. Visit one or both, but visit Por qué No? you must.

Hasta la vista,
Emily

Discovered a great store this past weekend. If you dig music, and also want to rack up some good karma points, this is a good spot for you.

We headed out to SE Hawthorne last Saturday (had a great breakfast at the Bread and Ink Café ― if you haven’t been to the waffle window I just don’t know what to say to you). Down the street is Global Exchange. That store rocks! Everything is imported, fair trade. And it smells great in there.

But the best part is the instruments. They have these cool drums from Indonesia, bells from Ghana, and these noisemaker things from Peru. We bought a recycled tin thumb piano from Burkina Faso and cruised down the street, plinking away, celebrating our find and our good karma.

Later,
Keith