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.
OK, one last last thing about movies… Had to mention you can now buy tickets online for the Portland International Film Festival (Feb 5-21). I saw Miriam’s Wedding at the festival before anyone had ever heard of Toni Collete. OK, on to something non-film-related.
You know, ol’ Mark Twain said, “Everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it,” (or something like that). Except, you can: Get yourselves bundled up and head out on a walking tour of Portland’s China Town.
Starting at the amazing gateway at NW 4th and Burnside, you can wander the streets and happen upon great little tea and traditional Chinese medicine shops, curio and book stores, and even art galleries. Stop for dim sum at Fong Chong (NW 4th and Everett) then walk it off at the Classical Chinese Garden at NW 3rd. Happy hunting!
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.
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).
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.
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?!
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.
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.
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.
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.
