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.
Every year the Portland zoo goes all out and turns into a really cool light show. We Portlanders like to call it Zoolights (and so, um, does the zoo). And if you think it’s just for kids, it’s not. Even the biggest Scrooge would really be into it.
The zoo grounds are totally transformed by more than 200 lighted, moving animals (not the real ones, of course). They’re swinging around and jumping, like a great big game. Everywhere you look there’s something you didn’t expect to see. There’s music, by local choirs and high school bands, every night. The zoo stays open an hour later during the season, so plenty of time to check it out, even on a weeknight. Oh, and there are the real animals too, so get out there.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve about had it with holiday shopping. Every time I think of the perfect gift for someone, and finally find it, I realize that I already gave it to them three years ago. That’s why the Rose City Collector’s Market is different (and better, if you ask me).
This year, everyone’s getting something unique from me, an actual one-of-a-kind gift. You don’t have to love antiques (even though I do) to appreciate the Collector’s Market. There is so, so much to choose from. I know my nephew will go crazy for the cool vintage Hot Wheels, my mom will love the depression era glassware, and my girlfriends will go gaga for the antique jewelry. I will love knowing that there’s no way anyone got them the same thing I did.
The Portland Art Museum has a fantastic exhibit going on: China Design Now. China is growing fast, everyone’s talking about it, and the exhibit explores the fascinating art that is being created during its rapid growth. The amazing design, architecture, paintings, and multi-media pieces give you some sense of how the Chinese themselves feel about and are reacting to the major changes going on around them.
Here’s what I’d do: Head over to Chinatown early in the day, tuck into the fabulous dim sum at Fong Chong’s (the chicken hum bao’s my favorite), walk off your lunch at the Chinese Gardens, then head over to the museum. If you go on December 1, there will be a docent to guide you through the exhibit. I might end the day with a cocktail and potstickers at Dragonfish’s fantastic happy hour, but that’s just me.
Depending on where you live, there are the things that tell everyone that your city is in the holiday spirit. For me, I look forward every year to heading downtown at the end of November (still just a little bit full from Thanksgiving), and watching the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Pioneer Square. This is the 25th anniversary, so I’m thinking it’ll be extra special this year.
There’s such a feeling of community; everyone is all comfied up in their knit hats and scarves, kids bundled in down coats and boots. People are sipping hot cocoa and hot apple cider (thanks, Starbucks), finding a spot on the bricks, with their fuzzy blankets in tow, to settle in for a while. And, when the lights go on, wow. It’s like it’s suddenly Christmas time. It’s definitely one of those nights when the Square really does feel like Portland’s living room.
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.
For the record, Billy Joel and Elton John are a bit before my time. Or, should I say, they started out before my time. The thing is, they’re still going. Their best stuff, in my opinion, was in the 70s, but they’ve lasted, because they’re genuises. That’s right, genuises. I’m going out on a limb here (there’s a secret shame quotient here), so go with me.
It’s just amazing that they’re performing, together, at the Rose Quarter. The show, November 10, sounds like it’ll be one of those once-in-a-lifetime events. They both have reputations as great showmen—everyone I know who’s seen either of them says they’re sort of super-human, so stage savvy and talented that you’re sort of transported. Hey, I’m going; I know all the words to most of the songs anyway. And you know you do, too.
Man, there are so many great things about Portland, but the coffee, coffee everywhere is definitely one of the best. Hell, you can’t throw a mug without hitting a java joint. So, no surprise that our town hosts a Coffee Fair.
This fantastic Portland event is Nov. 7 & 8, at kind of an unusual venue—the World Forestry Center up on SW Canyon—but I’m not complaining. There’ll be more than 40 roasters representing, and samples from coffee bars from all over the city. I’m looking forward to the demonstrations, too, because my coffee never tastes as good when I make it at home (or maybe coffee to-go is just one of my bad habits).
If you’re into the history of the bean, there are presentations all about that, too. I’m planning on leaving the fair with lots of new info and a bad case of the jitters.
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!
It’s seems like it’s supposed to be time to put away our sunglasses and dig out our rain shells until next spring. But then this event comes along, and it’s all about skin, and showing it off.
Did you know we have a regional tattoo magazine? If you have a tattoo, you might. If you have more than one, chances are even better. It’s NW Tattoo Magazine, and it, or at least the guys who founded it, is behind the Portland Tattoo Expo (happened this past weekend).
This Portland event is also sponsored by Oregon Ink. There will be more than 200 artist and vendor booths and 300 artists from all over the country.
Even if you’re not jonesing for a tattoo of your own, you’ve got to come check it out, especially if you missed the Portland Art Museum exhibition. It will blow your mind to see what they can do. And, who knows, maybe you’ll leave with a “souvenir.”
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.
The Portland Art Museum has a fantastic exhibit going on: 
Depending on where you live, there are the things that tell everyone that your city is in the holiday spirit. For me, I look forward every year to heading downtown at the end of November (still just a little bit full from Thanksgiving), and watching the 
Last month I mentioned how great the 
For the record, Billy Joel and Elton John are a bit before my time. Or, should I say, they started out before my time. The thing is, they’re still going. Their best stuff, in my opinion, was in the 70s, but they’ve lasted, because they’re genuises. That’s right, genuises. I’m going out on a limb here (there’s a secret shame quotient here), so go with me.
It’s seems like it’s supposed to be time to put away our sunglasses and dig out our rain shells until next spring. But then this event comes along, and it’s all about skin, and showing it off.