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)

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

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

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 can’t quite believe it but it’s almost over!  Anyway, I just wanted to express a very warm and happy holidays to everyone from all of us here at Hotel deLuxe.

It’s been another great year and we have all of our guests to thank. So pretending I had a nice pinot from the Driftwood with me right now, I raise my glass to all our guests, my fellow employees and all our blog readers. Cheers, everyone.

And to all of you who’ve not yet made it to see us ― what are you waiting for?

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

Well I just have to give big props to the Holiday Ale Festival last week. It wasn’t looking like I was even going to get there. Had all kinds of crap go wrong that day, including my car breaking down. Right on the bridge!

But we persevered. And actually all the problems just made it that much sweeter. No pain, no gain. And if I hadn’t gone, I wouldn’t have discovered my new favorite local brewer, HUB Brewing, and that would’ve been criminal.

They had their Noggin’ Floggin’ Barleywine there, which was my favorite of the day. It was so good I tracked down the HUB brewpub. It’s over on 29th and SW Powell and is a totally kickback spot if you haven’t been there. Just a relaxing place with great beers (try the IPA too) and some good pizza.

Later,
Keith

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