I’ve got to get in on this java conversation. I never drank coffee before I came out to Portland. But man it didn’t take long. Now I give my fiancée a bad time when she says, “I drink tea.” To me it’s like living at the ocean and not going in the water.

So here are my favorite coffee stops in Portland:

Winter — Rimsky Korsakoffee House (S.E. 12th)
It’s in this big rambling house but still has an intimate feel. Best name too, even though it doesn’t even have a sign.

Summer — The Pied Cow (S.E. 32nd)
It’s also great in winter, but in the summer I just love the outdoor patio area. They also have great desserts, even a hookah.

Coffee Time on N.W. 21st is also a good spot. Great for getting a close-up look at Portland hipsters.

Later,
Keith

Portland is known for coffee, and rightly so. It fuels this town like nothing else. I personally think drivers are nicer here because they’re preoccupied and don’t want to spill.

You already know about Starbucks. We give directions here based on their numerous locations: “Go up to the Starbucks on Broadway, take a right and at the next Starbucks take a left and then it’s just two more Starbucks.”

But there are other great coffee stops in town, too. Here are two that are close to Hotel deLuxe:

1. Stumptown Coffee — The local roaster has a few places in town, and luckily one is not far from us on S.W. Stark. Maybe the best coffee in town.

2. World Cup Coffee & Tea — It’s a perfect spot to while away a rainy day, and is right near great shopping on N.W. 21st and 23rd.

All hail the bean!
Emily

On this we agree, my dear Keith. The McMenamins’ places really are distinctive. And I of course love that they commission original art for all of them. Kennedy School, for example, is full of paintings, mixed media pieces, mosaics. Everywhere you look there’s something.

But you forgot to mention that they also make their own wine, distill their own spirits and roast their own coffee. Their pinot noir is quite good. Even their table red, Black Rabbit Red, is quaffable, as we say. I’ve never tried the whiskeys, brandies or gins. I don’t know why.

And of course they brew their own beer, though I’m admittedly not much of an aficionado. If I’m having their pizza I might combine it with a pint of their Ruby (made with raspberries!) but that’s about it. Next time: brandy.

Prost!
Emily

In the upcoming presidential election I’m voting for the McMenamin brothers. They’re Oregon’s own brewpub barons and renaissance men, with some of the coolest places anywhere.

Start with the Bagdad and the Mission, their two theaters. Both serve up second-run movies accompanied by beer and food. I’m not going to lie, when I first came out to Portland they were one of the things that got me thinking of moving.

My favorite of their places is Edgefield. It used to be poorhouse. Seriously. Now it’s got a par-3 golf course. And then there’s the Crystal Ballroom. And all their places have these really creative touches you just have to see. Oh, and if that weren’t enough a lot have live music, too.

Later,
Keith

I have found my new favorite Portland restaurant. At least for this week. Hey, with as many choices as we have here it actually benefits you to be a little fickle…

Located on the park blocks in the Pearl, Park Kitchen is apparently quite a big deal with critics. I didn’t know that before I went. It was raining and my friend and I just stepped in for cover. Little did I know. A couple of days later, after blathering on to another friend about my dinner there, she sent me a link to a stellar review in the New York Times of all places.

So now I can enjoy a bit of self congratulation at having obviously superior tastes. And even though I’ve ruined the surprise for you, you don’t have to tell anyone you knew.

Enjoy,
Emily

When I meet people who are ho-hum about art, and you meet more people like that less than you’d expect, I talk to them about the Portland Christmas ships.

Why, you ask. Well, look at it this way. We could live quite happy, complete lives without ever seeing a bunch of boats dressed up in holiday lights. But we do it anyway. Even though it’s totally unnecessary. It’s art. How can you not love that?

The Portland parade is the longest-running in the country. So, if you’re in town between Dec. 7 and Dec. 20, ask about it. The routes and locations change, but there’s always a good seat somewhere. A restaurant on the water perhaps. Try McCormick and Schmick’s Harborside at the Marina. It’ll make a good floor show.

Till later,
Emily

While we’re on the subject of food, here’s a savory deal for you gourmand-type travelers. Hotel deLuxe is now offering what I think is one of our most creative — nay most delicious! — overnight specials yet.

Called “Here’s Cooking With You Kid,” you receive food and wine magazines (for research), a bottle of Oregon wine (for inspiration), reservations and a $50.00 gift certificate to a concierge-recommended restaurant (for eating). Best of all, the offer also includes a cooking class at Sur La Table (or a $65 gift gift certificate to Sur La Table)!

Now, I can’t promise you’d be a holiday hero if you gave your beloved this gift, but — actually, yes I can. You would be. A holiday hero.

See you here,
Emily

Thanksgiving is bearing down on us like a rafter of turkeys. (OK, so I had to look up what a group of turkeys was called, but now you know. …) And this year I’m thinking I’m going to get someone else to do the work.

So, I’ve put together this list of excellent no-cooking, no-cleanup replacements. Just in case, like me, you want to have your drumstick and eat it, too.

1. Huber’s — This downtown Portland landmark is famous for its turkey. And don’t miss the Spanish coffee. Just don’t wear anything flammable.
2. Three Degrees — At this riverside restaurant you get a view of the Willamette and a special Thanksgiving Day menu.

But best of all might be Hotel deLuxe’s own Gracie’s. Great food, and you’re just an elevator ride away from a nap.

Bon apetit,
Emily

I was talking about going out for my Mom’s birthday in my last post, and I just realized that I neglected to mention a few things worth mentioning. First, there’s nothing like a martini to add a little bounce to an evening of Glenn Miller-inspired music. So if you’ve got one planned, that’s my recommendation.

The second thing has to do with food. After the show, we all walked down to Pazzo for dinner (another of Mom’s go-tos for special evenings). Everything we had was delicious, especially the ippoglosso (Alaskan halibut). Plus, I like that it’s busy, happening, and has a downtown vibe.

So, to summarize, mix your big-band music with a bit of gin and vermouth, and try the ippoglosso at Pazzo. Don’t ever say you don’t know what to do on a Friday night…

See ya,
Emily

My mother loves the Driftwood Room. She came down a couple of nights after I started at Hotel deLuxe back in April 2006 to have a look around, and she was hooked. She’s been using me as a trumped-up reason for coming back ever since.

Even though I’m next door every day, I hadn’t been to the Driftwood, as a patron, in a long time. Until last week. It was my Mom’s birthday and she kindly “requested” drinks at the Driftwood before heading over to see Norman Leyden’s Big Band Birthday at Portland Center Stage.

Sometimes forgetting can be bad, like when you forget to return the pump before leaving the gas station (oops!). But it can also be good. Really good. Like my forgetting about the Driftwood martini. I’d forgotten all about that. If I were off right now, I think I might just order one. My point is that if you’ve been to the Driftwood, but forgotten, maybe it’s time for a reminder…

Cheerio,
Emily