Rev. 9/11/20187:25 AM
FUN THINGS TO DO IN PORTLAND
SURVIVAL GUIDE: SHUSHI TO SKIING
Rev. 9/11/20187:25 AM
AFRICAN
Jarra’s Ethiopian Restaurant
1435 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Inexpensive and popular, specializing in delicious, spicy Ethiopian fare which you eat with your right hand.
Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant
1201 NW 21st Avenue
North African dining. Authentic atmosphere, good selection and no chairs. Worth a sampling.
Queen of Sheba
2413 NE Martin Luther King Blvd.
Excellent, inexpensive and spicy. Ethiopian food in a storefront setting. The owner is friendly, informative and sells spices and other ingredients.
BAKERIES
Berlin Inn Restaurant & Bakery
3131 SE 12th Avenue
The Berlin Inn offers authentic German baked goods from their in-house bakery.
Pearl Bakery
102 NW 9th Avenue
This bakery is located in the Pearl District, near Powell’s Books. Fabulous breads and you can watch the bakers at work while you enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Torrefazione Italia
838 NW 23rd Ave
Great place to people-watch as you enjoy your European-styled coffee. Biscotti, hard rolls, and raisin and fennel bread are available for snacking.
BBQ
Clay’s Smokehouse Grill
2932 SE Division Street
Come on an empty stomach to enjoy the huge portions. Something rarely seen at a BBQ restaurant are the BBQ salads.
Reo’s Ribs
8605 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy.
17375 SW Tualatin Valley Hwy.
Reo’s puts off an aroma that you can smell a ½ mile away.
BREAKFAST SPOTS
J&M Café
537 SE Ash St.
Comfortable, country atmosphere with original menu and low prices.
Marsee's Bakery
Multiple Locations.
Can be purchased at many of the Tulley’s coffee shops. According to Matt Brodsky (previous New Yorker and therefore resident bagel expert), this is the only decent bagel that he’s found so far that approximates the real thing.
TinShedGarden Café
1438 NE Alberta St
Friendly and warm ambiance. Served with your breakfast are light and tender buttermilk biscuits and your choice of potato pancakes or grits.
Utopia Café
3308 SE Belmont
Kate Doebke recommended this café for breakfast or lunch, saying that they’re famous for their brioche french toast, berry pancakes and egg scrambles.
CAJUN & CREOLE
Acadia
1303 NE Fremont Street
Cozy, romantic atmosphere serving inventive Cajun food.
Cool Runnings
4110 NE Fremont Street
Caribbean-Cajun food served in a warm and bright atmosphere. The not to miss Cajun benedict is served for brunch.
Voodoo Lounge
53 NW 1st Avenue
Half lounge, half Cajun restaurant, where dining and socializing are an art-form.
CHINESE
Hunan Restaurant
515 SW Broadway
Very inexpensive and a great place for families.
MarcoPoloGarden
19 NW 5th Avenue
A hidden treasure. Delicious food and exceptional service. Try the sizzling rice soup and the spicy kung-pao chicken.
Shanghai Noble House
5331 SW Macadam Avenue
Inexpensive with a large menu, mainly featuring fresh seafood.
COFFEE HOUSES
Coffee People
Multiple Locations.
A homegrown product, catering the earthy as well as the chic populace. Nice selection of pastries, coffees AND an unbelievable Black Tiger Milkshake!!!
The Pied Cow Coffeehouse
3244 SE Belmont St
A beautiful Victorian-style house on the outside with a hippie-styled inside. A wonderful cup of joe or tea invites you kick back and stay a while.
Starbuck’s Coffee
Multiple Locations.
They seem to be taking over with one on every corner.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
4525 SE Division St
Stumptown definitely knows their coffee. Their lattes are the stars of this establishment.
FRENCH
Le Bouchon
517 NW 14th Avenue
You are reminded of the French cafes located in Southern France in this small restaurant.
Le Happy
1011 NW 16th Avenue
The menu features a multitude of crepes.
Second Story Bistro
208 NW Couch Street
An uncrowded, inexpensive French bistro. You will not be rushed through your dinner here – after all it is a French bistro.
GERMAN
Berlin Inn Restaurant & Bakery
3131 SE 12th Avenue
Authentic German cuisine, inside and outside dining, and best of all an in-house bakery.
Gustav’s Bier Stube
5035 NE Sandy
Not to miss are the fondues and sausages. A nice selection of German and American beers.
Rheinlander
5035 NE Sandy
A bit expensive for the budget but wonderful food and lots of eye candy for the kids.
INDIAN
DawatPalace
3861 SW 117th Ave, Beaverton
A buffet restaurant serving consistently hot and freshly prepared food.
Plainfield’s Mayur Restaurant
852 SW 21st Avenue
A beautiful location in a house where you may dine outside under the Gazebo or inside amid amazing Indian artworks. The authentic Indian food is to die for. The upscale Indian menu is zesty, unique and considerate: Ayurvedic and vegan diets are accommodated here.
ITALIAN
Alba Osteria & Enoteca
6440 SW Capitol Hwy.
Two walls of the restaurant are windows, making the weather or street life a lovely thing to watch while your meal unfolds. Also, the middle dining room has a large window into the kitchen, for those who like to watch the chefs.
Three Doors Down
1429 SE 37th Avenue
Although the menu changes every two weeks you can always safely depend on the house pastas if having trouble making a decision.
Tuscany Grill
811 NW 21st Avenue
Great country Italian fare. Large portions, unusual appetizers and salads. A bit pricey, particularly depending on wine selections.
JAPANESE
Sin Ju
1022 NW Johnson Street
Two waterfalls, a sea of orchids and traditional tatami rooms set a formal and serene setting.
Syun Japanese Restaurant & Sake Club
209 NE Lincoln Street, Hillsboro
Their menu has the usual sushi, sashimi and toru, and an additional 70+ appetizers.
Yoko’s Japanese Restaurant
2878 SE Gladstone Street
Beautiful presentations whether you have the freshly prepared sushi or an entrée.
KOREAN
Bewon Korean Restaurant
1203 NW 23rd Avenue
An eight-course meal served by amazing staff.
MCMENAMINS PUBS
Many historical buildings, usually abandoned or waiting for the wrecking ball, have been granted a second (or fifth or sixth life) by being converted into a McMenamins Pub. Large selection of beer, wine, burgers and fries. Some also contain hotels and movie theaters.
Bagdad Theater & Pub
3702 SE Hawthorne
Barley Mill Pub
1629 SE Hawthorne
Blue Moon Tavern & Grill
432 NW 21st
Boon’s Treasury
888 Liberty NE, Salem
Cornelius Pass Roadhouse & Imbrie Hall
4045 NW Cornelius Pass Rd., Hillsboro
Crystal Ballroom
1332 W. Burnside
East 19th Street Café
1485 E. 19th Ave., Eugene
Edgefield
2126 SW Halsey, Troutdale
Fulton Pub & Brewery
0618 SW Nebraska
The Grand Lodge
3505 Pacific Ave., Forest Grove
Greater Trumps
1520 SE 37th Ave.
High Street Brewery & Café
1243 High St., Eugene
Highland Pub & Brewery
4225 SE 182nd, Gresham
Hillsdale Brewery & Public House
1505 SW Sunset Blvd.
Hotel Oregon
310 NE Evans, McMinnville
John Barleycorns
14610 SW Sequoia Pkwy., Tigard
Kennedy School Theater & Pub
5736 NE 33rd
Lighthouse Brewpub
4157 N. Highway 101, Ste 117, LincolnCity
Market Street Pub
1526 SW 10th
McMenamins on Broadway
1504 NE Broadway, Ste 900
McMenamins Cedar Hills
2927 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton
McMeanmins Corvallis
420 NW Third St., Corvallis
McMenamins Greenway Pub
12272 SW Scholls Ferry Rd., Tigard
McMenamins Mall 205
9710 SE Washington St., Ste A
McMenamins Murray & Allen
6179 SW Murray Blvd., Beaverton
McMenaminsOregonCity
102 Ninth St., Oregon City
McMenamins Sherwood
15976 SW Tualatin-Sherwood Rd., Sherwood
McMeanmins Sunnyside
9757 SE Sunnyside Rd., Ste K, Clackamas
McMenamins West Linn
2090 SW Eighth Ave.,
West Linn
Mission Theater
1624 NW Glisan
North Bank
22 Club Rd., Eugene
Oak Hills Brew Pub
14740 NW Cornell Rd. Ste 80
Power Station Pub
2126 SW Halsey, Troutdale
Raleigh Hills Pub
4495 SW Scholls Ferry Rd.
The Rams Head
2282 NW Hoyt
Ringlers Annex
1223 SW Stark
Ringlers Pub
1332 W. Burnside
Riverwood Pub
8136 SW Hall Blvd., Beaverton
Roseburg Station Pub & Brewery
700 SE Sheridan St., Roseburg
St. Johns Pub
8203 N. Ivanhoe
Tavern & Pool
1716 NW 23rd
Thompson Brewery & Public House
3575 Pacific Ave., Forest Grove
White Eagle Café, Saloon & Hotel
836 N. Russell
Yardhouse Pub
3505 Pacific Ave., Forest Grove
MEXICAN
Lupe’s Escape
19405 SW Tualatin Valley Hwy., Beaverton
This little hole in the wall restaurant has inexpensive food, huge portions and wonderful staff.
Ole Ole
2137 E Burnside Street
Very inexpensive and large portions.
Taqueria Nueve
28 NE 28th Avenue
Consistently high-quality, creative food.
MISCELLANEOUS
Caprial’s Bistro & Wine
7015 SE Milwaukee Avenue
This chick little bistro now famous from her PBS cooking show serves wonderful bistro-fare in a newly remodeled wine encirqued environment. Cookbooks are for sale and if you’re lucky, the Chef might be made available for autographs.
Higgins Restaurant and Bar
1239 SW Broadway
The preferred restaurant of Dr. Nutt.
Mother’s Bistro & Bar
409 SW 2nd Avenue
The spirits of mothers everywhere are united in this homey bistro. The menu features M.O.M. (Mother of the Month), with recipes from real-life moms that will leave you contented--and wanting to sleep over. On a nice day, try to grab a table outside – great for people watching.
PortlandCity Grill
US BankTower, 30th Floor
111 SW Fifth Avenue
A remarkable view is offered at Portland City Grill from the 30th floor of the USBankTower.
SEAFOOD
Jake’s Famous Crawfish
401 SW 12th Avenue
Serves one of the best caesar salads in town. Save room for dessert.
Seasons & Regions
6660 SW Capitol Hwy
Try the crab cake benedict for breakfast.
Southpark Seafood Grill & Wine Bar
901 SW Salmon Street
Inside and outside dining. A wonderful selection of food offered by knowledgeable staff.
STEAK HOUSES
El Gaucho
319 SW Broadway
An expensive but first class dining experience.
Morton’s of Chicago
213 SW Clay Street
The look of a private club with no windows. The generous portion of filet mignon will melt in your mouth.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
309 SW 3rd Avenue
The dining is ala carte in this dim-light setting. Ask your server to go easy on the butter as your steak and the plate will be covered in it.
THAI
Bangkok Kitchen
2534 SE Belmont Street
There are no bad dishes in this restaurant and more than one reviewer has claimed it has the best peanut sauce in Portland.
Lemongrass Thai Restaurant
1705 NE Couch Street
The food is prepared fresh-to-order by a talented Thai chef and she often comes out of the kitchen with smiles and warnings of ordering anything above a 3 on the Spicy Scale.
Thai Thai
4604 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Yet another very good and inexpensive Thai restaurant. Worth a stop, and besides, the Hawthorne area is just a fun place to eat and visit.
Typhoon
2310 NW Everett Street
410 SW Broadway at the Hotel Lucia
At the forefront of the Pan-Asian culinary movement. Has been featured on the cover of Bon Appetite, Typhoon offers remarkable eclectic Thai fare.
VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY
Laughing Planet Café
3320 SE Belmont Street
The food is great with some unusual options. The decor was also fun and casual. Great prices too!
ParadoxPalace Café
3439 SE Belmont Street
Paradox is a haven for veggies and vegans, with numerous clean-living menu options. It’s also easy on the pocketbook.
HIKING
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
Mt.Adams
For a true wilderness experience, Mt.Adams is the answer. Travel east of the Columbia River Gorge to HoodRiver, then straight north to Trout Lake, Washington. Must sees are Bird Creek Meadows located at Timberline on the eastern flanks of the mountain and the old Indian race track that can be distinctly seen in the meadow. For an intense backpacking trip, consider the Around-the-Mountain trail. But remember, this is Bigfoot territory (load your camera)! Great car camping at BenchLake, but make sure to smother yourself in mosquito repellent.
Mt.St. Helens
I-5 North
You can who has lived here for more than 20 years by asking, “Where were you the day Mt. St. Helen blew?” Lava caves are nice on inclement weather days. Sheep canyon and lava canyon areas are beautiful. You need advance registration to hike the veritable vertical beach.
Mt.Hood
Hwy 26 East
Many easily accessible trails to ski and hike. Ski trips all around base of Mt.Hood are serene and exhilarating. Groomed ski trails available at TrilliumLake, TeacupLake and the NordicCenter located near Mt. Hood Meadows. Nothing can beat skiing up the White River or the PCT in fresh snow!
Mt.Rainier
1-5 North
A beautiful volcanic outcropping located closer to Seattle than to Portland. If you have time, the drive is worth it and hiking superb.
Columbia Gorge
1-84 East (South Side) and Hwy. 14 East (North Side)
There appear to be as many trails originating from the Gorge as there are stream cuts coming down into the Columbia River trough. Favorites include DogMountain , Ruckle Ridge, Angel’s Rest and Eagle Creek to name only a few. Any person could point you towards a good experience within an hours drive of Portland.
Wind River
Hwy 14 (Washington) East
Natural hot springs are waiting at the end of a grueling 45-minute hike over boulders along the river, but are worth the effort. Or, take the easy way out and stop at Carson Hot Springs and enjoy a soak in the 60 year old iron tubs and steam wrap that leaves you so relaxed they have to drag your body from the tub to your cabin. Also, enjoy some grub at the restaurant there.
HIKING &
CROSS-COUNTRY GEAR
OregonMountain Community
60 NW Davis Street
Gear, trail guides, maps and help. There is a noticeably decreased partial pressure of oxygen here but a knowledgeable crowd with good advice.
Otto’s Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe
38716 Pioneer Blvd.
You barely have to slow down to pick up your skis while winging your way to the many idyllic cross-country skiing areas so close to Portland.
REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.)
1798 JantzenBeachCenter
Trail information, hiking and skiing rentals and all around outdoor equipment.
Mountain Shop of Portland
628 NE Broadway
Another large and fun store for all your outdoor goodies.
SKIING - DOWNHILL
Mt.Bachelor Ski Resort, Bend
800-829-2442
Oregon’s premier ski resort! 3+ hour trip, but the powder skiing makes it worth it! Love the Summit and NW territory! Located near the high desert of eastern Oregon. VERY long runs!
Mt.Hood Meadows, Mt.Hood
503-227-SNOW
Great skiing with all types of terrain. Views and runs off of Texas are great! So close to Portland that you can go “slug to slopes” in less than 2 hours!!
Mt.Hood Ski Bowl, Government Camp
503-222-2695
America’s largest night ski area. PACKED with black diamonds and gonzo skiers. Wicked convenient – closest to Portland!
Timberline Ski Area, Mt.Hood
503-222-2211
Very convenient ski offering. Beginner/intermediate skiing. Year round skiing on Palmer Glacier – new quad chair! The old historic Timberline Lodge is a not to be missed.
SNOW BOARDING
Mt.Bachelor Ski Resort, Bend
800-829-2442
Great festivities in Bend and way-lighter powder than the “backyard view”. Makes the 3+ hour drive worth it.
Mt.Hood Meadows, Mt.Hood
503-227-SNOW
Great powder in the upper canyon, steeps and the occasional buck.
Timberline Ski Area, Mt.Hood
503-222-2211
Year round fun! Icy-slush fiesta in the summer and fall.
SKI RENTALS AND SHOPPING
Mountain Shop of Portland
628 NE Broadway
Alpine Sporthaus
8599 Wilsonville Road,
Wilsonville
Hillcrest Ski and Sports
2506 SE Burnside, Gresham
Meadowlark Ski and Sports
38858 Pioneer Blvd, Sandy
GETTING TO THE MOUNTAIN
GI Joes – Ticketmaster
503-224-4400
You can buy your whole ski package through these guys, complete with luxury, round-trip bus from PDX to the Mountain. Call at least a day in advance.
KAYAKING AND RAFTING EQUIPMENT AND RENTAL SHOPS
Alder Creek Kayakers
250 NE Tomahawk Island Drive
MOUNTAIN BIKING
BIKE RENTALS
Fat Tire Farm
2714 NW Thurman
Rent-to-own here. Close to Forest Park for an “in-town” out-of-town experience. Yes, you can even do gonzo maneuvers which put your limbs at risk.
REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.)
1798 JantzenBeachCenter
They rent everything – it’s that simple!
WHERE TO CYCLE?
E. Fork of the HoodRiver
Go to HoodRiver, take Rt. 35 between Robinhood and Sherwood Campgrounds.
Ahh, a tame ride. Only a few times you have to walk your bike.
Forest Park
End of NW Thurman
You can get one very efficient workout riding through this seemingly endless Portland park.
Knievil Ridge
(Knebel Springs)
NE Shoulder of Mt.Hood
This ride offers great views, good downhills and a great tuck to finish off with.
LarchMountain
Columbia Gorge, I-84 East
Rocky stream bed descents and an ever present risk of needing first aid.
Lewis River Trail
Near Mt. St. Helens, WA
A great ride!
Powell Butte
Powell and 162nd
Some paved roads, single track and gravel – a little bit of everything. Great for practicing your maneuvers. Plus an amazing view.
Molalla River Trail, Molalla
Single and double track riding with many criss-crosses and chances to crash. Close to Portland.
Springwater Corridor
This attractive corridor from the WillametteRiver out towards the Sunnyside and Gresham area is a nice ride with a paved railroad, with many street crossings. Nice beginning trip. About 30 miles roundtrip. Good for the family cycle.
Trail 400, Columbia Gorge, I-84 East
Single track. Exhilarating ride and beautiful view. Easy drive from Portland.
ROCK CLIMBING
Smith Rocks, Terrebone
The Gorge
The Cascades
Horsethief Butte, Lyle, WA
WINDSURFING
The Gorge
BERRY PICKING
WestUnionGardens
7775 NW Cornelius Pass Road, Hillsboro
Strawberries, raspberries, tayberries, blackberries and marionberries. Beautiful family-run produce farm. Not only do they have u-pick berries, their stand supplies a mega-load of killer garlic, mouthwatering yellow babies (the best watermelon around), melons, potatoes and other fresh, tasty produce. An awesome place to slow down and smell the farm land.