29Dec/0881
Places I Should Check Out
Okay, so I get all these suggestions throughout different posts on places I should go, so I'm making this THE spot to pump your place. I'll go and give my opinion on all of them. I'm sure I'll think most of them are great, but I want to check them out for myself anyway.
Is there some place you think is the bomb? List it here with the name and address.
January 2nd, 2009 - 13:03
Was mentioned once before, but I have to really push for Le Pigeon. The Chef/Owner was voted best new chef by Gourmet (I think it was Gourmet) and his dishes are ridiculous. Its all about meat, they even have a desert with bacon on it. Awesome service, cool atmosphere, great food, and you can even get a High Life.
January 2nd, 2009 - 15:47
You should come to a Timbers game this summer, Channing! Season starts in April, just come to the Bitter End Pub (19th/Burnside) about an hour before a game and soak in the chaos that is the Timbers Army.
January 3rd, 2009 - 02:00
Come on up to NoPo, Channing!
Great breakfast at John Street Cafe in St. Johns
Lunch at Slims (now non-smoking)
Nice pizza or pasta at Pizza Fino in Kenton. My elderly mom loves the spinach salad there and doesn’t bother remembering the name; she just says, “let’s go to the good salad place.”
Also, Anna Bannana’s in St. Johns has a tremendous pour of good Oregon wine for a steal while The Daily Show and the Colbert Report are playing. (Bargain wine not limited to airing time, it’s just when I really appreciate it.)
January 3rd, 2009 - 02:20
Hey Channing have you tried skyline burger? Ask your buddy L.A bout that place haha its has good burgers and fries thanks! Happy new year!
January 3rd, 2009 - 22:40
Hey Channing!
It’s a bit away but if you’re in town this summer my friends and I throw a great party on Mt. Tabor. It’s called the Portland Adult Soapbox Derby, maybe you’ve heard of it?
42 teams build gravity powered vehicles and race them down a mile long course on Mt. Tabor. It’s one of the many things that makes Portland a unique place to live and something you’ve just gotta experience for yourself! We just set this years date for August 22nd & we’re always looking for guest judge’s!!
January 4th, 2009 - 11:54
When you are in Charlotte in mid-January, be sure to stop by Mac’s Speed Shop for some AWESOME BBQ, the pulled pork is incredible, and their Carolina vinegar sauce destroys!!! Was just visiting the in laws there and went and loved it. Also went to a Bobcats’ game… I love being in Portland and having the Blazers, cuz although the boxscore said there were 15,000 at the game it must have really been more like 5 or 6,000… just dead and empty.
Go Blazers!!!
January 4th, 2009 - 12:00
Oh, one more thing about Mac’s, skip the coleslaw, only average… I’d go for the hush puppies and collards. And don’t get the banana pudding before a game, it’ll slow you down, but all the meat is ridiculous!!!
January 4th, 2009 - 20:38
Channing,
I wanted to tell you I wish you had a place on the site where we could comment about basketball. I have been noticing that each time you are in coach is running basically out of a motion set a high pick and roll with you and the pt. guard. Coach needs to make sure to put you in a position to score the ball. Everything is pick an pop which is easy to scout and have that defender rotate to you…..If they ran you off some staggers there is no way that another 4 would be able to chase you and if they switched you would be able to have a mismatch and be able to turn and post the guard.
You are such a valuable asset to this team to spread the floor and defend. I love l.a on the offensive end, but defensively he is struggling….when switching the pick and roll…when playing weak side defense he is often late on secondary help….Im not trying to bang on l.a, but coach needs to get you some more minutes bottom line.
January 4th, 2009 - 20:41
Channing,
Just wanted to let you know that I have been attending your basketball instructions at Club Sport. I just wanted to thank you for all your advice, drills and we look forward to you coming. Coach greg does a great job of showing us what you would do and want as a player.
John
January 4th, 2009 - 23:44
Two places:
Helvetia Tavern out Highway 26 westbound, on Helvetia Rd north of the freeway… Burgers, Fries and Beer…what more do you need? Great motorcycle ride on the backroads too.
3 Doors Down… exactly three doors down from Hawthorne walking north on 37th. Small, no reservations, but great Itailian and wine list. Go on a weeknight for shorter waits.
I will second earlier recommendations of the Montage, Flying Pie, Marrekesh, and Original Hotcake House on Powell.
January 5th, 2009 - 09:28
Kudos to Babs for the NoPo love. We have lot’s a great places up here.
Cup and Saucer for Breakfast. When we lived in SW Portland we would go to the Hawthorne location. Then We moved to NoPo and go to the Kenton loc. They’re out there on Killingsworth too. I’m vegetarian so I get the Biscuits and Gravy.
Nicholas or Hodas for lunch. Someone already mentioned Nicholas on Grand and it is my fav of the two. However, Hodas is less ‘hole in the wall’ and almost as good.
Dots for drinks and dinner. It’s on Clinton st and great now that it is non smoking. They have a spicy tofu dipping sauce for their fries that give me a mouthgasm every time.
January 5th, 2009 - 10:31
Let’s fight to keep Channing. Much more valuble to the team and CITY than D Lee.
January 6th, 2009 - 22:39
Russell Street BBQ! SOOOO GOOOOOD!
January 7th, 2009 - 17:19
REO’s RIBS in the westside suburbs! Best Ribs this side of the Mississippi. Check it out!
January 8th, 2009 - 01:50
If your up for a drive and want to get away from the city… I second Silver falls state park out of Silverton. It is a beautiful hike with views from a bunch of water falls and you actual get to walk under one of the big falls…way cool. And on your way home stop in at the wooden nickle…. have all kinds of good food.
January 8th, 2009 - 18:46
Elizabeth Leach Gallery(417 NW 9th Ave.): Has one of the strongest programs for Contemporary Art in the Northwest.
In it’s 28th year, offers a wide variety of Local, National, and International artists in all media from Paintings, Photography, Video, Installation, etc.
A not-to-be-missed art experience in Portland with knowledgeable and friendly staff. Tue-Sat 10:30-5:30
January 9th, 2009 - 10:10
Best pizza in Portland — in my opinion, the best FOOD in Portland — is at Ken’s Pizza at SE 28th and Stark. They don’t take reservations and are closed Sunday/Monday.
January 9th, 2009 - 17:26
Channing – For live music – Its go to be the Candlelight on SW 5th & Lincoln…But only go on Sunday Night to hear the Andy Stokes Band…They play some serious funk/soul/r&b…Its a place you gotta see to believe.
January 12th, 2009 - 17:21
I second Reo’s Ribs out on TV Highway. They have great sandwiches and sides. For breakfast my favorite place is called Hale’s on McLoughlin in the Gladstone/Milwaukie area.
January 14th, 2009 - 09:28
Thanks for all these recommendations. I’ll keep working my way through the list, so remember to check out my reviews in the Favs section of my website.
January 15th, 2009 - 02:22
Sandy River! Head east to Oxbow Park. Fly Fish for Winter Steelhead. Take one (hatchery) home and cook it up the way you want it.
January 15th, 2009 - 12:41
C Frye!
I can’t believe that nobody has mentioned Knob Hill Burger on 23rd and Helser’s on Alberta.
The burgers at Knob Hill are top notch.
The Eggs Benny at Helser’s is the best in Portland.
I also noticed that someone mentioned Christopher’s Gourmet Grill on MLK…they have one of the best Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches i’ve ever had.
My fiance thinks you’re “adorable”…her words…not mine.
If your here or not by the end of the season I think every Trailblazer fan knows that you’ve had a tremendous impact on changing the course of this franchise. Continued happiness in all that you do! Portland will always welcome you home.
January 16th, 2009 - 18:36
For dinner and cocktails- The Siam Society on Alberta.
For wine and art – Vino Paradiso, 417 NW 10th.
For Oaxacan food- Authentica on NE 30th @ Killingsworth
And for great creole/cajun food- Acadia on NE Fremont
January 19th, 2009 - 01:29
Here’s your ultimate list
German-The Berlin Inn (11th & Powell)
Ethiopian-Queen of Sheba (MLK)
Middle Eastern- Ya Halla (SE Washington st)
Italian-Ciao Vito (Alberta)
Southern-Bernie’s Southern Bistro (Alberta)
Mexican- Authentica (N. Portland)
Sushi-Yukiyo (N Portland Blvd & Denver)
If you just want to get drunk and eat mediocre trendy food served by vegan artists eat anywhere else in town.
January 19th, 2009 - 12:42
Channing
You should try Utopia Cafe on Belmont for breakfast. It’s been around longer than most of these other places and once there you’ll see why. It’s what Portland is all about.
January 23rd, 2009 - 10:50
Okay, I just posted a review of La Provence in my Favs section. Coming up soon: Lompoc Bar, Salty’s Seafood, Philadelphia, and Mother Bistro…
January 28th, 2009 - 15:30
Reo’s Ribs in Aloha is actually Snoop Dogg’s Uncle. Pretty random that Snoops uncle has a rib shack in Aloha. mad bomb though
February 19th, 2009 - 20:05
Pine State Biscuits on Belmont – just west of 39th.
March 10th, 2009 - 22:27
First of all, Channing you rock!
There isn’t nearly enough Westside love on this list, so here you go:
Piazza Italia (1129 NW Johnson in the Pearl) BEST Italian I’ve had. Ever. Great date spot – it’s family-owned, and has an wonderful setting (comfortable and romantic, but tons of soccer memorabilia at the same time…odd but very charming). The dishes are simple and absolutely delicious (the pasta texture is divine), and there is a sweet little Italian man who works there and asks girls to dance with him…he has some moves for sure. They also take reservations (which you def need on Fri and Sat, not sure on other nights).
For drinks, Clyde Common in the Ace Hotel (1014 SW Stark) has fun, funky, seasonal drinks that will knock your socks off.
As far as hiking goes, for a city hike you can’t beat the Lower Macleay trail in Forest Park (in NW, just under the Thurman Street bridge between NW 29th-ish and NW 30th-ish. You can taste the clean air and feel the temperature drop as soon as you walk down to the park, which is a forest with a beautiful creek that runs all along the hiking trail. You can park on NW Upshur.
Okay I love my neighborhood and think you’re rad, so just wanted to share some faves!
March 25th, 2009 - 23:19
Not a food joint but a great Portland institution: The St. Johns Parade. This year, the 47th annual affair is on May 9th.
Old cars, rodeo courts, middle school bands, girl scout troups and local politicos. You could be the star. Altho’ this year, the St. Johns Bachelor Club is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary and they are the “Grand Marshalls”.
Slip me a note and I’ll send you an entry form.
April 15th, 2009 - 16:50
Channing-
Tabla-28th Burnside-Mediterranean
Nuestra Cucina-SE 21st and Division good margaritas, authentic mexican
Romo’s-78th and Stark- shredded beef
Nicola’s-48th and North Lombard- the best meatball I’ve had in town.
Andina- good peruvian