we're two 65 yr old women from SF in relatively good health
we've booked all 3 nites at the Modera and are arriving by train.
because of the dates, we're not interested in outdoor adventures.
but we do want to get a sense of portland's history and architecture
also any recommendations for good restaurants - breakfast -lunch - dinner
would be greatly appreciated.
we watched a show on television last month that mentioned a wonderful down home breakfast place - relatively new- in an up and coming part of town that sounded wonderful
if anyone knows the name -please tell us

Portland has a very good art museum and the Oregon History Museum is nearby.

Is the restaurant that interests you mentioned here: http://www.oregonlive.com/movies/ind...fast_spec.html

We love walking Portland's Pearl District and Nob Hill neighborhood and visiting their Japanese Garden: http://japanesegarden.com/visiting/info/

HTTY

thank you so much!
yes the tin shed is the one...!!
do you have suggestions for dinner? cajun or low country?

I haven't eaten at a cajun restaurant in Portland, but Acadia and Le Bistro Montage look promising:

http://www.creolapdx.com
http://montageportland.com

HTTY

I enjoyed doing an Epicurian Walking Tour - takes you to areas in the Pearl District - try some local foods, a little history of the city - it was an easy walk and a fun day.

So many wonderful restaurants in Portland.
Here a some that I've been to and recommend.
I'm just leaving the house so I'm sorry not to be able to include their web sites.

Heathman (downtown)
Adina (Pearl District)
Beast (NE)
Fenouil (Pearl)
Typhoon (various locations)
Urban Farmer (Downtown)
Le Pigeon (NE)

In case you're still checking in....

Acadia has great food; so doe Montage. Except that it's located under a bridge in an industrial-like area, and attracts a younger, body-pierced, multiple-tattooed crowd. Screen Door is another popular restaurant for low-country food. It doesn't take reservations though, so get there early. You'd need to drive or figure out the bus system to get to any of these. Same with Beast and Le Pigeon.

Close to where you're staying: Higgin's (one of Portland's first farm-to-table), Veritable Quandary, and up near the Art Museum, Southpark Seafood Grill. Popular downtown breakfast spots: Bijou Cafe, Mother's, Byways.....

For history, go to the Pittock Mansion. Walk through the NW neighborhood, NW 23rd street especially, the architecture is great, the shops are great and food is good ..

When in the Pearl District, don't miss the Pearl Bakery. Have breakfast there one morning, you will be glad you did.
http://www.pearlbakery.com/
Throughout the Pearl you will see how they took warehouses and breweries and made them into fabulous loft apartments and shops and "Green" buildings.
Take the Streetcar as much as you can, saves feet.
The Typhoon on Broadway at the Hotel Lucia is the better one, imo. Very good Thai.
For a down to earth Italian lunch or dinner, go to Piazza Italia in the Pearl -NW Johnson.
http://www.piazzaportland.com/
We lived half a block away from bluehour http://www.bluehouronline.com/
Perfect for lunches or dinner or Happy Hour.
The Epicurean Walking tours are great !
Go to Mothers http://www.mothersbistro.com/
Have any meal or just drinks at the Red Star Tavern in the Monaco Hotel
http://www.redstartavern.com/

there , I will stop, over informing you

How did I miss this thread earlier? LOL!

Good suggestions above. Mother's is a must for breakfast, IMO.

Today you will be slipping and sliding though, so be sure to take advantage of the streetcar to get around.

Scarlett--I thought of you a couple days ago when I saw a truck from Pearl Bakery making a delivery out here near me

mms, next time you see the truck, stop it, get some pastries and mail them to me.
Please.
Don't make me beg

thank you all!! these are wonderful suggestions
Fodorites always come thru to make my vacation the
best.
i think we'll be waddling home to SF.