Portland Oregon- hotel & restaurant tips?

Old Jan 30th, 2005, 04:46 PM
  #81  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,586
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
OK - to get back to why I ORIGINALLY was interested in these threads, I just found the book I was referring to earlier. It is by Carl Abbott and it is called Greater Portland: Urban Life and Landscape in the Pacific Northwest. As an Urban Studies major, I am interested in the problems that face cities today. Also, it's wonderful to know that Portland has escaped some of the ugly sprawl that makes most cities very unpleasant. I live in the Phila. suburbs and new construction is rampant. Every year several new strip malls go up - and you know, there is rarely something in ANY of them that I end up patronizing regularly. Just how many dry cleaners, CVS stores, etc. does one area need?!

I think I would fit in well with "statistical Portland": you guys are more physically active than the average American, you read more, you watch less TV, you are more civic minded and environmentally aware. I have several diverse interests: I love used book stores, NBA games and art museums - and I've found most of the best of these to be in urban areas. But I also love to hike all day in the mountains or to waterfalls (the Columbia River Gorge is AWESOME)! Portland seems to have the best of both - more so than other areas I've been to. Montana is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen - but they lack a lot of urban amenties. How far would you have to travel to see an NBA game in Montana?
karens is offline  
Old Jan 30th, 2005, 04:53 PM
  #82  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
karens, if you get back to Portland I bet your dear husband will have a difficult time getting you to return home!! From everything you have said about yourself you are a "Portland woman". Seriously.

My husband was moved from there when he was ten years old to Long Beach Ca. And he truly loved swimming in the water, the weather etc. But he always missed Portland. It is to bad he didn't go to an Oregon University instead of Stanford because that little matter of not having a job (or business) in Portland caused him to stay in the SF BayArea.

I truly do hope you get to come to the NW in the not to far future. And in spite of the weather reputation I have been there in late October when the temps were in the 70's. Of course one can't count on that.
LoveItaly is offline  
Old Jan 30th, 2005, 05:14 PM
  #83  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Karens--Yes, we are lucky to live here. DH is retired military so we have lived many places. We were thrilled to move back here after his retirement last year. That said, there are way more strip malls than we would prefer. The sprawl is here. There are growth restrictions, but from what I see every day here you would question it. Still, we love it here.

Another great place for the culture and outdoor activities is the Seattle area. We lived there before moving here, and dh grew up there. Fabulous area! If you have not been there, go visit and see what you think.
Fodorite018 is offline  
Old Jan 30th, 2005, 05:26 PM
  #84  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
BTilke (if you're still out there),
I've been filling my wife in on the joys of PNW threads lately and she read your query about Murata. In a few words, "The best Japanese restaurant in town." Don't know anything about fugu (what the heck is it?). Anyhow, on the advice of my wife, if you don't see it on the menu, ask for it anyway; they will probably do it for you.
beachbum is offline  
Old Jan 30th, 2005, 05:41 PM
  #85  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Fugu is an extremely poisonous blowfish and the chef must have a special license (at least in Japan) to prepare it. If even a small amount of the toxin is ingested it can paralyze and kill you.

Part of the thrill of having fugu is the danger. Part is supposedly the tingle you get from whatever stray molecules of toxin make it into your system. I've never tried it myself, but if I were going to, I would want to be certain it was a specialty of the restaurant.
Marilyn is offline  
Old Jan 30th, 2005, 06:07 PM
  #86  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 21,966
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Karens: Montana's beautiful but you'd have at least a 7 hour drive to Salt Lake to see an NBA game. So many mountains, so few basketball games. . .
kureiff is offline  
Old Jan 30th, 2005, 06:57 PM
  #87  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks Marilyn,
I think I'll pass on the fugu, at least until I'm, say....85 or so. But, just for reference, do you know if it's a painful death?
beachbum is offline  
Old Jan 30th, 2005, 07:40 PM
  #88  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for your contributions here, karens. "Where are you men?" Here! (hand raised sheepishly) But, as I reflect on your words, adages containing the phrases, "people who live in glass houses", "walk a mile in my shoes", and something about casting the first stone come to mind. In any case, each of us has to deal with the reflection in the mirror, regardless of who's holding it.

On the lighter side, have you ever seen Beaverton, OR? One giant strip mall, Portland to Forest Grove. Sort of like an LA wannabe! Until urban planners somehow synch up with the mass transit folks, we here in Portland are in a world of hurt. Still, it's much less than seven hours to an NBA game.

Now, where's that bottle of syrah?
beachbum is offline  
Old Jan 30th, 2005, 09:49 PM
  #89  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oh, I'm not going to eat fugu either! But it's one of the few sushi bars that I've been to that serve it (as I recall, a sushi chef has to be specially certified to prepare fugu). I am a yellowtail junkie, though, always on the hunt for a good yellowtail roll (hard to get here in Europe).
I remember Murata as serving outstanding sushi, but the restaurant is a little more formal and serious than most of the sushi bars around Portland. I was just curious to see if they were still serving it (we haven't eaten at Murata for a few years).
FYI, for anybody from outside the Pacific NW, up there, no sushi bar worth its name would *dare* serve you crab stick in a California roll (the way they do at most sushi bars on the East Coast). It's usually Dungeness crab (delicious!).
BTilke is offline  
Old Jan 30th, 2005, 10:54 PM
  #90  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oo, BTilke, hamachi is THE BEST!

beachbum, it is supposedly an excruciating death. Quite a fascinating subject, actually. Check out this link, from which I quote:

"According to custom, a chef whose customer dies from his fugu is honour-bound to commit seppuku (ritual suicide by disembowelment)."

http://ballz.ababa.net/uninvited/fugu.htm
Marilyn is offline  
Old Jan 31st, 2005, 05:47 AM
  #91  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Gee, I've eaten at some places that didn't serve fugu, where the chef should have been bound to that code of honor anyway!
Patrick is offline  
Old Jan 31st, 2005, 07:52 AM
  #92  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,868
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've always thought I'd make the chef have a nibble or two before I at any fugu!
lcuy is offline  
Old Mar 21st, 2005, 07:30 PM
  #93  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Tried to post on the 'foodie' thread and couldn't. Just wanted to add my 2 cents that for a really great breakfast in Portland try 'The Tin Shed' on NE Alberta. It's about 12, 13th or 14th St I think. From now until late October you can eat outside in a little community garden. I'm not sure what category it would fall in: neighborhood bistro, shabby chic?
I saw all the postings on VQ which I also love. My husband and I began going there in 1968 or so when it was just the tiny original bar before they added on twice.
Caveat on my expertise: I'm 5th generation Oregonian but don't currently live there. I have probably spent 3 weeks a year in Portland over the last 30 years. And I'm heading there later this week!
Surpised to see so many of my France Fodorites here.
hopingtotravel is offline  
Old Aug 14th, 2006, 06:05 PM
  #94  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,738
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Topping for anyone those recent questions about where to eat in Portland
Skip the silly stuff..there are some great suggestions here, I have lived here for a year now and can say that most of these places we have been to..a couple have closed and some great new ones have opened.
Scarlett is offline  
Old Aug 14th, 2006, 08:35 PM
  #95  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Scarlett. Thanks for topping this. Some things never change. That Mueller "Thargau" is still being recommended on another website, same spelling and all. Even the same winery, even though it's never been produced there. Makes one wonder....

One of the great new restaurants that has opened since this thread started is Alberta Street Oyster Bar & Grill. Then there's Fenouil. Any others?

beachbum is offline  
Old Aug 14th, 2006, 09:39 PM
  #96  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,738
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
New restaurants:
Carlyle
as you said , Fenouil
Olea
Balvo
Everett Street Bistro
Pho Van Bistro changed their decor and renamed themselves Silk, still wonderful.
Anyone else?
Scarlett is offline  
Old Aug 15th, 2006, 11:38 AM
  #97  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Screen Door is a new place. Scarlett and I will hit it soon. Southern fare...she will be in heaven...who knows how I will do, lol!
Fodorite018 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
chrismch
United States
20
Jul 5th, 2006 12:19 PM
Meredith
United States
32
May 12th, 2006 07:15 PM
mag1218
United States
21
Sep 15th, 2005 07:26 AM
Scarlett
United States
40
Jun 29th, 2005 06:10 PM
need
United States
17
Dec 4th, 2002 07:00 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -