Thank you easytraveler..I understand what you mean The Yankee has this worry also that we will be overwhelmed with the drearies.
But we have one thing going for us that might make it not a big deal.
The Yankee works when he feels like it, we can take off for sunnier warmer climes if the winter greys get to be too much for us.
Now this is mostly a vacation and a visit to a dear friend, although no matter where I go, I am always interested in Would I like to live here?
We will find out soon enough! Only about a month to go

The Yankee and I saw the film HERO today. It was great.
It reminded me that coming from NY, we have noticed that there is not much of a selection in our town for movies, no art house theaters etc.
So, I am sure Portland has a wealth of good movie houses, would anyone like to recommend some? I think on a rainy day or evening, we might just like to go sit in a dark movie theater and have some Oregon popcorn and see a movie
Thanks~

Hey, Scarlett, look at the Lloyd center website, it has a movie theater. It also has a skating rink right in the middle. I went in for souvenirs, ended up sitting on a bench for long time, watching pre-schoolers taking their first skating lesson, it was sooooo funny!

Besides the theater in Lloyd Center, there's a larger (more screens) theater across the street south. If you're staying in the downtown core, Scarlett, there are multi-screen theaters on Broadway (few blocks down from Nortstrom's), and in the Fox Tower.

Also, McMenamin's, one of the area's original micro-breweries, has a number of places around town where, in addition to the popcorn, you can enjoy beer, wine, hamburgers, sandwiches, etc. will watching the film. The films aren't first run, but McMenamins creates an atmosphere that continues to pack 'em in.

pardon, that should be "while watching the film."

Thank you very much!
I just looked at the films at the Regal Fox Tower and it gave me great hope
I am so longing to see something that stars someone that I have never seen before or at least not on television and that requires me to read subtitles~
There are a couple of huge stadium seating sort of theaters here but they all run the very same, big Hollywood films and there is little choice, unless I suddenly crave seeing an Alien or an Anaconda~
See ya at the movies

Cinema 21 (on 21st St., in NW)
We had sushi at the large Japanese restaurant kitty corner from the theater and it was pretty good.

Scarlett, it sounds like you like to shop as much as I do! The Portland Saturday Market (also on Sun.) is a really fun place to stroll around for a few hours! www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com is the website. Enjoy! ***kim***

Marilyn's suggestion, Cinema 21, is probably your best bet if you don't find anything at Fox Tower or the Broadway complex. Unfortunately, the theater that would most likely have had what you're looking for closed down not too long ago.

Hope you enjoy Portland. My wife and I will be in Paris, staying at Hotel du Danube, in part because of your recommendation.

Oh beachbum, that is so great!
The Danube is a charming hotel and we enjoyed staying there very much.
The desk people are so nice, they gave us an umbrella to use the one and only day it rained, they were always smiling and helpful.
You will probably get a kick out of the elevator too.
Thank you for all the info, how can we not have a good time~

Hi It's me again~

I am making up a restaurant list.
So far we have:
Bluehour
Paleys
Mothers Bistro
Zinc Bistro
Oba
Jakes Seafood
Papa Hayden
Wild Abandon (who cares about the food, I love the name

remarks? more recos?

Hello Scarlett! Just to let you know...it's beautiful here today! I actually see the sun and the temp is no more than 80 degrees. Regarding you restaurant list...Papa Hayden is a big yes! Great salads but more importantly Great desserts! The others I'm don't have any personal experience but most of my friends love going to Mother Bistro.

Thank you dear
I will add Le Couchon and Tartine to that list.
Zinc Bistro has closed since I asked lol.

sorry Le Bouchon on NW 14th

Just for the record, it's Papa Haydn, like the composer, for whom it is named. Desserts, indeed, of the sort served in Heaven.
http://papahaydn.citysearch.com/

Click on Desserts and proceed to DROOL.

Sitting here munching my M&Ms and looking over Papa Haydns desserts. I will try all the chocolates and the bread pudding.
Thank you very much, Marilyn.

Sitting here moaning, because I have to cancel my NW trip for this year.

Scarlett, when you hit those dessert trays, wouldya please take a double portion? One for me? Thanks a mil!

easytraveler
#2

easytraveler, I would be happy to darlin..so sorry you can't make it this year.
But it will be nice to have you to blame for my increased width after the dessert sampling~

Restaurants?

If there is such a thing as PNW cuisine, Higgin's probably represents it best.

Though it's not often mentioned, Genoa is one of Portland's highest rated restaurants. But, do you want to eat Italian while you're here? (If yes, I'd also mention Alba Osteria & Enoteca, a few miles SW of the city, or Giorgio's, or Fratelli's, in the Pearl District).

Jake's is an institution around here: good food, but traditional with no surprises. Try Southpark Seafood Grill if you're feeling more adventuresome.

The Ringside is another institution. For years it was pretty much the only place to get a decent steak. With Ruth's Criss & Morton's now in town, that's no longer the case, but the Ringside still serves up the best onion rings you'll taste anywhere.

I just realized I left home without breakfast this morning.........

Scarlett, you must add Clarklewis to your list! We missed it last time but it has received great reviews on Chowhound.com

The Bluehour is simply wonderful! The building is very upscale and elegant, very comtemporary and oh those chairs you are seated in! Plush leather, and so comfy. The potato gnocchi with black truffles were the hit. Pricey, tho. Our bill was around $200 for a party of five, but worth every penny.

Jake's is very nice, we were seated outside. The crawfish are very good here, kind if in a divey part of Portland, tho.

It looks like you have a nice list. Will you be trying any wine bars? 750 ML, the Wine Down, etc? 750 ML was recently featured in Sunset, looks like they have a very nice Rousanne there! ***kim***