I disagree, but if you think Jake's is in a "divey" part of town, kim, wait til you try Clarklewis!

To comment on Bluehour, it's everything people say it is (though the building is actually an old warehouse). I'm just not comfortable with the usual clientele, a young(er than I), hip (or hip wannabe) crowd. We used to call 'em yuppies...

I do like Noble Rot (Lcuy's thread), but it's a little removed from the current centers of activity. Much more of a wine bar with tapa-like offerings than a restaurant.

A final thought... Mio Gelato, in the Pearl, is a nice place for a short break from shopping/walking.

While we were dining at Jake's last time, with my young daughter, someone from the adjacent hotel actually "mooned" the diners. We tried our best to ignore it but I still remember the area being "divey."

I know that Clarklewis is on Water St., we were in the area picking out our granite countertop at the gorgeous warehouse there this summer. Wow, what a showroom they have there!

Some parts of downtown Portland are defintely better than others, but that holds true with any major city.

As far as the Bluehour, we saw all ages there. Everyone was having a wonderful time, the place is full of life and fun, IMO! ***kim***

Coming from Honolulu, I tend to be a real scaredy cats in many big cities, but I feel very comfortable in Portland.

My niece lives out near NE 33rd & Killingsworth, yet bicycles at night to downtown, and my MIL takes the MAX and the bus all over.

Besides, if you're dining at one of these popular places, there are usually lots of people around!

Oops, hit post too soon.

Re Southpark and Jakes- Jakes is the classic old style seafood place, and it is very good.

Southpark is a more "hip" new, PNW version. Both have great food in different styles and both have Fabulous selections of oysters!

I want to go back!!

Scarlett: my advice is - skip the divey places, skip the Italian places, skip the restaurants altogether - just make a beeline for the desserts!

If you want to blame your added girth on me - what can I say? Glad to help!

The profiteroles stuffed with black cherry ice cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce @ the Bluehour can contribute very nicely to that! ***kim***

I think I will start writing for food magazines, just desserts
Thanks for the restaurant suggestions!

Ma cher Scarlett-if you like frette sheets, you must go look at the linens at French Quarter in the Pearl District.
And to think, some people buy all their linens there!