The Mme and I went to Portland several weekends ago, and had an unusually good time. The Rose garden was just past its peak, but was still pretty terrific. Tons of people there - a good sign of a city's culture that a flower garden is a major activity. The walk there is nice too, through a nice neighborhood.
Also discovered Vinopolis. Great selection and prices. We decided a Levet was a perfect picnic wine, so grabbed a '14, had big sandwiches made at City Market, and headed up the hill to smell the flowers and chug some Levet out of party cups.
Another highlight for the Mme in particular (she is a perfume fanatic) was the Perfume House. Somehow, we'd never discovered this despite being hard core Northwesterners. Tons of perfumes, old bottles, and tons of knowledge - half museum, half store. Worth the journey, if you like perfume.
Re food, the biggest shout out goes to Davenport, which has a ridiculously good wine list, perhaps the best I've ever seen, at reasonable prices. Great owner, great food, do not miss. Had a Julie Balagny MaV which made me think of what Roilette was made in a natural style - sort of a parallel universe sort of wine (and a wine highlight of the year). Worth the journey. Next time, we will just eat there every night and enjoy the list.
Pigeon was very good food wise, but we felt pretty rushed out for the next reservation, which literally walked in the front door and looked down at us - I'm sorry, if you spend $500 for two people on a dinner, I'd like to feel like you have more than a couple hours. Cool list though.
Little Bird has a bigger dining room, is cheaper, has as good a list, and we had an all round better time. Food not at heights of Pigeon of course. An haunting, sublime 85 Raffault Picasses was another wine of the year sorts.
For any birders out there, the Ridgefield NWR can be great. We were there last Spring, and off the SW walking path there were about a half dozen bitterns doing their breeding call, which was atmospheric.
Also discovered Vinopolis. Great selection and prices. We decided a Levet was a perfect picnic wine, so grabbed a '14, had big sandwiches made at City Market, and headed up the hill to smell the flowers and chug some Levet out of party cups.
Another highlight for the Mme in particular (she is a perfume fanatic) was the Perfume House. Somehow, we'd never discovered this despite being hard core Northwesterners. Tons of perfumes, old bottles, and tons of knowledge - half museum, half store. Worth the journey, if you like perfume.
Re food, the biggest shout out goes to Davenport, which has a ridiculously good wine list, perhaps the best I've ever seen, at reasonable prices. Great owner, great food, do not miss. Had a Julie Balagny MaV which made me think of what Roilette was made in a natural style - sort of a parallel universe sort of wine (and a wine highlight of the year). Worth the journey. Next time, we will just eat there every night and enjoy the list.
Pigeon was very good food wise, but we felt pretty rushed out for the next reservation, which literally walked in the front door and looked down at us - I'm sorry, if you spend $500 for two people on a dinner, I'd like to feel like you have more than a couple hours. Cool list though.
Little Bird has a bigger dining room, is cheaper, has as good a list, and we had an all round better time. Food not at heights of Pigeon of course. An haunting, sublime 85 Raffault Picasses was another wine of the year sorts.
For any birders out there, the Ridgefield NWR can be great. We were there last Spring, and off the SW walking path there were about a half dozen bitterns doing their breeding call, which was atmospheric.