Portland, Oregon: help for the clueless - YouLookFab Forum

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Portland, Oregon: help for the clueless

Eliza

Veteran

Thought I'd tap into the collective wisdom of YLF to see you have any recommendations for restaurants and things to do as an impromptu trip opportunity has arisen. Looking for dinner ideas for a seafood lover/vegetarian-friendly restaurant, as well as any recommendations for rainy day activities (like art and architecture) or must do ideas. The trip involves some business obligations, a quick trip to Corvallis near the university (where I might have a few hours to kill on my own) and some time along the coast near DePoe Bay. Will be staying near Pioneer Place in the city and may have a little time to incorporate shopping , too.

Thanks for your help!

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15 replies

Latest reply was from pil

Liz A.

Veteran

I went to Portland last month. The best meal we had was at Meriwether's. We aren't really foodies, so I think we didn't choose well for our other meals. I also enjoyed shopping up and down 23rd Ave and visiting the Rose Garden in Washington Park. Portland is a cool place to visit.

Eliza

Veteran

Thanks, Liz A. We are looking forward to our unexpected trip. I appreciate the endorsement for Meriwether's. Will also check out 23rd Avenue shopping. I have heard good things about the Rose Garden; not sure how this time of year will be there. We will likely have to play much by ear as the weather is unpredictable and we have some work commitments as well. Glad to hear you found the area enjoyable and appreciate your suggestions.

rabbit

Veteran

Powell's city of books is a must see/browse in downtown - and good for a rainy day. I don't eat downtown often, but in general Portland has great food and the willamette weekly: http://www.wweek.com/restaurants/ should point you in the right direction -- just avoid chain restaurants and breweries. There is a food cart pod near Pioneer Place and the downtown library at Alder and 9th. Food carts are a whole thing here, and often have tasty and interesting food: http://www.foodcartsportland.com/maps/

You will find good food around NW 23rd if you go shopping/browsing there, other good walking and noshing streets are NE Mississippi and Alberta on the other side of the river.

The rose garden might not be blooming much, but the Portland Chinese and Japanese gardens are lovely any time of year (entrance fees), or you can get good views of the city and mountains from Pittock mansion or the Arboretum.

Have fun!

viva

Veteran

My daughter lives in Portland and she loves Harlow (amazing casual vegan lunch), Blossoming Lotus (nicer, unique vegan dinner), and she has heard that Sudra is fantastic (vegan Indian). And the A&D Cafe has "the best brunch ever." Also vegan.

Not exactly what you asked for, but I hope this is helpful.

ETA: When we were there last year we spent some time at the Portland Art Museum. I really enjoy museums and I love the scale of this one -- it's got terrific exhibits and it's a nice size so that you can go and spend a couple of hours and have a coffee; it's not an all-day commitment.

Eliza

Veteran

I appreciate your thoughts, rabbit. Thanks for sharing your knowledge of the area. It really helps to get neighborhood recommendations, as well as where to see to the city views and what gardens make sense this time of year. I know the time is going to fly and what we do will be impacted somewhat by weather, so all these options are great to have.
I don't think we'll miss Powell's- love that a bookstore is a destination.

viva- you are so thoughtful to chime in with all the recommendations from visiting your daughter and I am grateful for your ideas. Those restaurants have appeal and in a city full of great food, it helps to have some choices that have worked for others. Sometimes smaller places are just right and they can be the hardest to choose. I am a museum lover also and great to hear about the scale of the Art Museum. Given our constraints, that sounds just right and I will look into it.

Thanks for the input. I'll let you know how we make out. We have just shy of 3 days in Portland itself and my guess is we will wind up inspired to return in the future to get to know the city better.

viva

Veteran

A couple more ideas... My husband and daughter went to Masu for sushi (downtown) and they loved it (it had vegetarian offerings, too). $$ but a lovely spot and excellent food.

In Alberta, Bollywood Theater is a really fun place for Indian, and for quick cheap delicious Mexican (with vegetarian options) El Nutri Taco is terrific (in Alberta, too).

I'm headed back to Portland in late October, and I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. The food is amazing.

Muffin

Veteran

Wow Viva- you've really hit some great spots! Any and all of the suggestions given from everyone are great Eliza. We've lived here for almost 4 years and am still finding so many new things. We live right off NW 23rd and we love the neighborhood (so close to the Pearl and downtown).

If you happen to be here during October 22-24 weekend we are planning a meet up and would love to have you join.

Eliza

Veteran

Hi Muffin- You are so kind to think of me and I would have loved to meet up, but we head there real soon. I appreciate the neighborhood recommendations (sounds like you are right in the center of the action). Thrilled to see the city and follow up on as many of these ideas as possible.

I appreciate how helpful you have been. It will help me better use the time there and clearly, there is much to explore. Thank you.

JenniferAnne

I second Powell's and the Lan-Su Chinese garden! Other shopping: Pioneer Place actually has a big J. Crew (currently under renovation) that should re-open the 1st week of October, I believe. Also near Powell's is a huge, recently-renovated Anthropologie store as well as a Whole Foods (for quick grocery-store sushi) and other shops. For vegetarian food, there's a great vegan place called Portobello at 1125 SE Division St. A couple other amazing restaurants with veg-friendly options include Nostrana on Morrison (one of my favorites) and Rue on SE Ankeny.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Not dinner, but Blue Star Donuts.

Eliza

Veteran

JenniferAnne- Thanks for the ideas for the garden and shopping. ideas. Also appreciate the restaurant recommendations. Looks like there will lots of good options. May have to lose my return ticket.

Annagybe- Thanks for the share. From the East Coast and wasn't aware of Blue Star. Not as many special donut shops here as there were 15 years ago or so.

Grateful for the input. I love to walk neighborhoods and all the info lets me know what to be on the look out for. Always grateful for YLF.

Liz

Veteran

A few years back I did one of these, and it was a great way to sample lots of places and see a neighborhood I wouldn't have seen otherwise:

http://www.portlandwalkingtour.....food-tour/

Eliza

Veteran

Thanks, Liz. Looks like a fun way to explore the city. I like reading about what walking tours focus on in new cities; useful way to get a rough idea about what is of interest as well as a potential activity.

Eliza

Veteran

Thanks for all the input. We had a great trip to Oregon. Saw the waterfalls outside of Portland, enjoyed the rose garden (still a lot of color) and the Japanese gardens, as well as the art museum, and enjoyed a lot of city walking. Then we spent time on the dramatic and stormy coast. It was an awesome trip and I look forward to more time in the PNW. Appreciate the help from each of you.

pil

Veteran

Flew in for a quick visit to Reed College with my son a few years ago. One thing I'll say about Portland is that the roads were marked so well. I'm pretty timid about driving in unfamiliar places and had no problems at all.
We also went to Powell's and had a tasty dinner at the Delta Cafe, which wasn't far from Reed.

ETA - NOW I see that you have already been on your trip