Portland is the hippest city in the country
We have been intrigued by Portland for some time now. It is the darling of travel magazines and blogs as of late and the blazing hot fall we were having here in LA left us craving the cozy fall weather Portland promised.
First of all, the foodie scene is Portland is like no other city we have ever been to. Literally better than San Fran, NYC and dare we say Paris?! The creativity and passion going into food (and wine and cocktails and coffee) is unrivaled and mouthwatering. The inventiveness is not overwrought and the lack of pretension amongst the chefs, bartenders, and really most everyone in Portland, is refreshing and welcoming. Don't get us wrong, this is a supremely chic hipstery bunch (think Silverlake, the hot spots of Brooklyn) without a drop of unfriendly self-consciousness. Portland is also an affordable town which just makes everything taste that much better.
To achieve such chic hipsterishness, there are several small boutiques that sell Pendleton, Isabel Marant, Whit, Wood Wood, Rachel Comey, APC, and so on. Also, if you are a man, the shopping in Portland is even that much better- never seen so many cool boutiques for the rugged yet stylish guy.
We also managed to squeeze in a work out! We were feeling a smidge like stuffed sausages from all the delightful and copious eating we were doing so took a Barre 3 class. We sweated, toned and emerged feeling much better. Wish they would open this fusion of Bar Method, yoga and dance here in LA!
STAYThe Hotel deLuxe is on the edge of the Pearl District and Downtown, right where you want to be. It embraces an old Hollywood vibe and the rooms rooms are bright and cheery, which is especially nice if it is raining which it often is. Make sure to request a corner room on a higher floor - a king feature. The bar there is adorable even if you decide not to stay there, it's called The Driftwood and they have amazing cocktails.
EATAndina: amazing Peruvian food in an inviting setting. The braised octopus was one of the best things we've had in a long time.The Woodsman Tavern: Warm, cozy, hard-wood floors, but kind of a drive so take that into consideration. Great food that is a bit heartier and "very Portland right now."Le Pigeon: Super cozy and romantic, a meat lovers heaven, we did the tasting menu here which had a lot going on! Tartar, pigeon, and foie gras ice cream stuffed profiteroles. Not light!Clyde Common at the Ace Hotel, you'll hear a lot about, we had lunch there but go for a cocktail instead. They have a famous mixologist behind the bar who makes a different and delicious punch each day.Tasty N' Sons: Don't miss for breakfast! Fantastic on all fronts.....Chocolate sweet potato donut balls to dream about and die for.Kir: A wine bar that we heard has amazing tapas and small plates, right across from Le Pigeon, was closed on the Monday when we tried to go.
Salt & Straw: perhaps the best ice cream ever. "Farm to cone" ice cream handcrafted in small batches with local and organic ingredients. The Sea Salt Caramel was creamy and insane.
SHOP
Oh, and did we mention there's no sales tax in Oregon?! Enjoy.Frances May, Odessa, Souchi, House of Lolo for women's clothes
Reveille for men's and women's clothes
Tanner Goods for men's clothes (and the shops next door)
Canoe and Alder & Co for home and general loveliness
Powell's Book Store- largest independently owned book store in the country
SWEAT
Barre 3 - loved this fusion of Bar Method, yoga and dance!