03.29.07
WW Finds Cheap Eats in the Pearl District
A while back, we broached the subject of cheap eats in the Pearl and decided, yes, there really is such a thing. This week's Willamette Week is all about cheap eats, and much to our delight, it includes a few of our favorite Pearl District spots, including Acorn, Byways, Fuller's, Nuvrai, Pearl Bakery and Via Delizia.
03.28.07
Treat Your Pup at Pearl Retriever
Pearl Retriever is hosting some fun events in the coming days, including complimentary massages for you and your pup, raffles and 10-30% off merchandise! It almost makes us wish for a pet (*sigh*). Details after the jump.
Continue reading "Treat Your Pup at Pearl Retriever" »
03.28.07
Bay 13 in Willamette Week
Today's Willamette Week dishes on Bay 13. Reviewer Heidi Yorkshire - also the author of that scorching piece on Ten 01 - gives Bay 13 a less-than-glowing review, but does sprinkle in a few compliments:
The hustling staff clearly aims to please. Managers are vigilant; servers charming, attentive and willing to seek out answers to questions about ingredients and cooking methods. But when it comes to the food, all is not well. This isn't just new-restaurant syndrome, recognizable by wild inconsistency night to night, dish to dish. Bay 13's problems are depressingly consistent: Despite first-class raw materials, the food is decent but dull. Two of the magic ingredients in cooking are salt and acidity, and the kitchen seems clueless about using either one. In the meantime, a lot of good fish are dying in vain.
We've truly enjoyed the atmosphere and drinks at Bay 13 the few times we've gone, but haven't had a chance to do much menu tasting. Hopefully they'll take some of Heidi's criticisms to heart and continue to improve!
Bay 13 is located at 701 NW 13th Ave. in the Pearl District.
03.26.07
Pearl District Featured in Portland Monthly's 20 Best Neighborhoods
The April issue of Portland Monthly just arrived and we're happy to note that the Pearl was mentioned not once, but twice, in a round-up of the best local neighborhoods. The "20 Best Neighborhoods" are grouped in 5 categories (with 4 spots each):
-Fast LanesYou can probably guess which two categories the Pearl was named in. The "Pearl District Extension" (or what most Pearl residents call North Pearl) is named in the Fast Lanes category. Portland Monthly writes that by 2030 the Pearl will add an additional 5,000 condos - many of them in this region.
-Charmed Corridors
-Smart Streets
-Family Circles
-Cultural Crossings
The Pearl District was also named as part of the Cultural Crossings section, recognized for its nightlife, shopping, restaurants, easy access to public transportation and proximity to the arts (Gerding Theater, PICA, First Thursday, etc.).
03.23.07
Q&A with Nuvrei
Today's Portland Tribune gets to know Marius Pop, owner of Pearl District bakery Nuvrei. The bakery is a bit hidden, but anyone who walks by NW 10th and Flanders knows exactly where it is - the sweet smell of pastries is unmistakable. A snippet from the interview:
Tribune: Speaking of odd shapes, do you get requests for cakes with unusual designs?Nuvrei is located at 404 NW 10th Ave. in the Pearl District.Pop: We’ve had quite a few. People will ask for theme cakes, “It’s my son’s birthday, and he really likes trains.” There are also bachelor parties, and you can imagine what they’re looking for. That’s not what we do.
03.23.07
Movie Filming Continues; Broadway Bridge Closed Overnight
As the Oregonian reports today, the closure of the Broadway Bridge continues overnight this weekend for filming of the thriller Untraceable:
The closures run from 6:30 p.m. today through 6:30 a.m. Saturday; from 9 p.m. Saturday through 7 a.m. Sunday; and, if needed, from 2 p.m. Sunday through 5 a.m. Monday.
Check out the "Hollywood rain." Funny stuff.
03.22.07
Spring into Fashion at Finn
Finn Clothing has just made way for its spring collection. Finn, which carries numerous top men's lines such as Andrew Marc, describes its style as "classic with an edge." (Sorry ladies, this is a guy's only spot.)
Finn Clothing is located at 132 NW 12th Ave. in the Pearl District.
03.22.07
Pearl Pups in the Spotlight
Kenneth Aaron, a photographer for Explore the Pearl magazine, will be capturing the pet-friendly side of the Pearl this weekend. If your pup loves to pose, join him on Saturday, March 24, at Jamison Square from 10 a.m.- noon. The shot may even end up on the cover of the May/June issue!
03.21.07
Hip Sips @ In Good Taste
Drop by In Good Taste this Saturday to indulge in some cocktails and grab a signed copy of Hip Sips - a new book by mixologist extraordinaire Lucy Brennan and co-writer Carolyn Burleigh. We received a copy from Carolyn last week and have already had some fun experimenting... One of our favorite drinks: "Love on the Rocks" (vanilla vodka mixed with cranberry and pineapple juice). Trust us, it's good!
Enjoy Hip Sips with Lucy at 3 p.m. this Saturday, March 24. In Good Taste is located at 231 NW 11th Ave. in the Pearl District.
03.20.07
Bridge to Bridge Races Through the Pearl
The Steele, Fremont and Broadway Bridges, and several Pearl District streets, will all be packed with runners for this weekend's Bridge to Bridge 5k and 10k races. The races kick-off at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning and may slightly impact traffic on: 14th, Marshall, 9th and Lovejoy.
03.20.07
Leftovers in the Pearl
Some odds and ends in Pearl District food news:
-On Monday, Park Kitchen received two big honors: a James Beard nomination for chef Scott Dolich and "Restaurant of the Year" from Portland Food and Drink
-Blitz Bar is off to a running start... they're even serving breakfast 7 days a week. Stop by and try their egg scramble in a waffle cone, which was featured on KPTV's Good Day Oregon last week
-Hiroshi Sushi has been getting rave reviews by everyone from ExtraMSG to the Portland Tribune and Explore the Pearl mag... time for us to finally check it out
-Ten 01 has apparently fired its chef de cuisine after all of the unappetizing reviews
03.19.07
Bay 13 Wins Over The Mercury (Sorta Kinda...)
Alison over at the Merc's Blogtown attended a Bay 13 media lunch today. She admits she's not a huge fan of seafood to begin with, but still had some generally nice comments. (Hell, after Ten 01's roasting, any other food review is bound to sound sugary sweet.)
The sushi rolls were unremarkable (with the exception of some fried tempura on one roll, which added a nice crunch); oysters from the raw oyster bar were good; my petrale sole was drenched in a lemony sauce so rich that I had no interest in eating more than a bite; the sweet potato fries were rather good; the fish and chips went over like gangbusters with the rest of the table. It's a style of high-end cooking that doesn't particularly interest me; not terrible, just a bit stodgy. Nothing I'd really come back for.Ok, so while the menu may not have knocked her off her feet, the restaurant's commitment to "sustainble seafood" did.If there's a next time, I'll order off the "simply grilled" section of the menu, which features an ever- changing list of fish grilled and served with lemon. Today it was ahi, salmon striped bass, and arctic char (apparently quite similar to salmon). Flown in three times a week so you know its fresh, I think this might be the best way to experience their food.
Continue reading "Bay 13 Wins Over The Mercury (Sorta Kinda...)" »
03.19.07
Pearl District on YouTube
A new photo montage of the Pearl District was just added to YouTube by the folks at PortlandNeighborhood.com. The black and white pics and odd background music makes the neighborhood seem a bit eerie, but it was still interesting to watch...
03.18.07
Vonage in the Pearl
Have you seen these Vonage commericals? They seem to be running nonstop lately. Look closely at the background and you'll spot a few familiar Pearl District buildings.
03.16.07
Sunny and 64; an excuse to shop
The sun has come out, hurray! We know, it's still a bit chilly, but it's nice to feel like spring is on its way. Which brings us to our spring wardrobe. It needs help. Luckily, tonight Pearl District boutique Michelle DeCourcy kicks off its spring 2007 collection and hosts an anniversary party.
"This collection is full of hot new prints in silks and knit jerseys. Dresses and tops are in fresh new styles for spring with classic-cut skirts that pair back nicely with the spring tops and new Pink Label collection. Colors have a fabulous new freshness this year. Aqua blues and greens, warm reds and fuchsias, and antique ivories make a splash this season."
Drop whatever you're doing and stop by between 4-8 p.m. tonight! Michelle DeCourcy is located at 916 NW Flanders St. in the Pearl District.
03.16.07
Paging Elephants Deli
Every time we walk by the old Nina's/Graze location we assume a new restaurant will be popping up any day. (We'd love, love, love an Elephants Deli type of place... a spot for quality grab-n-go salads, sandwiches, etc.) Looks like it will be a while though. Food Dude found an interesting craigslist ad offering Pearl District restaurant space that sounds oddly familiar. Heh. Maybe we'll forward it to the fine folks at Elephants...
Prime restaurant space in the heart of the Pearl District ready for you! All equipment, fixtures, etc. are waiting for you to turn the key. 2,300.00 usable square feet, outdoor seating, bar area, handicapped bathrooms, light and airy-a great location with unlimited potential. $160,000.00 to buy out current owner and assume lease. Don’t delay-this property will go FAST!!!!! Contact us at pdxrestaurantgroup@yahoo.com to learn more.
03.16.07
Another Poor Review for Ten 01
It almost hurt to read it. Ten 01 received another wince-inducing review today - this time by Oregonian writer Karen Brooks.
Similar to the harsh Willamette Week review, Brooks points to the menu's unappealing concoctions and disappointing delivery.
A sampling:
Hollywood had "Ishtar." The music world has Britney Spears. Portland dining has Ten 01 -- a case of grand ambition gone terribly wrong.Dishes at this splashy new restaurant are conceived as if they were the last on Earth and every flavor known to man and beast must be sampled before the hour of annihilation. What else could explain the kitchen's bizarre concoctions?
----------------------------
Four months after opening its tony doors, nothing is more remarkable about Ten 01 than its failure. To find something similar, you'd have to look to Shakespeare or Greek tragedy.
Management has mangled the potential of a place with seemingly everything going for it: a prime Pearl District location; a handsome space full of quiet elegance; an impressive wine list with more than two pages on Oregon alone; and a built-in audience hungry for Portland's next-level cooking.
03.16.07
NY Times Covers Pearl District's Kid-Friendly Features
Today's NY Times "Weekend with Kids" section focuses on visiting Portland with kids. The Pearl District is featured prominently in their "downtime" suggestions:
The trendy Pearl District is ideal for relaxed urban wandering. Take the 10th Avenue streetcar north to Marshall Street and check out the new Tanner Springs Park, a sort of cross between an Italian piazza and a weedy urban wetland with lots of benches perched beside gently running streams.In the Pearl, you're never far from gelato and espresso — in fact, Via Delizia is right across from the park at 1105 Northwest Marshall Street (503-225-9300). It's $2.50 for a single scoop of gelato, perhaps pistachio, peanut butter or pumpkin spice; $2.95 for a double-shot medium latte. Head over to 11th Avenue, then turn back south past Green Frog Toys at 1031 (a good place for Playmobil) and make another pit stop at Jamison Square at 810 Northwest 11th Avenue. You can perch on the stone steps and watch residents walk their dogs past the totem poles, play bocce and sip lattes from the adjoining Sip & Kranz coffee lounge (purveyors of the highly regarded local Stumptown coffee).
Continue south past the Hanna Andersson store (327 Northwest 10th Avenue), with timeless Swedish clothing for kids and parents, and end up at the main branch of Powell's Books (1005 West Burnside Street, 503-228-4651), a Portland landmark for new and used books — so vast you need a map to navigate. The children's section, like everything here, is phenomenally well stocked.
03.15.07
Park Kitchen Hosts House Spirits Dinner
Park Kitchen, arguably one of the best restaurants in Portland, is hosting a special cocktail dinner on Friday, March 23. Food and drink is $60 per person (tip not included). Menu after the jump...
Park Kitchen is located at 422 NW 8th in the Pearl District's North Park Blocks.
Continue reading "Park Kitchen Hosts House Spirits Dinner" »
03.14.07
St. Paddy's in the Pearl
We stopped celebrating St. Paddy's Day a few years ago. No particular reason why - actually, we just had no particular reason to care. Well, we'll be starting a new St. Paddy's tradition this weekend, as Blitz Bar opens its doors. We've long wished for more casual bars around the Pearl, and Blitz is exactly that.
Tune in to Good Day Oregon (KPTV channel 12) this Friday morning for a preview of all the St. Patrick's festivities happening at Blitz. Irish band "The Real Shindig" will play from 5-7 p.m. and 9-11 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday night, and much more!
Blitz is located at 110 NW 10th Ave. in the Pearl District.
03.14.07
The Affordable Side of the Pearl
The newest issue of the Portland Tribune features the "other Pearl" - a look at the amount of affordable housing in the Pearl District and how it has been successfully integrated into the neighborhood.
While the Portland City Council is set to enact a new policy requiring 30 percent of spending in urban renewal districts be devoted to affordable housing, experts say the Portland Development Commission did a pretty good job in requiring a mix of housing for low- and moderate-income people in the Pearl.And, they say, the fact that nobody notices the Pearl’s subsidized housing is testament to how well that housing has been integrated.
“My favorite thing to do is to take people into the middle of (the Pearl’s) Jamison Park and say, ‘OK, which one of these is the low-income housing project?’ ” says Patricia Gardner, chairwoman of the Pearl District Neighborhood Association Planning Committee. “It just kind of integrates. I don’t think people think twice about it.”
03.12.07
Jamison Fountain On: Cue Crowds
As spring begins, some familiar and wonderful neighborhood sights resume. Jamison Square Park is about to return to its bustling, bursting-with-kids season. The park's fountain, along with several others around Portland, have just been turned back on today by the Portland Water Bureau.
(The fountains are turned off during winter months to avoid drain clogs and damage from freezing weather.)
03.12.07
Event Reminder
Just a quick reminder about this Ecotrust open house event we mentioned a few weeks back. It's slated for this Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. Having just visited Ecotrust's meeting spaces for another event, we'd recommend checking it out. Great spot for your future events, large and small! Oh, and free food/drinks from local vendors. How can you pass that up?
03.12.07
Happy Hour Sips, Make-Up Tips
Join L'Mu Salon tomorrow (and every 2nd Tuesday of the month) for a complimentary make-up class. The class takes place from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. and you must RSVP. L'Mu is located at 810 NW 12th Ave in the Pearl District.
03.12.07
Bridge Closure Reminder
Just a reminder that a movie, Untraceable, is filming in and around the Pearl. They're closing the Broadway Bridge several times overnight in the next several weeks. Here's a partial schedule:
March 12-13: bridge closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
March 14: bridge closed from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
March 19: if necessary, bridge closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
03.09.07
"All Things Green"
We just got our hands on the newest issue of Explore the Pearl - it's chock-full of great stuff. You can check it out online now!
Some highlights:
-a glimpse of what's new around the neighborhood
-a feature on "green living" and green business practices in the Pearl
-tips on where to celebrate St. Paddy's Day in the Pearl
03.09.07
Green Tea Gelato
Mio Gelato, a Pearl District Italian gelateria and espresso bar, just posted its new spring menu, including featured March flavor of the month: Green Tea Gelato. Hmm... not sure about that one, but the rest of the menu sounds delightful. Especially the Strawberry Rhubarb Gelato in May. Highlights after the jump!
Continue reading "Green Tea Gelato" »
03.09.07
Who's Sayin' What: Pearl District Buzz
Two interesting blog posts this week on the Pearl...
-Jonathan at BikePortland.org writes about the Encore's promotion of carfree living.
-Brian Libby comments on recent Oregonian articles about downtown's retail challenges and makes a case for seeing downtown and the Pearl as one place (from a retail perspective).
03.08.07
Pearl Pub Crawl
We just checked out the new features on UrbanDrinks.com and were pretty impressed. The site allows you to create your very own "Pub Crawl" itinerary. What a neat idea! A user has already submitted a "Best of the Pearl" pub crawl - check it out. Create one and send us the link. (Or better yet, invite us for drinks!)
03.08.07
Future Pearl District Craft Museum Receives Grant
The Contemporary Craft Museum & Gallery, which is relocating in the Pearl District's park blocks this July, has just received a $300,000 grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. This means they're 80% of the way toward their goal of raising $6.5 million for their move to the Pearl (into the old Daisy Kingdom location).
When they move to the Pearl, they'll also be changing their name to the Museum of Contemporary Craft.
Updated to Add: The Museum gave a few folks a sneak peek at their new location this week.
03.08.07
Pearl District's Nau Expands
The Portland Business Journal reports this week on the growth of Pearl District-based sustainable clothing company Nau.
Pioneering sustainable clothing company Nau Inc. has launched its e-commerce Web site, and will open four retail store locations over the next two months in Boulder, Colo., Bellevue, Wash., Portland and Chicago.Led by top brass gleaned from Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE), Adidas Group and Patagonia, Nau is headquartered in Portland's Pearl District.
The 2-year-old company sells technical and lifestyle outdoor apparel that is sustainably sourced.
At its new retail sites, the company is experimenting with a retail concept it calls a Webfront -- a small boutique with limited inventory and equipped with computer kiosks to research or order products.
Wonder if any of those new retail sites will be located here in the Pearl?
03.06.07
One Dirty Byrd, Extra Dirty Please
We hear Vault Martini is celebrating its 3rd anniversary this Saturday, starting at 8 p.m. You'll find us there, drinking a Dirty Byrd, indulging in whatever celebratory fun they have planned. (If you're wondering what a Dirty Byrd is, get your mind out of the gutter. The official menu description: "He sat across the table and his breath caught in his throat. His companion was uncomfortably good looking. A dirty Grey Goose martini.") Love their cocktail names and menu descriptions.
Vault Martini is located at 226 NW 12th Ave. in the Pearl District.
03.05.07
Swine & Wine
We had to mention this event just for it's great name: Swine & Wine. It's the latest Dinner Series from Olea in the Pearl District. Here's the description:
Beginning Wednesday March 7th Chef Daniel Mondok will create a four course prix fixe pork dinner. The first Wednesday of each month will feature the most noble of meats and every chef's friend, the Pig. Wine pairings will be available or simply bring your own (No corkage). Seating is limited for these special dinners, so book early. $45 per person
Olea is located at 1338 NW Hoyt in the Pearl District.
03.05.07
Oh Baby! The Birth of Pearl District Business
Opening a business in the Pearl District isn't an overnight process. More like a labor of love, filled with real estate hassles and construction delays. Lisa, owner of the future Baby Cakes (cupcakes!) shop, details it all in her blog.
Baby Cakes, to be located at 301 NW 10th Ave, might not open until April, but when it does, we wish them sweet success!
03.05.07
Encore Units Now For Sale
The folks at Hoyt Realty have just released prices for the new Encore condominium. The Encore will be located at the very north end of the Pearl District, which we happen to like. The future park down there (along with the existing Tanner Springs park) will eventually make this section of the Pearl pretty darn cool. Sample prices: lofts start at $323,500; 2 bedrooms for $745,500 to $858,000; and luxury penthouses starting at $1,469,500.
Check out Hoyt Realty's Encore website for more details, floor plans, etc.
03.05.07
Food Fight Tonight
No, not that kind of food fight. But lots of foodies and ag experts will be in the same room together, so ya never know... The noteworthy event will still be quite interesting. Dan Imhoff, author of the newly published Food Fight: The Citizens Guide to a Food and Farm Bill, will be speaking at Ecotrust tonight. His goal is to provide consumers with the information they need to start the "food fight" that delivers a more sustainable future.
The free event will feature complimentary food from Slow Food Portland as well as wine tasting with Willamette Valley Vineyards. It takes place tonight (March 5) from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Ecotrust's Billy Frank Jr. Conference Center at 721 NW 9th Ave. in the Pearl District.
03.02.07
As If We Need More Shoes
Two huge shoe sales taking place this weekend...
Shoefly is having a 3-day Warehouse Sale, offering up to 70% off original prices. Apparently they're transferring all sale shoes to two retail locations, and one of them happens to be the Pearl District store! Sale lasts today through Sunday (March 2-4). Shoefly is located at 718 NW 11th Ave. in the Pearl District.
Then head on over to Imelda's and Louie's 13th Anniversary Sale, which takes place Saturday and Sunday (March 3-4). They're offering 10-70% off shoes, jewelry and accessories. Imelda's and Louie's is located at 935 NW Everett in the Pearl District.