04.30.07
Yuppy = Bloggy?
Today's NY Times covers the recent "bloggiest neighborhoods" ranking by Outside.In:
The Latest Must-Have for Yuppies: A Blog About the NeighborhoodFirst come the renovated condominiums, the latte bars and the expensive baby strollers. Next, apparently, come the bloggers.It's interesting that they seem to lump all the neighborhoods on the "bloggiest" list into the yuppy category... not sure if that's necessarily the case, but the article's mention of how neighborhood gentrification is tied to blogging is interesting nonetheless. The Pearl District, in case you missed it, was named the 6th bloggiest neighborhood in the country.
04.27.07
Hoyt Street Properties Announces Metropolitan Retail Tenant: Eddie Bauer
Hoyt Street Properties has announced the first major retailer tenant slated for the Metropolitan - Eddie Bauer is leasing more than 5,600 sq. ft. on the ground floor of the landmark urban renewal project. The Metropolitan is opening Fall 2007; the Eddie Bauer store is expected to open in Winter 2007.
04.27.07
Pearl Retriever Hosts Dog Walk
Pearl Retriever, a chic and friendly dog shop in the neighborhood, is hosting a Saturday Morning Walk in the Pearl tomorrow. Here are the details...
When: Saturday, April 28, 2007
Time: 8:00 am -9:30 am
Meet: The Pearl Retriever Loading Dock (corner of Hoyt & 13th)
* Complimentary Dog Biscuits for All Dog Participants!
* Meet New People, Get Some Excercise, Walk Different Routes Each Time.
* No Need to Register, Just Show Up! It's Free!
* Looking for Great Dog-Walking Routes (able to walk from the Pearl). Any Ideas?
Contract Andrea for more details. The Pearl Retriever is located at 526 NW 13th Ave. in the Pearl District.
04.26.07
Kudos for Blitz Bar
Blitz, our favorite casual spot in the Pearl, gets some kudos from the Portland Mercury today.
04.25.07
Frenchbread, Anyone?
Over the past two weeks, the neighborhood has been littered with "frenchbread" graffiti. Whoever is doing it is simply scrawling the word "frenchbread" on local sidewalks, buildings and signs with a can of orange-red spraypaint. Over and over.
Is this a joke we don't get? Some sort of statement? Either way, it's getting kinda stale.
While we're on the subject of neighborhood appearances and all, remember to sign-up for this weekend's Polish the Pearl - see Neighborhood Notes for details!
04.24.07
Hiroshi, Here We Come
We've recently heard a ton of raves about Hiroshi, the new sushi restaurant in the Pearl. The May issue of Portland Monthly adds to the praise with a favorable review:
"...there are "sushi chefs," and there are sushi chefs. Hiro Ikegaya, the previous owner of the now-defunct Hiro Sushi restaurant in Lake Oswego and the current owner of the newly opened Hiroshi in the Pearl District, is quite certainly the latter..."We keep waiting for an appropriate occasion to try it (it's quite pricey), but if we don't hurry, it seems we'll be the last to go! Hiroshi is located at 926 NW 10th Ave. in the Pearl District.
04.23.07
Nous Aimons Moulé
First we got an email: "Do you know what kind of store is going in across Everett from the W+K building? It's the one with a giant photo of a woman in the window..."
Then a note from a PDBA insider: "They have ultra-chic designers- Betsey Johnson, J.Brand and Chip & Pepper Jeans, etc. Also bags, shoes and luggage by Philippe Starck. And . . . gasp! . . . dresses and tops by Catherine Malandrino!"
And then we opened the latest Portland Tribune, and whaddayaknow, they're all over it too. The buzz has begun... our newest stylish neighbor, Moulé, is open for business.
Moulé?? Yeah, we hear ya. Our french is that rusty, too. (Don't bother writing to tell us we totally screwed up the headline, we're guessing we did...) Moulé apparently means shaped or molded. This is the company's first U.S. location (they hail from Canada). And there's more to it than clothes (which were beautiful, by the way)... Moulé has a bit of everything, from candles to Playboy collector's books, to jewelry and stationary. Check it out at 1225 N.W. Everett St. in the Pearl District.
04.23.07
We're the Bloggiest!
What a pleasant surprise... we just stumbled across a fun tidbit from OregonLive's breaking news section. They report that the Pearl District is one of the "bloggiest" neighborhoods in the country (according to rankings by Outside.In.com).
We're #6 on the list, joined by neighborhoods such as downtown LA, Florida's Coconut Grove, and SF's Potrero Hill. Check out the complete list and the factors behind the rankings.
04.18.07
Shameless Plug
One of the nicest live/work spaces in the Pearl is up for sale. (Yes, the owner is our friend, so consider this a shameless plug. That's what friends are for, right?) Here's the scoop, in case you happen to be in the market for a rare live/work space.
-ground floor commercial space (800 sq. ft.) with 2 entry doors, a bathroom and tons of windows
-stairway leads to a 2nd floor living area (another 800 sq. ft.)
-gorgeous, dark hardwoods throughout both levels
-stainless steel appliances, maple cabinets and floor-to-ceiling windows
-full bath, utility room and huge walk-in closet upstairs
Shoot me a note if you're interested in more details...
Updated to add: Check out the property listing!
04.18.07
Armory Cafe is Open
The Armory Cafe has just opened. It's located, of course, inside the Gerding Theater at the Armory. Stop by for breakfast, lunch or a pre-theater dinner. Their menu, which features some treats from Pearl Bakery and Ten 01, looks great (and cheap!). Here's a sampling from their menu:
The Krupke 5.00
Egg, bacon, and tomato toasted on Pearl Bakery paesano
Dan’s Granola 4.00
Toasted oats and nuts served over strawberry or honey yogurt with marionberry puree
Tomato Soup 4.00
Creamy yet vegan, served with warm pita
Butternut Squash Ravioli 5.50
With browned butter and sage
Four Cheese Macaroni 5.50
Torchio pasta with gruyere, fontina, chèvre and white cheddar
The Portobello 5.00
Portobello mushroom, red bell pepper and olive tapenade on focaccia
The Armory Cafe and Gerding Theater can be found at 128 NW 11th Ave. in the Pearl District.
Continue reading "Armory Cafe is Open" »
04.18.07
Make Happy Hour Healthy(ish)
The trick to a healthy happy hour? Sip slowly! Ok, it's a little more involved than that. Oba was recently featured on KPTV's Better program. They stopped by to check out the happy hour menu's nutrional side and suggested some smart tips to make happy hour a bit more healthy. We're not cutting out the coconut shrimp anytime soon, but maybe we'll start sipping more slowly...
Oba is located at 555 NW 12th Ave. in the Pearl District.
04.18.07
Post Tax Relief
If you're looking for some post-tax-payin' relief, BridgePort Brewery may just have what you need. The neighborhood brewery and restaurant is about to release their new summer seasonal: Haymaker Extra Pale Ale. Haymaker will appear on store shelves and on draft in just a few days. It's described as a "distinct blend of four malts and three varieties of hops that create a slightly complex ale with a light body and a crisp finish" or more simply, "sunshine in a glass." That should cure the tax time blues.
BridgePort Brewery is located at 1313 N.W. Marshall St. in the Pearl District.
04.15.07
Happy Hour at Olea
This weekend, we ventured into Olea for the first time in months. It's not that we don't enjoy Olea, it just hadn't been top-of-mind recently. Everything was great, from the drinks to the flatbread-style happy hour pizza. Service was better than we'd remembered it in the past and as the night progressed, the place was packed.
Now we have a few more reasons to keep Olea top-of-mind. Starting tomorrow, April 16th, Olea's new "Tavern Menu" is an all-hours deal, six nights a week. They're also debuting a revamped happy hour menu. Monday through Saturday between 4-6:30 p.m. you can enjoy their tavern burger, phyllo-wrapped goat cheese with braised cabbage, housemade lamb sausage pitas, calamari fritto misto and, as mentioned, their specialty pizzas.
Some other noteworthy Olea news... New executive chef Daniel Mondok (formerly of Carlyle) is now in the kitchen... this Wednesday, April 18th is their next edition of the Swine & Wine dinner series (call ahead for reservations)... and, last but not least, every Thursday night from 6:30-9:30 p.m. they're featuring live jazz by the 12th Avenue Hot Club.
Olea is located at 1338 NW Hoyt St. in the Pearl District.
04.13.07
Oregonian's A&E on Blitz Bar
Today's A&E had a great little write-up on new neighborhood spot Blitz Bar.
Blitz Bar Finally. A bar in the Pearl District for the folks who actually are building the Pearl District. "We're not one of those chic, meek martini bars," says Blitz's chef, Chris Martin. "What we're trying to do is 180 degrees from everything else in the Pearl. Low prices. Great big portions. Blue collar." But dwellers of those lofts in the tony Brewery Blocks are welcome too, Martin says.Read more.
04.13.07
NY Times: 36 Hours in Portland
Today's NY Times features Portland. Their suggested itinerary is so-so, filled with a few of the typical tourist attractions. Several Pearl District spots are mentioned, including Fenouil, Powell's, Sip & Kranz, Park Kitchen and Jamison Park.
Note: Just noticed that the article is by the same writer who recently covered the kid-friendly side of Portland for NY Times.
Note #2: OregonLive writes about how popular this article has been over the past few days.
04.12.07
Ten 01 Names New Executive Chef
A new executive chef will soon be in the Ten 01 kitchen. Chef Jack Yoss, who hails from W Hotel in Los Angeles, starts on May 23. Adam and Michael remain in the kitchen until then.
From the official press release:
"We are thrilled to have Chef Yoss on board. When we tried his food, we immediately knew that he would take Ten 01 in the direction we want," said co-owner Adam Berger. "Michael and I have learned some tough, but valuable lessons in the past few months. Obviously, the reviews were not what we'd hoped for and we've made positive changes as a result. We hope everyone - those who have either come in and been disappointed or those who have not come in - will come check us out and experience the food for themselves."
It sounds like Jack is up for the challenge of turning Ten 01's reviews positive. Here's a glance at some future menu items:
Items on Chef Yoss' menu may include Northwest Oyster Chowder with fennel, potatoes, and tarragon oil; Seared Sea Scallops with parsnip puree and green apple-celery root vinaigrette; Sautéed Black Bass with fennel puree, asparagus, chorizo, and marcona almonds; Apple Cider Glazed Niman Ranch Pork Belly with pearl onions and trumpet mushrooms; Bacon Wrapped Quail with sweet onion puree, duck confit, and natural jus; Roasted Sonoma Lamb Chops with swiss chard, goat cheese gnocchi, and Pinot Noir reduction; Braised Beef Shortrib with mascarpone polenta and glazed root vegetables; and Sonoma Lamb Sliders with aged feta, pickled onions, arugula, and nicoise olive aioli.The full press release after the jump...
Continue reading "Ten 01 Names New Executive Chef" »
04.12.07
One Step Closer to Burnside-Couch Couplet
After hours of debate last night, Portland City Council voted to approve the first step in creating the controversial Burnside-Couch couplet. An initial $3.1 million dollars was approved to begin the planning and design work. The total cost - if the project moves forward and funding is secured - would be more than $80 million. No doubt many Pearl District businesses on Couch and surrounding streets have strong opinions about this plan. Your thoughts?
04.10.07
"Fences" Hits the Armory's Main Stage
Starting today, a new production takes the main stage at Gerding Theater in the Armory. Fences is a Pulizter Prize-winning play written by playwright August Wilson. It will run until May 6.
From the PCS website:
One of the most significant playwrights of his generation, August Wilson has left a soaring legacy in the American theater with his cycle of ten plays, each set in a different decade, depicting the hope and heartbreak of the African American experience in the 20th century. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Fences, set between the Korean and Vietnam Wars, depicts the painful relationship between a down-on-his-luck former professional baseball player, now reduced to earning a meager living as a garbage man, and his son, an award-winning athlete who has been offered a college football scholarship. Each man’s struggle to make his way in the world reflects the hardship faced by one generation and the hope of another.
04.06.07
Gerding Edlen Picks Up Green Award
Congrats to Gerding Edlen - today's Oregonian announces that the Portland-based developer just received the 2007 Leadership Award from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Gerding Edlen has 33 buildings either completed or in development that qualify for certification in the council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, known as LEED. That's more than any other firm.That potential qualifier for platinum certification is The Casey.At a ceremony at the Center for Health & Healing in the South Waterfront area, Fedrizzi presented Oregon Health & Science University with a plaque marking the building's platinum rating in the LEED program. It's the largest building in the nation to achieve platinum -- the highest green building designation -- and has a design that uses 61 percent less energy and 60 percent less water than building codes allow.
It is the second platinum-level project built by Gerding Edlen, working with Hoffman Construction Co. and GBD Architects Inc., all based in Portland. The team has one more building under construction in the Pearl District that it hopes will win platinum.
04.05.07
North Pearl and the Future of Centennial Mills
Over at Portland Architecture, Brian Libby has posted some great questions about the future of the Centennial Mills site. Anyone familiar with the growth in the north Pearl area has no doubt noticed the construction crawling toward the waterfront. Before we know it, new condos will be rising in this industrial area - which includes the historic, but decaying, Centennial Mills structures. Just last weekend, we actually spent some time at the showrooms for the Encore (which will be at the very north end of the Pearl - after the Pinnacle building) and the Waterfront Pearl project. Both are impressive projects and it's clear that north Pearl will look a LOT different once those projects are complete.
Anyway, back to Brian Libby's post about Centennial Mills. He writes:
Preserving historic buildings seems especially important here, because the northern Pearl is going to be all new buildings - we need to keep a mix of old and new, each of which reinforces the aesthetic and appeal of the other.He later goes on to say:
I'd like to start a conversation about what Centennial Mills might become: what mix of uses would we like to see: shopping, housing, something else?There is also its relation to new developments in the northern Pearl. For example, how might we extend the boardwalk from Jamison Square over Naito to the redeveloped mills? One idea I saw in BOORA Architects' master planning for Hoyt Street Properties had a cool pedestrian bridge that rose from the boardwalk.
A very important conversation to have, and certainly something residents of the Pearl should take some interest in.
04.05.07
First Thursday
Not sure what galleries to check out tonight? Today's Oregonian has a great listing of Pearl District and downtown First Thursday exhibits. Oh, and don't forget about the Hoyt "HeArt of the Pearl" event - should be fun!
04.03.07
Portland Farmers Market - Saturday is Opening Day!
Portland Farmers Market opens its downtown market this Sat., April 7th. We still have a few months until the Pearl District Portland Farmers Market location opens (it runs June 7 - Sept. 27 this year), so in the meantime, we'll be walking a bit farther to the south Park Blocks.
The main PFM runs from 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. each Saturday and is located between SW Montgomery & Harrison. Click here for more info on the Pearl and other farmers markets!
04.02.07
In the Market for a Barber Chair?
About two months ago, we noticed that Utopia hair salon appeared to be closing up shop. Now the former salon's last belongings are being liquidated this Thursday, April 5. Zakula Beal Auctioneers is handling the auction of wash basins, barber chairs, artwork, hair products and everything else left behind. The fun starts with a preview at 12 p.m. and the auction at 6 p.m. We're gonna go just to see a real-live auction. Maybe we'll pick up a 5-year supply of shampoo while we're there. Utopia is/was located at 1125 NW Johnson St. in the Pearl District.
04.02.07
First Thursday Starts at Hoyt
Another month has flown by and it's once again time for First Thursday. This Thursday, we'll be starting at the north end of the Pearl for a Hoyt Realty event. They're hosting an artist reception to showcase the future art commissioned for their new buildings, the highly anticipated Metropolitan and Encore. Meet the artists, enjoy a glass of wine and listen to the tunes of DJ Mr. Mumu.
Click here for more, or read the official press release after the jump.
Continue reading "First Thursday Starts at Hoyt" »
04.02.07
Men's Journal Names Portland as one of "50 Best Places to Live"
The April issue of Men's Journal gives kudos to the Pearl District in a section on the nation's best places to live. They picked spots where you can have it all:
"...a decent job, a vibrant community, a charming setting, ready access to outdoor activities..."
Portland is one of 5 cities in the "Best Downtowns" category, along with Austin, San Diego, Denver and Philadelphia. The editors write:
"Downtown's dense grid of half-size city blocks means that you're never more than an easy walk from the farmers' market, Powell's books, half a dozen microbreweries, and countless restaurants in which even the bar-menu burger comes from humanely raised cows.""...The decade-old Pearl District serves as an upscale residential/entertainment theme park for Silicon Valley expats, but it's also nearly equidistant from the Willamette River, where you can bike along its banks and over bridges, and Forest Park, a 5,200-acre hiking and mountain-biking wilderness. So sell the car and buy an umbrella."
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