08.30.07
Coach Glanville Touts the Pearl
PSU's new football coach, Jerry Glanville, shows some love for his new neighborhood in the latest USA Today.
They live in an apartment in the city's Pearl District, and the streetcar runs underneath their window.The article talks about Glanville's colorful personality and the renewed optimism his arrival has brought to PSU students and alumni. Go Vikings!"We can walk to 60 restaurants," Glanville says. "We can be at Jimmy Mak's listening to the blues at 10 o'clock, walk home and be in bed by 10:30. It's a really great area to live. And the people here have been so nice to us. I just hope we can repay everybody by winning some games."
08.30.07
Reconstructing Summer Cocktails
The last in a 3-part summer cocktail series by Ten 01 is today! The classes, dubbed "The American Summer Cocktail Series: From Prohibition to Present," are all about the evolution of classic American drinks and are taught by mixologist Kelley Swenson (who just took 3rd place at the Mix Master's Cup last weekend!). Tonight's class:
Thursday, August 30, 5:30- 6:30 p.m. - "Reconstructing Summer Cocktails" will reintroduce the various foreign ingredients that the pre-prohibition bartender had at their disposal. Kelley will demonstrate how these ingredients can be used in a variety of modern day summer cocktails. Guests will also have the opportunity to sample original summer cocktails from the Ten 01 menu.
Cost is $20 and will include appetizers and up to six samples of cocktails created during the class. To register, call (503) 226-DINE. Ten 01 is located at 1001 NW Couch St. in the Pearl District.
08.28.07
Pearl Personality: Bruce Kaplan
We often say that Portland is a city of 2 degrees of separation... which makes the Pearl District even that much more connected. My neighbor's son works with my sister, who went to college with so-and-so's husband, who... well, you get the drift. However, despite these many connections with neighbors and acquaintances, it's not often we take the time to know more about each other. So today is the first installation of a regular feature, Pearl Personality, designed to introduce you to an interesting neighbor in the Pearl each week. Enjoy!
Up first is Bruce Kaplan, who just might have the coolest job ever. He's at the helm of 2 local Ben & Jerry's shops, including the new Pearl location. We figure knowing him has got to have some perks, right?
Pearl Personality: Bruce Kaplan
Ice Cream Entrepreneur or Chief Euphoria Officer
Favorites in the Pearl:
-REI for one-stop shopping
-Andina for the best meal around
-Silk for its good food and outside seating
-SushiLand for the cheap eats
-Ben and Jerry’s for the obvious
Why did you decide to open shop in the Pearl?
With an established store in the Uptown Shopping Center (NW), the Pearl was a logical choice for expansion. It took a year to find the right location on 10th and Everett.
Continue reading "Pearl Personality: Bruce Kaplan" »
08.28.07
Andina Hosts Peru Fundraiser
This Sunday, Sept. 2, Andina will partner with Mercy Corps to raise funds for earthquake relief in Peru. The restaurant is donating 10% of dinner sales to help fund Mercy Corps' efforts in rebuilding the southern regions of Pisco and Chinca.
Dinner hours on Sunday are 5:00 - 10:30 p.m. Bar Mestizo is open for cocktails and tapas from 4:00 p.m. to midnight.
08.24.07
Fabulous Find: F.E.Z.
If top-of-the-line skin care and beauty products are your downfall, well, have we got the place for you. F.E.Z. Studio, located at 1125 NW 9th Ave., is going to be your new favorite indulgence.
This beautiful specialty boutique offers a carefully selected collection of the best beauty products, fragrances and accessories, including many brands that are downright impossible to find in Portland. The shop even provides skin analysis and all natural micronized mineral cosmetics and lip colors that are customized to fit you. Stop by and sample some of the amazing products for yourself - even if you weren't a cosmetics fanatic beforehand, we're guessing you won't be heading to the drugstore for your makeup anymore.
08.24.07
Local Mixologists Compete in the Pearl this Weekend
A dozen local mixologists will compete at this weekend's 3rd Annual Great American Distiller's Festival in the Pearl District. According to our friends at Imbibe Magazine, the roster is packed with Portland's pros, including several from Pearl restaurants. The competition consists of 6 rounds, each featuring a different spirit (rum, gin, vodka, brandy, whiskey and flavored vodka) and takes place over two days at the Gerding Theater. Here's the line-up of contestants, in case you decide to check it out!
Kelley Swenson (Ten 01)
Gretchen Wilcox (Park Kitchen)
David Shenault (Teardrop Lounge)
Daniel Stern (Fenouil)
Jason Smith (Gilt Club)
Suzanne Allard (Castagna)
Cougar (Saucebox)
Charlie Hodge (Clyde Common)
Sarah Lightner (Acadia)
Lance Mayhew (Meriwethers)
Langdon Peale (Jake’s)
Kelly Stewart (PurpleTooth Lounge)
08.21.07
Lift-Off in 3, 2, 1...
Our e-newsletter finally launches tomorrow... if you haven't subscribed yet, it's easy to do so. Just type your name and email into the e-newsletter sign-up at the right.
Don't worry, we won't overload your inbox! Just a simple email every week or so to update you on the latest posts in each category: eat/drink, see, shop, live. Let us know how you like it!
08.21.07
Great American Distillers Fest
This Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 25-26), the Pearl District's Gerding Theater will be overrun with craft distillers, mixologists and those of us who love their drinks. The 3rd Annual Great American Distillers Festival combines tastings of 40+ spirits, distilling seminars, a professional mixology competition, food and music, with part of the proceeds going to Portland Center Stage.
Tickets are $10, which includes 3 pours. Additional pours are just $1. The fun kicks-off at 11 a.m. both days and goes till 8 p.m. on Saturday and 7 p.m. on Sunday.
08.21.07
Party in the Pavilion
Michelle DeCourcy is throwing a huge party this Thursday, Aug. 23, in the outdoor pavilion adjacent to the store. The event will launch a new michelledecourcy.com and kick-start fall fashion. We never truly updated our summer wardrobe (can you blame us? look at these gray skies!), so this is our chance to finally get ahead, or just plain up-to-speed, in the fashion cycle.
The new fall collection is described as "sleek and tailored," combining silkscreen abstracts, geometrics and floral prints with sober, muted tones, cherry reds, deep indigo and navy.
From 5-9 p.m., models will be posing in the new styles, champagne and hors d'oeuvres will be passed and some fun raffles will benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Oregon. Michelle DeCourcy is located at 916 NW Flanders St. in the Pearl District.
Updated to Add: Thursday is quite the night for fashionable parties this week. But not to worry, you probably don't have to choose between the Bee & Thistle grand re-opening and Michelle DeCourcy event... after all, they're a mere 3 blocks apart!
08.20.07
Bee & Thistle Re-Opens in the Pearl
The Bee and Thistle has officially moved to the Pearl District! This week the stylish store re-opens after its transfer from the 23rd St. area to new digs at 120 NW 10th Ave., not far from its sister store SOLE.
This Thursday night, Aug. 23, Bee and Thistle is throwing a party to celebrate the move, its 10th anniversary and the launch of its men's dept. A fashion show kicks-off at 6 p.m. We hear ya gotta RSVP, so get to it: 503-222-3397.
08.17.07
Fratelli Serves Garden Harvest Dinners
Beginning Aug. 29, Fratelli will host a special Garden Harvest Dinner menu each Tuesday, created with that day's fresh harvest. In the garden now? Arugula, summer squash, blackberries, figs, mint and basil!
Also new and noteworthy at Fratelli (besides Bar Dué!): a private dining room. The restaurant has partnered with the Laura Sydney Gallery, located next door, to host private events for up to 18 guests. Groups get seated together around a single table surrounded by work from Portland artists.
For more details on both the Garden Harvest Dinners and private dining, visit Fratelli at 1230 NW Hoyt or call 303-241-8880.
08.17.07
Pearl District Developer for Mayor?
Willamette Week is reporting that Pearl District developer Robert Ball is considering a run for mayor, that is, if Mayor Potter doesn't run for reelection. Ball is responsible for numerous Pearl District developments over the past few years, including the Marshall-Wells Lofts, the Avenue Lofts and The Wyatt.
Even if he doesn't run for mayor, it seems Ball is no stranger to lobbying for change. Just last month, Willamette Week wrote about his quest to change club policy at Columbia Edgewater to allow spousal privileges for gay members' partners.
And for another interesting read, here's an older Portland Business Journal profile on Ball.
08.15.07
Dueling Pearl District Sommeliers
Wine aficionados are in good hands at Pearl District restaurants. In fact, 3 of the 4 contestants in The Dueling Sommeliers Dinner Series are from Pearl District restaurants, with Ten 01's Erica Landon currently in the lead.
The summer event's 4th round is slated for Aug. 24 at the Heathman. Erica is competing against some top notch talent, including Ken Collura of Andina, Jamie Garrett of Bluehour and Jeff Groh of the Heathman. Round 4 gives diners a chance to enjoy a 4-course menu paired with 16 wines (a pairing for each course by each of the 4 sommeliers). The event is open to the public and space is still available for $125 per person - RSVP through the Heathman.
08.14.07
Melon Madness & Corn Roast
First we enjoyed the Berry Fest, then the Peaches and Cream Fest... up this week: two summer favorites share the festival spotlight as Portland Farmers Market celebrates sweet corn and melon with the Melon Madness & Corn Roast event.
This event takes place at both the Pearl District and Ecotrust markets, but we get it one week earlier! Stop by this Thursday, 8/16 to sample locally grown melons and try freshly roasted corn on the cob - both are free with a $5 purchase from any market vendor. You can play with your food too: apparently kids will get a chance to construct veggie-mobiles for a Zucchini Derby.
08.13.07
"Puke Curry"?
Brian Libby has reignited this question first posed by Matt Davis. (In short: is The Casey ugly?) Honestly, we've avoided that block of 12th St. for so long - due to The Casey's construction reducing the street to one lane - that we haven't even seen the building lately.
One of the things that many people enjoy about the Pearl is the mix of building materials, new and old, steel, glass, brick, etc. Perhaps this new "paneling" will add nicely to the neighborhood's aesthetics. Time to take a walk to 12th St. to check it out for ourselves.
08.10.07
Happy Friday
We’re soooo thrilled it’s Friday. Lately, it’s been all work and very little play, so this weekend we’re going to make some time for some fun stuff.
First stop: Vinideus. Tonight between 5-8 p.m. they’re hosting a special wine tasting featuring 2003 Chateau Lacussade – St. Martin Rouge and 2004 Chateau Lacussade – St. Martin Blanc. If you haven’t stopped into this neat little wine shop, you’re missing out! The guys who run it are great to chat with and will help you pick out that perfect bottle of wine for tonight’s dinner.
Next up: Cupcake Jones for cupcake happy hour. Buy 5 cupcakes and the 6th is free. While you’re there, you must try the chocolate peanut butter combo. To-die-for!
The rest… who knows. We’re just ready for the weekend. Happy Friday!
08.09.07
New Brewpub by April 08
According to The Oregonian's John Foyston, the new Deschutes Brewpub may open its Pearl District doors by April 2008!
Read more...
08.08.07
It's a Bird... err, a Plane... it's Cool Moon Ice Cream
Look to the skies above Portland tonight around 7 p.m. (weather and cloud-cover allowing). That small dot you see roaring over the horizon will be carrying a special message on behalf of a future Pearl District business. Suzanne Oliver, America's last remaining "free-hand" daredevil skywriter will attempt one of the longest and most complex skywriting routines ever performed.
The message? A fun teaser for Cool Moon Ice Cream (slated to open early Oct. at NW 11th and Johnson, near Jamison Square). Owner Eva Bernhard heard Suzanne's unique story and learned that she was a native Oregonian, and from there the idea took flight. Eva seems like a creative lady - she's grabbing our attention before serving a single scoop!
Updated: Someone snapped PICS!
08.07.07
Third Time a Charm?
According to NW Examiner, the location formerly known as Graze and Nina's Place will soon have a new identity: Leonardo's on Lovejoy.
Owner Leonard Whitecotton and his wife Deborah plan to serve up traditional southern Italian cuisine with the help of chef Michael McGary (formerly of Pazzo).
Expect Leonardo's on Lovejoy to open within the next 5-6 weeks. They're doing a total kitchen and dining room remodel, so the opening date hinges on that.
Whitecotton isn't new to the restaurant industry - in fact, The Columbian just reviewed his restaurant (Leonardo's Italian Cafe) in Battle Ground. Let's hope his success in Washington translates to the Pearl!
08.02.07
Best of Portland (x2)
Just days after Willamette Week’s “Best Of” issue comes Portland Monthly’s annual version. Several Pearl District businesses were featured, including Kanani Pearl Spa for its soothing Hawaiian Hot Stone Massage.
“Kanani’s masseurs have all studied with Hawaiian masters of the technique, and the 85 minutes of fluid, rhythmic massage strokes – paired with the sound of the spa’s trickling waterfall – are so entrancing you’ll feel as if you were lying right on the Kona coast.”*sigh* we could really use one right now...
Other Pearl businesses that received glowing Best Of honors: Oblation, Urban Fauna, Cielo Home, Hive, Moulé, Michelle Decourcy, Hiroshi, Urbane Zen and Nolita.
Speaking of Nolita… they’re planning a huge blowout sale with summer items up to 70% off. The sale starts this Sat., Aug. 4, and lasts just one week.
08.01.07
Cupcake Jones Makes TV Debut
Our very own Cupcake Jones is being featured on KGW-TV this morning!
When entertainment reporter Drew Carney asked us about what's new in the neighborhood, we couldn't resist bragging about their special cupcakes. We suggested he do a live morning TV segment with them and a few weeks later, he came calling.
Check it out this morning, from 5-7 a.m. on channel 8. We'll post a clip from the show later today!
Updated to Add: Here's a compilation of this morning's cupcake clips!
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