Friday, May 24, 2013

Three days in Oregon... an itinerary that'll knock your socks off!



This is me in Pacific City!  I really love the Oregon Coast so it made sense to begin our three day itinerary there.  Taking hwy 130, we worked our way toward the coast finding new things to see and new places to stop and explore.  It's been a week since we began this three day trip and I seriously cannot remember every detail of everything we did but I'll do my best to share our experiences and hopefully you'll get the gist!





This trip began on the Oregon Coast and ended in Portland for a couple of days of eating, city trekking and a boat ride!  And yeah... there was plenty of beer too.  We only had one day on the coast so we moved our way up to Astoria via Pacific City, Cannon Beach and Seaside stopping all along the way for photo ops, low tide and quick visit to one of my 'new' favorite towns, Manzanita.  Very low key and sweet, Manzanita looks worthy of a longer visit. Perhaps next trip.  By the way, there's this little coffee house at 60 Laneda Ave.  Love their coffee and hot tea and the guys loved their donuts!

It was cool on the coast last Friday and on our way back to our car from seeing the humungous star fish and other urchins at Cannon Beach, we got soaked in a sudden down pour.  You'd think we'd remember an umbrella but for some reason racing out to the water was more important.  It was low tide after all.

Soaked to the skin, we enjoyed a beer and burger at Bill's Tavern in downtown Cannon Beach.  Always friendly, always cold beer and good food, Bill's is our favorite stop for a quick bite and it's close to Bruce's Candy shop where you can get handmade taffy, caramel apples and chocolates for the road. 

Heading north once again, we drove through downtown Seaside for a quick look because the Astoria column was next on our list!  Up at the top, we could see for miles.  The steps up to the deck are steep but so worth the trek. The clouds seemed to dissipate and the sun came out with a bang!  Miles of green with the bluest of blue waters in the rivers and lakes that make up the topography of this region.  An amazing view from the top and be sure to take the time to climb up as all of it is so much more  magnificent from up there! 



Later that evening, we finally made it to Portland and dropped our stuff off at the loft and decided to have dinner on Alberta St. at the Tin Shed.  My go to summer place as I love their cocktails on the patio but for some reason, tonight it sounded right.  Jammy Davis Jr. for me and Mac of the Day with apples and cheeses for the guys along with BBQ Pork Sliders and a cocktail for each of us!  The gastronomic excursion didn't end there folks... we decided that one person in our party needed to experience Rimsky-Korsakoffe.  On Twelfth Avenue in SE Portland you'll find a very old house filled with unusual decor, the best banana splits in town and some sort of berried "special of the day" cobbler.  Oh yeah... I always have the mint tea.  By the way, be sure to check out the restroom upstairs but I suggest you take a friend.


Exhausted from our coastal excursion and late dinner, cocktails and dessert in Portland, we slept hard.  We had a lot planned for the next day which began at Slappy Cakes on Belmont, SE Portland.  I had read about this place and always wanted to check it out.  We only had to wait about 20 minutes before being seated at our very own pancake grill and proceeded to order pancake batters, toppings, fillings and sides.  The place was packed and from what I hear, it always is.  

The experience and food is worth the wait if you have to wait.  The service was great and the staff was very helpful and since it was our very first time, we did have a few questions!  I am looking forward to going back and taking friends and family!  If you happen to be looking for a great way to work off those pancakes, Mt. Tabor is just a few miles away and as always, a great place for a short uphill hike!  Where else are you gunna find an actual volcano within city limits in this country??  Ok, perhaps Bend... but nowhere else!  Oregon never ceases to amaze me!


We decided to head over to Alberta St. to check out a barber for our son who was dying to get his head shaved.  Don't ask me why but he did it and it really didn't look too bad and it gave me a chance to explore one of my new favorite streets in town!  Random Pie is here as well as a tea house or two and some very cool boutiques as well as Salt & Straw.  I was saving my ice cream splurge for another time but it was very tempting let me tell ya!

From here, we head over to Paxton Gate PDX on Mississippi.  Everyone has to check this place out!  Talk about artistic taxidermy and animal hearts lined up and molded in to a plexiglass display for all to see and stare... yeah, it's just a little weird but the kind of weird where you can't look away for some odd reason.  I think kids would love this stop so if you have any, it's probably worth a stop then.

Just across the street, you'll find Prost.  This German pub is a great place for a bowl of delicious soup, a German pretzel with hot mustard and a beer!  Not quite ready for lunch after all those pancakes at Slappy Cakes but we put it on our list again for next time!  Enjoyed it the first time we tried it a few months ago so I know we'll go back.

That picture up there with that gorgeous view... well, that's the view from the Portland City Grill.  We finally got a seat on the sofas right by the window.  I highly suggest that you get there early and wait for the elevator to take you up right at 4pm.  The window seat is totally worth the ride up the 30 floors to see the city views and take in gorgeous Portland.  The cocktails and tapas aren't too shabby either.

Not quite ready to call it a day, we headed over to a new place called Base Camp Brewing Co. on SE Oak St.  All I can say is where has this place been all my life!  Quite literally my most favorite brew stop thus far in all of Portland!  I highly recommend a stop for beer but also for a bite at one of the food carts that adorn the property on site!  I couldn't eat another bite but someone in our party enjoyed a falafel for the very first time ever in his life and raved about it for hours.  That beer with the marshmallow you see pictured here... well, let's just say... he drank the S'more Stout and I ate that toasted marshmallow.  Again... loved Base Camp Brewing Co. and already looking forward to going back!

The guys went to have a few cigars at the Detention Bar at the McMenamins Kennedy School on NE 33rd.  That's a very small bar I might add but they said they managed to squeeze in there with the rest of the cigar smoking, whiskey drinking guys and gals and enjoyed it immensely.  For me... well, I stayed back to plan my surprise city trek adventure for them the next day!

Sunday was a day to sleep in and when we got ourselves together finally, we headed to Lovejoy Bakers for a bite and coffee before walking up 800 ft. in elevation toward the Pittock Mansion from the Pearl District!  Following the maps and guide in the "Walk There! 50 Treks In And Around Portland Portland and Vancouver," we did walk and we walked till we could walk no more!  Hundreds of steps and all uphill... did I say that already?  We made it almost all the way to the Pittock Mansion winding up stairs, passageways and roads lined with other mansions and homes that were akin to a dream home that I have conjured up many times in my very own dreams.  From cottages to modern architecture, from castles to mid century, all I can say is, what an awesome trek!  Seeing the houses and neighborhoods and the city views from up on the hill is breathtaking and just simply amazing.  So it was and and so were we...  so very very exhausted after all that.  Downhill we went to 23rd Avenue to be exact and found a place for some delicious burritos and beer to fill our bellies and get us going for our next very awesome adventure!  And yeah... yet another Salt & Straw where I enjoyed my Vanilla Salted Caramel single scoop!  I earned it!



Back at the loft, laying down for a rest was not an option.  We had a date with a "dream boat!"  And, a dream boat she was!  Looking good for a 1929 solid oak cruiser, we hopped aboard and along with Captain Joe, we toured the Portland City bridges!  Two hours of cruising and learning about some of Portland's historic bridges and we were smitten once again with the city.  It had been cool and gray all day but of course as we headed down for this boat ride, the skies cleared and sun was warm on the water and we really had a good time.  Captain Joe even provided a birthday cake for the boys and so there we were... on the Willamette River, on a dream boat with sun shining no less, eating cake!  Perfection is what I call it... pure perfection!

We couldn't quit smiling about our good fortune.  So lucky to have had these few days, this time on our Oregon coast, the time in Portland and all the new experiences we shared.  One last dinner and beer this time at Old Town Brewing Co. and a stop at Widmer so I could actually say I had my favorite hefe from the source and then I was done!  The guys still had it in them to have one more cigar and headed over to Greater Trumps on SE 37th Ave.  I had it in me to take a hot bath, grab my book and cuddle up in bed to doze off dreamily and sleepily grin at the last few days.

I'm sure I left a few things out but be sure that if you wanna try this three day itinerary, that you are well rested and don't be afraid to add more or different stops in amongst mine.  Please be sure to check out the two places that stick out in my mind when I reminisce however.  Base Camp Brewing Co. and that Dream Boat Cruise of the Willamette River and the bridges were two of the highlights amongst this trip.  A quick thanks here to Captain Joe for that river and bridge tour!  Already looking forward to our next cruise on the Willamette!

Enjoy!


Thursday, May 16, 2013

Finding the UK in Portland! Find me some BANGERS AND MASH!


I loved this question again via Travel Oregon!  Makes me even want to explore more... missing those bangers and mash!



"Are there any British Delicatessans or British Food Stores in the Greater Portland area?"



I am an AskOR expert and you do have an interesting question!  I am always on the look out for that UK or European taste so I can be taken back to memories of some of the best food across the pond.  As you may know, fish and chips are a staple in the UK so, I have found this link for you to check out:


If you are open to exploring more food choices like this, please check out Prost on Mississippi as well:


This stop is part of an itinerary I have experienced in Portland:  http://traveloregon.com/trip-ideas/itineraries/over-the-river-in-portland/

This itinerary has a European flair that I loved!  I enjoyed every stop food and otherwise!

Here's a few links to markets in the Portland area you may like to check out:




more restaurant links that look great:


http://tastyntasty.com/sons/brunch.html (My fav stop for an authentic English Breakfast!)

I hope this info has helped and if you'd like one more suggestion for a German deli/restaurant/bakery, check out Neumann's:  http://www.the-german-bakery.com  I love this place and it's very clean and they have tons of choices for authentic German/European pastries!

Thanks for your question!

Debbie Lusk
Travel Oregon AskOR Expert









Thursday, May 9, 2013

From Seattle to Portland, Eugene and Bend... show me FUN AND FOOD IN OREGON!



"We're driving from Seattle > Eugene > Bend > Seattle in a time span of about 4 days. What are some fun things to see / do / eat in between driving?"

I love this question but it's so hard to answer!  I want to write a book to tell these folks what to do here in Oregon and on their route in search of fun and food!!!  

Here's the "quick" reply they received from me today:








I am an AskOR expert and I am happy to give you some ideas for fun things to do and places to eat along your route!

If you have time, I would certainly make a stop in Portland!  There is a lot to do there but if you are short on time, I would just like to tell you that a visit to Powell's Bookstore should be on your list!  Or, you could choose to spend some time in Washington Park at the International Rose Test Garden and Portland's Japanese Garden up there as well.  Trail heads for Forest Park are nearby too and it's a gorgeous place to hike!  When you are finished playing in Portland and wanna eat, a few of my fav spots are as follows:

Toro Bravo:  http://www.torobravopdx.com

Tasty n Sons:  http://tastyntasty.com

Tin Shed:  http://tinshedgardencafe.com

Sweedeedee:  http://sweedeedeepdx.tumblr.com

Prost... a German pub:  http://prostportland.com

Produce Row Cafe:  http://www.producerowcafe.com  ( my newest fave )

I have tons more so please, ask away if you'd love a more comprehensive list. Also, let me know if you plan on spending a lot of time in Portland cause I have some very cool itineraries I could share!

Out of the Portland area off I 5, you will find 99W which will take you right in to our gorgeous Willamette Valley!  Wine tasting, delicious food again abounds!  A few of my fav wineries:

Sokol Blosser
Adelsheim
Van Duzer
Left Coast Cellars 
Cubanisimo

and for food... 

The Blue Goat Cafe in Amity:  http://amitybluegoat.com

The Joel Palmer House in Dayton:  http://www.joelpalmerhouse.com

Red Hills Market:  http://www.redhillsmarket.com  ( I love, love, love this place... you have to go!)

Thistle in McMinnville:  http://thistlerestaurant.com

Sybaris Bistro in Albany: http://sybarisbistro.com

Block 15 in Corvallis:  http://block15.com

The Barn Light in Eugene:  http://thebarnlightbar.com  ( Very "Swanky Oregon" type of place )

The Vintage in Eugene:  http://www.thevintageeugene.com

Again... I have more.. just let me know if you want more!

Let's talk lodging!  In the Portland area, for fun, I would recommend the Ace Hotel, Inn at Northrup Station or the high end Benson Hotel.

In the Willamette Valley, I would recommend a B & B cause if you are wine tasting and enjoying the valley bounty, you just have to have the whole package!

LePuy A Wine Valley Inn:  http://lepuy-inn.com

Black Walnut Inn & Vineyard:  http://www.blackwalnut-inn.com

Lobenhaus B & B and Vineyard:  http://lobenhaus.com

The Allison:  http://www.theallison.com  ( Not really a B & B but nestled nicely in the valley! )

If you are lodging in Eugene, check out the Inn at the 5th:  http://www.innat5th.com or Eagle Rock Lodge: http://eaglerocklodge.com  You could certainly take the route from the lodge to Bend... scenic and about two hours so pack a picnic and enjoy some hiking trails along your drive.  

I hope this info has helped with your planning.  It looks like our AskOR expert from Bend will be also offering you some great things in that area.  Please let me know if I can help you further and feel free to check out my blog for more itineraries in Oregon!

Debbie Lusk
Travel Oregon AskOR Expert
whitebreadandjam.blogspot.com
 





AskOR... Travel Oregon's question of the day... for me anyways!



"hey there -- love your website! Going to visit Oregon this summer and I'm looking for a great cooking class in the Willamette Valley. I figured with all that wine, there has to be good food :) I've been looking online, but haven't found anything. Any suggestions?"

I got some great info for you regarding some cooking classes in the Willamette Valley!  Here goes:

From a friend and Italian Chef in Albany, Oregon.. Ruby Lewis:

"I have been working on my summer schedule but it is not quite ready yet. I will send it to you as soon as it is. As for other classes in Salem there is Kelly's and Chemeketa both which I teach at others in Salem are Carl's, and Lulu's.  And in Eugene the only one I know of is Cook's Pots & Tabletops.
Ruby"

From another friend who is the wife of thee most awesome chef... Matt Bennett who owns Sybaris Bistro here in Albany, Oregon:  

From Janel, Matt's wife:  http://www.lulluscookingclasses.com

Also, please check out Sybaris's website:  http://sybarisbistro.com  If you happen to be in the area and want to enjoy the James Beard Award nominee, let me know.. I can hook you up!  Happy to make a reservation for you.  

Now, this last bit from a fellow "foodie," Jolene from Albany, Oregon:  Pepperberries in Eugene!

Please know that you will truly be in the heart of Oregon's delicious food mecca so expand your senses and enjoy those cooking classes however, take time to eat everywhere!  A few of my fav spots in the Willamette Valley:

Sybaris Bistro of course right here in Albany

Pizza King/Taste of Italy... Ruby's place:  http://www.pizzakingalbany.com

Block 15 in Corvallis:  http://block15.com

Thistle in McMinnville:  http://thistlerestaurant.com

The Blue Goat in Amity:  http://amitybluegoat.com

The Joel Palmer House in Dayton:  http://www.joelpalmerhouse.com

Just to name a few!!!

Please let me know if I can help you further as I am a food lover all over Oregon and have my faves in Portland, Ashland, Eugene, the coast and even a few in Central and Eastern Oregon as well!

Have fun!!

Debbie Lusk
Travel Oregon AskOR Expert
whitebreadandjam.blogspot.com

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn... you have to read this!!

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Vintage Roost... Spring 2013


It's that time of year when we see bulbs blooming, trees blossoming and there's a gentle warmth in the air that makes us want to be outdoors!  And... it's also that time of year when Debbie at Vintage Roost opens her door and garden gate to let you inside her bit of heaven in "picturesque North Albany!"

Enjoy this note from Debbie and enjoy Vintage Roost this season!  I am sure I will see you there!



Springtime At The Roost!!
Please join us for a wonderful Spring Show at The Vintage Roost…
The shop will be filled to the brim with hand-fashioned treasures,
home-baked goodies, fun(ky)-vintage-finds and antiques & collectibles.
~~~~~~~
This show will run for 4 weeks, May 3rd-May 25th
Fridays & Saturdays, 10-5

~~~~~~~
We have made some fun changes in the shop since you were last here in February…
Weather permitting, we will have the canopy loaded with treasures as well…so, don’t forget to peek around back!!

Can’t wait to see you all again,
The Vintage Roost

We are located ½ mile off of Hwy 20 in North Albany, 935 NW Scenic Drive





Thursday, April 11, 2013

Hiking Portland, Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge... the reward at the end of a hike is always BEER!


Always seeing the glass half full, or considering gray a beautiful color for Portland's backdrop, I loved how these photos turned out!  Green always looks better in gray and there was plenty of both today at the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge!


I love lots of things about Portland but I really love that I can literally be in the city, downtown Portland and just a few minutes later, I can be hiking on a trail in what feels like the middle of nowhere.  Forest Park has been my favorite hiking spot for a while however I am always looking for more places to explore.  Mt. Tabor ranks up there too on my favorites list and today, I found that I really enjoyed hiking the Oaks Bottom Trail for the very first time.

Very easy to follow and maintained impeccably, this trail is easy to navigate.  It is perfect for families with small kids, great for an easy stroll or a fast hike or run if you wanna make it a work out.  There are some hills and I am an avid hiker and handled this trail easily but I suspect most anyone could.



Since this area is a refuge, expect to see lots of wildlife.  Today we saw ducks, squirrels, many different species of birds and even saw a Blue Heron.  I only know this because a small group of people were admiring the refuge from a ledge that partially hangs out over the water and eyed the Heron before I did. I have read that over 140 species of birds can be seen throughout the year at this refuge.  Deer, beavers and even bald eagles can be seen here as well. Spring is supposed to be one of the best times to visit the refuge because of the water level being higher and seeing the Canadian Geese heading north dipping down for their lunch along the way.

I would suggest wearing good sturdy sneakers or hiking boots when hiking this trail.  It wasn't muddy today but there were signs of a recent higher water level and areas that can certainly get pretty muddy.  One great thing about the location of this refuge and trail, is the proximity to the Sellwood neighborhood of Portland.  We decided to trek back to our car along the sidewalks and enjoyed the historic neighborhood and homes in the area.  We have enjoyed lunch in Sellwood before and at times we have stopped at Grand Central Bakery for a coffee and cookie.  The location is really perfect for hiking and city trekking and eating!  Three of my most favorite things to do!


Almost two hours after we began our hike, we drove over to Cascade Brewing Barrel House.  We saw this place on a city trek last week and beer was sounding pretty good today.  By the way... my hikes and city trek's almost always end with a beer stop somewhere as I consider it a good way to try a new brew and get rehydrated after a hike.  Ray had the Chocolate Bourbonic Plague and I had a few tastes and decided I loved the Raspberry Wheat.  Had a bite of lunch too which was very good.  I suggest the Cascade Brewing Barrel House for lunch and a beer any time but especially after a hike!


If you are considering a simple hike in the Portland area with a little education and wildlife watching along the way, I highly suggest this trail.  Take your time and enjoy it and when you are finished, enjoy  a nice cold Oregon beer too!