Portland recommendations

In January, I turn 40. I'm trying to convince my wife for two nights away (we haven't had one night away since January 2020). I feel like I could spend an entire day in that Washington Ave. triangle and do Duckfat, Terlingua, and Izakaya Minato.

I had friends head to Portland impromptu this past weekend and texted me for a must-do new spot. Recommending Crispy Gai. They loved it.

 

Ramona's, The Shop, Radici, Oxbow, cidery, kombucha...the list is friggin' ridiculous in that one spot.

We're booking the hotel for January this week hopefully. Crispy Gai is near the top of the list...among many many others.

 

Welcome to the 40’s club!

Portland will quickly teach you how 40 takes a few degrees of alcohol tolerance and increases hangovers X10

 

I just handed in a story about Portland food/beer. The thing I learned is that there's no way to do Portland in an afternoon. Places are going to be left off the list of "must visits" just by virtue of silly factors like, "Well, I went there last time."

Next time I'm up (hopefully January will work) is the time to visit places I didn't hit for the article: Minato, Duckfat, Terlingua.

But then again, I want to go to Blyth & Burrow and Novare and ... first world problems.

To be quite honest, I'm looking forward to the afternoon beers --> dinner --> 8pm bedtime (right now it's dinner --> then drinks --> then bed after the Celtics/Bruins)

 

Ha! Wait till fifty my friend, just wait.

 

One afternoon, FUCK no.

I started saying the last couple years you can't even do Portland in three days anymore. There's too much awesome.

Do you think I eat all that food because it tastes good up in Portland? No, it's to absorb the alcohol!

 

I once did Portland in 3 days.
After that trip, I vowed 4 days minimum.

 

Damn, the most I’ve been able to pull off was two days/nights. Normally it’s just one day (but to be fair, those are always family trips with the wife and kids).

 

I can usually do about 30-35 different establishments in three nights plus the final morning. And some of those I go to more than once. This includes cafes, restaurants, and breweries.

 

3 Days in Portland is not enough! I know that has been said a bunch of times but I'm not even sure four days is enough. I've been to Portland 30+ times or so and I still feel like I never see enough. And of course, special thanks to @AlcahueteJ for his awesome Portland List!

Highlights:
Central Provisions for out of this world oysters, the suckling pig and Goodfire on tap.
Thirsty Pig for the Chicago Dog and Substance and Another One on tap.
Gross Bakery for an apple custard tart, great coffee and ginger snap cookies with chocolate.
Ohno Cafe for killer breakfast sandos and great coffee.
Bissell Bros for Swish, Precept and Revival.
Mash Tun for killer burgers, Wolfe's Neck and Reciprocal.
Street & Company for Shrimp Scampi and Sardinian wine.
Oh and Maine dispensaries too!

 

Had a couple of hours free time in Portland earlier in the week. Sat at Oxbow which was of course lovely.

We grabbed 4 brisket tacos from Terlingua. Really really nice, but 4 for $39.60….I’ll likely not be doing that again.

they even charged a tax for takeout. Seemingly I had to pay for a polystyrene container for the food. That’s just taking the piss at that point.

 

I feel like I left Crispy Gai after fried chicken, sticky rice, one drink, and one beer for $34.

 

Speaking of Oxbow, I have long been a, "Even though I love a lot of their special stuff like Native/Wild, the clear fruited bottles with mixed ferm farmhouses, their best beer is BAFPA." I'm beginning to think that might have changed for me. I think it may be Crossfade.

 

my tops r bobasa and saison rosé in a close 2nd. bobasa fucks.

 

Brunch recommendations. Portland. Go!

 

Hot Suppa. That's my number 1. Get there early since there are no reservations.

 

Marcy’s and Hot Suppa. Never been to Becky’s, heard it’s a tourist trap though (although I mean, what isn’t in Portland now?).

Personally I almost always just hop around and pick up food at Holy Donut, Tandem, and Standard.

 

I love Bayside, but be prepared for a wait.

https://www.baysideamericancafe.com/eat

 

We’ve always been partial to The Front Room.

 

H-Suppa and it’s not even close