in the bag travel: 1 day in Portland - PDX-
The day was very foggy ...: 1 day in Portland - PDX- The day was very foggy and we were not sure the flight would take off. Other flights had been canceled earlier ...
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Portland - the city in a day
The day was very foggy and we were not sure the flight would take off. Other flights had been canceled earlier in the day. We finally got on the flight at 7:45 pm and arrived in PDX by 9pm. In Portland, they have a great light rail called MAX. It leaves every 15 minutes and transport throughout the whole city. We were headed to downtown Portland to the Marriott City Center with a great deal of $61 for the night. On the plane i had an excellent local micro-brew called Elysian. It had a dark, spicy taste with a hint of molasses.
Upon arrival, the cold blast of air, hovering around 29 degrees, was very noticeable. I should've brought my winter coat!. The MAX stopped at Pioneer Place, we got off and walked 2 blocks to the hotel. Nice clean room, king-size bed and a great view of the street outside. Perfect. The doorman directed us to Jakes Grill on SW Tenth Ave. it's a great, classic pub with dark wood features, brass and small tiled floor. Everyone was very friendly and the happy hour food and drink, good. We sampled bison sausage with spicy mustard, some fresh pork gyoza, chicken wings and a small roasted veg pizza. All tasted fresh and not to much of each, it was just right for 2 hungry and cold travelers. A cold german beer and a local red wine topped it off.
After a well deserved sleep in, I usually up at 3 am to get to work each day, we started to walk around the city. Our first objective was to go to the Portland Saturday Market, however, it does not begin until March. We will come back for that. I hear it is the best place for local artisan crafts. Instead we went to the Farmers Market, which was one of the best I have been to. My favorite vendors were Jacobs Creamery, freshly made cheeses. The gal that owns and works it, Lisa was very passionate about her craft of cheese-making. She was also a good salesperson as we ended up we several pieces. Also Tails and Trotters, a local pig farm. They make incredible high quality pork products that are infused with hazelnut in the Italian tradition. Fabulous.
jacobscreamery@gmail.com
tailsandtrotters.com
Lunch was at Mama Mia's on SW 2nd Ave. Same owner as Mother's, the very popular brunch stop on the weekends. Just around the corner and not crowded yet at noon, we had a picnic inside a warm, red curtained and mirrored restaurant of Antipasto nicely done with rolled cheese and prosciutto, olives, a chopped Italian salad, white bean and orzo salad. We also had assorted marinated vegetables and some crisp bread slices with creamy herb cheese. Also a wonderful Caesar salad and I had a Minestrone that was very authentic. Also, don't forget the Poggio Chianti!
On the list for future visits:
The famous Powells Bookstore
LanSu Chinese Garden
Portland Saturday Market
Portland Farmer's Market
The famous VOODOO donuts - sometimes the line is 1 hour long!
Rose test garden
Portland Art Museum
Japanese Garden
Chinatown
The Columbia River Valley
Portland Performing Arts
After more walking in the downtown area and making a list of all the places to come back to, we decided to head to the airport, as the fog was making a comeback. A wonderful time in Portland.
a few websites and info about Portland from my friend Bill:
www.multnomahfallslodge.com
www.originaltacohouse.com
www.saylers.com
www.rheinlandwer.com
www.pcpa.com
www.travelportland.com
www.thegrotto.org
The day was very foggy and we were not sure the flight would take off. Other flights had been canceled earlier in the day. We finally got on the flight at 7:45 pm and arrived in PDX by 9pm. In Portland, they have a great light rail called MAX. It leaves every 15 minutes and transport throughout the whole city. We were headed to downtown Portland to the Marriott City Center with a great deal of $61 for the night. On the plane i had an excellent local micro-brew called Elysian. It had a dark, spicy taste with a hint of molasses.
Upon arrival, the cold blast of air, hovering around 29 degrees, was very noticeable. I should've brought my winter coat!. The MAX stopped at Pioneer Place, we got off and walked 2 blocks to the hotel. Nice clean room, king-size bed and a great view of the street outside. Perfect. The doorman directed us to Jakes Grill on SW Tenth Ave. it's a great, classic pub with dark wood features, brass and small tiled floor. Everyone was very friendly and the happy hour food and drink, good. We sampled bison sausage with spicy mustard, some fresh pork gyoza, chicken wings and a small roasted veg pizza. All tasted fresh and not to much of each, it was just right for 2 hungry and cold travelers. A cold german beer and a local red wine topped it off.
After a well deserved sleep in, I usually up at 3 am to get to work each day, we started to walk around the city. Our first objective was to go to the Portland Saturday Market, however, it does not begin until March. We will come back for that. I hear it is the best place for local artisan crafts. Instead we went to the Farmers Market, which was one of the best I have been to. My favorite vendors were Jacobs Creamery, freshly made cheeses. The gal that owns and works it, Lisa was very passionate about her craft of cheese-making. She was also a good salesperson as we ended up we several pieces. Also Tails and Trotters, a local pig farm. They make incredible high quality pork products that are infused with hazelnut in the Italian tradition. Fabulous.
jacobscreamery@gmail.com
tailsandtrotters.com
Lunch was at Mama Mia's on SW 2nd Ave. Same owner as Mother's, the very popular brunch stop on the weekends. Just around the corner and not crowded yet at noon, we had a picnic inside a warm, red curtained and mirrored restaurant of Antipasto nicely done with rolled cheese and prosciutto, olives, a chopped Italian salad, white bean and orzo salad. We also had assorted marinated vegetables and some crisp bread slices with creamy herb cheese. Also a wonderful Caesar salad and I had a Minestrone that was very authentic. Also, don't forget the Poggio Chianti!
On the list for future visits:
The famous Powells Bookstore
LanSu Chinese Garden
Portland Saturday Market
Portland Farmer's Market
The famous VOODOO donuts - sometimes the line is 1 hour long!
Rose test garden
Portland Art Museum
Japanese Garden
Chinatown
The Columbia River Valley
Portland Performing Arts
After more walking in the downtown area and making a list of all the places to come back to, we decided to head to the airport, as the fog was making a comeback. A wonderful time in Portland.
a few websites and info about Portland from my friend Bill:
www.multnomahfallslodge.com
www.originaltacohouse.com
www.saylers.com
www.rheinlandwer.com
www.pcpa.com
www.travelportland.com
www.thegrotto.org
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