Vindalho joins SubRosa up the street as a safe, non-ageist place to hang out in the SE Clinton Street hub that isn’t Dot’s or the Clinton Street Pub. Open only 5 to 10 pm and closed both Sundays and Mondays, it has firmly established itself as a nice restaurant where you can take your parents […]
Justin W. Sanders
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Small Wonder
L’Astra Thrives Where it Shouldn’t
It doesn’t seem like there would be an apex of culinary delight in the building that houses Ozone Records at Burnside and NE 7th. Just out of sight from a wonder-glut of hip thrift stores, coffee shops, and the Doug Fir, it feels like the part of the garden that isn’t getting any sun. No […]
Posted inNews
All the Proceeds of the Mercury Online Charity Auction Will Go To… Homeless Advocates—JOIN
To Donate, Call 232-2031, or hit www.joinpdx.com
It’s nasty outside as I write this, a bone-chilling rain is draped over everything, and I wonder how bad it’s going to get tonight for the thousands of Portland’s homeless who will be sleeping on the streets. To tolerate such a lifestyle is—putting it mildly—to be troubled, afflicted, perhaps traumatized, and yet deep beneath those […]
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Strip-Mall Chic
Nostrana Can’t Hide From Its Roots
Over the past year or so, the empty retail space across from Crush has transformed from the decrepit former home of discount grocery store Suebee’s to a shiny-windowed commercial palace that would perfectly fit in right next to Urban Outfitters on NW 23rd. I’ve been watching closely to see what the hell would sprout up […]
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Crash Course
I Learn the Basics So You Don’t Have To
Pie. It’s not the most complicated word in the English language, nor is the image that it conjures—a dough receptacle loaded with fruit or other filling, topped off with a dough roof. You grab yourself a slice of that sweet, buttery goodness, throw a scoopful of vanilla ice cream on top, and start scarfing. It’s […]
Posted inArt
The Kelley and Jason Show, PUH-Leese!
Just in case you were wondering whatever happened to Lightbox Studio, promoters and creators of all sorts of neat theatrical
Posted inMovies & TV
Rent is a Musical
But You Should See it Anyway
If you are ever going to see a musical—even if it’s just to indulge in a post-ironic hipster mock-fest—you need to make it Chris Columbus’ screen adaptation of Rent. If you already love musicals, and in particular, Rent, stop reading and get to the theater. Now. But if you don’t, you’ll need some coaxing, so […]
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Gobble, Gobble
A No-Cookin’ Turkey Day
Wait. Are you telling us that you’re actually thinking about cooking this Thanksgiving? You’re going to spend hours cleaning the house and then baste a turkey or whatever and stick it in the oven, and spend all this time mashing up potatoes and defrosting the frozen pumpkin pie from Fred Meyer, and then serve it […]
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Love Thy Neighbors
Sagittarius Adds Up
With Sal’s Famous Italian Kitchen, a branch of the Mio Sushi tree, the upscale Cajun-themed Roux, and now, restaurant/full bar Sagittarius, the area around North Killingsworth and Greely has slowly and quietly defied expectations to become a veritable dining destination. Sagittarius in and of itself wouldn’t be enough to drag my flat ass all the […]
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No Burritos
DF: A Different Ballgame
Some people are scornful of upscale Mexican food, maintaining that it defies tradition, and that the best variations are the simplest. And while I see no reason why Mexican can’t occupy a tack on the gourmet map too, I do concede that there’s a significant difference between a cherished $1.50 taco from La Bonita and […]
Posted inMovies & TV
Weird Wonka
Burton’s Spirited Chocolate Factory
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory dir. Burton Opens Fri July 15 Various Theaters 1971′s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was a surreal gem–starring Gene Wilder at his most brilliantly understated, it was a knockout adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic book. Tim Burton & Co. have sworn up and down that their Charlie and the […]
Posted inComedy
Telephone Terrorist
Comedian Jim Florentine vs. the Telemarketers
My conversation with Jim Florentine begins with mass confusion. “I can do a call-in whenever you want,” he says in a burly, deep New Jersey monotone. “Oh, good,” I reply. “How does right now work?” “What, are you gonna tape it?” “Um… yeah?” I say hesitantly. (Don’t most journalists tape their interviews?) “Yup… just gonna […]