Saturday night at a Southeast Portland Mexican restaurant that shall remain nameless. It’s packed. I’ve pushed my plate away in disgust, having eaten the worst fajita ever. It began lukewarm and gelatinous, it ended with a hair. Why, I wonder, do I subject myself to this cheese-smothered crap? Why are there so many people here […]
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Happy Hours
Jimmy Mak’s, 221 NW 10th, 295-6542, Mon-Sat 5-7 pm, $1 off pints, $3 wells, cheap food Jimmy Mak’s is one of the few places in town featuring live jazz on a regular basis. If you can handle parking in the Pearl, it’s worth it to sit among the old gray-haired hipsters, bobbing to the downbeat. […]
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Cholesterol Cadillac
Pine State: Just Grab ‘Em in the Biscuits!
“I’m trying to cut down on fried chicken before noon,” drawls the young man sitting at my table. We’re in Pine State Biscuits’ cramped dining room. It’s just after 11 am. He nearly made it. Woe to the health-conscious biscuit acolyte who discovered Pine State at the Portland Farmers Market, yet could only indulge in […]
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Happy Hours
Jax, 826 SW 2nd, 228-9128, Mon-Fri 3-6 pm & 10 pm-midnight, $3.25 wells, micros, domestic drafts, $2.75-3.75 food menu Summer is the perfect time for hanging out downtown at Jax. The rooftop patio just goes to waste in the winter and early spring. Ah summer… it’s just around the corner. Isn’t it? Hopworks Urban Brewery, […]
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Happy Hours
Hung Far Low, 2410 SE 82nd, 223-8686, Mon-Fri 1-6 pm, $2 wells The beloved Hung Far Low has become even divier at their SE 82nd location. See if you can count a full set of teeth before you get to your second cocktail! Hungry Tiger Too, 207 SE 12th, 238-4321, daily 4-7 pm, $1 off […]
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Red Hot!
Doin’ It Doggy Style
You’re surrounded by Chicago Cubs paraphernalia and staring at the grungy convenience store across the street. A tall boy of Old Style sweats seductively beside you. The air is heavy with the scent of sauerkraut and encased meats. If you squint your eyes just right, you could imagine yourself in Chicago. But this is Wayne’s […]
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Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Good Neighbor Is Exactly That
A good neighborhood pizza joint is invaluable. It’s the place to grab a quick slice when you don’t want to think about what’s for lunch. It’s the place to bring a group to share a casual dinner. It’s the place you have on your phone’s speed dial, so you can painlessly drop in and grab […]
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Happy Hours
Hedge House, 3412 SE Division, 235-2215, Mon-Fri 4-6 pm, $3.25 micro pints, all day Tues $2.50 pints Great sandwiches and an outdoor seating area round out this neighborhood hangout. Hillsdale Brewery and Pub House, 1505 SW Sunset, 246-3938, daily 4-6 pm & 10 pm-midnight, 50 cents off wells, $3.25 pints, $9.70 pitchers, $3.45 burgers with […]
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The Pleasure of Voyeurism
Checking Out Beast
I can’t help but stare. Naomi Pomeroy is deftly balancing braised pork cheeks atop spinach-stuffed chickpea crêpes. I’m not being rude just because I’m anxious to eat (though the smooth, earthy mushroom soup we’d had earlier—er, the “wild mushroom velouté”—did bode extremely well for what was to come in the six-course prix fixe meal). I’m […]
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Happy Hours
Clinton Corner Café, 2633 SE 21st, 230-8035, daily 4-7 pm, $3 pints, $3 wells, $1 off wine, $2-5 food Welcoming neighborhood spot has a great beer selection and food specials including house-made chips and a pulled pork BBQ sandwich. Pilsner Room, 0309 SW Montgomery, 220-1865, Mon-Sat 3-6 pm & 9 pm-close, all day Sun, $1.95-3.95 […]
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Feisty, Fresh, and Fishy
Le Hana Experiments
Le Hana touts itself as a French/Japanese fusion restaurant, which seems to me like the odd pairing of a fat person and a skinny person. But I’ve seen fat/skinny relationships work out just great, and so I wasn’t going to judge Le Hana before I understood what made it tick. Perhaps they were onto something. […]
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Happy Hours
Greater Trumps, 1520 SE 37th, 235-4530, daily 4-6 pm, $3.25 pints, 50 cents off wine McMenamins cigar and port bar has happy hour discounts on proprietary wine and beer. Greek Cusina, 404 SW Washington, 224-2288, Mon-Thurs 3-7 pm, Fri 3-6 pm, $1.95 menu, $4 Greek cocktails Visit the Taverna on the second floor for “Greek […]