Crush
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Belmont

1400 SE Morrison St
Portland, OR 97214

David S. writes: I'd barely landed in PDX when my friends decided to take me out to Crush. Sure. we did take time to grab a couple of drinks first and... ahem... smoke some pot (Oregon pot... holy smoke!), so I was in a fairly happy mood when we got there, and had…

Pix Patisserie
Neighborhood: Mississippi

3901 N Williams Ave
Portland, OR 97227

brad w. writes: Pastries that look more like jeweled cuckoo clocks than something you'd put in your mouth.  Badass.

Nice spot to relax on a sunday afternoon, over a bit of tea.  People watching is good here, which is a fundamental requirement when i'm relaxing on a…

Stumptown Coffee
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland, Downtown

The Ace Hotel
1022 SW Stark St
Portland, OR 97253

Laura N. writes: My brother and I walked in on Sunday morning around 9am. I order my usual 8oz. double non-fat, no-foam latte.

Barista looks up and says, "lattes don't have foam," and apparently waits for me to order correctly. We stare at each other awkwardly for…

Equinox Restaurant and Bar
Neighborhood: Mississippi, North Portland

830 N Shaver St
Portland, OR 97227

Ed B. writes: We had an absolutely lovely time at Equinox.  We went on a Friday evening, warm and breezy, perfect for patio dining.  There were three in our party, and finding a great patio to have dinner was our key concern.

When we arrived, we were told that it…

Black Wagon
Neighborhood: Mississippi, North Portland

3964 N Mississippi Ave
Portland, OR 97227

Abe I. writes: Sort of like that feeling you get when you see tall, wiry fully sleeved dudes walking down the street with the cutest equally tattooed lady & baby combo -- little hip family --- and you think that maybe it is not so conventional, terrible, spirit…

Colosso
Neighborhood: Sullivan's Gulch, Northeast Portland

1932 NE Broadway St
Portland, OR 97232

Laura N. writes: Maybe we were simply sitting at the kids table for the Thanksgiving feast...but from start to finish, it seemed like we only got the scraps.

The atmosphere was like that of some random family member's house...who went blind 7 years ago. I mean, when…

Laurelhurst Park
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Laurelhurst

SE 39th and SE Stark
Portland, OR 97255

Kimberly V. writes: Remember the part from Heathers when Christian Slater and Winona Ryder were running around a wooded area trying the finish off their double murder of the football player and his teammate ("I love my dead gay son!")? Other than still believing that…

Jamison Square
Neighborhood: Pearl District

810 NW 11th Ave
Portland, OR 97255

Laura N. writes: Unless followed by "ing lot..." I thought that the mythical "Urban Park" was a preposterous fantasy.

It's not. Freddy Olmsted was right, and the proof is in the adorable pudd'ns running around all nakey like on what feels like the first day of summer.…

Roux
Neighborhood: North Portland

1700 N Killingsworth Street
Portland, OR 97255

Andrew C. writes: Portland has broken my love for chain restaurants in a way I never thought possible. I mean, don't get me wrong, San Diego has plenty of nice hole-in-the-walls but nothing I've ever been too anxious to rant and rave about, much less return to…

Greg's
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Hawthorne

3707 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97214

terrell m. writes: Greg's has the most beautiful and unique cards. I could spend hours browsing the postcard section alone.

I've seen most of their inventory in various stores around Seattle, but it's nice to have it all in one place. Wish there was a Greg's in…

Khun Pic's Bahn Thai
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Belmont

3429 SE Belmont St
Portland, OR 97214

Kelly M. writes: I have a big soft spot for places that are owned by pleasant little families, and I love it when restaurants or local business occupy old houses that still maintain their antiquated charm.  

Khun Pic is a secret thai restaurant tucked behind a wall of…

Aalto Lounge
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Belmont

3356 SE Belmont St
Portland, OR 97214

Paul L. writes: A very tasteful bar with well made drinks. I had a couple of martini's, and  while delicious,  are definitely conducive to getting you wasted  faster than a squarepusher song.  As much as people like to peg places like this as hipster, I found  the…

11th Avenue Liquor
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Central Eastside

1040 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97214

Evan C. writes: in the land i come from we can buy liquor at our local convenience store or make your own. boy was i surprised to find out i moved into a living nightmare for accomplished alcoholics. in the first days after i arrived here i didnt have the internets…

Laughing Planet Cafe
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Belmont

3320 SE Belmont St
Portland, OR 97214

Rebecca H. writes: Feh.  I don't know why this location isn't as good as the Mississippi locale, but it just isn't.   I know it's a chain and the menus are the same, but the other location has better food.  I tried the BBQ chicken quesedilla, my usual dish, with mole…

Lucky Labrador Brewing Company
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Central Eastside

915 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97214

Nic Z. writes: You know when servers or bartenders are rude so you try to almost kill them with kindness?  But then if they don't reciprocate you just get ticked?  And at the same time, if they are good looking it almost makes you sad because you want their…

Il Piatto
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland

2348 SE Ankeny St
Portland, OR 97214

Kelly M. writes: I do declare that Il Piatto stands among my favorite Italian restaurants.

Housed in a cozy, dimly-lit and (dare I say) romantic locale on quiet Ankeny street just south of Burnside, Il Piatto could be easily missed.  Seek it out and you'll find a…

Cup & Saucer Cafe
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Hawthorne

3566 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97214

Eric C. writes: My girlfriend and I stopped by on a pleasant Saturday afternoon and enjoyed a pesto, sun-dried tomato and basil scramble with potates on the side and an english muffin. Everything was great. I see many others have said this place is so-so, and…

Old Wives' Tales

1300 E Burnside St
Portland, OR 97214

Rinky A. writes: Closer to 3.5 stars.

I'm surprised that there are so many low ratings for this place.

The food is not fantastic but it is good enough.

The only quibble I have is the slightly confusing prices for the soup and salad bar and refills..  No refills on…

Rose and Raindrop
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Central Eastside, Industrial District

532 SE Grand Ave
Portland, OR 97214

Courtney D. writes: Please reopen Rose and Raindrop

This was one of the best places for breakfast with a rocking happy hour, which was indeed a unique and fun combo in town. Sadly to say, though, as I went to check out their winter hours, I discovered that it closed at…

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Neighborhood: Central Eastside

1945 SE Water Ave
Portland, OR 97214

Linda M. writes: We came here with five kids aged 3 to 14.  Everyone had a great time!  Here are the exhibits that my little kids would have spent an entire afternoon at if I didn't nudge them to move on.

- The 6-and-under room.  Specifically, the 3 year old would…

Holocene
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Central Eastside

1001 SE Morrison St
Portland, OR 97214

John G. writes: Portland has long needed a haven for live and DJed electronic music that *isn't* Top 40 or teenybopper rave. For years Dan Reed tried to cultivate such a space at Ohm in downtown PDX; alas, that venue's previous history as a coked-up blues club,…

Goodfoot Lounge
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland

2845 SE Stark St
Portland, OR 97214

Sarah E. writes: Friday night is Funk Night and all my friend wanted to do for her birthday was dance.  We headed out with a bit of an awkward mix of friends/acquaintances/the one weird guy no one knew. On the drive over none of us knew what to expect from this…

Albina Press
Neighborhood: North Portland

4637 North Albina Avenue
Portland, OR 97214

Laura N. writes: yes.

JUST YES.

This is a coffee shop I will cross the bridge for.  

yes - I know about their National barrista awards.
yes - I know about their Stumptown coffee.
yes - Ivana is currently enjoying their abundant free parking.

And while I don't mean to…

Bakery Bar
Neighborhood: Central Eastside, Industrial District

1028 SE Water Avenue
Portland, OR 97214

Jenny C. writes: Did you know that one of the top manufacturers and distributors of pom-poms is located in Portland's own Central Eastside? No joke.  

I wish I had a pair... I would do a little cheer for Bakery Bar.

Tucked away in the last "indy" part of Portland (and…

Red Light Clothing Exchange
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Hawthorne

3590 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97214

Lauren G. writes: My key to continued success at Red Light is to remain focused.

I enter.
I beeline to dress section.
I flip.
I flip flip.
I continue to flip through dresses.
I grab.
I flip.
and so forth.
I wait for dressing room (there is a bell, not that it always brings…

Besaw's Cafe
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

2301 NW Savier St
Portland, OR 97210

mel r. writes: Eggs Benedict to cream yourself over. Perfectly poached eggs, a hunk of ham-no processed deli crap here; paired with tasty rosemary garlic seasoned potatoes.

Our bonny lass of a server, was attentive, jovial and overly animated while singing songs.…

Laurelwood NW Public House
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

2327 NW Kearney Street
Portland, OR 97210

Laura N. writes: Laurelwood is like that safe, wonderful, attractive, fun, intelligent, perfect man that you never go for.  Basically, Laurelwood is Brett Favre in Something About Mary...minus the tragic acting.

I'm not sure why I never go for the "safe"…

Dosha
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

2281 NW Glisan St
Portland, OR 97210

Liz T. writes: It may be the hype that comes along with "full spa day" that doomed Dosha, but I feel that "full spa day" should live up to the hype that comes along with it.

I received a rejuvenation package as a very generous gift from my place of employment and…

Mio Gelato
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

838 NW Kearney
Portland, OR 97210

Jenny C. writes: Oh Trendy Third... my hatred of driving down you is only surpassed by my failed efforts to park on you. Thankfully your neighbors like Pettygrove and Overton are more conducive to such activity, do you know how lucky you are to have them?

While…

Urban Fondue
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

2114 NW Glisan St
Portland, OR 97210

Krista T. writes: I wish I could give it five stars, but I don't think a restaurant that allows you to sit at a table for 10 minutes before even acknowleding your presence is worthy of that fifth star.
The menu is strange and (call me dumb!) confusing. You oder…

Oh Baby
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

722 NW 23rd Ave
Portland, OR 97210

Brandon B. writes: Men say they prefer red or black lingerie. They lie.

The color he truly desires is white. White as snow, white as moonlight, white as your teeth as you sigh for him, white as innocence. The innocence he will spoil with the naughty, naughty things he…

Tribute's
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

2272 NW Kearney St
Portland, OR 97210

Laura N. writes: wait, what?

don't tease me now.

Is that...a...grinder? in PORTLAND?

oh why yes, yes it is. (insert heavenly harp playing HERE.)

Somehow I've lived mere blocks away for the last 4 years and skipped out on Tributes. (Is it odd that the American Flag/Uber…

Collage Art Materials and Workroom
Neighborhood: Alberta Arts District, Northeast Portland

1639 NE Alberta St
Portland, OR 97211

Nancy L. writes: This is THE place in Portland to get hard-to-find art and craft supplies. It's amazing how much awesome stuff is packed into this small store!

23 Hoyt
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

529 NW 23rd Ave
Portland, OR 97210

Rebecca H. writes: The happy hour concept at 23 Hoyt is smart.  1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 dollar appetizer portion plates, 3 dollar beers, 5 dollar wine and cocktails, from 5-7pm.  There is plenty of outside seating, mostly shaded.  The portions are good for the cost, and the…

Pittock Mansion

3229 NW Pittock Dr
Portland, OR 97210

Jen K. writes: I remember an interview years ago with the actor, Billy Bob Thornton, where he discussed his phobia of....

Antique furniture?!?

Well, even I got a case of the heebie jeebies on my recent visit to the Pittock Mansion.  A beautifully restored home with…

Autentica Mexican Cuisine
Neighborhood: Concordia, Northeast Portland

5507 NE 30th Ave
Portland, OR 97211

Weston S. writes: Fuckin' pork chop yo. I ain't playin'. That was one of the tastiest pieces of meat to ever grace my fork. Then I picked up the bone and gnawed on that- not that there was much left to gnaw at cause shit was hella tender and eager to part ways with…

Grasshopper
Neighborhood: Alberta Arts District, Northeast Portland

1808 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211

Lauren G. writes: Grasshopper has saved me from doomed baby shower gift-giving a handful of times now. And to make it extra special I usually like to do it on the way to the shower so I feel stressed and rushed.
I first get in there and look around and pretend like I…

Binks
Neighborhood: Alberta Arts District, Concordia, Northeast Portland

2715 NE Alberta St
Portland, OR 97211

Melissa P. writes: Third and final hip HH tour down Alberta.
I managed to kick ace in a round of doubles pool. I managed to spill a drink. I managed to buy a round and not forget my tab. I managed to leave my car because I was tanked.

I like this place.. kinda sqwoozed…

Wonder Ballroom
Neighborhood: Northeast Portland

128 NE Russell
Portland, OR 97212

Alec B. writes: Interesting venue to see a show and smoke free!  My first impression of this place reminded me of an elementary school auditorium..essentially a long rectangular hall with a vaulted wooden roof.  

It is a lot smaller than the Crystal Ballroom and…