Didn't want to go out after the long train ride,
decided to have our first dinner at the hotel.
It was a cozy Italian restaurant next to the lobby.
Has a nice bar and ambiance.
Sparkling water is a must for us.
The bar is great!
We didn't have to go out but could still savour Oregon's famous fresh brewed beer.
We came down late so got a simple bar menu instead of the dinner menu.
Just right for some late night snacks before bed, though.
This Pilsner wasn't our favourite, a bit too light and no nuance.
Very good basil pesto pizza.
Nice beet salad as well.
Baby spinach, sprouts with warm Riccota, oranges and hazelnuts, perfect combination.
IPA is better.
IPA(Indian pale ale).
The beer tasted bitter,
but also with some layers of interesting aromas.
This red ale was also very delicious!
Best of all,
even though it was in a usually considered expensive hotel restaurant,
the price of beers was inexpensive and the product was super fresh,
which is essential for beers.
Drove around the whole city to find this hotel,
(we always take our time to look around, never book anything in advance since we don't have to travel during the hot season.)
because it has a pretty outdoor area and they lit some smartly designed fire places at the evening,
which drawed our attention.
The next morning, we discovered the nice garden with some statues and plants.
It was partly sunny but pretty chilly.
Walk down the street which looks like a miniature Manhattan upper east area,
but much cleaner, people much much nicer.
We found the famous coffee chain store:
Shared some coffee, croissants and pain au chocolate,
with the best company you could find,
in a cold sunny morning like this,
was hearty and pleasant.
The luxurious Benson hotel.
Portland street views:
A huge Whole Foods converted from an old warehouse.
These stores are located in an antique power plant building.
Colorful flower section of Whole Foods.
The biggest book store in States.
A famous jazz bar.
We came to listen to this group and meet some old friend here, later.
Pearl District:
restaurants, music, arts, etc.....
Some houses with pretty front yards.
Remind me of Common Wealth area in Boston.
A pleasant small park.
The tram system is very convenient here,
it's even free going around downtown part.
A small theatre building with a nice cafe inside.
Sight seeing in the tram car.
Went around until 3 in the afternoon,
partly in the tram, mostly walking.
Stopped at Whole Foods to have a very late lunch.
Good creamy dark,
refreshing amber ale,
A healthy self composed salad with:
Lettuce, chic peas, beets, goat cheese, nuts, spinach, etc.
And a huge avocado turkey sandwich,
almost too much to finish.
By the time we went back to our hotel,
it was evening again.
There was a private party going on in the outdoor yard.
And of course, with the cozy fires.
***
Later that night, we went back to the jazz bar.
Too full from the late lunch,
we just ordered some middle eastern style aperitif.
The band.
Our friend Conti knows some people,
so Dan had a nice chat with other horn players later.
***
Back to hotel with Conti.
Had some digestif and a nice talk by the fire.
Needed some good Port to tolerate two screamer trumpet players discussing about trumpet.
***
Highly recommended place for breakfast from local people.
Dan didn't sleep very well.
Hopefully the delicious fresh squeezed orange juice brought him some energy.
Waffle with fresh raspberries, warm maple syrup and home made whip cream.
Italian scramble eggs with cheese, cream, sun dried tomatoes, potatoes and toast.
The coffee service was extraordinaire.
They have a coffee menu with at least 8 kinds of coffee beans from different parts of the world,
rotating constantly,
with very detailed explanation of every single kind of bean,
and the waitress was as knowledgeable as ever,
I called her "coffee somelier".
You can order some different ones in smaller pots for a tasting.
Best coffee experience I've ever had.
And the coffee pot they are using worked really well.
Keep it warm and doesn't lose the aroma a bit!
So amazing!!!
And pas cher de tout!
Compared to CA or Taipei.
***
There is also a very impressive restaurant called "V&Q".
Their dinner and matching beers and ambiance were excellent,
I'd say as good as Robuchon,
although it's a different style and only one tenth of the price.
The weekend brunch was also good,
with the view of the sunny garden and everything,
but of course you have to be lucky enough to bump to some rare nice days here.
And if you just want a quick meal without spending a lot,
there are also lots of street stands selling various cuisine from Asia or other parts of the world,
smells so good at lunch time,
attracting lots of clients as well.
***
I love this city!!!
Just for the friendly people, the beer, the coffee and the fine food,
the Eco concern feeling, the bookstore and the theatres,
I could stay for a while.
The only thing is, not sure about the long raining season?
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