I am sitting here with a perfect cup of coffee. That is why I love Starbucks. Do I have your attention? For most people these days, their first exposure to coffee comes from one of the mass-market chains such as Starbucks. Starbucks gives them that first addiction, the 'need' to get coffee every day. Then one day they … [Read more...] about Coffee Guide: Albina Press
Review: Echo Restaurant
This review has been replaced by a newer one. You will find it here. At one time, Echo was one of those restaurants I really liked. An 1890's building that once housed a brothel was completely renovated. Large windows spill light into the room from Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. There is a nice bar area where you … [Read more...] about Review: Echo Restaurant
Review: Madena of the Pearl
Now closed You know when you are near Madena because the air becomes redolent with spices. Unfortunately, the promise in the air doesn't always reflect in the food that comes to your table. Portland has several good Lebanese restaurants, but now Madena brings this cuisine to the Pearl District. How does this … [Read more...] about Review: Madena of the Pearl
Review: Queen of Sheba
Refreshed 12.09 The Queen of Sheba on Martin Luther King Blvd is home to what many consider the best Ethiopian food in Portland. The restaurant is located on the block between Echo and Russell St. BBQ in N.E. I have passed it many times on my daily runs, and the odor of spices in the air always urge me inside. … [Read more...] about Review: Queen of Sheba
Review: Café Castagna
I have traveled far from my roots, but have never forgotten the lessons I learned about what makes a good burger back when I was a child. For the past few years, I’ve been searching for a one that could take me back to those days. I’ve tried countless: Higgins, Stanich’s, Skyline, Helvetia, Carafe, Bluehour, Wildwood, … [Read more...] about Review: Café Castagna
Review: Vault Martini
- refreshed 2/12 The first time I walked into Vault Martini I was stunned. Just a few short months before I had been in the Vespa dealership in the same space revisiting a trip to Italy. At that time the building was a dark, dank, greasy, concrete box. Now that Vault had taken over it was transformed. There was no … [Read more...] about Review: Vault Martini
Clarklewis – 4.2.05
Note: This is one of the very earliest reviews. The style and content has changed quite a bit since then, but the basic review still stands. I will revisit clarklewis in early 2006 and completely re-write this review at that time. I went to Clarklewis (aka ‘Dark Lewis’) tonight with a few friends. The previous times … [Read more...] about Clarklewis – 4.2.05
Review Restaurant Bleu
Note: This restaurant closed in December 2010. Note: this is the first review I ever wrote. Hopefully the format and content has improved since then, but the basic review still stands! Against my better judgment, I broke a 19 hour sleeping marathon to join friends for dinner at Le Cordon Bleu Western Culinary … [Read more...] about Review Restaurant Bleu