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May 16th, 2008
Thanks to all of you who made with movie quote suggestions last week, especially O.T. for this gem: "He was like a god walking amongst mere mortals. He had a voice that could make a wolverine purr, and suits so fine they made Sinatra look like a hobo. In other words, Ron Burgundy was the balls." Keep ’em comin! |
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Portland Picks for Men: |
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| 1 | Clothes with a Conscience Despite being ranked the third most toxic city in America, most of us like to think of our beloved Portland as a "green" city. Many of us are making up for the creosote and sewage in the Willamette by riding bikes and recycling. And thanks to Foundation Garments, we can also shop green. Foundation Garments specializes in urban, modern, sweat-shop-free clothes and accessories that are largely made from recycled material or are bike-friendly. Some standout green lines include Disrepair, which consists of vintage clothes reconstructed into modern, stylish attire, and Contexture, which uses reclaimed architectural veneer off-cuts to produce fashionable accessories. Another impressive line is Swrve, which makes apparel that is not only stylish but also perfect for cycling. (And we thought the two were mutually exclusive.) We also were greatly surprised by Pastel/Vaquero, a small but impressive collection of clothes made by a designer in Vancouver, WA. (Go Couv!) So hop on your bike or into your hybrid and head on down. Plus, mention PPFM and receive 10% off all purchases. Foundation Garments |
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| 2 | Earl Gray When we think of tea we usually conjure up images of old ladies in funny hats sitting around drinking out of tiny cups. Or worse yet, we remember the two-month-long cold that went around this winter. After visiting Camellia Lounge we have a newfound respect for the ancient beverage. The majority of Camellia Lounge's drinks, which are made with tea and/or tea-infused liquor, are not only unique but extremely delicious. Their numerous concoctions vary from the warm Blue Berry Tea (Earl Gray, Amaretto, and Grand Marnier) to the refreshingly cool Mango Madra (mango black tea vodka, orange and hibiscus juice), to The Phoenix (a spicy blend of chilies, ginger vodka and their special ginger Maté sour). For the kid in all of us they also make Trubble Teas: bubble tea mixed with different liquors. The vibe is also great. The low ceilings, relaxing mixture of colored and candle light, and wrap-around seating create a relaxed atmosphere (which you'll need if you load up on too many green-tea drinks). Oh, and the ladies here were not old. It's Tea Time! Camellia Lounge |
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| 3 | Old Town 2.0 Good news for pizza lovers who dwell on the east side of the Willamette. Old Town Pizza has opened a new location on North Martin Luther King Boulevard. A Portland institution, O.T.P. has been doing it since 1974, and for good reason. Not only do they offer up some of the most delectable pies in town, but they also offer selections to satiate a pasta or panini fix. And the new space takes it to the next level. The huge two-floor restaurant has enough room for private parties (kids or adults) and has more reclaimed wood than any other project in Portland. Downstairs, there is a full bar at one end with sofas and plush chairs for adults, and on the other end is a pizza-making station for kids. The space is lighted by enormous chandeliers that give the whole place an old-lodge feel. Northeast has been in need of a good pizza spot that can double as a good hang-out spot, and they couldn't have done better than with the second Old Town. All the goodness of the original location. … but with parking. Old Town Pizza |
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Mandatory Gear: |
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| 1 | Bass-ic Solution Why would you ever want boring headphones when you can instead enjoy these Audio-Technica ATH-A900 Art Headphones? The aluminum housing looks great and they sport a solid bass reproduction system which will have you rocking away. Other ranges of the audio spectrum are well attended to, as well. They're also damn comfortable with the fitted ear-pad design. |
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| 2 | Just Like You Remember Do you remember that one pair of Vans slip-ons you had back in the day? We do too, but every time we encounter them in a store, they are never quite what we recall in our mind’s eye. No worries, though. Now you can customize your slip-ons (and other Vans classics) on the Web, right down to the last detail. Make your perfect pair of casual summer footwear—with just a touch of nostalgia. |
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| 3 | We Only Read the Classics In addition to Camellia Lounge, the other vanguard of creative cocktailing in Portland is Mint/820, whose owner and cocktail guru is one Lucy Brennan. Now you can bring the genius home with Hip Sips, a cocktail recipe book by Brennan herself. We know what you're thinking, but trust us; when the girls in your life finish watching the Sex And the City movie and are craving foo-foo drinks, you'll be glad you can make the good ones. |
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Brew of the Week: |
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In the last twenty years thousands of micro-breweries have appeared, and with them thousands of Ales, Porters and Stouts. Ever notice the lack of Pilsners, though? That's because this delicate brew is one of the hardest to get right, until a Berkeley outfit adopted the recipe from a closing German brewery to make the delightfully creamy Trumer. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Bro Show Join Basic Rights Oregon for the third annual STRUT: fashion show for a cause. Come see Portland's premier designers present their newest lines at the hottest fashion show of the season. Mingle with fashion-savvy folk and support a fair and equal Oregon. DJ Barrett Paul will be spinning throughout the evening and Rudy's Barbershop will be offering free haircuts. What: STRUT Fashion Show |
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| 2 | Get Personal at lifeBODY fitness Forget swim trunks—we just want to feel good in our own skin. And nothing gets us in shape like personal training sessions. Or how about outdoor fitness sessions? They start soon at lifeBODY fitness. Here's a discount just for you: Mention Portland Picks for Men and receive 10% off all personal training packages before the end of May! What: 10% off personal training packages at lifeBODY fitness |
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| 3 | Father's Day Road Trip Take the old man to a Mariner's home game! All three Kimpton Hotels in Seattle are offering their Home Run Rate for Father’s Day, which includes 10% off of room rates, a cab voucher to Safeco Field, and Cracker Jacks, so he can feel like it's a ball game from his youth. What: Home Run Rates at Kimpton’s Seattle hotels |
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| 4 | Don't Know a Thing About Wine? Ever been on a date or at a business dinner and been worried you're making a faux pas in your choice of wine? Wine for Everyone's Wine-Tasting 101 is here to help. Sample 10 wines in an informal, residential setting with an industry expert, and learn to pair wine with food—from duck confit salad to carnitas—dining is part of the experience! (Gift certificates available.) What: Comprehensive Wine Tasting 101 |
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Have you checked out www.SeattlePicksforMen.com yet? It’s an excellent resource for all your excursions up north! Be sure and tell your Seattle friends to sign up. And thank you for your support. |
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Log onto www.PortlandPicksforMen.com and check out past newsletters (archives). If you like what you see, forward to a friend and encourage them to visit www.PortlandPicksforMen.com to become a subscriber. It's free! If you would like to subscribe or contribute, please email us at Picks@PortlandPicksForMen.com Website and Newsletter maintained by Studio Ridge.com |
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