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December 26th, 2008
Welcome to PPFM’s first-ever “Writers’ Favorites” issue. Our staff was asked to look back at the places that opened in 2008 that they reviewed, and pick those that they enjoyed the most. From eating and drinking to apparel, we’ve included the original write-up with a brief explanation as to why it made the list, and maybe even an update on the business itself. And just like the men of Portland differ, so does our staff, so look for different flavors here. And look for these businesses when you’re out and about in the New Year. Now we’re gonna go back to figuring out how to justify listening to some post-Christmas Bing Crosby. |
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Portland Picks for Men |
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| 1 | Frank James
Crimes of Fashion With fall right around the corner we find ourselves in need of some fashionable cold-weather clothing. Unfortunately with the economy the way it is, we have to either rob a bank or find a new place to purchase our wardrobe, and seeing how horizontal stripes accentuate our gut and the thought of being someone's bitch makes us uneasy, we chose the latter. While Frank James is named after the famous bank-robber and brother of Jesse James, they will not take you for everything you've got. In fact, their focus is affordable luxury. One stylish, affordable line is Cloth Logic: sleek crewneck button-front and cross-neck sweaters. Cloth Logic also produces pea coats with a twist—removable hoods for extra-cold nights. Another great brand is Brixton: hip flannels, crushable felt fedoras and work clothes-inspired jackets. Last, to keep you warm underneath, Frank James offers Alternative thermals, which have a great cut (important if you don't want the "crazy prospector" look). If crime (including those of fashion) is not in your future, head down to Frank James. Frank James |
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| 2 | Wayne’s Chicago Red Hots
Da Dog comes to Stumptown Portland is, as everyone knows, becoming a renowned food town. And while we garner our fair share of national attention, ask some of our transplants and they'll tell you we're lacking in some culinary delights that are considered staples for many.Our New York brethren, for instance, are without a really great deli. Sure, every few months their hopes are lifted by an off-the-mark review touting the next big thing, but then they eat some grossly over-smoked pastrami and those hopes are quickly dashed. Our Chicago peeps, however, have just received a gift in the form of Wayne's Chicago Red Hots. For those of you not in the know, a true Chicago Dog starts with a real (read: “Vienna”) beef dog inside a poppy-seed bun. Atop this already delectable work of art is Chernobyl-green relish, a pickle, celery salt, and the all-important sport peppers! Wash it down with an Old Style tall-boy while watching the Cubs. It sounds easy, but there are few places outside Chi-town that do it right, and now we have one. Wayne's Chicago Red Hots 3901 NE MLK Blvd. Portland, OR 97211 503.493.4537 |
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| 3 | Saraveza
Sara's Cerveza NoPo beer fans have plenty of local watering holes but no bars that offer a variety of local breweries, or far-away and foreign brews. And ask them where they procure bottled beer and you'll hear tragic tales of driving across town. That's all changed with the recent opening of Saraveza. Tricked out with vintage beer paraphernalia and designed to resemble a Midwestern tavern, Saraveza sports a unique look that sets it apart from other Portland beer havens. Tap-wise, there are nine regularly rotating draft beers, but the real star here is the bottle list, which picks and chooses the best of American microbrews and Belgian master brews. Best of all, any of the beers from the giant bottle inventory are available at discount to-go prices. If you're hungry, enjoy a hodgepodge of British-style pub food, from specialty sausages, cheeses and eggs to "pasties," crusty-shelled mini-pies that look like apple turnovers, only they're stuffed with hearty beef and veggies. It's another strange addition to a bar that already has a schizophrenic set of influences, but anyone with a quirky sensibility and a love for beer should lap it up. Saraveza |
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| 4 | Epic Snow
Make This an Epic Winter Our whole lives we've suffered Oregon winters indoors. But we’ve always felt that the cold, rain, and lack of sunlight were our penance for the beautiful scenery and amazing summers. We've even contemplated moving to Florida or SoCal to avoid the winters. This year, however, we've decided to embrace Oregon's winters and head to the mountains. Before we can do this, we need to gear up, and the place to do so is Epic Snow. We love this spot because unlike many board shops whose employees are too "extreme" to get off their asses and show a beginner what they need, Epic Snow loves to start newbies and even has a large assortment of kids’ gear. Also, they have a great selection of apparel by local company Grenade, boards by Rome, bindings by K-2, Smith helmets, Oakley goggles and wax by Seattle's OneBallJay. If you're like us and looking to beat the winter blues, get out and hit the slopes; and if you're in need of gear, pop by Epic Snow and mention PPFM to receive 5% off your first purchased item. Epic Snow |
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| 5 | The Radio Room
Even Video Couldn't Kill This Radio Star Modest Alberta Street just got a dinosaur in its backyard. The latest restaurant and bar to spring up here is a quirky homage to the 50s, complete with art deco/diner feel, two floors of outdoor seating and a funky architectural design that looks completely out of place in this otherwise mellow 'hood. No matter. Even if you have trouble absorbing the Radio Room's visual charms, you won't have any such difficulty with the menu's mishmash of tasty comfort foods like meatloaf and mashed potatoes or chicken and dumplings. Show up for brunch, happy hour, or dinner for stick-to-your-ribs meals that are reasonably priced. We recommend a plate of the polenta and rice Radio Cakes or the Croque Monsieur, a ham and cheese grilled sandwich with a French twist. Try as you might, you can't miss the drinks menu, which spans several pages and includes a variety of good microbrews, a solid wine list and a creative hodgepodge of classic cocktails and fruity alcoholic refreshments, like the Upper Deck Lemonade, which combines hand-squeezed lemonade with Stolichnaya Citros and Razberi in a sugar-rimmed pint glass with a splash of raspberry puree. Zesty! Radio Room |
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| 6 | Tanker Get Tanked The east side of town has really come into its own. Mississippi has great boutiques; Alberta has cool, quirky art; but in our opinion, the Hawthorne District always has and always will be King of the East, and Tanker is its new King of Bars. Here's why: Tanker's mixture of wood and steel, port windows, local art, padded sparkly vinyl booths and perfect lighting give it a great atmosphere. It has a deep selection of beer (15 on tap and 19 different tall cans), which range from Ninkasi to Mickeys, so you can have a nice micro or re-live your early drinking days with a 24-ouncer. Add to this a fully stocked bar, the fact that happy hour is five hours long, free WiFi, popcorn, Nintendo Wii, and a jukebox that has a great selection of indie and punk, and you have the perfect watering hole. If after downing a few you find yourself hungry, you need not worry; Tanker has a great selection of gigantic and tasty grinders, hot wings, and (our favorite) Frito Pie. All aboard. Tanker 4825 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Portland, OR 97215 503.445.4635 www.tankerbar.com |
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| 7 | HopWorks
Organic Beer is Here Hip? Check. Organic? Check. Great beer? Check, check! We know you'll agree after you've sipped some suds and chowed down on a slice of fresh pizza at HopWorks. This spacious beer lover's hangout—much of it constructed with salvaged materials from the previous tenant's architecture—gives us a reason to wander down to Powell Boulevard. We stepped inside and quickly got into the mood of HopWorks' self described "industrial ski lodge" feel as we downed a seasonal organic and soaked in the copper-top bar. The sparkling new beer taps called to us over and over again like sirens as the HopWorks staff went by our table with amazing-looking food in hand. We watched as one entered into an enclosed booth area, which was converted from an old vault, and we imagined how it would be locked up at night, guarding a passage down to the lower brewery room. But we digress. Don't forget they have a beer garden planned for outdoor drinking on hot summer nights. We've already got our favorite spot picked out. HopWorks Urban Brewery |
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Gratuitous Photo of the Year |
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