Because You're a Guy
 
There is a certain segment of gents who love their car with a passion. They have found their chariot, perhaps even named her, and they've no need to stray. Then there's those gents who see a great deal of turnover where vehicles are concerned, but for economic reasons might want to just make the most of their current vessels.
 
If you're either man, go where Greg Oden goes to have his ride pimped, 503 Motoring. In addition to the best detailing service we've seen in a while, they deliver such a wide array of services as to make one question if one place can offer so much. Staple services like window tinting and clear mask are bolstered by renowned body and paint work. But for the true enthusiast, the more exciting options include a ton of high-performance aftermarket inventory and service. From brakes, suspensions, and aero-styling to audio, visual, and state-of-the-art navi systems, you and your ride will feel like kids at the candy store.
 
When services offered are too extensive to list, and the feedback is overwhelming, you know you've found an auto-oasis.
 
503 Motoring
5703 SW Arctic Drive
Beaverton, OR 97005
503.469.9821
www.503motoring.com

A Kick in the Brass
 
Maybe the smoking ban isn't "fair" to all the black-lungers out there, but we're sure not going to miss gagging on their carcinogen clouds. In fact, the ban has us excited to revisit a few nicotine-heavy places we've been avoiding.
 
Like The Horse Brass over on SE Belmont, for instance, where taking a deep breath used to be like huffing a chimney. Nowadays, the only thing you'll be huffing is the beer. Thirty-nine taps of craft beer bliss are pouring, along with several cask options for anyone fond of truly natural beer, and they have an extensive bottle list, as if you didn't already have enough options.
 
Around since 1976, the Horse Brass is well-worn, dimly lit, and an Anglophile beer lover's wet dream. Aside from the micro-heavy beer selection, the Horse Brass is as authentic an English pub as anything in London. Chow down on bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, fish stew, or any other hearty, gut-packing meal to soak up your ale intake. You know what would go great with a beer and meal like that? Oh, wait…
 
The Horse Brass
4534 SE Belmont St.
Portland, OR 97215
503.232.2202
www.horsebrass.com

The Lingo of Mingo

The concept of small-plate restaurants is often more intriguing than its reality. Most of the time, we walk out hungry, broke, and feeling cheated.
 
So what a pleasant surprise Bar Mingo on NW 21st turned out to be with its anti-skimping policy. Along with free bread and potato chips to stave off pre-dinner hunger, Mingo offers an excellent antipasti bargain of three plates for $21. Split with a friend, these plates offer a variety of exceptional food that fills the stomach and keeps the change in your pocket. Try a delicious house-made pork sausage that comes with polenta and greens, sautéed garlic calamari, cheese and deli meat plates and specialties like the Polpettine, which is mint and oregano seasoned lamb meatballs. If you don't like sharing, homemade pastas, steak, and seafood are also available.
 
Designed with enough space to accommodate lounge, bar, and dinner seating without causing any cramping, Bar Mingo offers a comfortably intimate dining experience. Add to that a gracious staff, a customizable meal, and reasonable prices and you've got a restaurant worth returning to… again, and again, and again…
 
Bar Mingo
811 NW 21st Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
503.445.4646
www.barmingonw.com

Photo courtesy of Jane's Vanity, www.janesvanity.com

She'll Love You for This One
 
We appreciate a Valentine's gift that she loves, but costs us little time and money. That's why we love Plywerk.
 
Upload a (clean) photo of you and your sweetie and they'll transform your image into something of a frameless keepsake by photofinishing onto solid wood or bamboo. Sizes from 4x4–24x36 are available for Valentine's delivery if you order this week. Enter pdxval20 for 20% off. When you present it, tell her, "I thought this was so 'us'." Trust us.
 
www.plywerk.com

"Throw" it on the 'Fridge

We possess very little organizational aptitude. Whether we're too scatterbrained or too lazy to use a calendar, one thing is for sure; we utilize many refrigerator magnets to hang reminders up.

Now we can look a little badass when we do it, thanks to these throwing star magnets. In case you were wondering, they made their way to the office because, is there any better way to hang up that note warning people to lay off your leftover Thai food?

Throwing Star Magnets

Picture a Picture

Even if you were relatively early in jumping on the digital-camera train, you are probably like us and have a billion of old negatives of some fairly fantastic memories. And as much as we'd like to go back to that spring break in 1995 and snap some photos on our digi, we'll have to settle for the Ion 35mm slide and negative scanner.

High-res, fast, one-touch scanning is enhanced by features like editing software and automatic exposure and color balance. Very cool.

Ion 35mm Scanner

The Other Mr. Burns
 
Stuart Ramsey will be hosting a private Burns Supper at North 45 to celebrate the life and poetry of the Scottish poet Robert Burns. This will be an evening of fine food, Scotch Whiskey, bagpipes and a couple poetic toasts along the way. Only 40 spots are available, so call now.

What: Burns Supper
Where: North 45 Pub (21st & Glisan)
When: Monday, Jan. 26, 7 pm
Cost: $90
Call: 503.248.6317
RSVP: Josh@North45pub.com
Visit: www.north45pub.com

Travel Bargain of the Year
 
We were already in love with Portland's latest (eco-friendly) luxury hotel, The Nines. Then we heard that beginning on the ninth of this month they're offering rooms at only $99 per night. The deal will be running (you guessed it) 99 days. Be sure and reference the "99 for 99" package when booking.
 
What: $99 Hotel Stays at The Nines Hotel
Where: 525 SW Morrison
When: Through April 18, 2009
Call: 877.229.9995
Visit: www.TheNines.com

A Marathon of Fun

This is the ninth year of the Crystal bash, and it just keeps getting better. And when has there been a better year for a free event? All four floors of Portland's historic music venue will rock 'n' roll in exuberant celebration of the Crystal's 95th birthday. Bands galore, kids' fun, tours and tastings will abound.

What: Crystal Ballroom 95th Birthday Free-For-All
Where: Where Do You Think?
When: Sunday, Jan. 25, All Day
Cost: Free!
Visit: www.mcmenamins.com