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October 16th, 2009
There’s been an odd phenomenon throughout the course of our lives. It involves seeing our fashion choices catch on. Without fail, there’s one every year. This year it seems to be the return of the flannel…a few years back it was the car-boy hat…and a few years before that, Chuck Taylors. Please don’t misunderstand us; we’re not saying we’re trendsetters by any means. Rather, we simply wear the same stuff for years because we’re the laziest and most complacent SOBs this side of Congress. Eventually everything comes back around. We’ve had to endure many a “Grunge is over, man” and “EXTRA EXTRA, he’s selling newspapers in the 1920s” to get here. And as satisfying as it seems to finally not stand out like a sore thumb, and to have others finally acknowledge classic fashion staples, every time this phenom occurs we feel like doing something outside the realm of acceptable fashion again. Just pray we don’t get a hankerin’ for parachute pants, because not a one of us can pull ’em off. |
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Portland Picks for Men: |
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| 1 | Space Craft A contrarian friend of ours visited Seattle and had a real distaste for it. Instead of launching into tirades, he recited this Haiku he wrote: Wet. Grey. Seattle We thought it was awesome; regardless of feelings for or against the recipients of the attack. Really, it’s all about dimensions. By using craft to express himself, it gave as much insight to who he is as it did his opinions. And it was fun. Frock on NE Alberta is all about crafty, and the clothes they carry back up that viewpoint. Screen-printing, loose design work, and wit come together very pleasantly here. The color palette is on the earthy side, but bright with bold designs. For winter, they are stocking up on unique long-sleeve shirts, and their cool line of screen-printed custom ties may be the perfect accompaniment. Print T’s are a thing with them, and you can find them here anytime. Whether we’re mostly brooding, athletic, or cerebral, each of us has a playful dimension that Frock is here to cater to. Crafty. Frock |
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| 2 | Float On Sushi in the hood. We’d be wary of that. But sometimes you gotta follow your gut, and when it leads you to a place like Ukiyoe, you’ll be happy you did. Located in the midst of a no-nonsense NoPo netherworld, spot-on combos of fish and rice, both Korean and Japanese style, abound here. Try their spicy Jumping Spider roll with soft-shell crab and fried jalapeno; it’ll have you crawling back for more. Or maybe the new-to-the-menu Tropical Roll, packed with home-smoked albacore tuna and mango. And here a Lemon Drop is something you eat, not drink. Speaking of that, this place is full of cute names for sushi, including the salmon-y Black Bear or tuna-y Forest Fire (both with tempura asparagus). The kitchen cooks up Korean barbecue basics like kai bi as well as a sophisticated children’s menu that goes way beyond chicken fingers (katsu for kids, anyone?). Japanese for “floating world,” Ukiyoe is an oasis of uncompromising quality, raising the profile of a once lowly, out-of-the-way teriyaki joint into a top-notch sushi house. The service is always first rate. The prices are super cheap. Every neighborhood should be so lucky. Ukiyoe |
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| 3 | Hoyt 2.0 When the economy was roaring, you’d find us with the kind of disposable income to try every kind of nouveau cuisine being peddled in our fair city. Don’t get us wrong, we’re always up for the new “big thing,” and we certainly wouldn’t deny ourselves fine dining (mangia!), but we’re spending our limited allotment these days on old standbys. Enter 23 Hoyt. By the folks who brought you Saucebox and Bluehour, this semi-formal gem is no-nonsense, which is not to say it’s staid. Unique takes abound here, it’s just that their new chef, Chad Church, sticks to great basic ingredients like rib-eyes and halibut, all the while maintaining creativity without the tiresome “chef’s whimsy.” A respectable menu of small plates and apps paired with a wine list not reminiscent of Tolstoy make it perfect for a happy hour outing. Toss in the elegant but unpretentious atmosphere and a great window for people-watching on 23rd, and 23Hoyt rounds out as one of our autumn faves… for the third year in a row. 23 Hoyt |
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Mandatory Gear: |
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| 1 | Wooly Bully It’s no joke—it’s gonna get cold outside, gents, and the last thing you want to do is layer like a hobo. Dress like a man—a warm man—in Hammer Springs’ excellent wool jacket. It has a double life—the wool is bonded to a windproof membrane which is then bonded to a layer of fleece, so you’ll be comfortable, dry, and ready for anything. Click the link below to receive $10 off and free shipping, courtesy of PPFM. |
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| 2 | Opposite of Passive-Aggressive Women communicate on sub-sonic levels as far as guys’ ears are concerned. We’ve attended couples’ dinners where everything seemed perfectly copacetic, and only on the drive home did we hear about the ever-so-subtle cat fight taking place beneath the visible social surface. Men, on the other hand, bust balls. In that vein, Roast has made cards with titles like “Happy Birthday, Tool…No Seriously, You’re a Tool,” so we can jump into the (previously women-dominated) arena of card-giving. |
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| 3 | P-Layer For all the layering that must be done during NW winters, it’s good that some pieces that may be one of many while skiing can be functionally and aesthetically pleasing as part of a more minimal approach. Lots of items in Mountain Hardwear’s Back Country collection fit this mold. One of our faves is the Bedlam Vest. Functional, durable and stylish, it pretty much exemplifies the line. Bonus: most items in the line are part of their (awesome) 20% off Elevated Rewards program. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Bring a Wingman Pucker up for some mouth-to-mouth! Sign up for Singles CPR at the Ace Hotel and enjoy complimentary appetizers from Clyde Common, truffles from Pix Patisserie, a free two-week membership to the Portland Mercury's Lovelab personals and walk away with the skills to save a life. Plus, bring your “wing” for 50% off. What: Singles CPR |
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| 3 | Estranged Brew Wine may be the reigning champion of food pairing for now, but Beer is on a “Rocky Steps” climb to it’s own underdog-turned-champion story. For beeraisseurs and curious alike, Pyramid and MacTarnahan’s Breweries are hosting a five-course bout at Salty’s on the Columbia, where fine cuisine will be paired with delicious, delicious beer while wine sits it out with the cutman. What: Pyramid and MacTarnahan’s Breweries' Autumn Beermakers Dinner
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| 4 | Plans for Halloween? Get your freak on at the 10th annual Portland Erotic Ball—Portland’s biggest Halloween extravaganza. Treat yourself to two bands (Pepe and the Bottle Blondes and The Slants), plus three floors of entertainment with a $5,000 costume contest, six fetish stages (nice), burlesque performers, aerial acts, and lots of ladies in skimpy costumes. We’re just sayin. What: Portland Erotic Ball |
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| 6 | “Sleigh” the Egg Nog Don't look like Santa by Jan 1st. Stay in shape and stress-free this holiday season at Portland Team Fitness. Get 3 workouts per week for the price of 2 with Holiday Hustle. Whether you're looking to get ready for winter sports or wanting to preemptively trim your waistline before holiday parties, there's something for everyone. |
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| 8 | Boot Up at Lizard Lounge Bored with your boots? Lizard Lounge invites you to score some hot new looks for men and women from Timberland Boot Company... and they're throwing a party to boot. (Yeah, we said it.) Tomorrow you can enjoy Mimosas, food, music by DJ Keys, raffles, giveaways, gifts with purchase, and 20% off Timberlands all day! What: Timberland Boot Company Trunk Show |
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We’re ramping up for the holidays, so keep an eye on PPFM and www.PortlandPicks.com to find some sweet deals and good gift ideas for you and yours. |
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