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May 21, 2010
We’ll admit it…we were as late to Facebook as FEMA was to natural disasters in the last decade. But we’re on there now. Mainly because we learn of sales and specials at restaurants, bars and clothing shops with very little notice… and it’s a great way of bringing that info to you between issues. Seriously, who doesn’t want to find out about insane deals and free stuff at the very same places we tell you about twice a month? For those as reluctant as the staff-OB/GYN on “Rock of Love,” we’ll make it interesting for ya. We’ll post a Gratuitous Photo of the Day here and there if you "like us" now. Fair enough? Here’s more warm and fuzzy for ya: Forward this email to 10 friends and CC us at picks@portlandfpicksformen.com for a chance to win a nifty new jacket from Bridge & Burn (see below) for those chilly summer nights. |
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Portland Picks for Men: |
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| 1 | Just What You Flasked For If we’re going to drop a Hamilton on a cocktail, it had damn well better be something greater than a glorified Screwdriver. And it must feature ingredients that we don’t have just lying around the apartment. Beaker and Flask has answered our call. When’s the last time you saw a mixed drink featuring grappa? What the hell is cachaca? And coconut water ice cubes are just genius. Beaker and Flask has taken the Art of the Cocktail postmodern, elevating the movement by ignoring the same basic liquors and predictable mixing agents. Finally, there’s room for the kind of creativity and quirkiness you’d expect for the price. Whether it’s a Norwegian Negroni (part Norwegian flavored spirit aquavit, part Italian liqueur cynar and sweet vermouth) or the Gen Pop (French apple brandy calvados with bourbon, bitter grapefruit and pomegranate), the world of cocktails has finally become more cosmopolitan than… well… the Cosmo. Oh, and there’s food, too. We’re talking honey-smoked quail with prosciutto-wrapped fennel and rhubarb, or pan-seared black cod with a ham hock and Manila clams. Welcome to your new favorite place. Beaker and Flask |
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| 2 | Northwestern Comfort On most nights, all we need for sustenance is a greasy burger and a few frosty brews at our favorite watering hole. But sometimes we need to step it up—especially if we’re trying to impress a date—and that’s where Pitxi comes in. New to Portland, this comfort-food destination offers hearty, flavorful and thoughtfully prepared dishes, slightly lower than average prices, and a palpable lack of pretension. There’s a lot going on visually at Pitxi (pronounced pea-chee), which boasts both a wine bar and a bustling open kitchen, but it’s the food that makes the biggest impression. During our visit, Chef Edward Martinez flexed his culinary muscles with a rich and savory potato-bacon stew, a flavorful lamb pasty with a perfectly flaky and buttery crust, a pork dish served with a spectacular bitter beer sauce, and a light and fluffy-as-a-cloud orange faux cheesecake. So next time peanut shells on the floor don’t quite provide the ambiance you’re looking for, give Pitxi’s brand of Northwestern comfort a try—you’ll surely walk away satisfied. Pitxi |
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| 3 | We Don’t Need No Stinking Gym Unless a 300-pound person falls on you, do you really need to bench that much? If you’re more into integrated exercises that challenge your balance, your mind and multiple muscles at the same time, then you gotta get down to Take it Outside! Fitness. Train indoors or out. The small SE studio is machine-free, but (after going to the gym regularly) it kicked our asses! Try a small group training class, go solo, or grab some buddies to create your own group. It helped us when we needed some accountability/motivation to get back on track with our workouts. Eating better and stressing less was on our to-do list, too, and as a Certified Lifestyle/Weight Management Coach, TIOF’s Kristin helped us reach some goals by seeing the big picture beyond the fad diet or gym time. There are 168 hours in the week. If you're only getting to the gym for 30 minutes a week, let TIOF enlighten you on stealth ways to get movin', healthy eats, and more. No treadmill, stair-stepper, or elliptical will do for you what TIOF can. Take It Outside! Fitness |
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Gratuitous Photo of the Week: |
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Mandatory Gear: |
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| 1 | Ground Control to Major Style What do we want? High-quality materials and construction, thoughtful design, and an unwavering attention to detail in classic, timeless garments. Where do we want it made? Portland, of course. Bridge & Burn is a year-old local company, and every piece in their collection is stylish and functional. Our favorite though? The Major Major. This 100% cotton hooded jacket boasts three patch pockets and one zippered welt pocket, easy-entry hand pockets and a gingham lining. Timeless indeed. |
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| 2 | Bamboozled For a long while we resisted iPhone ownership. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that the initial users were insufferable. If you took the phone out of their hands it looked like they were performing Copperfield-esque magic tricks. Ugh. When we finally figured out that there’s an app for that (and virtually everything else), we finally said “uncle.” And our favorite accessory by far has been these Bamboo Artists Series Cases by Grove. Handmade-in-Portland awesomeness. |
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| 3 | Ah, Summer Long days in the back country. Soaking up the sun. Enjoying nature. Waking up the next day as dehydrated as the Crypt Keeper. No more overheating with the Fluid 26 by Mountain Hardwear. The lightweight design features their breathable spacer mesh back panel (with air channels for cooling ventilation), and holds 100 oz. of clean water. (Though we may fill it will booze to get us through some of the more boring wedding ceremonies we’re sure to attend this summer.) |
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Grooming Tip of the Week: |
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If you're looking to take a few strokes off your handicap this year, treat your swing to a professional massage. HairM offers the perfect solution for your stiffness. The Golfer's Massage is a 90-minute service focusing on loosening up back, hip and shoulder muscles to give you a powerful, full-body swing. The expert HairM massage therapists are trained to provide productive massage and enjoyable relaxation. Makes a great gift for dad, too. Special price thru June 15: $110, regularly $125. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Get Your Smoove On Tonight Mississippi Avenue is your playground tonight for Friend of a Friend Singles/Networking’s Street Crawl. Enjoy happy hour prices all night at participating bars and restaurants (like Prost, The Atlantis Lounge, Mississippi Pizza Pub, Laughing Planet, Mee Sen Thai, Por Que No), plus great raffle prizes. If you come between 6 & 7 pm, you'll find the ladies enjoying shopping discounts... hint. What: Friend of a Friend Street Crawl |
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| 2 | Twist and Sweat Sport Conditioning Portland is offering an opportunity to experience the Twist difference. Twist is not a gym—there are no machines, except one... the human body. Join them for their open house June 1–June 12 and receive special deals on coaching and training. Call to reserve your space. |
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| 3 | Rock On at The Alexis Since Seattle is the epicenter of all things grunge, the Alexis Hotel is offering a “Come as You Are” package. Experience the Kurt Cobain exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum with 2 VIP tickets, a “Nirvana” cocktail, deluxe accommodations, a keepsake poster and valet parking. (Reserve the Rock ‘n Roll Suite—with guitars signed by the Bodeans and Coldplay.) What: “Come as You Are” package |
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| 4 | Singles Pool Tourney/Mixer This will be a fun night! Singles will play in an optional couples "cut-throat" tournament with women rotating tables every 15 minutes. They’ll also be wine tasting, apps and prizes. If singles indicate they are interested in one another, contact information will be exchanged, the rest is up to you. What: Mixer for 28–45-year-old singles |
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What are you waiting for? Tell a friend about www.PortlandPicksforMen.com. |
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