With a few seasons of Portlandia in the books, sketch master and former Trenchmouth drummer Fred Armisen has helped spawn a renewed interest in The City of Roses (aided, of course, by the talents of ex-Sleater-Kinney guitarist Carrie Brownstein).
Just about every restaurant I go to in Portland is unbelievably great. Portland really does have its own style of food, and it never feels derivative or desperate. It says a lot about the city. You know what’s great too? The service. It’s always informative and polite, but never too much. I am crazy about the food carts too.
In no particular order, here are five places I really like going to:
1. Ping (Old Town / Chinatown)
I love the menu. Different and fast.
2. Clyde Common (Old Town / Chinatown)
Right by the Ace Hotel. It looks and feels great. Amazing food. The good kind of fancy.
3. Any Stumptown Coffee Roasters
When I first heard about it, I was told that it was the best coffee in the world. I said, “Hmm, really? Sure.” But then I tried it, and I said, “Oh, my god, this is the best coffee in the world!”
4. Pok Pok Noi (Sabin)
I love this place too! I like sitting at the counter and getting whatever crazy noodle-soup thing. And one of those vinegar drinks. It feels healthy for some reason.
5. Olympic Provisions (Buckman and Slabtown)
Are you kidding me? How can something be this good? A selection of dry-cured salami? Hell yes.