Tag: Portland

The Nines

Michael

A hotel that lives up to its name, The Nines is a well-executed mashup of style, comfort, and a little bit of flair.  The layout is based around the central atrium area that contains the tasty and fun Urban Farmer ‘modern steakhouse’ and bar, where we spent more than a couple of hours enjoying cocktails, beers, and munchies (and I spent more than a couple of hours staring aimlessly at the gigantic space around me).  The club level lounge was stocked with tasty treats seemingly all day, and true to Portland’s reputation, there was a great selection of local craft … Continue reading The Nines

Clyde Common

Meredith

Prior to our trip to Oregon I began researching restaurants in the city and came up with a list of possibilities for us – a Google doc I shared with Michael, and even with our friend Alex, a Portland-area expert! I remember finding a link to Clyde Common from a bakery who supplies their bread, and immediately moved it to the top of the list because I was impressed by their website’s branding. (Being in creative industries, Michael and I are happy to admit that we are suckers for good branding, which has many times in the past led us … Continue reading Clyde Common

Lan Su Chinese Garden

Michael

Meredith asked me to write this post, although it was quite possibly her favorite place of the trip, because she was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to do the Lan Su Chinese Garden justice with words.  Now that I’ve begun typing, I’m afraid of the exact same thing.  To me, one of the most fascinating parts of the gardens was how, in some mysterious way, stepping through the door made you forget all about the gigantic bustling city in the middle of which it is set.  Tranquility is key here, and although it’s hardly a city block in size, … Continue reading Lan Su Chinese Garden

Voodoo Doughnut

Michael

Doughnuts? I’m there. I’m an anxious person by nature and get a little fidgety standing waiting around, but the line for Voodoo Doughnut that went out the door wrapped around the block, was more than worth it in my book.  If I lived or worked anywhere near this delicious treat, you could guarantee that my waist would be quite a bit larger and my blood sugar quite a bit higher.  These aren’t your Granny’s doughnuts, with names like the Old Dirty Bastard (which I can personally vouch for), pentagram and voodoo doll decorations, and toppings like Fruit Loops and M&M’s, … Continue reading Voodoo Doughnut

International Rose Test Garden

Meredith

One might think we’d be ‘gardened’ out after a delightful morning spent at the Lan Su Chinese Garden, but that didn’t stop us from heading out of downtown to the International Rose Test Garden in nearby Washington Park. And once we arrived, we were so thankful that we decided to visit two gardens on our first full day in Portland. It was our afternoon spent roaming through the rose garden that inspired us to think about turning a neglected side garden at our home into our own rose garden. (We haven’t made any tangible progress with this project, but we … Continue reading International Rose Test Garden

Blue Spoon

Meredith

For four years now, we’ve been building our love for what have become our Portland staples, and Blue Spoon, a neighborhood favorite in Portland’s East End, easily qualifies as one of our favorites. Each time we’re there, I find myself daydreaming about the next time we’ll be back, long before we’ve even finished eating. The cozy restaurant can fill up quickly, but is worth whatever wait you might encounter. For lunch or on early summer evenings, the room is filled with warm, natural light, but once the sun goes down, the restaurant far from loses any of its charm. I honestly … Continue reading Blue Spoon

2 Note

Michael

This post was a first-in-category must! Portland is full of creative people and businesses.  The ‘shop local’ culture is part of what living in Maine is about. Businesses can be found on every street and around every corner selling some of the most unique collections and products; but the little perfumery on the corner of Moulton & Wharf, and its two spectacular shop owners, are by far some of our favorites. Well before Meredith & I made the move to Maine, we stumbled upon Darcy Doniger and Carolyn Mix – the namesake two notes, of 2 Note Perfumery, that deliver … Continue reading 2 Note