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Voysey

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This week we checked out the elegant speakeasy cocktail bar Voysey! This basement bar can be found by following the red light down the stairway at the back of Loyal Legion. If you don’t have a curious mind, you may not have even known this plush cocktail lounge existed.

Voysey Portland, that portland life

Voysey is run by veteran female bartenders and bar managers serving up their own personal cocktail recipes as well as fun twists on some of the classics. As a result, everything on the menu is very thoughtful. If you are not in the mood for cocktails the menu is simple – 5 beer choices and 5 wine choices with a little something for everyone.

Voysey speakeasy in Portland

There are lots of cozy seating areas and a strong vintage vibe. Pink and red lights add to the ‘old-world’ vibe of the space. The bartender who served us was incredibly friendly, checked in on us just often enough to keep our drinks full, and was super knowledgable about all things cocktail.

We will definitely be going back to check out more of the drinks! If you want to keep current with what they are doing, check them out on Facebook!

Have you been yet? Had you even heard about it? Let us know what you think in the comments!

Top 10 Reasons to Live in Portland

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It is no secret that we both love the city we live in. To celebrate 10 year anniversary’s for both of us, we made this great video of the top ten things we love most! Let us know your top reason for living in Portland and share the video!

Dont have time to check out the video or you just prefer to read about it? Read on below to see the top ten reasons to live here in list form!

#1: Music and arts
First Thursday in the Pearl, Portland Oregon, top ten

We have a ton of rad music venues all over town so you can check out the up-and-comers as well as the big names. Portland
is also home to First Thursday, where all of the art galleries downtown throw open their doors (and their wine cellars)
once a month to the public for free! Then there is Last Thursday in the Alberta Arts district where you can check out the
more affordable side of the arts scene, plus check out fire spinners and breakdancers to boot!

#2: The Craft Beer
Craft Beer and The Portland Oregon Sign, top ten

As of last count, there were 117 craft brewers in the Portland Metro Area!! That means, whether you are drinking
stouts, sours, or simply lagers, your tastebuds will be delighted. Also, SO MANY beer festivals!

#3: The Coffee
Coffee in Portland Oregon, top ten

Who roasts the best coffee in Portland is always a healthy debate, and we will happily keep on sampling and debating
here until the end of time. Coava, Heart, Stumptown? We could go on and on and on, and probably will with all of this
caffeine in our systems!

#4: The Outdoors
Mt. Hood, Portland Oregon, top ten

With Mt. Hood to the East and the Pacific Ocean to the West, The Colombia River Gorge to the North and Wine country
to the South, there is no shortage of amazing outdoor opportunities. To add to that, the city of Portland itself is
a great place for urban hiking. We have Mt. Tabor, Forest Park, Powell Butte and many more spots to hit the trails
within the city limits!

#5: Housing prices
Portland Bungalow

Ok, ok, it’s not as cheap as living in Ohio. But, it IS the most affordable metropolitan area on the West Coast,
where you can still find a fantastic place to live under $500k plus some pretty cool people to help you do it. We are also known for our super walkable neighborhoods,
so wherever you buy you can leave that car at home!

#6: The FOOD
Portland Dining, Oregon, top ten

Whether you want a dive bar burger or an upscale prix fixe menu, whether you are a level 5 vegan or a strict carnivore,
Portland has you COVERED. Perhaps it is because of the sheer number of James Beard award winners we have, but Portland is definitely a food destination. Did we mention there are amazing food carts EVERYWHERE??

#7: The Wine
Willamette Valley Wines, Oregon

Oregon is home to over 700 wineries with more than 1000 vineyards that grow 72 different grape varieties! You can tast wines
all over the state, from the Gorge to the Willamette Vally and beyond. Particularly if you are a fan of Pinots, your tastebuds
will be happy here!

#8: Festivals
Portland Rose Parade and Festival, top ten

There are music fests, film fests, and over 25 different beer fests throughout the year! We host board game
conventions, trivia nights, a rose parade, and cultural celebrations. In Portland, you will NEVER be bored!

#9: Public Transportation
Aerial Tram in Portland Oregon

We have great public transpotration (including a super cool aerial tram!) and we’ve been named the most
bike friendly city in the US! We just got electric scooters, and we have hands-down the best airport in the world!
Seriously. It even has a free mini-cinema!

#10: Environmentally friendly
Reusable bags, Portland Oregon

Here in Portland, we love being green! Whether that means leaving no trace while backpacking the Oregon wilderness, rocking
those re-usable bags, or our excellent city-supported composting, we are an environmentally friendly bunch of folks. We’re
actually just really friendly in general as well!

Bonus!! We Keep it Weird
Corner Chicken Musician, Portland Oregon

Home of the ‘World Naked Bike Ride’, the UniPiper, the Belmont Goats, Portland’s Adult Soapbox derby, The Big Float etc. We
have a person who plays the violin on street corners dressed up in a chicken suit! Existing out of the box is not only
accepted, but encouraged in Portland, so be your quirky self!

Do we have the same top ten reasons as you do? Let us know in the comments!

Want to check out some of the places that we love around town? Head Here to view our hot spots!

Want to see some of our ‘best of’ lists? Head Here to check them out!

If there is anything else that we can do for you, don’t hesitate to reach out and be sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter!!

Blank Slate

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Hot Spot of the week is awesome craft cocktail bar Blank Slate. I visited this place on a whim after hearing that they would be projecting the Oscars on the big screen complete with specials on oysters and champagne. Over the course of the evening, it became clear that this is the bar that I have been missing in my life.

Winter’s Cup and Negroni

We started the evening with cocktails, a Negroni for me and the Winter’s Cup (Sloe gin, rosemary, soda, deliciousness) for my friend. Both were absolutely delectable and made me want to try every drink on the menu. I will have to return for that chance, as I needed to take advantage of the bubbles special next. I ended up choosing the Spanish Cava, which was bright and crisp.

After enjoying a round of a half dozen Kumamoto oysters (they were wonderful), we ordered the rest of our meal. While the menu at Blank Slate isn’t extensive, it is well-curated and perfectly executed. We were excited to see that they use Fressen bread, so we ordered the Soppressata sandwich and the Mushroom toast. We LOVED the attention to detail that went into these dishes. Even something as simple as a thin spread of high quality butter on the Fressen pretzel roll elevated that Soppressata sandwich to drool-worthy heights. The trumpet mushrooms on the toast were perfectly roasted and they made use of a phenomenal finishing salt to make it just *that* much more delicious.

The decor is worth mentioning as well. I loved the wallpaper, a black background covered in greenery and white flowers. Hanging plants in the windows and a beautifully designed bar make this place feel simultaneously chic and cozy. Our service was the same, attentive but also warm and friendly. I felt welcomed like I was a regular, which I fully plan on becoming.

Have you checked out Blank Slate? What did you think of this awesome NE bar? Let us know in the comments! If you would like some info about Blank Slate, you can find it here.

Do you know a spot we should feature next? We want to hear about your favorite places in Portland!

Shalom Y'all

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Our Hot Spot of the week is the delicious Shalom Y’all! Shalom Y’all is the Israeli street food focused offering from the wildly successful John Gorham restaurant group. It is located in a cute brick building in inner SE Portland. They serve lunch, dinner, happy hour, and even brunch on the weekends, so you can stop in and check them out any time!

We were pretty impressed immediately upon walking in the door by the beautiful design of the space. The black accented bar was a beautiful contrast to the clean, white subway tile and the hanging plants scattered around the space added a lovely, natural feel.

We started with drinks, as always. There was a lovely Spanish Cava on the happy hour menu that I jumped at. It was crisp and dry with nice, small bubbles. My dining companion opted for the Turkish Delight Slushy, which contained limoncello, ceylon tea, and orange blossom water. It was like summer in a glass!

Spanish Cava and Turkish Delight Slushy

Like most of the Gorham restaurant collective, Shalom Y’all is designed for sharing. As small plates for the table is my favorite way to eat, we happily obliged and ordered several dishes. One of our favorites was the Labneh with fried artichokes. The house made yogurt cheese was properly tangy, and the fried artichokes were crispy and tender simultaneously, and smothered in a hearty pile of garlic.

  • Labneh with fried artichoke
  • Hummus Pitryot with Maitake

We also loved the Hummus ‘Pitryot’, which was topped with sauteed maitake mushrooms (YUMMM) plus dill and paprika. The Chard and Feta Safayech was amazing as well. It was almost like a spinach pie inside of a grilled pita with a wonderful tzatziki on the side. Both the Labneh and the Hummus were served with warm, fluffy pita that our wonderful server was happy to provide more of after we quickly devoured the first few.

Chard and Feta Safayech

While many of the dishes at Shalom Y’all are vegetable focused, the presence of hearty additions like fried artichoke to the dishes will leave even the omnivores satisfied. We can’t wait to come back and try so many more delicious items at Shalom Ya’ll! Check out their menus and hours here.

Have you tried any of the restaurants from John Gorham’s restaurant group? Which was your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

February Events

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February 2020 is here and we are excited about so many events all over Portland! Whether you are looking for a fun day with the family or a great new festival to check out, we have you covered below!

Dragons Love Tacos

Saturday February 1st-February 16th

Oregon Children’s Theatre presents a fun and dance-filled tale of a boy, his dog, and a quartet of hungry dragons. Based on the book by Adam Rubin, this show is sure to delight.

1111 SW Broadway, Sat shows at 2 pm and 5 pm, Sundays 11 am and 2pm, $15-$37.

More Info

Portland Winter Light Festival

Portland winter light festival
February 6th-8th

The Winter Light Festival is celebrating it’s 5th year and is an amazing event to attend with the whole family. There are many light installations, performers, pop-up events, and things to do. Check out the website below for all the details!

SW and SE Portland, Free

Website

Zwicklemania

zwicklemania, Portland
Saturday February 15th

More than 100 breweries across the state open their doors for tours, tastings, meet-the-brewer sessions, and of course, free samples. This free event runs from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.  Check out the website below for all the details about breweries that are participating and to plan your route!

Multiple locations throughout Portland, prices vary

Website

Omsi After Dark: PrOMSI

Saturday, February 15th

Tease your hair to the heavens, take an awkward photo with your date and hit the pre-spiked punch. Shoot off water rockets, concoct chemical creations, and explore the wonders of OMSI with no kids in sight! Enjoy a glass of wine while learning about robots, tornados, or fossils. Talk to a brewer about the science behind beer, or sample products from local artisans.

1945 SE Water Ave, $16

Tickets and Info

Circa 33 9th Annual Prohibition Party

Saturday, February 22nd

Dress up for a swanky night on the town with your best pearls, boas, and beaded flapper dresses- or wear your best suit, suspenders and fedora as a tribute to the mafia and muscle of the bootlegger era. Enjoy themed craft cocktails and food, available for one night only, as a tribute to the most popular 1930s libations and treats.

3348 SE Belmont St, $20

Tickets here

Portland Sinful Walking Tour: Shanghaiers, saloons, skullduggery 

Portland Walking Tour
Saturday, February 29th

It’s the monthly Portland Walking Tour! Learn about all the Sinful past of P-Town, or as we call it – Portland’s naughty bits!! Enjoy walking around Old Town, hearing about the history stuff, and help us celebrate the Leap Year! 

118 NW Couch, $18

Tickets and Info

Brewstillery Festival

Portland Brewstillery Festival
Saturday, February 29th

What better way to stay warm this winter than Breweries and Distilleries teaming up to create the perfect pairings. Each pairing will consist of a 4oz beer pour and a 1/4 oz spirit taste. Only like beer? Then just drink beer. You can pick and choose, although we strongly recommend going for the pairing. 

Stormbeaker Brewing, 832 N Beech st, $25

Tickets and Info

Which of these February events are you most excited for? Did we miss an awesome February event in Portland that you want to tell us about? Let us know in the comments!

Want to make sure you don’t miss our monthly events list? Subscribe below and we will email it to you each month!

Lechon

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Our hot spot of the week is Lechon! We headed to this fabulous wood-fired South American tapas restaurant recently to finally check it out. Located in SW Portland, this place will blow you away. The flavors, the decor, and the presentation were all spot on when we visited recently, and we are excited to go back!

Check out this incredible jellyfish tank!

Most of our group opted for bubbles to drink (surprise, surprise) but another of Lechon’s great drink options is the Old Fashioned bar, where you can choose your spirit, sugar type, and bitters to really customize your cocktail. We found the wine list and beer options were also well-curated, so we had many options of bottles to share.

When it came to the food I have a confession: We devoured everything so quickly that I completely spaced on snapping many pictures to showcase how lovely and delicious the food was. That being said, the food really was wonderful! Their take on Peru’s quintessential dish, Lomo Saltado, was easily the best version of it that I have ever eaten. Considering I lived in Peru for over 2 years, that says a lot!

Best ever Lomo Saltado

We also loved that there were options from so many South American countries! Argentine asado, Peruvian ceviche, and even some dishes that can usually be found in Spanish tapas restaurants, like Patatas Bravas. These worldly dishes were blended seemingly effortlessly with others more familiar in the Pacific Northwest, like in the Dungeness Crab Astoria.

Now, normally I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but as a group we decided that we had to try the banana caramel pie and the pina colada pisco cake. They were both totally delicious and left us scraping the plates for any remaining morsels.

Don’t skip dessert at Lechon!

We are so excited to go back and try everything else on the menu! Their happy hour looks fantastic, and maybe next time I’ll even remember the pictures. You can check out the menus and location here.

Where should we check out for our next hot spot? Let us know in the comments!

Karaoke Bars

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Not all karaoke bars are created equal. Luckily, Portland has a wide array of different types of karaoke bars for your every mood. On the tail of our Hot Spot this week, Capitol, I started thinking about all of the great places in Portland to belt out a ballad. Check out the list below for our picks for best karaoke bars in Portland, OR.

Best Dive Bar Karaoke

The Trap

This no-frills, cheap booze SE Portland dive bar has nightly karaoke and video lottery to boot. 3805 SE 52nd Ave

Best Classy Karaoke

Capitol

Elevated neighborhood cocktail spot with craft drinks & vegetarian bites in colorful surrounds. 1440 NE Broadway St More info here.

Best Private Karaoke

Voicebox

Private rooms for up to 16 people, with a huge song catalogue in multiple languages. 734 SE 6th Ave and 2112 NW Hoyt Ave More info here.

Best Performance Karaoke

Chopsticks

Want to put on a show? Check out this hopping bar offering nightly karaoke & Chinese-American fast food, plus pool tables & a patio. 3390 NE Sandy Blvd More info here.

Best Tiki Bar Karaoke

The Alibi

Long-lived tiki bar with island-themed murals, tropical cocktails & nightly high-energy karaoke. 4024 N Interstate Ave More info here.

Best ‘Only in Portland’ Karaoke

Stripper-aoke at Devil’s Point

Portland’s rock n’ roll strip club hosts Stripper-aoke every Sunday night at 9pm, where Portland’s finest dancers strip while you TRY to sing karaoke. 5305 SE Foster Rd More info here.

Best Indie Karaoke

Baby Ketten Klub

Quirky space with off-the-beaten path song selections you won’t find anywhere else. 2433 SE Powell Blvd More info here.

We know there are many, many more places in Portland that host either nightly or weekly karaoke. Did we miss your favorite spot for karaoke in Portland? Let us know in the comments and we’ll happily go check it out!

Capitol

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Our Hot Spot this week is hip cocktail and karaoke bar, Capitol on NE Broadway and 14th. We have been wanting to check this place out for a bit, as it is right down the street from our new Northeast office. We finally got the chance to this last week, and we weren’t disappointed!

Capitol Bar, Portland Oregon

First off, we LOVED the decor. We were immediately smitten with the high dome-like ceiling, the beautifully lit, symmetrical liquor display, and the funky and brightly colored accent wall. There are delicious cocktails and a solid selection for happy hour. With all that Capitol has going for it, you will probably find us there for a post-workday cocktail quite often.

We started out with the True Blue. This cocktail was a gorgeous shade of robin’s egg, and included a mixture of tequila, lemon juice, and coconut. We liked that it was not too sweet and that the coconut gave it a creamy feel on the palate. Next, we tried the Something To Believe In, with Brokers, Aperol, Cocchi Americano, and Pisco. I feel like the resurgence of amaros in the cocktail scene has been fantastic, as it has lead to fun and interesting cocktails like this one.

Next, we moved on to one of the best bargains of Capitol’s happy hour- the scoots. For a measly $5, you get to choose a shot of liquor paired with a beer back. We loved the variety of choices they had and decided on a Balvenie and IPA and a Glenfiddich 12 with a Hazy IPA. You say ‘$5 for a scotch and tasty beer’? I say ‘Yes please’! However, if Whisky isn’t your thing (I don’t get it) there are also options of tequila and more.

Finally, let’s talk about the karaoke. We haven’t tested out the karaoke side of things yet, but it’s only a matter of time. Apparently, they have free/open karaoke in the evenings at 7pm. In addition, they have private rooms to rent out if belting out a tune to strangers isn’t your cup of tea. Personally, I like doing my best Paul Simon impression in the privacy of a room where only my friends can laugh at me.

If you would like more info about Capitol, check them out here: http://capitolpdx.com/

Have you tried out the Hot Spot of the week Capitol yet? Let us know in the comments what you recommend!

As always, we love to hear about new places to check out. Send us a message if you think you have a good Hot Spot to be featured!