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portland neighborhoods

Lechon

January 20, 2020 by Jessica Berger and Tekela Fisher Leave a Comment

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

January 8, 2020 by Jessica Berger and Tekela Fisher Leave a Comment

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

January 6, 2020 by Jessica Berger and Tekela Fisher Leave a Comment

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!

January Events

December 31, 2019 by Jessica Berger and Tekela Fisher Leave a Comment

January 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 wild night on the town, we’ve got you covered with our list below.

Gorgeous Resolution Run

Thursday, January 2nd

Looking to get a jump start on those resolutions to make this the year that you really start running? Gorgeous Series is here to help get you on track (haha). Meet at Sasquatch Brewing for a 3 or 5 mile run, followed by a raffle of cool swag and a rewarding post-run beer. 2531 NW 30th Ave, 6:30 pm, Free.

More Info

O-Shogatsu Japanese New Year

Sunday January 5th

Portland Japanese Garden celebrates the Japanese New Year with a traditional Lion Dance, tea ceremony, and harp concert. In addition, there will be an ink-wash brush drawing session and Hyakunin Issyu (a poetry game) plus pounded rice cakes to share. 611 SW Kingston Ave, 11am-3pm, Adult $16.95, Youth $11.50, Members Free.

More Info

Biggest Clothing Swap in the NW

Sunday January 5th

Every year, hordes of people descend on the Crystal Ballroom to pass on clothing that no longer works for them and dig through piles to get new duds. There are three floors of swapping goodness and all gender identities and sizes are included. Bring a bag of clean, wearable clothing to trade. 1332 W Burnside St, 12pm-3pm, $8 advance, $10 at the door, $5 for an empty bag.

More Info

Portland Onesie Bar Crawl

Saturday January 11th

What better way to stay warm this winter than to don your favorite fuzzy onesie and hop from bar to bar? There will be drink specials, DJs, a scavenger hunt, and a whole lot of silliness. Registration is at the Barrel Room. 105 NW 3rd Ave, 4 pm -10 pm, $20 in advance.

More Info

Dragons Love Tacos

Saturday January 18th-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

Ramen and Whisky Fest

Sunday January 19th

Willamette Week and Fubonn team up to bring us a battle for the ages. Six of Portland’s best ramen chefs compete to take home the title, as voted by you. Your ticket gets you a sample ramen and paired whisky cocktail from each table, plus the right to cast your vote for the coveted People’s Choice award. 101 N Weidler St, 12 pm- 2:30 pm and 3 pm- 5:30 pm, $45.

More Info

Wizard World

Friday January 24th- Sunday the 26th

The Oregon Convention Center will once again fill up with cos-players galore to celebrate all things nerd. Celebrity guests include Dylan McDermott, Cary Elwes, and Emily Swallow. 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Fri 4 pm- Sun 4 pm, $30-$150.

More Info

Stout Bout

Saturday January 25th

Stout Bout is one of my favorite events every January. Portland Brewer’s Collective hosts this annual all Stout homebrewers competition. Show up to taste and vote on 12 or more homebrews. Sometimes traditional, often experimental, you’re sure to find something you like. There is a People’s Choice award and a raffle to boot! 2235 SE 11th Ave, 2 pm- 5 pm, Free.

More Info

OMSI After Dark: Cards and Consoles

Wednesday January 29th

OMSI After Dark this month focuses on all things gaming, with demos on counting cards, board game mechanics, and drunken goggle gaming. Food and drink vendors and samples, plus admission to the current featured exhibit, Exquisite Creatures. Is this my dream event? Yes, yes it is. 1945 SE Water Ave, 6 pm-10 pm, $16.

More Info

Portland Seafood and Wine Festival

Friday January 31st-Saturday February 1st

Head over to the Oregon Convention Center at the end of the month for a celebration of delicious seafood and wines. There will be over 190 exhibitors, including 60 wineries, plus it is the very height of Dungeness Crab season. Yum!!! 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Fri 2 pm-10 pm, Sat 12 pm- 10 pm, $13 advance, $15 at the door.

More Info

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

Our Favorite Up and Coming Areas

December 13, 2019 by Jessica Berger and Tekela Fisher Leave a Comment

Hey Friends, Today we are going to be telling you all about our favorite up and coming neighborhoods in Portland. They are the perfect place for you to invest!  Check out this short video for all the details! If you are prefer to read the transcript, skip ahead!

The dream is to be in Irvington, or Laurelhurst, or Ladd’s Addition, but if you are looking for your first home, or an investment property, those neighborhoods may be out of reach.  I also want to talk about some of the mistakes that people can make when it comes to buying in an up and coming area.  

Make a Plan

When you are buying in an area that isn’t as established you need to think of it as a long term investment.  The Portland Market has been in a quickly appreciating city for many years. While everyone has benefited from this appreciation, the “up and coming” areas did so a little slower than the rest of the city.  We don’t want you to purchase a home and expect to have a huge return on your investment the following year.  We will help you to come up with a 5 year or 10 year plan so you know exactly what you are getting into.  

Trust Your Advisors

We will help to guide you so you can avoid any big missteps.  I want to be sure that you don’t overpay for a home, or buy something that needs a ton of work.  We will make sure that you are equipped with a market analysis for the areas that you want to seriously look in so you know what you should be paying for the houses we see.  We will also use our years of experience to identify any inspection red flags.  

Now that you know how to buy in an up and coming area, our favorites are….

St. Johns

I love St. Johns because they have such a strong sense of community, great restaurants and bars, and easy access to the rest of the city.  This neighborhood has become more popular over the years, but it is still one of the most affordable places to live.  You also get to be near the amazing Cathedral park!  

Foster-Powell

I love the Foster-Powell neighborhood for many of the same reasons. Ever since Foster Rd went down to 2 lanes last year, we have been seeing a new boutique, cocktail bar, or coffee shop pop-up practically every other week! In addition, there is a really strong sense of community and many great neighborhood focused events. While prices are certainly increasing as many are realizing the great investment opportunity, you can still find homes that are affordable. 

There are plenty of other areas that are still affordable, if you want to talk with us about your specific needs, definitely reach out to us and give us a call! 

Do you want to take a look at our buyer or seller guides? You can download either of those here

We are always happy to share our resources with you and answer any of your real estate questions.  Also, make sure to follow our blog for lots of great information and our favorite local bars and restaurants.  Thanks so much for joining us today and we will talk to you soon! 

Hat Yai – Belmont

December 9, 2019 by Jessica Berger and Tekela Fisher Leave a Comment

For our Hot Spot of the Week, we decided to check out the newly opened SE branch of Southern Thai spot Hat Yai. With counter service and checkered plastic tablecloths, this casual eatery is a perfect spot to grab a bite while checking out the great bars along the Belmont strip with friends. If you want to check out the menu, or see more information, you can do that here

As usual, we each got a cocktail to start. While the cocktail list here isn’t extensive (3 options and a seasonal special) we were both able to easily choose something that catered to our preferences. The Turmeric Sweet Tea was a lovely Thai twist on the classic, and was perfect alongside the fried chicken. The Tamarind Whiskey Smash made me seriously wish it were a hot sunny afternoon. If cocktails aren’t your thing, there is also a no-frills wine and beer list to choose from.

For dinner, we decided to share the famous fried chicken. We opted for the half-chicken portion so we could try several different dishes. The dark meat was, of course, the winner. Even the breast was tasty when doused with the Thai chili dipping sauce. We also shared the Goong Tom Gati, a shrimp and clam curry served with sticky rice. The curry was fine, but we wished we had gone with our instincts and ordered the special Jungle Curry. With trout belly and Chanterelles, it sounded outstanding. However, the person at the counter somewhat warned us off of it saying, “It’s a 9/10 on the spicy scale.” Sometimes in Thai restaurants, that would mean inedible, but once we had tasted the other curry, we felt that we certainly could have handled it.

Our surprise winner of favorite dish of the evening was the seasonal special pea tips. Simply sauteed and served in a light curry sauce, pea tips have been an exciting discovery for me in restaurants this year. They were my favorite of this evening, as well as another spent at delicious newcomer Eem a few months ago. After this experience, I know I will be ordering them every time I see them on a menu! Have you been to Hat Yai yet? What should we order next time?

What Hot Spot should we try out next? Let us know in the comments!

Pancakes

September 26, 2019 by Jessica Berger and Tekela Fisher Leave a Comment

It’s National Pancake Day and we are HERE for it! But what are the most scrumptious spots in Portland for a stack, you ask? Read on for 5 of our faves.

  • Arleta Library Bakery Cafe 5513 SE 72nd Ave All of the baked, sauteed, or griddled grub here is phenomenal and the Semolina Griddlecakes are no exception. Plus, sometimes they have amazing seasonal pancake specials. Check the blackboard! https://arletalibrary.com/
  • Broder Multiple locations If you are looking for something outside of your traditional flapjack comfort zone, look no farther than the Æbleskiver (Danish pancakes) at one of the fantastic Broder locales. They are fluffy and delightful and served with lemon curd and lingonberry jam. https://www.broderpdx.com/
  • Gravy Locations in N Portland and NE Portland Breakfast foods are the focus at the two locations of Portland staple Gravy. They have several options to scratch that pancake itch, including Banana Chocolate Chip and Blueberry Pecan. http://gravyrestaurant.com/
  • Jam on Hawthorne 2239 SE Hawthorne With an extensive menu that features delicious breakfast options for all dietary walk of life, Jam even has Oatmeal Chai Blueberry vegan pancakes (that you may just order even if you aren’t vegan). Head there on a weekday to avoid the line. http://www.jamonhawthorne.com/
  • Slappy Cakes 4246 SE Belmont If your pancake proclivities lean towards the DIY but without the prep and clean-up, Slappy Cakes is the place for you. You can choose your batter and sweet or savory toppings, and then make your own fun pancake shapes on your personal griddle. https://www.slappycakes.com/portland

Did we miss your secret spot for the best pancakes? Let us know in the comments!

Pix Patisserie & Bar Vivant

September 16, 2019 by Jessica Berger and Tekela Fisher Leave a Comment

Hot Spot of the Week

With the most extensive sparkling wine list and one of the finest dessert selections in town, Pix has been one of our favorite stop-ins for many years. Previously located in a Victorian home on SE Division, it was practically impossible to get in due to the small size and large popularity. Thankfully, a few years ago they moved to the larger space they currently inhabit on 22nd and E Burnside. We were recently reminded just how much we love this spot when we hosted our monthly Champagne meet-up on an evening that cleared up perfectly to allow us to mingle on the expansive patio.

We started out each choosing a different glass of sparkling, but quickly moved on to choosing assorted bottles to share so that we could compare and contrast the different regional flavors. The sparkling list at Pix is so long that we could easily come here for months and never repeat a bottle! Plus the costs aren’t prohibitive. While you could buy a bottle for a couple hundred dollars, there are also bottles as low as $28 that are still quite tasty.

A few of our group decided to indulge in some of the delicious tapas provisions from Bar Vivant before proceeding to dessert, including a perfect Spanish tortilla and a few quail eggs wrapped in prosciutto. Once our savory nibbles were done, it was time to sample some of the famous desserts. First off, the macaron selection here is incredible. They make somewhere around 30 different flavors and I have loved every one I have ever tried. This visit we went with the Fleur de Sel, Strawberry Balsamic, and Passionfruit, which paired surprisingly well with our Brut Champagne from the Loire region. If macarons aren’t your fave though, they have many other delectable sweets, like the fig filled with creme brulee and topped with gold leaf pictured above (hurry, it’s seasonal!).

Can’t wait until our next visit! Is there somewhere we should check out next? Let us know in the comments!

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