Sunday in Portland: Cameo Café, Bunk Bar, Downtown Portland, Powell’s Books, Dixie Tavern, Branch bar
If Diane Sawyer is to be believed, supporting our country by buying American things is a great way to improve the economy. While buying “Made in America” is not always practical for the average American, I figured going on a “Geekonomic Stimulus” road trip to visit some of the cities on the West Coast might be a fun way to take a well deserved vacation and inject some money into some local economies.
Let’s not worry about the gas money being distributed in large share overseas, I was on vacation here.
The picture below sets the tone of my trip pretty accurately. Portland was a great city, and I had the pleasure of hanging out with Nathanael Cole, online friend who I have now met in the “meatspace” and also the creator of Motobushido, among other games. It was great to have such a talented and creative guy as my first tour guide to the city of Portland!
We started the day by hitting up Cameo Café, where the proprietor was one of the nicest most attentive people I have met. Chatty without being overbearing, it was clear she wanted to welcome the newcomer customer, and really made me feel at home throughout my visit to her restaurant.
Nathanael also highly recommended the strong bread, which is apparently prepared in house, and is a vexingly good bread that counts polenta, bran, buttermilk, poppy seeds and honey among its ingredients.
You bet your butt I’m going to try to come up with a reasonable facsimile.
I figure a place is best judged by the classics, at least for the first time, so I opted for the number three, with the hotcake and sunny side up eggs.
The eggs and bacon were extremely solid offerings, but that hotcake, oh man. One of the most impressive specimens of the dish I’ve had to date.
Any place that makes its own seasoning salt mix and hot sauce gets bonus points. This was the “baby” hot sauce apparently, and it was a good mild addition for easing into breakfast.
After breakfast we did a bit of a drive around town, where he pointed out Powell’s Books and other such landmarks, then we parked near OMSI and explored the Esplanade for a bit.
I absolutely love how Portland manages to strike that balance between being urban and having plenty of green space as well. And all that water.
This enterprising raft had a sign that said “Free Water.” I wish I knew that that was about.
Great bridges.
I really like this photo for some reason.
Wish I made time to kayak. Next time!
Eventually it was time for lunch at Bunk Bar.
According to Nathanael and his cohort, lots of places sell their shirts and gear, which somehow puts on them on the fast track to being a “genuine local Portland place.” While that seemed inauthentic to my Bay Area sensibilities, the locals seemed to take it in stride. There’s something to be said about this easygoing attitude.
The menu.
The second of many coffees I would have in Portland. I don’t remember this one too well.
It had a nice looking bar.
While not exactly a local drink by any means, Boylan’s birch soda was interesting. Somewhat like sarsaparilla without the carcinogens I suppose.
The chips were great, and the muffuletta was pretty good. Very soft bread, good acid to the pickles.
After lunch it was off to Guardian Games.
Very nice private room was reserved for a D&D game.
An impressive green dragon was laying siege to the wall.
I don’t even know where to begin. I mean seriously.
One solitary copy of Dungeon World actually stared me in the face, so naturally I had to pick it up, needing a hardcopy. I had already purchased the electronic version, but this clearly was destiny for me to obtain a hardcopy (without paying sales tax, thanks Oregon!)
After a bit of lollygagging, I said my farewells to Nathanael’s D&D group to continue my exploration of Portland solo.
My first stop after Guardian Games was the Oregon Rail Heritage Center.
This is one of the most MURICA vintage posters I’ve ever seen.
Restoration work underway.
Trains!
Machines to work on trains!
People looking at trains!
Words (on a train!)
I was REALLY tempted to buy one of these.
I wasn’t as tempted to buy these.
Quick shot of the new bridge under construction before I headed towards Downtown.
After a lot of struggling to find parking and several loops around, I eventually made my way to Powell’s Books.
Only empty row I found in the entire building to take a picture without looking like a creeper.
This gem was on display. Almost tempted. (Not really).
If there was a store with my spirit animal and current style intentions in mind, this would be the title.
A brief break in the courtyard and looking at fish was needed to rest my weary feet before I continued onwards.
I eventually made my way to check out the… park art festival or something. Interesting stuff. Would never buy it, but really interesting.
Yup, same.
Ah, something I can buy. Coffee count, 3. This time an iced coffee perfect to pick me up for my continued journeys into the late evening and night.
I attempted to go to Voodoo Doughnut.
Not pictured, Space Mountain caliber waiting line. After two minutes of realizing it would be hours before I even got into the building I made my departure and wandered around aimlessly.
After ending up in the “Entertainment District” and checking out a local comic store, I made my way to the rather empty Dixie Tavern.
A very nice (and quite fetching I might add) bartender was quick with the drinks in spite of having to set up for the white party later that night, given that it was Labor day the next day.
I ordered some pretty ridiculous tater tots and a Dixie Tan Line at the bartender’s recommendation, as she said it was one of her favorite drinks to make, and cheap to boot at $5. Pretty impressed at the absence of upsell.
Eventually I made my way over to my couch provisioner for the evening, Rachel and met with her husband John.
They took me to Branch, which was a nice whiskey bar which had actually closed an hour prior to our arrival, but they still made some time for us.
Interesting décor I have to say…
It was a nice place and I’m glad that we were able to get a few drinks there before departing.
Fries in fried duck fat? Oh yes. Oh yes.
After a round of beers at another local bar, we made our way back, and I settled in with Morris for a bit before bed, to get some rest for my next day in Portland Oregon.
Next time, more of Portland, a slightly more suburban look, and taking it easy.
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So cool! Looking forward to reading more!