Lots to do and see in Portland today, but you can't start your day without a good breakfast. Google brought me to a very popular Scandinavian brunch spot where I had an Aquavit Bloody Mary, great coffee, and the Solstice Bord. This platter consisted of a soft boiled egg with a brown bread (which is more of a cracker), rye crisps, ham, hard and soft cheeses, yogurt and granola parfait, a banana bread nugget and an heirloom tomato and cucumber salad.
Stuffed and satisfied, I moved on to downtown Portland. I went down to Tom McCall waterfront park where young kids where running through the fountains. There was also a piano in the middle of the park with the sign that said 'Please Play Me'. Yep, I'm in Portland, alright.
Next Portland thing on the docket, Mill End Park, a tiny urban park. This is an actual, licensed park. It was adorable.
Even though I was still really full, famous Voodoo Doughnut was right around the corner. The store space was actually pretty big but most of it was taken up by the kitchen where they make fresh doughnuts all day long. They are open 24 hours and I imagine the are busy the entire time. The long line hugs the brick facade of the building and to keep their waiting patrons entertained, the wall is covered in sparkles. Magic!
Walking into the shop is kind of overwhelming. There are just so many to choose from on the chalkboard above and then you get to see them all in two rotating glass display cases.
I think I chose well. After some debate, I got the Voodoo Doll doughnut- a traditional yeast donut with chocolate frosting, filled with raspberry jelly, and a pretzel stick stabbing the voodoo doll! I also got the Peanut Butter Oreo doughnut. This was so, so rich I could even remotely finish it. I washed it all down with a refreshing iced coffee and soaked up some sun on a picnic bench near by.
Finishing my doughnut binge and stumbling upon this wonderful sign, I decided to head up to the Pittock Mansion. But first, I drove right into Chinatown!
The Pittock Mansion was originally owned by Henry Pittock and his wife Georgiana. Henry owned the Oregonian daily newspaper in the early 1900s and with his money built this beautiful home overlooking Portland. This house was ahead of it's time in so many ways. It was one of the first with central air conditioning, zone heating, intercom systems, and a refrigerating room. I was lucky enough to walk in just as a tour was forming and so I learned a lot about the family, construction, and restoration of this landmark.
Next on my to do list was to find me a boyfriend. That's where this hunk o' metal came in. The Paul Bunyan Statue is outside of Portland proper, but it was worth the drive to see this hilarious monument.
Getting back to my homestay, I parked my car and decided to walk down SE Division St again to find some great dinner. That's when I saw another thing you could probably only find in Portland: an artisan basketball hoop. Oh, Portland. Also, everywhere I went there were just parking lots full of food trucks. I don't think you'd be able to have a bad meal in Portland if you tried.
After walking up and down the street twice, I settled on The Whiskey Soda Bar. I genuinely had no idea what to expect food wise. I was surprised that with a name like The Whiskey Soda Bar, it was a Vietnamese/ Thai/ Chinese fusion. Of course, I started of with a cocktail. I don't know what's wrong with me, but I've been choosing delicious, fruity drinks rather than my typical dark bourbon sippers! This was a Mango Alexander, a twist on the traditional Brandy Alexander, with vodka, mango puree, lime juice, and coconut creme, garnished with lime zest. For dinner I had Manila clams in a spicy pork broth and a side of sticky rice. So very good, but also so spicy, I had to have two drinks to cool my mouth off!
Finishing dinner, my ears were sweating my food was so spicy. Rather than having a third drink, I headed down the street a bit to wait in my second long line of the day. The entire time I stayed in Portland, there was a line coming out of Salt and Straw ice cream shop. I had to see what it was all about. About 10 minutes waiting in the line led me to the flavor list. Another Portland only aspect, flavors like pear with blue cheese, strawberry honey balsamic with black pepper, and honey lavender. You can sample as many flavors as you want before settling on the one you want. I of course had to try the pear with blue cheese. I was so very tempted to go with my usual chocolate gooey brownie, but when a slightly different route and had a homemade waffle cone of cinnamon snickerdoodle. Because why not. It was delicious with giant chunks of cookie with a sweet and spicy cinnamon base.
All in all, Portland was exactly what I was hoping for. I had a great time, I had great food, and I would love to come back again soon. Stay tuned for a bit more Oregon and then headed down south through California.
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