ChocolateFest 2009 - Oregon Forestry Center

If you've ever wanted to learn how to make dark chocolate truffles or how to pair wine with chocolate, then this is the event for you! ChocolateFest 2009 will be going on Saturday and Sunday (Jan 31st/Feb 1st) at the Oregon Forestry Center.  There will likely be plenty of chocolate to eat, so wear some loose pants and go for it! :)  ChocolateFest is free with museum admission: $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for children 3-18 years old.

For more info, go to:

www.worldforestry.org/organization/chocolatefest.php

Laurelwood Public House - NW/NE Portland

Laurelwood Public House & Brewery is located in NE Portland at 5115 NE Sandy Blvd.  As well as a NW Portland restaurant, Laurelwood Public House at 2327 NW Kearney St.  These family friendly restaurants, which include a kiddie play area, are just the ticket for a fun and enjoyable meal.  Offering breakfast/brunch on the weekends, happy hour daily from 3pm-6pm and 9pm to close (with food items offered at only $4 and pints of beer for $3), they also have lunch and dinner daily, except for the NW location which is closed on Mondays.

Appetizers like housemade beer battered onion rings and Laurelwood garlic fries are a great way to get started.  A few of the food options that grabbed my attention were a mediterranean sandwich with chicken or veggie patty, topped with spinach, tomato, smoked mozzarella, red onion, roasted red pepper and basil-pesto spread on focciacia bread.  They also had a kobe beef burger with garlic aioli, extra sharp cheddar, caramelized onions, mushrooms and charred tomato.  Yummy!  Make sure to pair your meal with a delicious pint of Laurelwood beer, certified organic.  The Mother Lode Golden Ale is a refreshing, easy to drink beer.  For the more adventurous, try the Workhorse IPA, featuring over the top hop flavor and aroma.  All menu items were definitely in the affordable range and a kids menu is available.

For more info, go to:

www.laurelwoodbrewpub.com

Pastini Pastaria - NW/NE/SE/SW Portland, Beaverton, Bridgeport Village,

A locally born chain, these quick and easy Italian restaurants pack in families and couples every day for yummy meals. Starters include multiple types of bruschetta, antipasto plates and a large variety of salads. For the main course, options like rigatoni con chicken cacciatore, baked ziti with grilled italian sausage, fettuccini alfredo are all on the menu to tempt your tastebuds. Grilled panini and other sandwiches are also available for those who want a non-pasta option.

There is also a kids menu with items like pizza bread, macaroni and cheese, and chicken fingers with veggies. All kids meals are $5.50 and includes a soda. All restaurants are open for lunch and dinner. The entire menu is available to-go, so feel free to call ahead if you're in a hurry. Pastini is also available for catering.

For more info, go to:
http://www.pastini.net/

Posh Boutique - Pearl District

Located right across from Jamison Square Park in the Pearl District, this lifestyle boutique offers modern, eco-friendly and stylist products for children, women and the home.  They have a great selection of baby and children's clothing, toys, modern furniture, gear & gifts for the family.  They carry brands like, Bloom, Dwell, Oeuf, Orbit Baby, and Nurseryworks.  They also have a gift registry available online and in-store and free room design consulting services.

The clothing here is adorable, if not a little bit pricey.  It's definitely a splurge, but the quality of their products is good and the original and unique styles you find will make it worth it.  A cute store for sure and definitely something to check out.

For more info, go to:

www.poshbabyllc.com/posh/

Mama Mia Trattoria - SW Portland

As an Italian girl myself, this delicious southern italian style cooking is right up my alley! Homemade mozzarella, handmade pasta...mmm! Their focus is on the dishes made by southern Italian immigrants who adapted the food of their motherland to the available ingredients in their new American homeland. Everything is made from scratch, using the best possible ingredients and they use local products whenever possible.

The candlelit tables are cozy, and the dishes are generously portioned, which makes it a great place for groups. It's definitely a place where families can pass around the plates to share. Stuffed portobello mushrooms, manicotti, gnocchi, tiramisu and an ample wine list are just a few things on the menu here. They also have a kids menu with items like spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, and ravioli. Enjoy a happy hour? All of the food on their happy hour menu is $3 with a beverage purchase from 3pm-7pm weekdays.

For more info, go to:
www.mamamiatrattoria.com/

Bouffant Hair Salon - Pearl District

Located in a light filled, lofty space at 33 NW 9th Ave in the Pearl District, Bouffant Salon is a place to primp, pamper and beautify. They offer a range of services, including: hair styling, hair color, extensions, mani/pedis, facials, waxing, uv free tanning and they also can accomodate bridal parties with styling and makeup.

First time I came here, I was visiting a friend during her cut/color and brought my 3 year old with me. They were incredibly nice to us and gave her as many lollipops as she wanted...trouble! There were several other children who came and went during our first visit to the salon who were having their hair cut...they were probably all between 8-10 years of age and all seemed very at ease and comfortable with their experience. On my second visit, it was just me...getting my hair cut. Not just any cut! I got bangs...yes, bangs! :) My stylist, Michelle, did a fantastic job and I keep getting so many compliments on my hair its unbelievable.

For more info, go to:
www.bouffanthairsalon.com

The Nines Hotel - SW Portland/Pioneer Square

A luxury boutique hotel with a modernized shaggadelic austin powers vibe...that's the first thought I had upon entering the halls and rooms of this beautiful new hotel. From the long crystal chandelier in the corner of the room and the dark wood furniture, to the white leather headboard and turquoise colored couch/lounger, I fell in love immediately. These rooms are sexy, fun and well equipped with everything you might need for a very relaxing stay. Robes, a safe, mini bar, and large HD tv are all there for your enjoyment. A radio with iPod docking is right next to the bed, so you can listen to your favorite tunes and create a more familiar environment even when you're away from home.

We went to the 8th floor where Urban Farmer, a bar and a spacious lounge area are located. Pricey meals, but worth it for a special splurge, we had the flat iron steak...soooooooooooo goood! Also, tried the crab cakes and the carmelized onion soup, delicious as well. If you're staying at the hotel and want to save a few bucks when heading down to the restaurant/bar on the 8th floor, consider bringing your own bottle of wine and paying a $15 corkage fee. They also have an early and late happy hour with prices around 30% off the regular menu.

This is definitely the place to go for a dressed up girl's night out, date night or a Portland "staycation" if you want to stay close to home :)

From now until April 18th, 2009, you can discover the Nine's gracious hospitality with a rare opportunity to stay at this landmark hotel from $99 for 99 days only. You can reserve your stay online, through your preferred travel professional, or by calling the Nines at 888-627-7208. Please ask for rate code 99NINES.

For more info, go to:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1757

Cupcake Jones - Pearl District

I love me some cupcakes! So I wanted to share one of my favorite little places to grab a completely delicious piece of heaven at Cupcake Jones in the Pearl District. You can pick from a daily selection of 6 cupcakes in miniature or jumbo sizes. The mini-bites are great if you can't decide on just one flavor. However, the centers of the jumbo cupcakes are hollowed out and filled with things like chocolate ganache, strawberry jam, lemon curd. So if you can come to a decision, there is a yummy treat for you in the middle of the jumbos :) Then again, maybe I should just stick with the minis, or it's gonna start to show! lol
Jumbos, $3.25
Minis, $1.50

For more info, go to:
http://www.cupcakejones.net/

PDX Collective Sale Event - SW Portland

Looking for a deal on last season's clothing items? Then check out the PDX Collective Sale Event at the Cleaners in the Ace Hotel at 430 SW 10th Ave. 11 independent clothing stores are clearing out merchandise and you could find some great stuff. Event is on Sunday, January 25th from 11am-6pm.

Stores participating include:
Nolita, Le Train Bleu, Mimi&Lena, Pin Me Apparel, Parts & Labour, Bubble Boutique, Physical Element, Shoefly, Zella's Shoes, Moxie, and Sameunderneath.

Aqui Mexican Cafe - SE Portland

At 1408 SE 12th Ave you'll find a cozy and casual dining experience at Aqui Mexican Cafe. Great for families, you'll enjoy a variety of traditional dishes and items with a twist. Their chicken enchilada casserole, goat cheese stuffed jalapenos and tres leches cake are just a few of the dishes you can order here.

Known for their outdoor/patio dining, they also have a lounge and a dining room for when the weather is not as hospitable. They make great margaritas here and they have good meal and happy hour prices to keep things affordable.

Hours change unexpectedly sometimes I've been told and they are closed most major holidays, but other than that they are open 5pm-10pm M-W, 4pm-10pm Th-Fr, 3pm-10pm Sat.

On Deck - Pearl District

Brews, Burgers and Sports...can't really go wrong when all three combine at this sports bar in the Pearl District.  With Superbowl approaching, I figured it would be good to review some places that you could enjoy the game with friends.  

With a huge patio, you can sit outside and enjoy the sunshine when the weather is nice.  During the other 80% of the year's weather :) you can sit inside the restaurant.  Although I am slightly reminded of the college aromas of spilled beer and desperate singles from the previous night, I ventured here for lunch and enjoyed a delicious burger that I couldn't even finish because it was so big!  Definitely stick with the "pub food"...trying anything fancier is at your own risk.  I'm sure you could find something for the kiddies to eat here as they have many different options, but there is no kids menu available.  Minors are allowed in the restaurant until 9pm. 

At night, this is a great place to watch a game with friends and enjoy a cold beverage.  They have a great happy hour menu that runs from 3:30pm-6:30pm Monday thru Thursday, 8pm-close Sunday thru Thursday, and 9pm-close Friday and Saturday.

For more info, go to:

www.ondecksportsbar.com

 

Bride Wars - Movie Night

Bride Wars is a fun, silly and thoroughly girlie-girl movie. Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) are best friends since childhood who have always dreamed of having June weddings at the Plaza in New York.

When they both get engaged, they go to see the top wedding planner in the city played by Candice Bergen. The real madness begins when a mistake is made by the planner's assistant and both women's weddings are accidently double booked for the same day and time. Both women are unwilling to change their wedding date and believe me...it gets ugly, but fortunately for us, it's pretty funny too.

As the Liv and Emma's friendships, relationships, and dignity are tested they eventually come to realize that the person that will stand beside you thru everything in life is your best friend.

For more info, go to:
www.bridewars.com

50 Plates - Pearl District

A pulled pork sammie in one hand and an expertly made cocktail in the other...this is definitely an interesting pairing! 50 Plates is an eclectic and diverse mix of delicious meals from across the US. Sliders, sammies, clambakes, beignets, salads, po' boys, fried cherry pies...the crazy, fun mix of options goes on and on.

Definitely a place to start off a girls night out or a date night, this is not really a good place to bring the kids. It is definitely a sleek and classy Pearl District restaurant, make no mistake about that. This place manages to maintain a relaxed vibe even with the beautiful interiors and expertly crafted beverages. The food is delicious, but definitely a little bit of a "splurge" if you are a budget minded mom :) The drinks I've tried, North Beach Bramble and Indian Summer were both fantastic as well.

For more info, go to:
www.50plates.com

Old Town Pizza - NW Portland

Possibly haunted or not, Old Town Pizza at 226 NW Davis Street is a Portland icon, not to mention a great place to get amazing pizza. A wood bar and order-window greet you upon entering the restaurant. The multicolored, stained glass lights gently light the tables and booths. You can always sit on sofas and chairs around a coffee table if you prefer a even more relaxed setting.

Pizza is clearly "the thing" here, with traditional and customized pies available with medium-thick crusts, delicious sauce and fresh toppings. But they also serve panini, pasta and salads as well in case you want something different. They also serve a good selection of microbrews and wine.

I always have a great time here and it's very family friendly as well. Prices are reasonable and the ambiance and charm of this old building add to the dining experience. However, the pizza is always good as take-out or delivery too :)

They also have a location in NE Portland.
For more info, go to:
www.oldtownpizza.com

Deschutes Brewery - Pearl District

Being a typical Portlander, I figure the more breweries the better :) So I'm definitely a happy girl ever since Deschutes Brewery opened their Portland location in the Pearl District. Right next to the Gerding Armory at 210 NW 11th Avenue, you couldn't ask for a more central and fun location for lunch or dinner with friends or family.

If you are starting off the night with some friends for drinks, head to the spacious and beautiful bar area where you can order a 10 oz, 20 oz or pitcher of your favorite Deschutes brew. They continually update their beer selection with seasonal brews as well, so try the sample tray of six 4oz tasters to get the full experience and figure out which is your favorite.

If you are there for dinner, you will enjoy the experience of the large dining room area that includes reclaimed wood pillars that are carved and crafted into beautiful art. Whether you have a large group or small one, they can definitely accomodate any size family...and any appetite with the great menu :) There are many "beer-based" dishes on the menu, like Black Butte Porter Bolognaise and Brewery Corned Beef Reuben. I had the Classic Cheeseburger with a Twist (1/3 Pound Natural Beef Burger Marinated in Sweet Island Spices with Gruyere Cheese, House Pickles, Tomato, Grilled Red Onion, Mayo and Pub Mustard) which was really yummy and the fries were delicious too. The Cascade Ale was a light and pleasant pairing with my meal and I enjoyed that too. Not much of a kids menu, so I think that next time I will split one of their pizzas with my daughter.

Their prices were pretty much what I expected ($11.25 for my gourmet burger) but it is in a fantastic location in the Pearl District...so I wasn't surprised. Fairly noisy in here, so at least the kiddos won't stand out when they start acting up either :) Outdoor seating on picnic benches is available when the weather is nice.

For more info, go to:
www.deschutesbrewery.com

Sushiland - Pearl District/Beaverton/Tigard/Clackamas/Lloyd Center

Sushiland has 5 locations in the Portland Metro Area and 6 locations in Washington. I must admit that I probably go to Sushiland at least once a week for lunch and occasionally I go for dinner as well. At any given time, at any location I've gone to, there are usually at least a couple families with younger children enjoying a meal.

I must admit, I was skeptical of "affordable" sushi on a "train", but after just one visit I was hooked! I am not a person who eats alot of sashimi, I'm definitely a "roll sushi" girl :) The california rolls, asparagus tempura rolls and philadelphia rolls are my favorites and all are made well enough that I feel full and happy when I leave. With plate prices starting at $1.00 and ranging to $3.00 for most of their basic sushi items, you can't beat the deal that they offer.

For more info, go to:
http://www.sushilandusa.com/

Anthropologie - Pearl District/Bridgeport Village

An expensive, but wonderfully creative place to find women's clothing/accessories and home accessories.  Anthropologie has a mix of beautiful feminine pieces that work for day or night.  This place definitely has that vintage/retro thing going on, while still being fashion forward.  It's conservative enough that I could definitely wear these pieces to work.  However, you can still see some eclectic pieces mixed in that would be at home in another store owned by the same company, Urban Outfitters.  

If you are looking for something special, or you just have money to burn :) This is a great place to take a look around, because you just may find a great article of clothing that you will love.  There appear to be many brands that are in-house brands but they also carry items you can find elsewhere like J Brand Jeans, 7 for All Mankind Jeans, and Joe's Jeans. You can also find books, fragrances, candles and cute home hardware (like artsy knobs for dressers and such).  They do have quite a bit of home decorating items that are worth checking out, from curtains to bedding to table linens...but be forewarned, it might be better to gather inspiration from the in-store concepts rather than spend what they are asking for these home accessories.

You can also find some good deals in their sales/clearance section.  At the time I went in, they had about 4 long racks in the front of the store with sale merchandise on them.  

For more info, go to:

www.anthropologie.com

Hopworks - SE Portland

Hopworks Urban Brewery...as I enter I am completely in love with the wood beams, high ceilings and copper finishes. I sometimes forget how seriously we take our breweries in the Northwest :) I am reminded of Rock Bottom Brewery, except minus the "frat/alumni" crowd that often convenes there. There is the main L-shaped dining rooms with lots of booths and in one section with tables there is a kids play area. The kids play area at this place is fantastic! It has a wooden toy train set on a platform, chalkboards and a variety of other toys for the kids to play with. My daughter went straight to the play area and absorbed herself in it until dinner arrived at our table...which means I got some "me" time to relax and enjoy some adult conversation.

When dinner came we were pleasantly surprised by the size of a "medium" pizza. 4 people could've shared it with 2 good sized slices apiece. We order the "Gatherer" which included mushrooms, caramelized sweet red onions, artichoke hearts, roasted garlic, red bell peppers & black olives, topped with fresh parsley. Sooooooo good! This is in my top pizza places list from now on...and the Organic HUB Lager complimented the meal perfectly. Great beer, great pizza...it doesn't get much better than that! My daughter had the cheese pizza with organic apple slices and apple juice for her drink, only $4.75! Great deal and she ate all of it.

I will definitely be coming back for happy hour as well, but without the little one. Happy hour is only in the bar area and minors are not allowed. The menu includes many of their dishes for a fraction of the cost, like a slice of pizza for $1.75 or a chicken caesar salad for $3.75. This is definitely a great after work spot for people who want to unwind, catch up with friends or watch a game on the tv in the bar.

For more info, go to:
http://www.hopworksbeer.com/

Blitz Ladd - SE Portland

Blitz Ladd is the sister restaurant and bar to Blitz Bar in the Pearl District. A great place to grab pub food and a beverage, hang out with your friends and watch a game. Children are welcome everywhere in the establishment, except for the bar/pool table/shuffleboard area. They have a pretty good kids menu for a pub/sports bar with mini pizza, chicken strips, grilled cheese, mac and cheese and several other options...All $5 with a drink included. My daughter had the mini cheese pizza and loved it! It came with celery and carrot sticks on the side, so that was a nice "healthy" touch. However, it would be nice if they added more kiddie friendly drink options...I think the options given to me were soda or cranberry juice. Maybe milk and apple juice would be a good start.

I was there for a get together with friends and found it to be a very relaxed environment where a noisy toddler could be silly and have fun without disrupting anyone else's good time. I had a great time and enjoyed the Blitz Black-n-Blue Burger with cajun blackened beef, smoked pepper bacon, Oregon blue cheese, grilled onions and honey dijon mayonnaise. Sooooo good! And huge enough that I had to take half of it home. It was a pretty great meal (or two with leftovers in my case :)) for just $9.

For more info on Blitz Ladd and upcoming events, go to:
http://www.blitzpdx.com/ladd_index.html

The Bee and Thistle - Pearl District

Just when I thought I couldn't find a super cute AND affordable outfit in the Pearl District during my lunch hour, I stumbled upon The Bee and Thistle located at 120 NW 10th Ave. The big windows with fashionable outfits was enough to hook me in and get me in the door. A variety of tops, bottoms, dresses and accessories greeted me, many times arranged by color...which I've always found helpful when shopping for something specific.

However on this shopping trip I was simply exploring and not expecting anything in my price range considering I was in the heart of the Pearl District. I was so excited to find a broad selection of styles in a broad selection of prices. Upscale clothing items were seamlessly mixed amongst affordable items. Also available at this store were trendy bags, beautiful jewelry and helpful sales associates to make the experience a lot of fun. I smiled and silently thanked the shopping gods for finding this adorable gem of a shop and eagerly signed up for their mailing list. Which I highly recommend doing! They send out emails with upcoming sale info to all customers on the list.
For more info visit the store, or:
http://thebeeandthistle.com/

Noodles & Company - Pearl District/Beaverton/Hillsboro/Clackamas

With 4 locations in the Portland metro area, Noodles & Company is always nearby for you to enjoy a quick, convenient and tasty meal. With 3 distinct categories of noodles to choose from, like Mediterranean, Asian and American, you'll find something for you and for your little tortellini :) The kids will love the Wisconsin Mac & Cheese, while you can savor the very adult dishes of Whole Grain Tuscan Linguine or Indonesian Peanut Saute, just to name a few. You can add chicken, beef, shrimp or tofu to any dish. There is also the choice to expand your meal by adding soup or salad.

Friendly and quick service gets you and the ravenous little ones fed in no time at all. They also have healthy drink options for the kids, like milk and juice. They usually have cookies and rice crispies by the checkout too...so watch out for those! :) Overall, this is a great place to bring yourself during lunch or the kids on the weekend. Enjoy!
For more info, go to:
www.noodles.com

Portland Childrens Museum - Portland, OR

From the Grasshopper Grocery with its "food" and mini shopping carts, to the splish, splash fun of the Waterworks Exhibit, you will find no shortage of things to do in this seriously kid friendly museum. Definitely not the kind of museum we remember from our childhood, everything in this place encourages kids to touch, feel, explore, create and pretend. Even the littlest ones have a place here in the Baby's Garden, a multi-sensory forest for babies and young toddlers to crawl and discover a variety of sounds and textures. For older kids (age 5 and up) they have The Garage, Friday thru Sunday. This recycled arts studio allows aspiring creative types to design something unique to take home with them.

The Children's Museum has a variety of birthday packages to choose from, even themed parties are available. Discounts on birthday party packages are available if you have a membership. Entry to the museum is $8 for ages 1-54, $7 for ages 55 and up or with a military ID. As well as $2 for parking. Hours are Tuesday thru Sunday 9am-5pm. Sandwiches, salads, baked items, beverages and other treats are available in the Caterpillar Cafe.
I have to admit, even adults will have fun here! There is so much creativity and excitement for your child to experience here that it becomes hard not to find yourself acting like a kid again yourself :)

For more info, go to:
www.portlandcm.org