Besaw's for Dinner (Portland, Oregon)

We are fortunate to live very close to Besaw's restaurant in NW District of Portland. They just celebrated their 110th (!!!) year of business in operation as a restaurant/bar. Over the years, Besaw's has improved with the times but still kept the historic building intact.

Besaw's is best known for their weekend brunches and midweek breakfasts. People drive from all over the area to breakfast here. Lines form early outside. 

So sometimes we opt to avoid the weekend crowds there and instead go for dinner. There is nothing more cozy and comforting to tuck in to Besaw's on a cold rainy evening and enjoy their fabulous locally-purveyed food. This evening I enjoyed the Tails & Trotters brined pork loin with spinach and polenta. It was outstanding! Flavorful, juicy, delicious.

My husband loved the meatloaf with roasted potatoes and carrots, and mushroom gravy. So satisfying! We decided to slow down the pace and just enjoy another glass of wine. We like to nab at table by the windows and watch the people and cars rush by outside while we kick into a leisurely slow-motion pace.

And this is how we felt about our food. So good!

Besaw's on the corner of NW 23rd & Savier St., Portland, Oregon. (The crowds lined up here waiting for a weekend brunch table.)

Stella Scooter with Sidecar!

Spotted just about the coolest scooter ever seen in my neighborhood the other day. So amazing! Wondering if its vintage and restored or just new and made in the old styling. Such coolness!

Craft Iced Tea - Steven Smith Teamaker

All Portlanders tea-lovers are familiar with Steven Smith Teamaker teas. The little brick shop is in Northwest Portland but their artisan teas, both loose and bags, are packaged and sold in grocery stores all over Portland area. I was surprised to recently see that now they're making iced tea blends as well. I tried out this flavor - Black Cap berries blended with brewed black tea. Delicious!

You can find Steven Smith Teamaker fine teas in Portland's groceries stores or at the original shop on NW Thurman & NW 17th, next door to Olympic Provisions's northwest outpost. Here is the website: http://www.smithtea.com/

Salt & Straw Ice Cream Frenzy

Up the street from us is the locally famous gourmet ice cream shop, Salt & Straw. Since it opened earlier this year, I have watched the never-ending line out the door and around the block as I walk past. Portland people are going crazy for Salt & Straw! Even though it's local, this is a "destination" ice cream shop - people from all over the Portland area come to brave the line to get a taste.

I've only braved the long line one time with visiting friends. This is the list of flavors which changes seasonally. The staff cheerfully passes out samples for you to try before ordering. The ice cream IS good - full-fat, flavorful, creamy, and rich. Between the calories I don't need and the wait in line (it took us 45 minutes!) I won't be visiting often.

The good news is that a new location for Salt & Straw just opened up in Southeast Portland. That will help shorten our Northwest lines.

City Bikes!

We purchased a couple of bikes to leave at the condo for short trips around the neighborhood...to the store, to farmer's market, to a cafe or brewery. Called "City Bikes", these are a hybrid between a road bike and a cruiser type. Sitting up right you can see the traffic, and a few gears to navigate the small hills. We both purchased Felt Bikes - Cafe 7's. As you can see, my husband is quite tall! I've ordered a pannier to use to haul cargo on the back of mine. These bikes are awaiting a reserved spot in our building's garage.

Waiting for Dinner...

I spotted this little dog (a french bulldog, right?) sitting with his owner outside a restaurant. He clearly wanted to be fed! His owner was sitting at an sidewalk cafe table just out of sight of this shot.

This dog persisted...he held this dog dish in his mouth for over 20 minutes, but finally got tired and stretched himself across the sidewalk. So cute! Lots of people had to step over or around him as this is a busy stretch of sidewalk along NW 23rd Ave. But I noticed that most people also smiled as they passed by!

Little Libraries!

When I was out for a walk in my neighborhood one day, I spotted this and had to stop. What? A "Little Library" just planted along the sidewalk. Someone built a charming little box (a bit larger than a mail box) and stocked it with books to share. What a generous and genius idea!

As you can see, it states "Please take a book if you see one you like, and leave a book when you have one to share." No signing a card. I love the level of trust in the goodwill of people to be able to set this up. I intend to go back one day and take a book, and leave one to share.

Don't you wish that more people in the world would do this? Maybe you could be the first in your neighborhood.

Back to Portland

After 28 years living elsewhere, I have returned, at least part-time. Not only a return to Portland, Oregon, but also to my old stomping ground neighborhood of Northwest District, when I was a young adult fresh out of college, working in NW Portland. I hoped to return someday, and now we have.

My goal in this blog is just to have a place to share little tidbits and photos about what I love in Portland. When I'm here I'm always inspired to snap photos...walking down the sidewalk I spot all kinds of beauty in the city.

We love exploring the city and discovering restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops in our own neighborhood, in nearby Pearl and downtown, and greater Portland as well. This is where I will share those photos and discoveries.

It's the little everyday joys that make for a sweet life. And I'm glad that I get to build that sweet life again in Portland. I hope you enjoy sharing my city adventures!