Mad Greek Deli

18450 NW West Union Rd
Portland, OR 97229

Andrea S. writes: The Mad Greek has been one of my favorite occasional haunts for probably 25 years.  It used to be sort of unkempt, but it was fun to get yelled at by the owner.

Me: I'd like the Mad Greek sandwich, but without olives.

Him (loudly, with a heavy…

Tabla
Neighborhood: Northeast Portland

200 NE 28th Ave
Portland, OR 97232

Chris L. writes: My first foray to Tabla found me intoxicated and at a table dinning with three gorgeous women.  Normally this would be an ideal condition fraught with opportunities and debaucheries...however, on this evening I found myself profusely apologizing for…

Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine
Neighborhood: Northeast Portland

3135 NE Broadway St
Portland, OR 97232

Ryan N. writes: In my youth my parents thought I was a perfect little angel despite any evidence pointing to the contrary. Seriously, if they were shown photographic evidence of me skinning our neighbor's cat they would have said "Not MY son!" and then proceed to…

Fabric Depot

700 SE 122nd Ave
Portland, OR 97233

Cosmolicious L. writes: I've been here several times and there are only two options for leaving the store.

A.  Know New Fabric.  After 4 hours, completely overwhelmed, with more fabric then you can carry and an empty wallet.

B.  No New Fabric.  After 4 hours, completely…

Salvador Molly's
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland

1523 SW Sunset Blvd
Portland, OR 97239

Jen K. writes: Oooh, a pirate cafe.... argggh!  

Their menu says "food without borders" and the cuisine is all over the map.  Their focus is on hot and spicy dishes from Asia, Africa, New Orleans, the Caribbean and beyond, but it is a true hodge podge.  Some of…

Valentine's
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland, Old Town

232 SW Ankeny St
Portland, OR 97253

Kelly M. writes: Valentine's is a great hole in the wall--a pleasant retreat in the downtown which offers art, music, sandwiches, movie nights, and sometimes puppet shows.  Remember when Dawn Riddle's musical VAMPIRE PROBLEMS premiered here last December?  It was…

Florida Room
Neighborhood: North Portland

435 N Killingsworth St
Portland, OR 97253

Brenna S. writes: My absolute, hands down, favorite bar in Portland. Although still fairly new, this bar has already proven itself to be a local landmark. With amazing Florida-Cuban-Pirate-esqu e food including fried catfish, Cajun tots, and their signature "pirate…

Cafe Du Berry
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland

6439 SW Macadam Avenue
Portland, OR 97239

Kendo U. writes: This is what it's all about.  I'm in Portland for the day, and across the street from my client's location is a small independent French Cafe.  He asks if I want to grab an early lunch prior to heading out for meetings.  Oh yeah!  It's small and…

Baker & Spice
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland, Hillsdale

6330 SW Capitol Hwy
Portland, OR 97239

Ivy C. writes: I was glad I had my husband and kids with me so I didn't look like a PIG ordering everything in sight.
The lamb stew was the best I'd ever had, hearty with chunks tender lamb and lots of locally grown vegetable. I finished mine and "helped" my hubby…

The Circuit Bouldering Gym
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland

6050 SW Macadam Ave
Portland, OR 97239

Felicia C. writes: Best Rock Gym! I was introduced to this place by way of my younger sister, who is on their competitive team. Unlike her, I climb at a very beginner level. :o) But! One of the things that is so great about the Circuit, and hard to find at other…

Lemongrass Thai Restaurant
Neighborhood: Northeast Portland

1705 NE Couch St
Portland, OR 97253

Gabe C. writes: You can't lose here.

- The food is incredible.  Hot means hot.  Believe it.  1-2 stars is prolly more than you can handle so don't tempt fate even if you think you KNOW.

- Atmosphere and ambiance is tops...this is the perfect place for a date or to…

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Eastmoreland

SE 28th Ave & Woodstock Blvd
Portland, OR 97253

Andy W. writes: The Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is Portland's largest and most over-the-top monument to fertility. If you can plan it right, you should try to make sure every romantic moment in your life happens right here.

Couples on a first date who…

Inn at Northrup Station
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

2025 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97255

nam h. writes: If you are visiting Portland and want to experience a local neighborhood, the Inn at Northrup Station is perfect!!!  Located along a quiet street in NW, this eccentric boutique hotel has great access to NW 21/23rd streets and the Pearl district via…

Eleni's Philoxenia
Neighborhood: Pearl District

112 NW 9th Ave
Portland, OR 97255

Ryan N. writes: Candle light, intimate tables, a wall size mirror, and a soft soundtrack make this a very romantic spot. But then again, who care about romance when they have FLAMING CHEESE!!! And whoooaaaaa Daddy, it is good! The appetizer menu is huge, and it is…

Aladdin Theater
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland

3017 SE Milwaukie Ave.
Portland, OR 97255

Ella W. writes: One of the Laws of Thermodynamics states that you can't rock out while you're sitting down.  Because of this, I was fairly certain that I would hate the Aladdin.

I'm a big enough person to admit when I'm wrong.

The Aladdin is pretty darn awesome.  It's…

Missing Link Toys
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Hawthorne

3562 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97255

Helen Y. writes: Those silly little Vinyl toys are awesome!!! I have been collecting them for years already... and finally, Portland opens up this little shop for everything I ever wanted..

Keychains, big figures, blind box toys, books, bags... t-shirt!

They're very…

Vivace Coffee House & Creperie
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

2287 N.W. Pettygrove
at N.W. 23rd Avenue
Portland, OR 97255

Laura N. writes: I'm not sure how this little cottage of crepe glory has slipped my radar for all these years. I guess it's probably a good thing for both my waistline and my wallet that tonight was my inaugural experience, because it certainly won't be my last.…

Caprial's Westmoreland Kitchen
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland

7015 SE Milwaukie Ave
Portland, OR 97255

Don B. writes: I can tell just from the Reuben and side salad I had for lunch today that this place deserves 5-stars.  That, and Caprial and John's reputation precedes them... enough so that a mere confirmation-by-reuben is enough to win my approval.

I finally,…

Silk Vietnamese Bistro
Neighborhood: Pearl District

1012 NW Glisan St
Portland, OR 97255

Alec B. writes: Great happy hour!  

Silk has a large assortment of food items during its happy hour running until 6:30pm.  The garden rolls were excellent, as was the "crazy" noodle dish.  Spicy, delicious, and inexpensive!   The guava margarita was also quite tasty,…

Ristretto Roasters
Neighborhood: Beaumont, Northeast Portland

3520 NE 42nd Ave
Portland, OR 97255

Bob S. writes: Back in the day , Starbucks was like this, before they went corporate. One of their roasters (Tim ???) hooked up with Jeff Babcock and started ZOKA up in Seattle.  Zoka is still there, they opened a second store but.....It all starts with a small,…

Blueplate Lunch Counter & Soda Fountain
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland, Downtown

308 SW Washington St
Portland, OR 97204

stephy s. writes: Best roast beef french dip EVER!!

Yes, those do sound like bold words, but I can tell you, coming from a girl who's been around the sammich block with an ass and a waistline to prove it, this is THE BEST!

The secret is most definitely the bun. It's…

820
Neighborhood: North Portland

820 N. Russell Street
Portland, OR 97255

Laura N. writes: If you haven't heard of Lucy Brennan yet, (and consequently don't live on this planet we call "Earth") - you soon will.

She is on the Playboy.com A-List as one of America's Top 10 Bartenders.

Sherman's Travel Magazine "trendspots" her as one of a…

Screen Door
Neighborhood: Northeast Portland

2337 E Burnside Street
Portland, OR 97214

Laura N. writes: I have a southern relative  whom we all call Grandma Mamie. To be honest, I have NO clue how we are related to Mamie Garner, because she is most certainly not my granny, but we all just role with it.

Every so often we'll visit Grandma Mamie. We'll…

Zach's Shack
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Hawthorne

4611 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97255

Danielle K. writes: I am not a hot-diggity-dog sort of lady. I will indulge in the yearly Oktoberfest sausage, but hand me a pack of wieners and I say "No thanks!" But in the spirit of being surrounded by hot-dog-loving friends, I decided to give the congealed meat…

Fubonn Shopping Center
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland

2850 SE 82nd Avenue Suite #80
Portland, OR 97266

Teresa C. writes: When we left Asia, I thought I was saying goodbye forever to my favorite treats: ChocoPies, Milo, lychees, Trung Nguyen coffee, jelly candies, being surrounded by loud shoppers.  It was depressing to leave it all. But then, three months later, I…

Takahashi

10324 SE Holgate Blvd
Portland, OR 97266

Tifkit B P. writes: Really good sushi! Everything is made to order, which can mean the food takes awhile on super busy nights. Going on Wednesday means discounts and dinner can be really cheap. The staff is very friendly. Down side is it is far from my neighborhood and…

Portland Memorial Mausoleum
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Sellwood

SE 14th Avenue and Bybee Street
Portland, OR 97282

Kelly M. writes: Above the Japanese Garden, the Chinese Garden, the Art Museum, and the Zoo, The Portland Memorial Mausoleum is my favorite attraction, even though it may be sacrilegious to think of it as such.  The Mausoleum is a huge complex comprising eight floors…

Sivalai
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland

4806 SE Stark St
Portland, OR 97215

sylvia c. writes: FAWK!!!!  cable's out... guess I'll review dinner:)

Ton's of my friends have suggested this restaurant to me in the past.  Not sure why I hadn't gone before, doesn't matter- situation has been rectified.  I'm a believer!

The only even mildly…

Bicycle Repair Collective
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Belmont

4438 SE Belmont St
Portland, OR 97215

coral c. writes: I recently purchased an older Schwinn ten speed to get around town as my second bike.  I have not been able to ride it because the second I got it home, inflated the tires, I had a blowout.  Plus, I'm kind of a nelly when it comes to riding in the…

Romo's La Jara
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Mt. Tabor, Hawthorne

5011 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97215

Mike S. writes: The margaritas are mysteriously strong and delicious, but even they pale in comparison to the incredible food that Romo's La Jara has to offer.  It's truly in a class of its own as far as Portland Mexican food goes.  Everything I have had there is…

Flying Pie Pizzeria
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland

7804 SE Stark St
Portland, OR 97215

Don B. writes: There's not much I can say about this place that has not already been said.

Great crust, tasty sauce, super high quality (and gratuitous use of) toppings, made with love.  The prices are commensurate with the quality, and the atmosphere is that of a…

Pho Van Restaurant
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland

1919 SE 82nd Ave
Portland, OR 97216

Michelle H. writes: My pho virginity was taken by a large bowl of beef pho with round steak, flank, and fatty brisket.  It was pretty decent.  At least it was once I added a significant amount of chile sauce to it.  The large is large.  Like bird bath large.  At least…

King Burrito
Neighborhood: North Portland

2924 N Lombard St
Portland, OR 97217

Stacy M. writes: So I rarely share with strangers that I lived in Los Angeles before coming to Portland, because they give me the reaction that you're probably having at this very moment.  But it's relevant here, as I know my Mexican food.  I have been supremely…

Oregon Zoo
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland

4001 SW Canyon Rd
Portland, OR 97221

Andrew C. writes: As a work-trip concluded on a particularly cold morning a few years back, I remember peering at the Atlantic before catching my flight. That night, friends and I enjoyed beers at a bon-fire on the shores of the Pacific. The mere impossibility of this…

Hoyt Arboretum
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland

4000 SW Fairview Blvd
Portland, OR 97221

Kelly M. writes: With so many attractions packed into Washington Park (the Zoo!  Forestry Center!  Children's Museum!  Rose Garden!  Japanese Garden!), it's no wonder that the arboretum gets overlooked.  Nevertheless, I urge you to navigate one of Portland's best…

Knittn' Kitten
Neighborhood: Northeast Portland

7530 NE Glisan
Portland, OR 97213

Kelly M. writes: For all of the crafty boys and girls in Portland, Knittn Kitten is a treasure chest not unlike your sweet grandmothers sewing room.  In fact, Knittin Kitten is just that--the resting place for surplus craft supplies sweet old ladies sell for next to…

Department of Skateboarding

15 NE Hancock St
Portland, OR 97212

Kelly M. writes: Well, admittedly I know virtually nothing about skateboarding, but an indoor skate park combined with a skate shop couldn't be bad for Portlanders.

Upstairs from the shop is a gallery space where Ryan Jacob Smith had an amazing art show at (I assume…

Rerun
Neighborhood: Northeast Portland

707 NE Fremont St
Portland, OR 97212

Kimberly V. writes: To the lucky individual who placed the little 1950's dining table on hold: You lucky bastard. You better love slightly precious pink things as much as I do. Have fun setting casserole dishes and forgetting cups of coffee on my…

Providence Portland Medical Center
Neighborhood: Northeast Portland

4805 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213

sylvia c. writes: So, from what I've seen of Providence as a health care facility, they seem to be top notch.

That being said... as a restaurant?  Not so much.   I deduct one whole star!  WTF are you talking about you ask?  Let me set the scene...

So, I'm visiting a…