Recap and recos: Portland
Let's see how it went.
Portland. The month of September. It was a weird one, since we arrived with Darcy and then took her to her new foster home on September 11. So a third of the month was spent fairly isolated, and the next third we had the freedom to go out but were also grieving, sad, and exhausted. It was really only the last third that we fully took advantage of exploring a new place.
That said, we still discovered some gems and had a good time. If you’re ever in Portland, consider these spots.
Genie and Aaron’s Portland Recommendations
PSU Farmers Market: We got some good pastries, veggies, and hot sauce (for Aaron) and we enjoyed plenty of good dog-watching. Worth a visit.
a Cena Ristorante: Small Italian restaurant with absolutely delicious food. Treat yourself to an amazing meal. We recommend you try the Agnolotti and the Panna Cotta for dessert.
Por Que No: Two locations, two opportunities for delicious tacos. Personally, I like a taco now and then but I don’t get super excited about them or want to eat them frequently. But I did really enjoy this place, and so did Aaron. Apparently there’s almost always a line, so get there before you’re hangry.
G-Love: This veggie-forward restaurant claims to be Portland’s first “reverse steakhouse,” which I thought was a silly way to describe a restaurant. But y’all. The food is GOOD. And it’s the perfect menu for sharing with a group of friends, which is exactly what we did. It’s literally all delicious. And the cocktails are good, too—I recommend the Sporty Spice if you like bourbon.
Powell Butte: Great spot for hiking, lots of trails. Aaron and I went once with a friend, and then I went again by myself. Between the two visits, I hiked completely different trails (not entirely on purpose) on either side of the area with totally different views and landscaping. Lots to explore here. Incredible view of Mount Hood, too.
Mt. Tabor Park: This is a little bit of a cheat, because we didn’t go this time, but we went when we were here for a weekend in February. Gorgeous green park in the middle of the city, spots with great views, lovely spot for a walk or a picnic.
Portland Rock Gym: This is where my obsession with rock climbing began. Friendly staff, and the gym offers welcoming, encouraging entry-level classes for everyone.
Powell’s Books: We don’t need to say it, but we’ll say it anyway. It’s a bookstore that takes up an entire city block. It has maps and color-coded rooms because there’s just so much. You have to go. The end.
And that’s that, Portland! We’re in California now, exploring and wearing lots of sunscreen.