Portland, OR + Add a trip

One of the best breakfasts in Portland

Fantastic retro cafe in the fashionable Pearl District. Big, delicious food, nice people, lovely booths, lots of travel ephemera to gawk at and free Viewmasters.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters

Insanely good coffee, roasted and prepared by the nicest zealots you'll ever meet. No push-button shots here - every one of their cafes has the finest espresso machines run by expert baristas. Their Annex location sells over a dozen roasts and brews excellent drip coffee a cup at a time. Superb beans (used proudly by cafes across the northwest), passionate roasters, and a friendly vibe. Don't just take my word for it; Espressomap.com loves them as well.

Oregon brefest

Conveniently again at the end of O'Reilly Open Source Conference 2008 from Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th. What more can I say.

Stumptown Coffee

some of the best coffee in the world. multiple locations - but my favorite is the one on SE Belmont as it's right by the Annex (coffee tasting location).

Le Pigeon

one of my favorite restaurants in the world. sit at the counter. get there early (like 5pm). lovely.

The Amazing Race Tour

They came from PDX. First stop was Tilikum in Newberg at 15321 NE North Valley Road. They headed for the green dinosaur inside the Portland Building on 1150 SW 5th Avenue. Then came the Russian Food cart on SW Alder between 9th and 10th. It was straight to Voodoo Doughnuts. where I once had a hilarious eating contest on the First Friday of every month. From there, it ended at the Pittock Mansion straight up West Burnside Road to 3229 NW Pittock Drive.

Voodoo Donuts

A human-shaped donut, with a frosting face and jelly oozing from his stabbled-by-pretzel heart?

Yes, and that's just the start! You'll have to imagine what's in a "Dirt Donut", the "Arnold Palmer," or the "Dirty Snowball". And your imagination might not take you all the way to the craziness that Voodoo Donuts offers. Not to mention, they are really good, freshly made on premises by the sort of rockin' punk and goth staff that you'd expect from Portland.

And the "Cock-n-Balls" donut? Sorry, didn't try it. But they're open 24-hours if you need it for late-night, um, events!

50 Plates -- though it is in the hyper-trendy Pearl District, the atmosphere is curious and calm, with some amazing food and an attentive staff.

Zell's for brunch. Morrison and 13th. Salmon and eggs benedict is the best, and free fresh baked scones!

The Portland Spirit is a super sweet yacht that takes people out for excursions, on the Willamette River. Located in the downtown, Portland Waterfront Park and docking near the Salmon Street Springs, a person can pay fare in order to take a cruise up the Willamette, heading due south toward the gorgeous Oregon City waterfall area. Passing sweeping spanses of river front housing to private communities or private ownership, you can enjoy spectacular scenery and enjoy the gorgeous tree-lined river during most months of the year. During the Seasonal Holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years or even Valentines Day, people can book for lovely supper parties and live music during these festive times. I always love taking a cruise during any time of the year. I would rate them 4.5 stars on a 5-star rating scale. Excellent service, beautiful idyllic scenery and peaceful relaxation! Enjoy!

In my top five restaurants of the planet so far. Described as ‘pan-American’ food. I’m not sure exactly what that means, but I know that the food and drinks here are hard to beat. Modern, interesting, brave flavours that had a group of us eating here four nights out of five during OSCON 2008. Absolutely, unequivocally, ace.

The burger is amazing. Get it, and have the bartender make you a vodka tonic, with the house tonic. Awesome.

Best breakfast place in my neighborhood? Maybe the whole SE? That would have to be Fat Albert's on Milwaukie in the heart of Westmoreland. Good food that can easily compete with the delicious brunches I've had at the Heathman Restaurant some Sunday mornings (without the hassle of parking downtown or the prices but the same delicious food). They only do breakfast. Oh, and don't come too hungry because there is usually a wait. It is well worth it though!

The most unbelievable fried chicken you will ever eat.

the best reason to go to brunchbox is the youcanhascheezburger. a burger made of two grilled cheese sandwiches? yes please!

Amazing mediterranean/Lebanese food. Friendly service. Great for lunch with 2-4 people.

Delicious sushi and other tasty dishes! Go in early to catch the buffet when everything is fresh and in stock.

Well worth the wait!

Home to the notorious Great Balls of Fire, Salvador Molly's is a piratey-themed restaurant with cuisine from all over the world. I had the Cuban pork, which was delicious - do yourself a favor, though: if you get the Great Balls of Fire (deep fried fritters stuffed with cheese and PLENTY of habaneros), make sure you get them with a glass of milk. The appetizer is for charity, and if you eat five of 'em in five minutes, you'll be commemorated on the Wall of Flame.

But don't do it. You WILL regret it! Also, be aware that this restaurant is VERY popular and can be jam-packed with diners.

Tilikum in Newberg at 15321 NE North Valley Road. They headed for the green dinosaur inside the Portland Building on 1150 SW 5th Avenue. Then came the Russian Food cart on SW Alder between 9th

Their Annex location sells over a dozen roasts and brews excellent drip coffee a cup at a time. Superb beans (used proudly by cafes across the northwest), passionate roasters, and a friendly vibe. Don't just take my word for it; Espressomap.com loves them as well.

Then came the Russian Food cart on SW Alder between 9th and 10th. It was straight to Voodoo Doughnuts. where I once had a hilarious eating contest on the First Friday of every month. From there, it ended at the Pittock Mansion straight up West Burnside Road to 3229 NW Pittock Drive.

Gourmet pizza and locally-brewed soda (blackberry on tap, others bottled). My mother commented that the (blackberry) soda tastes like it's actually seen fruit. (I thought it tasted like a fruit roll-up.) Some of the pizza is vegan. They sell gluten-free pizza dough, and also have beer on tap, as well as a few other drinks, and (of course) huge garlicky breadsticks. Yum!

Get the cheese fries, and ASK FOR THE SKETCHBOOK!

It's a community sketchbook that people draw and record their journeys in.