Eco-Modern House

Designer Michelle Ruber and her Dutch craftsman husband, Klaas, showcase their knack for clever earth-friendly remodels in the three bedroom “Ecohuis” near Alberta Street. The Mid-century style house melds clean lines with clever touches, making for a great stay, not to mention design ideas to bring you back to your own “huis.” A better-than-typical day in Northeast Portland might start with a leisurely locavore’s brunch at Tasty n Sons. Plot your next meal while strolling along Mississippi Avenue, eventually working your way north and then east to the heart of the Alberta Arts District. Warm up with a hot stone massage at ZenSpace or hot cocoa from Random Order. When dinner beckons, you’ll find no shortage of options for fresh, local cuisine. Ned Ludd has perfected the art of wood-fired fare with a menu that’s always changing. Natural Selection serves up vegetarian dishes that will win over even die-hard carnivores….

Pocket House

While there’s plenty to be smitten about in downtown Portland, an eco-minded vacation rental in Northeast Portland through 1859 Explore is the best way to enjoy lazy mornings and intimate evenings while getting to know Portland’s quirkier side. Built in 2010 using reclaimed materials, soy-based foam insulation and low-VOC paints, the one-bedroom Pocket House near Mississippi Avenue has all the creature comforts you’d want for a weekend getaway. A better-than-typical day in Northeast Portland might start with a leisurely locavore’s brunch at Tasty n Sons. Plot your next meal while strolling along Mississippi Avenue, eventually working your way north and then east to the heart of the Alberta Arts District. Warm up with a hot stone massage at ZenSpace or hot cocoa from Random Order. When dinner beckons, you’ll find no shortage of options for fresh, local cuisine. Ned Ludd has perfected the art of wood-fired fare with a menu…

Paley’s Place

With corporate chains and noisy mega-restaurants dominating the American dining scene, Paley’s Place in Portland, Oregon, is a refreshing change. By opening a restaurant with only 50 seats, Vitaly and Kimberly Paley have made a commitment to creativity and flexibility in cuisine, sophistication in service, and intimacy in the dining experience. The warm environment can be enjoyed via the front porch, open air patio, bar/bistro, both dining rooms. The back room may be reserved for private events, holding up to 22 guests. Since the restaurant’s opening in February, 1995, chef and owner Vitaly Paley has received enthusiastic accolades, including the coveted James Beard Award for Best Chef Northwest in 2005. The restaurant is continually featured in magazines and newspapers across the country – from the New York Times and Oprah Magazine to Gourmet, Bon Appetit and Sunset. Vitaly has appeared on television broadcasts like the Martha Stewart Show, OPB’s Endless…

Jake’s Famous Crawfish

Considered one of the top ten seafood restaurants in the nation, Jake’s Famous Crawfish has been a downtown Portland landmark for more than 110 years. Jake’s Famous Crawfish features more than 30 varieties of fresh fish and seafood flown in daily, making a true Pacific Northwest statement using fresh Northwest products and served in a traditional and timeless presentation. Enjoy salmon roasted on a cedar plank, Oregon Dungeness crab, Chinook salmon stuffed with crab, shrimp and brie, great pastas, poultry dishes and an excellent selection of prime steaks. The bar at Jake’s Famous Crawfish has long been a popular gathering spot with visitors and locals alike. Enjoy hand-shaken cocktails made with fresh-squeezed juices or a selection from the premium beer and wine list while visiting with friends, family or business associates.

Caffè Umbria

Located in the heart of the Pearl District, Caffè Umbria’s retail store provides Portlanders with an authentic Italian café bar experience. A showcase for our coffee roasting company, our boutique highlights tour Italian heritage, the café is the community’s gathering place for local coffee drinkers from around the world. The café features foreign movies, language classes and live music. Caffè Umbria serves traditional Italian espresso drinks, light food fare, desserts and beer and wine.

Paragon Restaurant

Enjoy American brasserie-style cuisine, tempting house made desserts and signature cocktails at this lively and sophisticated neighborhood restaurant. The approachable cuisine is grounded in the familiar with new twists and variations that keep things interesting. Located in the heart of the historic Pearl District, Paragon’s décor reflects the airy spacious style of the surrounding art galleries.

¡OBA!

Executive Chef Scott Neuman, who worked alongside McLain in Southern California and at Hall Street, is the architect behind ¡Oba!’s Nuevo Latino cuisine — a movement that was pioneered by the restaurant in the late 1990s, transporting guests on an imaginative journey across cultures. Exploring vibrant flavors from Spain, Portugal, the Caribbean and across the Americas, ¡Oba!’s menu is the intersection where bold Latin traditions, spices and preparations meet seasonal, often locally-sourced ingredients. In the bar, guests enjoy exotic, Latin-inspired cocktails and savory tapas such as the queso fundido dip, crispy coconut prawns and prime rib coyotas. The dinner menu offers longtime favorites such as the ancho-marinated ahi tuna, vaca frita (Cuban-style pulled flank steak) served atop boniato mash, and vegetarian roasted butternut squash enchiladas with a creamy toasted walnut sauce. Desserts are equally exotic, ranging from the airy malassadas — warm Portuguese-style pastry puffs filled with banana cream —…