Nob Hill section to the Northwest part of the city is one of its most charming of all. It resides in a tree-shaded stretch that’s lined with century-oldVictorian and Craftsman-style storefronts - boutiques,cafes,welcoming shops - they’re all a part of the scene here; one that’s not unlike, say,Chestnut Hill in Philly.
Each of the retailers offers their own specialized niche. I check out The Meadow, which only sells fine chocolates, specialty sea salts,cocktail bitters,wines and aperitifs,and fresh-cut flowers.“Where else can you find such a specialty shop in this country?”Nowhere else but Portland is my immediate answer,as I buy a stack of exquisite Peruvian chocolates.
Then, I head down the block and stop into Salt & Straw,one of this city’s premier ice cream shops’ - an old-timey parlor with hand-dipped ice creams and shakes. Bring on the chocolate chips and sprinkles!
Later, I wander over to one of the food truck pods and treat myself to a big bowl of steaming Thai food from the best-smelling Airstreams I’ve ever encountered. With such a transient populace along with such a vast collegiate one (Portland State University is situated within the heart of the town), the food truck has become an important way of culinary life here.
My final gastronomic stop is at Urban Farmer, located amid a sky lit atrium inside a sophisticated hotel called The Nines. I’m doubly-curious about Urban Farmer, one - because I’ve heard great things about this straightforward steakhouse (with farm-to-table proclivities),and, two - I want to see what my own hometown is about to welcome since an Urban Farmer will be opening soon in Philadelphia.
My filet is perfectly rare and my overall feeling of contentment is well done.With a bite of beef and a- raising of my Oregon pinot noir, I toast this town and all it offers.
Final Travel Notes For every place in the
U.S.boasting to be our“newest and best It City,”Portland really has a lock on food,beverage and conviviality,combined with an outdoorsy sense of adventure.
The cast of Portlandia may indeed be parodying this earthy-crunchy sense of place and its people,but from an event planner's point of view, I find Portland to be a refreshingly laid-back change of pace.
Okay, I’m not about to don a goatee,man bun, flannel shirt, torn jeans,hiking boots, tattoo sleeves and a skateboard anytime soon (like so many of the young men I see along my way),but there’s nothing wrong with feeling young and hav- ing fun while doing business in a place with such a fun-filled atmosphere as Portland has to offer.
For all of those cities I’ve traveled to over
the years, it’s been truly enjoyable to have journeyed to someplace that really is “a little bit different.”
88 November December 2015
Ken Alan is a corporate concierge for CBRE.He is the founding member of the Philadelphia Area
Concierge Association and serves as the organiza- tion’s events
director.Ken is also a contributor to several regional publications.
ken.alan@
cbre.com
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