The popularity of nachos has never been in doubt, but who do we have to thank for this snackable combo of chips and cheese? The Mexicans? The Texans? Mexican Texans? That's not an easy question to answer. Like many beloved dishes, nachos have several creation myths—all of which seem to start with hungry, and often famous, travelers, and end when crafty chefs with empty pantries make do with what they have, more...
Portland has a lot of bars. Our seams are bursting with them. Some are dives. Some are clubs. And some have strippers. But many bars, if not most, are places where we often gather to catch up with friends, separating ourselves from other groups, our tables dotting the room like islands of nation states. This norm is decidedly not the norm when it comes to visiting neighborhood bars, especially the smaller ones. more...
The season of clouds may be upon us, but that doesn't mean a long winter of discontent has to be on you. Belly up to just about any Portland bar and chances are you’ll find someone who has crafted a cocktail that will cure your winter blues. Neighborhood Notes went out in search of a few hot drinks—hot as in heated up—and what we found were libations amalgamated with cinnamon, honey, cloves, more...
As the weather turns colder and wetter and the days shorter and darker, it’s time for Portlanders to cozy up at coffee shops with a hot beverage loaded with caffeine. Therefore, it’s also appropriate to spotlight Portland's coffee culture, specifically our local micro roasters who are small businesses producing small batch, crafted coffees and sharing them in their own coffee houses as well as cafes more...
Before this country was a country, apples weren't for eating; they were for drinking. Bacteria in colonial waters had a tendency to kill us, so we brewed cider to get rid of any water-borne bacteria. In the centuries that followed, cider became the drink of presidents and plowmen alike—even children were permitted to drink it—which makes you wonder how revolutions were fought and industries more...
A question, Portland pie lovers: Where do you buy your pie? Of course, you can always buy yours from a corporate supermarket or national diner franchise, but keep in mind that purchasing pie from your local baker makes their slice of the local prosperity pie just a little bit larger. Every time you order a piece from your local bakery or cafe, you're keeping your favorite bakers in business, and, in turn, more...
Macaroni and cheese. What’s more wholesome and comforting than a steaming hot bowl of mac and cheese? Everybody loves macaroni and cheese. What other dish transcends age, geographic region and politics like a good bowl of mac? At present, Portland's seams are bursting with the stuff—how many menus can you think of that don't feature it? But here are six cheesy macs that we think are worthy of more...
Candy corn, candy canes, chocolate eggs, and heart-shaped boxes of chocolate. So many candies are celebrated just once a year, and only on designated holidays. But visit one of Portland's candy stores, and every day is a holiday. Whether you're in need of a pack of M&Ms, or you're searching for something your grandmother would've eaten, chances are, one of Portland's candy peddlers will have more...
No matter how you melt it, whether into drinks or bars or in your mouth, chocolate is considered, by many cultures, to be the food of the gods. We've used it not only in our religious rituals, but we also gift it to children, lovers and, most often, ourselves. But like many commodities, the cacao trade has a slippery history, and the labors of the farmers who provide the world with its favorite sweet have been more...
Everyone knows that the rolling valleys surrounding the city of Portland are home to numerous celebrated vineyards and wineries producing some of the Pacific Northwest's best reds and whites. It's wine country, after all, and it's not just a destination for day trippers, but for aficionados who travel from all corners of the country for a good glass of pinot. What you might not know is that you can tour more...
