Recently, I decided that my relationship with Mississippi Avenue needed to move to the next level. Some of my favorite spots in Portland are right there in the Boise neighborhood, but my love affair with those places—?Por Que No?, Lupa and Lovely Hula Hands—was interfering with my ability to experience the rest of the neighborhood. Let's face it: I was stuck in rut. On my next visit to Mississippi, I decided to shake things up a bit and move beyond my comfort zone. I didn't visit a single one of my favorites, but I did flirt with some of their friends...
My first stop was at Lorenzo's Italian Restaurant. It's one of those places I've walked by a million times, but have never been in. From the red and white checked tablecloths to the cozy lounge area, this place is really cute. I tried the $9 lunch combo (your choice of pasta, served with bread and your choice of soup or organic mixed green salad). The service was friendly and my gorgonzola gnocchi was simple, but tasty. At $9, it was really a bargain too. 3807 N. Mississippi, www.lorenzospdx.com
After lunch, I wandered into Pistils Nursery. What a treat that was! Pistils offers a nice selection of tillandsias and succulents, which isn't a common offering here in Portland. The nursery also offers a ton of workshops on a range of topics, including urban chicken keeping, bee keeping, garden design, terrariums, worm composting and vegetable gardening. Be sure to stroll through their garden and check out the chickens. They're fantastic. 3811 N. Mississippi, www.pistilsnursery.com
It may surprise you to learn that there are quite a few new shops and developments along Misssissippi Avenue. Not only new to me, but possibly new to you too! Here's the first: Bridgetown Beerhouse moved into the old Same Underneath space on Shaver, which is just a quick turn off of Mississippi. I'm not a beer drinker (i'm a bourbon gal), but dieselboi at OurPDX had great things to say about this new bottle shop. I took a spin around the shop and it seems to be a beer drinker's paradise. 915 N. Shaver
Looking at all that beer made me a little peckish, so I ducked into Moxie RX. I know, I know... shame on me for not visiting this cute little food cart sooner—especially since it was featured on the USA Today website last year. Although they've got cred for their fresh fruit smoothies and breakfast/brunch items, I decided to try the Mexican Hot Chocolate. It was spicy and incredibly smooth. I was told that it's made from scratch. Tasted like it. N. Mississippi and Shaver, moxierx.blogspot.com
After leaving Moxie RX, I noticed another new addition to the neighborhood: Mississippi Kitchen Supply. Owner Sydney Deluna has converted the bottom level of her home into a cozy kitchen shop stocked with the likes of Le Creuset and All Clad. Deluna also offers a supply of utensils, aprons, mixing bowls and other accessories. 4035 N. Mississippi, mississippikitchensupply.com
As I left Mississippi Kitchen Supply, I couldn't help but notice the construction between it and Lovely Hula Hands. Developer Bryan McLean is creating a mixed use, high performance structure called NUMISS that will offer retail space on the first floor and office space on the second and third floors. The building details include rooftop solar panels for alternative energy, onsite stormwater filtration, reused materials from the Rebuilding Center and more. 4039 N. Mississippi, numisspdx.com
Across the street, the Mississippi Avenue Lofts is in its final stage of construction. The project's grand opening will happen this summer, but their first retail tenant has already moved in—and what a tenant it is! Pastaworks, a locally-owned European style market opened its second location in late February. If you love good food and wine, you'll think this place is heaven. It seems to have everything you could possibly hunger for in one convenient location. I'm still daydreaming about its wonderful selection of cheese... 4212 N. Mississippi, pastaworks.com
A little further down the street, I encountered Trammel Crow's Tupelo Alley project at 3810 N. Mississippi. It's massive, you can't miss it. The construction of lofts, studios, one and two bedroom apartment homes is in high gear. Get more project details on Portland Architecture.
My next stop was at The Meadow—one of those places I've heard of, but never been. Just like the signs say: gourmet salts, wine, flowers and chocolate. In abundance. The Meadow is a pleasure palace of artisanal delights. One thing that caught my attention—aside from the large selection of chocolate—were the large blocks of salt stacked against the wall and on display in the window. Apparently, these blocks are placed on the stovetop and you can cook right on them. At $70, it's certainly not an impulse buy (even though they last about a year), but I'm intrigued. Intrigued enough to ask my foodie friends about them—sadly, no one had used one—but, they're also salt curious. 3731 N. Mississippi, www.atthemeadow.com
My friends LeAnn and Ray rave about the pumpkin bread at Blue Gardenia, so that was the final stop on my list. Um, hello! How much more could I really eat? The pumpkin bread was crazy delicious and frosted with a thick layer of rich cream cheese icing. Just the way I like it. The cafe roasts its own coffee and has an incredible assortment of tempting cakes, cookies and other baked treats. 3747 N. Mississippi
My relationship with Mississippi Avenue is no longer in a holding pattern—the flame has been rekindled. I'm crushing on a whole new set of favorites places and am already looking forward to my next visit. I *heart* Mississippi Avenue, don't you?
Why do you love Mississippi Avenue?
Mississippi is soooo darling. I can't wait until it's completely fixed up, just like the Pearl!
Mississippi is absolutely charming. My hope is that it can retain that charm as it is developed. I think that's a hard balance to strike.
Great tour! I can't wait to check these places out.
really cool to learn about the new spots on the street! next time you go to Lorenzo's, you absolutely MUST try the Basil Casarecci, a fresh (not dried), homemade rope-like pasta that is dense and slightly chewy and hearty enough to stand up with the yummy sausage ragu it comes with. it's my favorite pasta in Portland (so far)!
@Liz Thanks! I was really surprised at all of the activity. That's a whole lotta new! Thanks for the tip on the pasta. You had me at yummy sausage ragu. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!
We just finished the cool patio over at Casa Naranja. My husband and I have been working hard to make the outdoor space a place to feel like you are on vacation. unfortunately we lost some great plants over the cold winder but have planted new flowers, lots of bamboo and now have swinging chairs for lounging in the sun! Now we are open 7 days a week and the menu is fabulous. Mediterranean Small Plates, savory delicacy. We smoke our own bacon, seafood and have great cocktails! We hope to see you soon!
We just finished the cool patio over at Casa Naranja. My husband and I have been working hard to make the outdoor space a place to feel like you are on vacation. unfortunately we lost some great plants over the cold winder but have planted new flowers, lots of bamboo and now have swinging chairs for lounging in the sun! Now we are open 7 days a week and the menu is fabulous. Mediterranean Small Plates, savory delicacy. We smoke our own bacon, seafood and have great cocktails! We hope to see you soon!