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For two-plus hours of tooling around NW Portland on a cycle with 15 of your newest, closest friends, it’s the BrewCycle. The cycle is really a covered surrey of sorts, built out of many recycled parts, with seats for pedal pushers and a bench in the back for passengers. Folks are happy to switch around so everyone has a chance to burn off some of the beer calories accumulated along the way. The cost covers your seat on the cycle—all other expenses are on you. There is also a limit on the pedaling for folks under 5'3" tall. The other limit is the 30 minutes allotted at each brew stop, so it’s a good idea to get something to eat before the tour. Northwest is relatively flat for cycling, but there are inclines. That makes this activity a bit of a workout, depending on the overall gross weight of the cycle fully loaded, and I mean that literally and figuratively. Dress comfortably and note that sensible shoes go a long way in the cycling world. The people who pilot this craft are smart, silly, and sophisticated when it comes to beer. Our guide had an advance degree in herding cats based on being able to keep us on schedule. There is no shortage of strange looks you’ll get from the sidelines. And if you’re looking for value on your travel dollar, the math on this is a no brainer: PDX + Cycling + Beer = are you kidding me… Finish that beer and climb on.

I believe we have ourselves a trend here in PDX with the notion of gourmet Mexican cuisine. While that may sound a bit oxymoronic, there has been room for years in the Mexican food scene to step up the game. Enter Xico (pronounced chico), with a style and a flair that’s as hot as some of their salsas. Out in the hinterlands of SE Division in a chic (pronounced cool) upscale remodel of an old Eastside house, Xico serves up some serious, innovative dishes which certainly have their roots in Mexican culinary culture. The Oaxacan art of mole is traditionally represented in dishes like the Mole Amarillo con Pollo which graces the specials board. Starters beg for the Sopapillas and a round of mezcal margaritas. Move up with Quesadillas con Rajas and the Brisket Barbacoa. Crush the evening with the flourless Woodblock Chocolate Cake. The space at Xico is split between a comfortably stark interior and an extravagant patio that is a delight during the warmer weather. Happy Hour gives you a small sampling but begs you to just dive into the main event. Xico remains true to the tastes of MeXico, while instilling refinements to make them more than just spicy. The flight of salsa delivers a subtle variety of flavor and an education in the art of the pepper. Use them to draw out the characteristics of the food in front of you. Sunday Brunch is an easy way to go beyond the typical Huevos Rancheros. Arriba!

The Tin Shed is probably nowhere near wherever you might be in Portland but that matters not. Get a cab and go over there because the biscuits are so good they’ll make you wanna slap yo mama! You serve yourself coffee while you wait under the covered patio seating, they welcome dogs and their bloody mary is spectacular. This place rocks. Go check it out.

Like Groucho Marx, “I don’t want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.” Fortunately for me, the White Owl Social Club is mostly a great bar and restaurant. Joining the club at the White Owl is a matter of showing up, which is when the fun begins. This former dive bar in southeast has been transformed into a legitimate destination. Thanks to a reworking of the space and menu, the scene is now a great mix of neighbors, hipsters, young and old. The happy hour is a huge draw but folks stay well into the night. The WOSC also has a great lineup of events like movie night and beer-release parties to entice. The crown jewel is the all-weather patio. With its fire pit and the fact it goes on forever, it’s one of the more crowd-loving outdoor spots in town. Perfect for ordering the tabletop s’mores. The rest of the menu is a mix of traditional bar food with a vegan-friendly twist. The Owl is a place where a heavy metal band competition and a vegan mac and cheese can coexist. Where you can find a vegan BBQ pulled jackfruit topped with a kale slaw, next to a classic all-beef burger. The cocktails, wines, and beers all lean toward the local variety and are destined to “embolden the drinker to seek new heights of mental and spiritual acuity.” A visit to the WOSC will not break the bank while providing a great evening of entertainment. Hanging out watching the PDX scene ravel and unravel over good food and drinks can become habit forming. Membership is free.

What was I thinking, accepting an invitation to dine with carnivore friends at Ox? OK, I’m more a vegetarian with a perchance for bacon and anything that swims. All my dining pals would judge the meat portions. Verdict? This Argentinean/PDX fusion spot is a must-stop standout. Be prepared to queue up for the gastronomic experience that awaits at this NE meat market. There is a bar out back with ample alcoholic accoutrements. We have friends that went on a Friday night and were pretty greased when seated two hours later. I believe our table had examples of most meat offerings. From sweetbreads to skirt steak, chorizo to morcilla, ribs to ribeye, the aroma and flavors are downright harrowing. I succumbed to the perfectly grilled prawns with sides of brussels spouts and risotto, only briefly testing the chorizo and blood sausage as my bacon substitutes. We also had a Spanish beer, Damm Estrella Inedit, which has surprising effects on all the food groups. The place was packed yet there was still an intimacy around our table. The “pit” is the focal point. Iron and brick, part BBQ, part Gates of Hell, producing the tastes of heaven. Ox, implying a large presence, leaves all of that to the food; the space is compact. Items seem a bit pricey, but you end up eating like an ox and there is a ton of terrific take-out leftover for lunch the next day. There are days when my “no meat” thing is easy to manage and embrace. My trip to Ox wasn’t one of them...

It’s nice to know I don’t need to get on a plane back to India to enjoy a plate of decent dal in PDX. The Bollywood serves the “people’s food” of India, simple, fresh and undeniably delightful. Most Americans think Indian food is all tandoori chicken and curry. Fact is, these are the banquet foods served only in high-end restaurants or wedding parties on the subcontinent. I was in Assam province in the Spring at a street cafe, eating whatever was being served on the banana leaf in front of me; no utensils, no problem. Except for the warm beer, eating in India is nothing like eating Indian food here, until Bollywood.

There is nothing pretentious about the physical plant. Amid the chaotic decor, aromas from the kitchen fill the place making it all the more homey and inviting. Lot’s of vegetarian options, with a focus on the standby beans and potatoes. The spicing is classic. The plates and cups are metal, much like you’d find on a corner eatery in Kolkata. Order at the counter and have a seat. Get a paneer, a chaat and a dal with a side of paratha to soak up the sauces. They have a short selection of beer and wine and the former is cold and cheap. There are always specials and you should just order them. The plates are small, so if you have a big group, order a bunch. Then sit back and enjoy the ride...

Northwest 23rd offers an array of fine dining and casual fare for the PDX food scene. Bamboo Sushi is a transplant from the Eastside and is a bustling sushi bar destined to grow more outlets. The fish and philosophy drive the menu at Bamboo, and both contribute to exceptional dishes. Sustainable seafood is reflected in the decor on and off the plates. Murals depicting fish populations are framed in wonderful wood and steel architectural features. The staff is schooled in the ingredients and makes every effort to help with menu selections. The bar is busy and entertaining with a variety of cocktails, sake, local beers, and wine. Sushi is a competitive sport here in Portland, and Bamboo is in a league of its own. The flavors and textures are nothing short of fantastic. I’ve eaten a lot of sushi, and this place takes it to a new level of taste and innovation. Our party of eight, with a variety of dietary restrictions, just demolished the menu. Everything from the char-grilled shishito peppers to a half-dozen rolls ranging from the salmon nation to the lucky 13 was expertly prepared. Tempura was crisp and done to perfection. The mackerel house on fire was not only uniquely served, the flavors from the tiny alder smoker with lemon charcoal ring true. Everyone at the table raved/fought over every plate, so consensus was easily reached: best sushi, ever.

For several years, I’ve been reading about Bunk Sandwiches in Portland, Oregon. There are now two locations of the casual breakfast- and lunch-only spot (one close to the Pearl District; the original on the SE side of town). My dining companions tried the Italian cured meats with Bunk marinated hot peppers and provolone picante (pictured), the spicy roast beef, and the pork belly Cubano. Portions are big, and sharing should be encouraged. I only wished we’d saved room for the homemade Whoopie pies.

The second Ace Hotel and the first step in the oh-so-cool brand’s expansion, the Ace Hotel Portland can arguably claim to have launched the current boutique hotel craze. Though it sounds like a cliché in this age of thoughtfully designed hotels, the contemporary icon—opened in 2007 in the 1912 building that long housed the Clyde Hotel—was one of the first hotels designed to feel like a cool, culturally savvy friend’s home. It’s decorated with works by acclaimed local artists, outfitted with vintage furnishings and handcrafted decor (including signature Pendleton blankets), and staffed by trendy hipsters who point guests to the hottest underground music shows.

Hometown hero Stumptown Coffee Roasters opened one of its first cafés here, starting a partnership that has since taken the coffee halfway around the world to the Ace Hotel London. In Portland, the café simply helped define the Ace as the epitome of cool, a reputation that has only been further cemented by the opening of a popular farm-to-table restaurant and a subterranean cocktail bar. The true measure of the Ace’s cool factor, however, is that the hotel was parodied on an episode of Portlandia.

This is a cool clothing store in the Pearl featuring gear and fashion from a variety of mainstream and boutique brands. The Lizard collections coalesce into a catalog of functional apparel with style and sustainability at the heart of their designs. While the Lounge has a great selection of brands, the real draw for me is the Nau gear. From natural and recycled materials in the fabrics, to the cut and fit of clothes designed for people who move, Nau is an essential part of my packing routine. Their designers once told me they want their clothes to be comfortable—whether the wearer is reaching for a hand hold in a 5-9 pitch or reaching for the top shelf tequila behind the bar. The Nau down shirt was the first of what’s become a ubiquitous piece of all-season gear. The Lounge is also known for its own style of events, supporting local, social and environmental causes with food, drink, music, and mingling. Nau also donates a small percentage of each sale to select nonprofits fighting the good fight at the local and global levels. The Lizard Lounge is not just about retail. It’s about wearing your way into a better world and so Portland in the process.

Peruvian-inspired Paiche was named the best restaurant in Portland by Willamette Week, 2017. Paiche has delighting diners in its warm, wood accented digs on Corbett Ave and now has the recognition it so deserves. Lima born, Chef Jose Luis de Cossio brings an original mix of sophistication and comfort to South American cuisine with a Northwest flair. Taking a break from a year of fast-paced dinner service, Jose Luis is going to focus on doing pop-up events that also include private gatherings in the space. Sign up on the website to get notifications. The coffee bar is full service and only open in the early morning with breakfast items that easily travel. Vegan options and green smoothies round out a healthy selection. This twenty-four seat eatery on Corbett is bound to remain a popular ticket now and well into the future. Make your plans to experience Portland’s best.