Discover Portland: New Vintage Beauty Lounge

December 9, 2010

There’s something about Mississippi Ave in North Portland. It’s reminiscent of both SE Hawthorne and NE Alberta as a hub for the young and in-the-know Portland population. Although it’s become popular to rag on Alberta and especially Hawthorne for becoming generic, expensive and overcrowded, Mississippi has maintained its integrity as a legitimately hip destination. The establishments that pop up there cannot be accused of selling out — places like New Vintage Beauty Lounge, which is a truly unique salon.

New Vintage Beauty Lounge is a brand new salon located in my favorite stretch of Mississippi at N. Mississippi and Failing. It’s close to Fresh Pot, Bridge City Comics, and Amnesia Brewing. So the location is superb, but what makes New Vintage special?

For one thing, it’s pretty: they have an eclectic aesthetic with lots of hard wood, hunting-lodge decorations, and contrasting wall patterns. Like the name says, the design is both new and vintage, modern and old-school. There’s a makeup display counter with high-quality cosmetics (they do makeup application as well as hair and waxing. They’re a “Full Service Salon and Cosmetic Boutique”). Like other Portland salons, you can enjoy a drink during your time at New Vintage — they offer wine and beer.

New Vintage is brand new. They opened about a month ago in mid-November. Their website lacks very much content as of yet, but they already have a number of positive reviews on Yelp. Many of the reviews are from regulars of hair stylists who are now working at New Vintage. I find that a great indication of the quality of stylists. New Vintage hired well-established stylists with experience and loyal customers. Being brand new also makes the salon eager to please, and I bet you can expect VIP treatment from this beautiful and original establishment.

Make an appointment, get in there and make New Vintage yours before word gets out all over town about this promising new salon! New Vintage Beauty Lounge is located at 3864 N Mississippi Ave and online here. They’re also active on Facebook. And even if you’re on Mississippi browsing comic books or getting a drink at Amnesia, stop in to see their decor, cosmetics display and meet the great stylists.

Written by Forkfly intern Eleanor R. Brown.

You Gotta Try This!: A Japanese Pub in Portland

December 8, 2010

Maybe I don’t go out enough, but I had never heard of Japanese Pubs before running across Yakuza.  In Japan they call them an izakaya, which is a type of Japanese drinking establishment that also serves food to accompany the drinks.  There are a good amount of sushi restaurants in Portland, but what intrigued me about Yakuza is the fact that they call themselves a Japanese pub and that they apparently won Portland Monthly Magazine’s “Best Burger of 2009.” Tell me that doesn’t peak your interest!

Yakuza of course has some seriously tasty house rolls and sashimi, like their Sashimi Trio, which includes, tuna, yellowtail, and salmon, and their Pear Jalapeno roll, which is a mix of yellowtail, pear, avocado and jalapeno. But you will also find some unique dishes you might not expect at a Japanese establishment, like chilled crab, kobe tartar and of course their award winning Yakuza burger.

Just as enticing as the food is Yakuza’s unique cocktail creations and their huge selection of sake.  Try a Beet Martini, the Wasabi, or a Carrot Cosmo, or one of 15 different sakes, like the Momokawa Organic Nigori Sake, which is rich and creamy and has hints of coconut.

Located in the Concordia Neighborhood at 5411 NE 30th Ave, Yakuza is truly a unique Portland gem.  To make reservations book online here.

Trendy Tuesday: The Urban Cowgirl

December 7, 2010

Uma Thurman in “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” brought a home-on-the-prairie-meets-casual-New-York-chique style to her character.  The cowgirl hat mixed with her rawhide jacket and striped cotton shirt was the perfect combination of new and old style.  Based on the current collections available at Free People, many designers apparently agree.

Slip dresses, fur vests, long flowing skirts and denim jackets line the walls of  the clothing boutique Free People, located at 817 NW 23rd Ave.  It is a look they call “Easy Rider” and the clothing really embodies the freedom and edginess connected with that name.  Some of my favorite pieces available right now are The Easy Rider Dress, Levis Denim Vest, and the Chiffon & Lace Slip.

But it is Free People’s gorgeous western inspired jewelry and accessory collection appropriately titled “the Old West” that really turns any outfit into a cowgirl masterpiece.  The collection contains a lot of leather, fringe, jade, copper and feather pieces, like the ones shown below.

For these and other great styles head on down to Free People’s shop in Portland, or find them online here.

Discover Portland: Hall of Records

December 6, 2010

From native, life-long Portlanders to those transplants who have only been here six months, everyone living here knows what makes Portland a unique and special place. We are a community of people who love where we live and can talk to you forever about why it’s so great. Hall of Records, a vinyl shop/cafe/bar, recognizes the tendency of Portlanders to feel pride and loyalty for their favorite independent local shop or bar. On their blog, the Hall of Records owners write, “Justin and I really wanted to create something unique that Portland could be proud of. The kind of place where you take your out of town guests and in a sense show off something that is as unique as Portland.”

Hall of Records certainly offers a unique experience by bringing together elements that aren’t usually found within one establishment. As the name of the shop suggests, they sell vinyl records — always a good plan in our city of music buffs and collectors. Listening stations are available to preview any of their very reasonably priced collection of 1,200 records.

They also have a cafe offering coffee, hearty snacks and sandwiches. Skillfully chosen wine and beer lists round out the menu. Hall of Records offers music, coffee, beer, and plenty of food options for both the carnivore and the vegetarian.What more can a Portlander ask for?

In addition to the obvious awesomeness of Hall of Record’s mash-up business plan and merchandise, they’ve got even more going for them as a Portland-specific attraction. Every night at 8 pm DJs rock the Hall of Records — and  Open Table Fridays allow budding DJs (and anyone who want to give it a spin) to play for 30 minute sets. We all have a karaoke/open-mic-loving extroverted friend, and a chance like this  has great appeal for those among us who like to perform.

Hall of Records is a locally and independently owned business and the owners frequently interact with their customers on Facebook, on their blog and in the store. The most recent blog post tells of a last-minute wedding reception where owners Katie and Justin prepared the food and DJed for the impromptu party. Independent ownership allows for this kind of flexibility, and Portlanders love a shop that values community and interaction. This is a city of regulars, and Hall of Records is in great shape to accrue a horde of devoted patrons.

Hall of Records is located at 3342 SE Belmont (love Belmont!  Another point in its favor!). They were recently written up in Portland Monthly — but it’s time to stop reading about Hall of Records and go check it out yourself.

PDX Weekend Happenings: December 4-5

December 3, 2010

This weekend we’ve got the whole city covered, with events ranging from St. Johns in deep North Portland to the West Side and over to Southeast and Northeast. This week’s list makes a counter-clockwise trip around our fair city, encountering a Christmas tree lighting, a seasonal ale festival, a dinner in the dark and a holiday craft bazaar. Happy December, everyone!

North Portland: St. Johns Winter Fest

What: The St. Johns Winter Fest is a huge Dickens-themed celebration. The central event is the Christmas tree lighting at St. Johns Main Street Plaza, where Mayor Sam Adams will do the honors. There will also be a farmer’s market, Moonstruck Chocolate samples and prizes, a fire pit and movies, a Dickens character look-alike contest and so much more.

Event Details: I believe the event is free; I have not found a ticket price listed anywhere. Find more information on the plethora of planned activities here.

When: Sunday, December 5 from 10 am to 10 pm.

Where: In and around St. Johns Main Street Plaza, on the corner of N. Lombard and N. Philadelphia.

West Side: Portland Holiday Ale Festive in Pioneer Square

What: The Portland Holiday Ale Festival takes place in Pioneer Square under a heated tent. The event features food, merchandise and of course beer tasting. More than 50 winter ales will be featured, all crafted specifically for this event — you won’t find these brews at the Plaid!

Event Details: Tickets are $20 in advance (you can buy them here) and that price gets you a mug and 10 beer tickets; additional beer tickets are $1. Admission is $25 at the door, and free re-admission is allowed the following day as long as you have your wristband and your mug. This event is 21 and over.

When: Saturday, December 4 from 11 am to 10 pm and Sunday, December 5 from 11 am to 5 pm.

Where: At Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave in Portland.

Southeast Portland: The Portland Blind Cafe 2

What: Enjoy a gluten-free vegetarian/vegan meal, served by blind people in the pitch dark. Join in discussion about blindness, advocacy and spacial awareness, and enjoy live music in the dark. Experience a new awareness of your senses and build community unity through this moving event.

Event Details: Buy tickets online here. Read more about the event here. Proceeds go in part to support the visually impaired and blind, and in part to PAWS, a seeing-eye-dog training program.

When: Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4. Check in at 7 pm, dinner begins at 7:30.

Where: At Tabor Space in Mt. Tabor Presbyterian at 5441 SE Belmont Ave.

Northeast Portland: Laurelhurst Winter Bazaar

What: The Laurelhurst bazaar features local and unique holiday shopping from more than 50 independent artisans and vendors. There will also be a raffle, a silent art auction, activities for kids, food and more!

Event Details: The event is a fundraiser for the Laurelhurst Parent Teacher Association, but I cannot find an admission price. Perhaps some of the vendor’s profits or the food proceeds go to the school.

When: Saturday, December 4 from 9 am to 5 pm.

Where: Laurelhurt School, 840 NE 41st Ave in Portland.

Written by Forkfly intern Eleanor R. Brown

Forkfly’s Hot Deals: Lace Beauty

Get 15% off a pedicure at Lace Beauty!

Located at 405 NW 10th Ave, Lace Beauty offers an upscale salon experience in a comfortable, inviting environment. Their Spa Pedicure is more than just polish application — make an appointment or walk in to give your feet a treat with this Hot Forkfly Deal! Find Lace Beauty online here. Also look at Lace Beauty on Forkfly here to find this and other great deals from Lace Beauty.

You Gotta Try This!: Savory Australian Pies @ Pacific Pie Co

December 2, 2010

Tis the season for pie, and I know I’m not the only one who enjoyed a slightly excessive amount of pecan and pumpkin pie last week. However, our North American holiday pies don’t usually cover the whole continuum of potential pie fillings: we tend to stay on the sweet side. To broaden your horizons, you gotta try Pacific Pie Co.

Pacific Pie Co specializes in Australian-style savory pies, pasties and sausage rolls. These pies are sandwich-sized, not full-pie-sized, so they’re perfect for an individual meal. The savory pies come in beef, chicken, lamb, and vegetarian varieties. Lamb is a traditional Aussie ingredient in savory pies. Pacific Pie Co gets their lamb from an organic, sustainable and humane farm in Canby, Oregon.

In fact, all ingredients in PPC pies are from local Oregon and Southern Washington sources. The meat used has been raised humanely and organically, without antibiotics or hormones, and grass-fed. As a vegetarian, even I don’t object to meat eating under these conditions: small scale, sustainable, organic farming is not detrimental to the environment or the animals like conventional farming is.

Pacific Pie Co also makes vegetarian pasties (pronounced pah-sties, not pay-sties!), which sound amazing to me. Spinach, feta and tomato in a flakey, warm crust? Yes, please! They also have a cheese and veggie pastie, and did I mention that most of these menu items are $5 or $6? I’ve paid a lot more than that for a much lower quality lunch.

They also serve sausage rolls, seasonal sweet pies, salad and soup. All these delicious items from a company with a mission statement of community, sustainability and ethical stewardship of animals makes for a strongly endorsed You Gotta Try This!

Pacific Pie Co is located at 609 SE Ankeny St, Suite C, and they can be found Saturdays at the Beaverton Farmer’s Market and Sundays at the Milwaukie Farmer’s Market. Click here for their website, and find their page with a Forkfly deal for a free coffee or tea here.

Forkfly Daily Deal: 23Hoyt

23Hoyt is a New American Tavern located among the high-end and hip shopping and dining establishments on NW 23rd. Right now 23Hoyt has a Forkfly deal for $5 off your bill when you spend $35 or more! You can find 23Hoyt at 529 NW 23rd Ave in Portland. Their happy hour from 3 to 7 pm Sundays through Thursdays would be the perfect way to spend your discount: check out their happy hour menu, with snacks priced from $1 to $10. Find your coupon on Forkfly here, and enjoy!

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