Forkfly Daily Deal: Touche Resturaunt and Bar

November 22, 2010

Buy one wood-oven-cooked pizza and get a second one for free at Touche!

I had never checked this restaurant out until I Googled it just now to write this post, and wow, this place looks amazing. Not only does the dining room boast a beautiful interior with a winding staircase, soaring ceilings and stylish columns, there’s also a more casual bar upstairs with pool tables, amazing lighting and a great view.

Yeah, I’m sold, and we haven’t even gotten to the food yet, or the other great things this restaurant is up to. The buy one get one free deal on the pizza from their wood-burning oven provides a great chance to try two of the amazing varieties listed on their menu. This is no Domino’s; the pizzas are made with gourmet ingredients — think prosciutto, not pepperoni (although there is a pizza with prosciutto AND pepperoni). With provolone and fontina cheeses, fresh herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts and more, these pizzas will feel less like a guilty gut-bomb and more like an wholesome entree.  Everything else on their menu looks equally tempting, and the Happy Hour menu offers the same delicacies at insanely low prices.

The gorgeous billiards bar upstairs has six pool tables, a full bar and offers the full dinner menu. You can rent this space for parties and I can think of no better way to entertain a big group of friends than a private bar with billiards. Touche Restaurant has a great respect for those in the food service industry, and pool table rentals are free on Sundays and Mondays to those with an OLCC card. So many of us Portlanders have paid the bills with food service gigs that it’s really need to see a restaurant acknowledge our hard work, and I bet that awareness within the restaurant management helps keep Touche’s employees happy, too. Also, every Wednesday Touche offers half-price entrees for those with OLCC cards.

The kitchen is open late at Touche, until 2 am every night, so think of them when you’re craving some late night snacks on the town. They’re also affiliated with Portland Pedal Power, another favorite Forkfly merchant. Portland Pedal Power is a delivery service that brings you products from a wide variety of restaurants and retail stores by bicycle. We here at Forkfly love to order lunch from them and it’s great to see Touche embracing such a ecofriendly and locally supportive delivery option.

Grab a friend and go get some pizza before this offer expires on November 30! Take a look at their deal here on the Forkfly website: http://forkfly.com/merchants/touche-restaurant-bar and pull the coupon up on your mobile phone when you get to Touche. The restaurant is located at  1425 NW Glisan in Portland. See you there!

Written by Forkfly intern Eleanor R. Brown

Forkfly Daily Deals: Kanani Pearl Spa

November 12, 2010

Get $20 off massage, facial, or body treatment at Kanani Pearl Spa, Mondays through Fridays, with Forkfly!

Through the end of the month Forkfly provides incentive to get that massage you’ve been saying you need for weeks, for $20 less than full price, at Kanani Pearl Spa. Facials and body treatments are also available with this discount, and Kanani has no shortage of tempting options.

Kanani was founded by Mary Ellen MacKay, a massage therapist who worked in Maui and felt drawn to the traditional Hawaiian massage technique of lomilomi. She studied with a master teacher of lomilomi before bringing her unique knowledge and skills here to Portland to establish Kanani Pearl Spa.

Kanani is unique for the way it combines ancient healing techniques and the spirit of lomilomi with cutting-edge technology. This blend of old and new avoids incongruity by imbuing modern developments with an ancient healing spirit. The blend also makes for a specialty experience. The lomilomi expertise and the technology used at Kanani do not come cheaply. The price tag represents the quality of treatment, and Forkfly represents a slightly lower price tag!

The website suggests you consult with your therapist to determine which treatment fits you best, and I expect this attentive care and consideration extends to the whole experience. But let’s get some ideas of what’s available and what you might be interested in. The custom massage can draw on Swedish, deep tissue, and Lomilomi techniques in combination depending on your needs. The Hawaiian Hot Stone Massage (called lomi’ili’ili) sounds excellent after feeling chilly for weeks now. Specialty pregnancy massage addresses the needs of bodies of expecting mothers.

Kanani’s use of technology shows up in the menu of facial options. Kanani has a treatment for any kind of skin: aging, sensitive, acne-prone, dry skin, and skin with rosacea and pigmentation. Any of the high-tech processes require training, and Kanani therapists execute their knowledge skillfully, with the client’s comfort and need first in mind. Check out the huge variety of facial option and treatments here.

The body treatments offer the most luxurious, day-at-the-spa type feel. Choose from a seaweed wrap, a green tea and ginger sea enzyme body mask, a volcanic clay purifying wrap, an island espresso mud wrap… the list goes on.

Our $20 deal applies Monday through Friday, so skip the weekend rush and schedule yourself a relaxing afternoon after work at Kanani Pearl Spa. The spa is located at 1111 NW Marshall St in the Pearl District of Portland, and our coupon is located at http://m.forkfly.com/merchant/kanani-pearl-spa/125. It’s good until November 29, 2010, so make your appointment today!



Forkfly Daily Deals: Whiffies Fried Pies

November 10, 2010

Buy 2 pies for $5 at Whiffies Pie Cart with Forkfly!

So here’s your mission for the week: mosey over to Food Cart Land at SE Hawthorne and 12th; pull up your Forkfly Iphone App, or open your mobile web browser and type in m.forkfly.com; find Whiffies under Food Carts; and now the hard part, pick two pies.

Whiffies offers both sweet and savory pies, so if you’re by yourself you can have a whole dinner here. Try one of the many vegan dinner pie options like a vegan pot pie, or go carnivore with a BBQ brisket and mozzarella cheese pie (it gets a great review in the comments here.) I’m personally tempted by the one fish option, salmon with chipotle mayo. For dessert, they have a wide selection of fruit pies, as well as peanut butter and chocolate options. You could visit with a date after dinner for two dessert pies for $5.

I’ve pretty much gotten used to seeing clusters of food carts around town (the technical term for these groupings of carts is “pods”). But I must remember not to take them for granted, because Portland is unique in its abundance of “street food” and food carts. It’s nice to know our little city can allow small entrepreneurs without much capital to operate businesses, and patronizing such places is a good way to support local efforts and keep money in the community. There’s even a website dedicated to Portland food carts: www.foodcartsportland.com. The site acknowledges that this is a different medium than your typical restaurant: menus and hours are more subject to change, and the casual atmosphere may not please everyone. But a fried-pie food cart is a uniquely Portland experience, so we’re here to help you get the most out of it!

Here is the direct link to the mobile Forkfly website coupon for 2 pies for $5 at Whiffies, good until the end of the month. So let that kitchen stay dirty one night this week and venture out for a taste of Portland culture.


Indulge your Inner Foodie at In Good Taste

November 8, 2010

In Good Taste is more than a retail store, more than an event experience, and more than a training tool. The establishment’s design embraces versatility and offers multiple angles of approach. Their specialty cooking and wine store shares space with the teaching kitchen and offers professional cookware, knives and cookbooks. The cafe serves house-made food and wine. Individuals or groups can attend cooking classes, and private events are available for hokey-sounding (but probably fun) “corporate team-building” or for parties. Even the cooking school can serve many different purposes: take a date for an active, creative night out, go brush up on your knife skills or learn some recipes to impress your guests at holiday meals, take a non-foodie friend to show that cooking doesn’t have to be boring or tedious.

The cooking-class element of In Good Taste takes advantage of the great produce, wine and other food locally grown and made here in Oregon and the Northwest. For example, The Oregon Bounty Series classes going on this November and December highlight locally available, seasonal meals. Cooking with locally sourced products makes for a fresh flavorful meal, it supports local farmers and agriculture, and minimizes fuel use.

The Farm to Table class and the Holiday Market Thanksgiving class, taking place this Friday and Saturday, use local market finds to put together a classic, gourmet Thanksgiving dinner. Learn how to make butternut squash soup, bread stuffing, apple pie and of course, a perfectly roasted and juicy turkey. On the second of December the Oregon Bounty Series continues with a Local Olive Harvest Class, featuring local Oregon Oil Mill olive oil as the main ingredient in the day’s dishes. Later in December classes will tutor successful, entertaining party-hosting as well as fabulous dish-making.

Many of the online reviews of In Good Taste mention its proximity to Sur La Table in the Pearl. While Sur La Table is a national corporation, In Good Taste is an independent, locally owned and managed business. The two stores carry the same kind of gourmet kitchenware and high-quality oils and sauces, but In Good Taste has the advantage of keeping our money in the community. And In Good Tastes’ consideration of local and sustainable products also earns it points.

In Good Taste also caters, and their website features great recipes used by professional chef instructors. This business covers a lot of ground in the world of specialty food, yet keeps it accessible. In Good Taste has an element to suit any eater’s needs. Find them in the Pearl District at 231 NW 11th Ave at Everett, and find their daily deals on Forkfly here!

Weekend Happenings: November 5,6, and 7

November 5, 2010

First, a public service announcement: Daylight Savings happens this weekend. On Sunday the clocks “fall back,” which means an extra hour of sleep, and no more getting up in the dark! Second, this week we have some quintessentially Portland events for you to attend. Nothing screams Portland like a bike rally, pampered pets, coffee tasting and films by Northwest artists.

Be Seen, Be Safe Bike Rally at Pioneer Square TONIGHT!

What: A rally to promote safe commuting during the dark winter months (especially with Daylight Savings taking an hour of our afternoon light). The goal is to fill Pioneer Square with light, so break out your stash of glo-sticks!

Event Details: Winners of the Best Lit Bike Contest will win $75 gift certificates for bike merch. Free flashing lights will be handed out, and Bike Gallery will offer free bike check-ups. The rally ends in an easy-paced bike ride around downtown.

When: Tonight, Friday November 5, from 5 pm to 7 pm. Bike ride beings at 6:30 pm.

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

The Oregon Humane Society presents Santa Paws

What: The Humane Society presents a photo opportunity for your pet to pose with Santa! Support OHS and receive a fun memento.

Event Details: The cost is $20 for two 5×7 portraits, a holiday card with the photo and a CD with the digital image, and all proceeds go to OHS .

When: Saturday, November 6 and Sunday, November 7, from noon to 3 pm.

Where: At a variety of Fred Meyer locations. See the full list here.

The Second Annual Portland Coffee Fair

What: A fair dedicated to the world’s most popular drink. Sample coffee, learn about brewing techniques (including what you can do at home to improve your morning cup) and specialty coffees, participate in taste-tests to find the best brew.

Event Details: The fair costs $8 for adults and $5 for children under 18. Coffee Fair admission includes admission to the World Forestry Center’s Discovery Museum as well.

When: Saturday, November 6 and Sunday, November 7 from 10 am to 3 pm.

Where: At the World Forestry Center, at 4033 SW Canyon Road in Portland.

The 37th Northwest Film and Video Festival: Shorts II

What: Saturday’s 7 pm Shorts II event is a screening of 10 short films by Northwest creators.

Event Details: The festival goes on until the 13th, with more events on this upcoming Saturday and Sunday and the following weekend. Check the website here for showing and event info. General admission is $9; festival passes and rates for students and museum members can be found on their website.

When: Saturday, November 6 at 7 pm.

Where: The Whitsell Auditorium at the Portland Art Museum, at 1219 SW Park Ave in Portland.

Written by Forkfly intern Eleanor R. Brown

Trendy Tuesday: Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt in Vancouver

October 26, 2010

The idea of mixing toppings into a frozen treat is not particularly novel. We’ve all had McFlurries (yum) and ice cream mixed on a frozen granite slab and dropped into a little red bucket. I used to work at one such ice cream shop, where the thick, trans-fat-laden concoctions and the high prices ($.50 for each little scoop of M&Ms?) turned me away from our product quickly, although I loved my job. Perhaps I could have pimped my product with more enthusiasm had I worked at Menchie’s, a frozen yogurt shop that really is doing things in a new and different way.

Menchie’s deals in frozen yogurt, not ice cream, automatically giving it points for healthiness (or at least guilt-free-indulgence-ness.) Of course you can deck out your froyo with hot fudge and peanut butter to up the dessert factor. Or add fresh fruit and granola for an honestly wholesome snack — Menchie’s yogurt has live and active cultures, which are good for digestion, and lots of bone-building calcium. Sugar-free, low carb and dairy-free options are also available. Sounds good, you say, but what’s going on at Menchie’s to deserve a Trendy Tuesday post?

And here we come to the best part: you pay for what you grab, not based on charges for each tiny spoonful of topping, but by weight! No longer will the number of toppings you want, however little of each variety, break your bank. Although Menchie’s is now an international franchise company, this is no evil, opportunistic corporation. The concept came from a young couple who got married and opened their first store within the same year.

Their company has experienced wild success and growth. Still, “Every Menchie’s is founded on the same principles of community, outstanding service, healthy living, and the pursuit of the perfect yogurt mix!”

So stop by Menchie’s in Vancouver on your lunch break, or take the family after dinner for a reasonably  and fairly priced, wholesome treat. The store is located at 19171 Mill Plain Blvd, Suite 107.

Written by Forkfly intern Eleanor Brown.

Suites to Suit You: The Mark Spencer Hotel and the Inn @ Northrup Station

October 14, 2010

It’s mid-October, and the holidays are just around the corner. You may already be fielding calls from your parents and siblings about Thanksgiving plans, or talking to long-distance friends about getting together for New Year’s. Forkfly is here to help with two hotel recommendations that cover a variety of needs: the Mark Spencer Hotel and Northrup Station.

The Mark Spencer Hotel began as the Nortonia Hotel in 1907, when it housed artists and actors working in Portland’s Theater District.

In 1966 the building was remodeled and renamed the Mark Spencer Hotel. Today, the hotel offers comfortable, classy and affordable accommodations for visitors to the Rose City. All the rooms have fully equipped kitchens, and pet-friendly rooms are available. Located at 409 SW 11th Ave, this is a great place for guests to experience a nice, close-in West side neighborhood, with easy access to the East side as well. The Mark Spencer is the perfect place to put up your parents, in-laws or your brother and his kids.

As for your college buddies or your younger sister, they may enjoy The Inn at Northrup Station for its laid-back, artsy vibe and hip NW location.

The Inn, located at 2025 NW Northrup St, was built in the 1970s and later redesigned by an architect who wanted to reflect the energy of the neighborhood. Patios and decks connected to many of the suites overlook the vibrant street below.  The hotel embraces a colorful, retro aesthetic, with local artwork featured in the lobby. The Inn features a unique all-suites arrangement and granite and marble features in the suite kitchens and bathrooms. Prices are comparable to the Mark Spencer Hotel’s rates, so check out both options as you plan for the holiday season.

Find the Mark Spencer Hotel here and the Inn at Northrup Station here. Check for deals on Forkfly for these hotels — right now, mention Forkfly at the Inn at Northrup Station to receive a suite upgrade!

Written by Forkfly intern Eleanor Brown

Trendy Tuesday: Barre3 Sparks a New Fitness Trend

September 28, 2010

After shunning exercise for most of my life, in the last year or two I have come to see myself as an athletic person. My routine is pretty limited to circuit training DVDs at home, but after reading recently that a person is more likely to find success with a exercise schedule if they work out outside of the house and with other people, I’m rethinking my technique and considering attending some classes. The most innovative and talked-about workout these days comes from Barre3, a ballet, yoga and pilates hybrid class with a high level of intensity and a focus on balance and flexibility.

You may have read that Madonna swears by Barre3. Celebrity endorsements are great, but after browsing the website I don’t need anyone else’s opinion to get excited about this Portland-based phenomenon. Sadie Lincoln, of Eugene, Oregon, worked for 24 Hour Fitness for ten years before founding her unique exercise studio. Sadie focuses on balance in her workouts and in her business, and she successfully maintains a balance between staying true to her local roots and seizing the opportunity to expand and share her methods internationally. She leads classes at her original Portland studio and personally trains franchise owners and class instructors, and the company has studios in Oregon, Washington, Oklahoma and the Philippines.

Barre3 classes are set to upbeat music and incorporate “the grace of the ballet barre with the wisdom of yoga and the strength of Pilates” to tone and lengthen lean muscles. Classes have a cap on the number of participants to ensure each person receives the attention they need to perfect their form and receive the most from their workout. Childcare is available, which I love to see, because busy moms deserve a chance to give stuff like this a try, too.

Much to my excitement, Barre3 just came out with a workout DVD, but I don’t think I should allow myself to buy it until I’ve worked up the courage to attend a class and receive Sadie’s expert instruction and attention. Take a look at the Barre3 website for locations and class schedules, and look for Forkfly deals for Barre3 to give yourself a good reason to check out this hot fitness trend!

Written by Forkfly intern Eleanor Brown

You Gotta Try This!: A Relaxing Facial and Skin Care Consultation at The Center for Aesthetic Medicine

September 8, 2010

I have gotten a pedicure, manicure and massage in the past as a gift or a treat to myself, but for some reason I have always thought of a facial as a relaxing, yet self indulgent procedure.  Facials have always seemed like something you only do if you have really bad skin problems or have free money to throw around, and my thoughts were, “If I want to pay for a relaxing luxury, I would rather it be a massage.”  What I didn’t realize is that at places like The Center for Aesthetic Medicine, which is a branch of The Oregon Clinic, a facial is much more than a one time rejuvenation treatment it is a chance to get educated on your individual skin’s needs.

The Center for Aesthetic Medicine’s Esthetician Deborah Beers is like a Fairy Godmother.  Her friendly demeanor and bright smile puts you instantly at ease, and as soon as she sets you down on her comfy chair and covers you with a warm blanket you know you are going to be transformed into a whole new person.  Although the facial itself is extremely relaxing, Deborah is busy dissecting your skin the entire time.  She first asks you some questions about your skin goals, daily skin procedures, and products that you use.  This information helps her determine what type of facial would be suitable for your skin, and also helps her figure out what you are doing right and what habits you might need to change.  I learned that my skin was in need of some major hydration, which means I need to drink a lot more water.  I also had no clue that I should be using a moisturizer at night!

The point of the actual facial treatment, according to Deborah, is to give you a glowing fresh palate to work with, but it is up to you to keep that palate looking good, and that is where the education part of the treatment comes to play.  Deborah’s goal is to provide you with the tools and knowledge to keep your skin young and healthy every day.  She understands that buying facial products is overwhelming, and it is hard to know when to splurge and when buying over the counter is a suitable option.  When I left the office I was given a step-by-step daily face regiment, supplements were recommended, and she suggested some great cleansing products.  I honestly never thought I would learn so much from one facial, but every procedure at The Center for Aesthetic Medicine is designed to educate you on top of providing rejuvenation.

It has been a couple weeks since the facial, but I have kept up my skin regiment recommended for me and I still have a glow and freshness in my face that was lacking before.  I am not good on upkeep outside of the home, so I was also happy to hear that I should only need to get a facial once or twice a year to look my best.  After everything was said and done, I got a card in the mail from Deborah thanking me for coming in, and in an age of email it was so considerate that she took the time to give me that personal attention.  If you get facials done on a regular basis, or are looking to get one done for the first time, do yourself a big favor and make an appointment with Deborah.  You will love it!

The Center for Aesthetic Medicine is located at 1111 NE 99th Ave, Suite 101 in Portland.  Check out their website to find out more about all the services they offer, and make sure before you make an appointment to check out their deals on our Forkfly application.

Portland’s Outdoor Eating Guide: On Deck Sports Bar

August 25, 2010

Inside On Deck Sports Bar & Grill you’ll find over 25 TVs showing all of the current sports action, but if you aren’t a sports enthusiast there are still many reasons to stop by On Deck.  On Deck’s outdoor seating is just as alluring as their inside action, and you’ll find a spacious patio with covered seating and a very pretty view.  Their outdoor seating is actually the largest outdoor deck in Portland’s The Pearl District!

With all this room outside, On Deck is a fantastic spot to host a party or event.   They have a covered tent with an outside grill and complete beverage station, and the entire deck is surrounded by lavender and flowers.  It would actually make a great spot for a bachelorette party or wedding reception or rehearsal!

I personally enjoyed the fact that the building is located upstairs, so instead of the standard street view and loud car sounds that you would normally get sitting outside, you get a great view of the city and a nice peaceful dining experience.  I also really like the fact that dogs are welcome, and so it is fine to stop by and get a bite to eat or a beer while walking the pooch.  On Deck Sports Bar & Grill is located at 910 NW 14th Ave.  Find their fantastic deals on Forkfly, like $3 off any menu item!

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