Hi Lisa,

I just stopped by your site again to see the tags, and they got me to your comments on living in (I guess, or around) Beaverton.

Well, I am far away now, but I lived in the Portland area for many years once.  Unless things have changed, the place for many kinds of culture you would probably like are indeed over the hill, in Portland itself.

The Pearl District is after my time, but I think it is an extension of what was in NW Portland - a bit of a high-gloss extension.  So that may be worth an explore.

Where I remember things being best is in the area of NW closer to the hills.  There were ever so many small cafes, bars, and flavor restaurants along 26th etc and parallel streets, and also Vaughn.  You’ll find the buildings in the area will remind you a bit of Boston as well.

Here’s a place I remember very well, and which might turn some things for you.  It’s had several names over the years, and cuisines, but it sounds like it’s nice also now.  Here’s a link, then I’ll say more:

http://portland.citysearch.com/review/41453870

Now I knew this Meriweathers when it was called simply 2601 Vaughn, its address.  And when it was another restaurant before.  Both of these incarnations were somewhere on the French/Nouveau Cuisine map in the main area, and very good + not too expensive, but the real secret I want to tell you about was the social gathering at the mini-restaurant and bar which are up the steps to the left when you come in, presuming they haven’t moved the door.

This was a completely wonderful place when I knew it.  We had everyone from carpenters to city officials come in and chat there, and plenty of arts and so forth people either just coming, or of course working the traditional kitchen and serving jobs.

It’s not a place to bring a laptop ;).  When I would go, the whole evenings were full of people, from after-work normal to after-work service and entertaineres.  The food in this upstairs place was in some ways better than the restaurant - and not expensive - because the kitchen loved to experiment.  The conversations could be about anything - often great.  There were films shown for a long time on Sunday evenings - vintage and interesting.  One of the bartender was becoming a Hollywood scriptwriter, though we didn’t know it for a while.  His brother headed one of the major local bands.

I found the best people to converse with I think anywhere in the US.  If you wanted to discuss Lucaks and soft communism, that was there among many other things.  Musicians from bands or the symphony (I had bit in both those worlds).  Visual artists of all kinds.

Well.  I hope this gets on on some road that works out for you.  Haunt the Williamette Week without paying too much attention to its politics and grab articles, for another good source.  Go places.  Do it after your work hours.  You’ll find things.

Ok - and let me know that you got this, won’t you, since this is not a new post of yours.  You have my contacts on the EE site.

Best, and a smile,
Clive
Basel

p. s. I know you will have maps etc., but just to make it clear, you can get to this district very quickly from Beaverton area.  Just go over the hill into portland on 26 (think it is), and the swoop over on 405 to Northwest Portland.  It seems to me that there were two ways best, either to go up the approach to the Fremont Bridge (huge) in teh left lane and take the Vaughn or Upshur turnoff.  The other comes sooner, and exits to the right a mile or so from 26.  So that’s both ends of the interesting district, more or less.

Also interesting maybe around the Portland Art Museum, or the art school there itself. 

Another place definitely to visit is Lewis and Clark College - a fine, interesting, and friendly liberal arts college.  Look at the programs and night events they offer - you’ll find plenty of culture here, and somehow the students themselves quite well worth knowing.  Hint is to go and have a lunch in the cafeteria, which is in main building.  It’s good, and you’ll find all sorts of things there, even an interesting bookshop, and a fine library.

Well, ,there are many potentially interesting things in Portland, but these should get you started.

When you are satiated, then you can start learning the people who are kind of real West - out towards Clackamas and the mountains.  Again an easy travel.  Is there a restaurant/bar still called Rich’s in Tualatin?  With entertainment.  Newberg, a very nice restaurant to go to with a friend - can’t quite get the name, Archies but not that, and people there will help you find it.

One more.  Go up the hills the other way to a small area called Multhomah, intersecting off the Capitol Highway, and find a restaurant open from breakfast called Marco’s.  And another old-fashioned breakfast joint up on the tiny main street up the hill from it.  Lots of characters, in both, and great food.

Marco’s.  Pay no attention to ‘we had to wait’ reviews - you’ll see.  And they have newspapers including Italian ones on rollers, so…  A great place for a Sunday Brunch, or any other time.  Used at least to be owed by Marco and his German partner (lost her name, quite nice) in the beginning anyway.

http://portland.citysearch.com/profile/8475169/

Well, Portland area has been quite a nice place, and even with the galloping development etc., I bet it still is.

Most welcome - it was fun. 

By the way, it’s traditional to be lonely at first, when you settle in to your first post-school job.  But this will pass, and I really don’t think you could have chosen a better city-area. 

Nice things in each part, and a lot to explore, especially as you find persons who share interests.

Will watch from time to time, or let me know ;).  Anyway, I have to meet your submit-cat at least one more time.

Best again,
Clive