BAR PILOT

Gather Darkness

The Lovecraft: A weird watering hole

Posted by: John Chandler on Feb 28, 2011 at 11:00AM 5 Comments

Photo: John Chandler

Welcome… to the dark side!

View Slideshow » Photo: John Chandler

Welcome… to the dark side!

View Slideshow » Photo: John Chandler

H.P. Lovecraft framed as Che Guevara.

View Slideshow » Photo: John Chandler

Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtan

View Slideshow » Photo: John Chandler

Arcane symbols abound!

View Slideshow » Photo: John Chandler

An impressive collection of Lovecraftiana.

View Slideshow » Photo: John Chandler

Even the tequila is sinister!

View Slideshow » Photo: John Chandler

Bar hardware adds to the vintage vibe.

A while back I went on a rant rampage about bars lacking in atmosphere. To summarize, the problem with a new joint is its very newness, or lack of a “vibe.” There’s no history, much less the feeling that the owner even cared about such immaterial matters. It’s a room with booze in it. Isn’t that enough?

No. Like I always say, if I want to drink in an unremarkable room, I’ve got my house. Or I could just pick up a bottle of something cheap and party with my friends under a bridge. I’ve got my precious dives, my little pockets of Old Portland, but they’re getting harder and harder to find in the face of growing homogenization. In other words, expect lots more industrial spaces with loading-dock doors and exposed ducts. Gawd, I’m bored. Enter The Lovecraft.

It’s on SE Grand Avenue next to a consignment furniture store and the only indication of its existence is a little chalkboard sandwich sign embellished with a pentagram. The interior—draped in reds and blacks—looks like it’s made entirely of reclaimed timber and repurposed objects (the bar itself is decorated with brass locks and trunk hardware). The walls are chockablock with old magazine covers featuring early 20th century weird-fiction writer H.P. Lovecraft, photographs, and assorted horror movie memorabilia. There is a live scorpion in a tank on the bar. It sleeps most of the time. There is a mural of tentacles emerging from the clouds. “Ah,” you say to yourself. It’s a Goth bar." Yes and no.

Bartender Dani tells me there is indeed a Goth night at The Lovecraft. “But isn’t every night Goth night?” I ask. Apparently not. There is also metal night, psychobilly night, and karaoke night. One of my early misconceptions about Goth culture is that it’s members are all sheet-pale Cure fans who occasionally assemble in order to have someone to mope with. Wrong! The community itself is quite inviting and open to anyone that digs horror films and literature, neo-paganism (tribal tats and piercings) vintage clothing, and shoe-gaze music—or to those who simply find beauty in things that most of us folks in the mundane world consider dark and disturbing. In fact, they revel in it. Of course, the place would be a stone drag if everyone here took themselves painfully seriously, but the people I encountered were affable and accommodating.

By day, The Lovecraft is a low-key tea shop (never fear, you can still get drinks) and minors are allowed until 5 p.m. (I’m told the tea selection is respectable.) At this point, there is no Happy Hour (Dreaded Hour?) and the food is limited to tamales and Japanese hand rolls. But a session at The Lovecraft is like a visit to Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe. There’s an abundance of visual stimuli, and the presence of outre pieces that fall somewhere between art and collectible kitsch ensure there’s always an engaging nook for your eyes to land upon. After spending far too much time in nondescript bars, The Lovecraft is like Disneyland. Go on! Drop in! Or are you a chicken? Bwaaak, buk-buk, bwaaak!

Add a Comment »

Tags: Bar Openings, Bar Culture, Southeast, H.P. Lovecraft

People’s Party

Democrat Jesse Cornett becomes a publican

Posted by: John Chandler on Jan 14, 2011 at 11:00AM 4 Comments

Home of the Guild Public House.

“I was thinking our slogan should be, ‘For the rest of us,’” laughs erstwhile city council candidate Jesse Cornett. He’s referring to the spanking-new Guild Public House on Lower East Burnside, where most neighborhood businesses are, for lack of a better description, hipster-focused. “I’m not a hipster,” he confesses.

Kind of a shocking thing for a would-be politician to admit, especially in Portland, where cozying up to the youth vote is critical. But you won’t find this fledgling bar owner dashing about in Chuck Taylor’s or gibbering with excitement over the previous night’s Animal Collective concert. Instead, he’s following in the tradition of ex-mayor and publican Bud Clark (who’s famous “Expose Yourself to Art” poster graces the wall here), as a businessman who understands that political debates are best hashed out in public (as in “public house”).

Guild proprietor Jesse Cornett.

At the “soft” opening for the Guild, in addition to the usual assortment of lowlife freeloaders (me) and frantic first-nighters, there was the unmistakable presence of party politics. Former Democratic secretary of state Bill Bradbury was in the house, paying his respects to his pal Jesse Cornett, who worked diligently on Bradbury’s recent campaign for governor. Congressman Earl Blumenauer also did a walk through, but I was so busy searching the crowd for a bowtie, that I must have missed him. Drat the luck!

The Guild is the third incarnation of the space that occupies the first floor of the snazzy Rocket building, where Noble Rot reigns benevolently two levels up. The interior is still dominated by reds and blacks, but the bohemian accouterments from its early days as the Chesterfield, like wall-mounted skateboards, pastel-colored stools, and a circular 20-person orgy couch are long gone. Instead, the furniture is functional and sturdy, and the beer list is local (Double Moutain, Oakshire, Everybody’s Brewing; $3 pints during Happy Hour, 4-6 daily).

Former secretary of state Bill Bradbury (left).

Small-bite samples from the Guild’s kitchen, including pulled-pork Cuban sandwiches with Rogue bleu cheese crumbles (winner of the evening’s “yummy” award), cider-braised chorizo, and some really mustardy deviled eggs, were circulated and duly devoured. Cornett tells me, unsurprisingly, that the food menu will be small and seasonal, with an emphasis on locally sourced goodies. Think cheese plates, huge salads, and sandwiches rather than coronary inducing nachos and fries. Shut up! It’s good for you!

The pulled pork Cuban sandwiches vanished quickly.

I’m hopeful that politicos will continue to frequent the Guild for beer and banter. A bar is the perfect place to approach and chat up elected officials about any bees currently residing in your bonnet—a practice that might be increasingly difficult in light of recent tragic events in Arizona. And if a heated barroom argument about feckless Democrats and corporate-shilling Republicans should erupt, owner Cornett, no stranger to partisan politics, can probably restore order with a round on the house.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Happy Hour, Bar Openings, Bill Bradbury, Earl Blumenauer, Double Mountain Brewing, Guild Public House

Brews on Burnside

Burnside Brewing’s soft opening tonight

Posted by: John Chandler on Dec 28, 2010 at 01:00PM 1 Comments

Brew pubs are sprouting like dandelions around these parts, what with Cascade Barrelhouse, Migration Brewing, Coalition Brewing, Breakside Brewing, and Hair of the Dog all putting up their “Open” signs in the last few months. Joining this august company is Burnside Brewing, located at 701 East Burnside, right across the street from the Farm Cafe. Burnside’s “soft” opening is today at 4 pm. (Soft openings are a brilliant idea; if something goes horribly wrong staffers have a grace period to iron out the kinks).

Co-owner Adam Cassie, who’s partnered up with former Roots Organic brewer Jason McAdam, and Jay Gilbert from Full Sail, tells me Burnside’s inaugural IPA should be ready to pour just after New Year’s, but in the meantime they’ve got guest taps of Upright 5, Full Sail’s Wreck the Halls, and even Magners Irish cider for those who inexplicably poo-poo the brew.

The advance buzz from the New School blog has been substantial and if you’ve got a case of “first-nighter” syndrome then by all means show up and spring for an ale or two.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Bar Openings, Craft Beers

Trader Vic’s in the Pearl?

Tiki titan’s return in the works

Posted by: John Chandler on Dec 09, 2010 at 10:00AM 16 Comments

Jeff Manning at the Oregonian is reporting that a local group of investors headed by J. Clayton Herring, president of real estate firm Norris Beggs & Simpson, is doing some legwork to bring Trader Vic’s back to Portland. As town elders will recall, the famed Polynesian restaurant and bar chain had a local outpost situated beneath the Benson Hotel in the space now occupied by El Gaucho, but it closed up shop in 1996.

According to Manning’s article, the new locale would be in the 7,900 square-foot building that was home to Manzana restaurant at NW 12th and Glisan. I have calls in to some of the players involved and more details will follow as they materialize.

As anyone who knows me can attest, I love me some tiki bars. I dig the Fog Cutter and pupu platter at Thatch, and I’ve crooned Steely Dan at The Alibi on a number of occasions, despite their tendency to serve weak cocktails. While I generally don’t patronize national chains (boo!) I have to admit I have a soft spot in my head for Trader Vic’s. I was spirited there by some record company publicists upon being named Oregon Editor of The Rocket in 1995 and plied with exotic rum drinks. I remember marveling at the prices and thinking, Holy cow! Some of these cocktails cost $7!

What do you think drinking buddies? Is there room in our hearts for Trader Vic’s? Should it be in the Pearl? Are Portland’s homegrown tiki bars good enough to serve all of our tropical needs? Discuss.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Bar Openings, Tropical Bars, Trader Vic's, Tiki Bars

Fresh Kicks

442 serves up sandwiches, suds, and soccer

Posted by: John Chandler on Nov 23, 2010 at 10:00AM 10 Comments

Some guys were born to be publicans. Bosnian bar owner Muhamed Mujcic-Mufko is such a man. It takes the wiry, snow-haired proprietor of 442 on SE Hawthorne nearly two seconds to welcome a stranger to his small, dark-wood furnished pub, with a hearty bellow of, “Hello my friend!” Once introductions are made, he proudly tells me about his establishment (“Is nice place”), the menu (“Best food in town”), and the beer (“Not 16 ounce—we have 24!”). On the wall three large flat screens are showing sporting events. A colorful assortment of soccer jersies and team pennants add jaunty flair to the already athletic ambiance.

For those oblivious to international sport, 442 is a soccer-themed bar and the name refers to 4-4-2, the most common player formation in the game. The bar sits in the former location of the Taste of Europe market (which Muhamed also owned) and it looks like it could hold perhaps 50 people, tops. It’s empty at the moment, but Muhamed assures me that the place was packed just the night before. Soccer is the bar’s lifeblood and there are nearly two-dozen satellite channels on tap dedicated to that end. Whether it’s Tottenham vs Bremen, Stuttgart vs Koln, or Real Madrid vs Ajax (not to mention American Major League soccer tilts, including the Portland Timbers), chances are you’ll find your match as well as a cadre of fellow devotees with whom to cheer, curse, and drink.

As Muhamed himself boasts, draught beers (Laurelwood Treehugger Porter, Ninkasi IPA, and Deschutes Black Butte Porter are among the locals) are served in thunderous 24-ounce mugs for $4.50. There are another 20 or so brands by the bottle, a respectable wine list, and a full bar. I ask about Happy Hour and I’m told, “All day is Happy Hour!” What Muhamed means by that is that there isn’t really a Happy Hour, but his prices are more than fair—and if you don’t like them you can watch your soccer someplace else. And that would be a tragedy, because the food at 442 is fairly awe-inspiring.

I order a grilled-cheese sandwich with a side salad ($6.99). Muhamed calls back to the kitchen “grilled cheese for nice guy!” A few minutes later I’m served the tastiest (and most offbeat) example of this dish I’ve ever encountered. The sandwich is not grilled. The round, Bosnian lepinja bread is baked in-house and it’s cloud-soft and springy, with a delicate golden crust on top. Inside there is provolone, feta, and parmesan melted into a warm, gooey blanket, with a splash of olive oil, fresh tomatoes, and a layer of ajvar, a piquant relish made from red peppers, eggplant, and garlic. Muhamed watches me tear into this amazing sandwich with the enthusiasm of a hyena and smiles. “Told you is good!” he says. The salad is drizzled with a sweet balsamic vinegar, a light dusting of parmesan, and more olive oil. What could have been a mere plate decoration is simply sensational in its own right.

Perusing the menu I stumble over entries such as Ćevapi (fresh ground beef and lamb patties), Šiš-Ćevap (beef kebabs), Suđuk (traditional Bosnian smoked sausage), and Peka, which I’m told is the finest cut of beef that gets dried and smoked, Fear not vegetarians! There are five different sandwiches, including roasted eggplant, and roasted pepper, as well as cheese plates, salads, and spreads for your non-fleshy nourishment. Most entrees ring in between $6-12. “Is all good food,” Muhamed announces. “Fresh and healthy.”

I imagine 442 is a jumping joint indeed during a rowdy soccer match and for local enthusiasts, this is welcome news. But it’s also a very cozy, friendly space, with swift, accommodating service, and a strange, bountiful menu that demands to be explored. Goal!!!!!

Add a Comment »

Tags: Bar Openings, Craft Beers, Southeast, Sports bars, 442

Review: New Brew Venue

Hawthorne has a Hophouse

Posted by: John Chandler on Nov 16, 2010 at 11:00AM 13 Comments

Be advised that Hawthorne Hophouse, the new Northwest-centric beer bar on SE Hawthorne, is a kid-friendly venue. The presence of children in pubs is a thorny issue among the Portland suds set, i.e., whether or not beer-loving parents have the right to subject their fellow pub patrons to a rampage of raging rugrats. There were at least seven youngsters on the premises last night and I didn’t hear a peep out of them, so for the time being it’s not an issue (although I’m a dog owner so I’m used to ignoring unprovoked yowling). However, I did feel some subtle pressure to keep a tight rein on my use of profanity, which tends to increase in direct proportion to number of beers consumed—so there’s that.

The Hophouse is located in that tiny strip of businesses at 41st and Hawthorne, where approximately 84 Thai restaurants have opened and closed over the last five years. With the arrival of a bustling New Seasons market right across the street, the lure of freshly poured beer should exert a powerful pull on harried yuppie shoppers—especially those that have been driven to the brink of madness by the demands of unruly offspring. The space is small, antiseptically clean, and welcoming; a veritable oasis of regional repast.

The food menu is fairly “McMenamin” (burgers, fries, salads, sandwiches) in appearance but they do have a Happy Hour between 9 and midnight, with an assortment of $4 goodies like poutine, chicken satay, wasabi deviled eggs, and a chicken and cheddar sandwich. The real hook at the Hophouse is a rotating cast of two-dozen Northwest beers on tap. This includes pours from nano-breweries like Natian (their Lumberjane Stout provided a jolt of bitter coffee-roasted charm), Vertigo, and Mt Tabor Brewing in addition to more familiar names like Deschutes, Hopworks, and Ninkasi.

There’s simply no room for brand loyalty here, because kegs come and go like summer lovers. There are two excellent solutions for those looking to experience the yin and yang of available flavors. On Sundays, in addition to an all-day Happy Hour, beer-curious patrons can take advantage of $3 glasses of local-beer selections. Before anyone can work up a serious gripe about 12-ounce glasses for $3, it should be known that our teeniest, tiniest breweries typically sell their product for a little more scratch, since distribution is usually limited to kegs delivered by “some guy with a truck.”

On Monday evenings, at least for the rest of the month, six, twelve, and twenty-four glass sampler trays are half-price, which allows for some serious exploration. My friends and I ordered up a twelve (2 oz) glass flight for a measly $6.50, with each of us selecting three beers from the menu. We then passed them around, exchanging such brilliant tasting observations as, “Roasty and toasty!” and “surprisingly citrus for an IPA.” And presto! You’ll be a beer geek before you know it.

In terms of finding a comfortable niche, Hawthorne Hophouse is the right business at the right time. Upper Hawthorne (above 39th/Cesar Chavez) was a land sadly bereft of beer diversity, unlike lower Hawthorne which is awash in a variety of worthy brews. The arrival of the Hophouse has improved this situation dramtically.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Happy Hour, Family Fun, Bar Openings, Craft Beers, Southeast, Ninkasi Brewing, Hawthorne Hophouse

First Impressions

Catching up with the latest locals

Posted by: John Chandler on Nov 04, 2010 at 11:00AM 9 Comments

Girl-drink drunks should adore the cocktails at Hamburger Mary’s.

So many bars, so little time to linger. Rest assured drinking buddies, that I have been scrambling like Fran Tarkenton trying to patronize as many of Portland’s newly minted watering holes as is humanly possible. At this point I’m strongly considering the formation of a Bar Pilot street team to keep me apprised on bar openings and closings. It’s just too much for one simple man (and heaven knows I’m nothing if not simple). Now that I’m done wallowing in self-pity I’ll attempt to give you an idea of the places I’ve been, the drinks I’ve drunk, and the drunks I’ve met.

Circa 33 The two bars that have taken over the SE Belmont space of It’s a Beautiful Pizza may be joined at the hip, but they cater to different clienteles. Circa 33 is the tonier of the two, and indeed it bears a striking resemblance to North 45 (same ownership) a NW spot that’s built a loyal following through a combination of kitchen competence, a prodigious selection of exotic beer and spirits, and neighborhood pub bonhomie. The lofty wall of liquor behind the bar is a welcome touch, a smart way to let customers know that they’re serious about spirits. My pot roast sandwich on a hoagie ($10.50) was expertly cooked and the horseradish cleared my sinuses in nothing flat. Circa 33 seems to be walking a line between casual drinking joint (despite the lengthy list of pre-Prohibition cocktails like the Corpse Reviver and the Monkey Gland) and destination dining. Thumbs down to the bartender’s taste in music. Pssst! It’s been scientifically proven that no one actually likes smooth jazz.

Hall of Records The bohemian younger brother of Circa 33, is the Hall of Records, a modest hole in the wall that offers patrons the opportunity to peruse and sample sounds from a decent catalog of vintage jazz, funk, and reggae vinyl while sipping some excellent regional suds from Laurelwood, Upright, and more. Basically, it’s a hipster version of Pop’s Chok’lit Shoppe with a couple couches and handy turntables. Eats are limited to the ubiquitous salads and sammies.

The Globe Another Belmont newbie that alternates between empty and chockablock with condo swingers from across the street for whom it serves as a Regal Beagle-type hook-up parlor. You already know the layout: an open garage door leads to a gently artified industrial rumpus room complete with shelves full of board games. The food/drink choices are abundant (three menus!), but don’t overlook the house specialty pizzas. They’re surprisingly light and chewy (dough made daily!) with scads of artisan options for carnivore and veg-head alike. Happy hour from 3-6 and 10 to close.

Diggin’ the Kenny G at Circa 33.

Hamburger Mary’s The abundance of “flair” here reminds me of a cross between a downmarket TGI Friday’s and a more flamboyant Bob’s Big Boy. The burgers are impressively hefty (though a bit pricey at $8-13). Happy hour is 3-6 daily which covers $1 off cocktails and appetizers. Drinks are large, easy drinking, and apparently geared toward sorority-house lushes. And for $5 you can cram a trio of fried Twinkies with raspberry puree and whipped cream into your pie hole. Do it.

Star Bar My friend Lucy and I were the only customers when we stopped in the other night, but the former home of Maiden in the Mist on SE Morrison has the same funky decor (including black velvet paintings) and non-brooding darkness that’s made Dot’s such a perennial favorite. According to Josh the manager, everything from the kitchen is derived from the freshest and healthiest ingredients. That’s cool, but I’m even more excited by the prices—nothing over $9.50. The sliders ($3, but only $1.50 during Happy Hour 4-7) come in classic beef, Caribbean pork, and white bean and potato varieties. The first two were sensational, but the veggie version was Mush City. Someone on the menu planning committee is a rock nerd: all the cocktails are named for Big Star songs; Back of a Car, Mod Lang, September Gurls, etc. And that means extra points in my book!

Add a Comment »

Tags: Bar Openings, Southeast, Hamburger Mary's, Circa 33, Star Bar, Hall of Records, The Globe

Open-Closed

In with the new bars—out with the old

Posted by: Geoff Earl on Sep 30, 2010 at 10:00AM 4 Comments

The Egyptian Room on SE Division—soon to be Weird Bar?

It’s getting harder and harder to get a drink these days. Seems like every time we return to an old haunt, we’re newly confused by fresh paint and unfamiliar signage. Here’s a little update on local bars to save you the shame and embarrassment of being out of the know.

Opening

The newest addition to the block of SE Belmont Street between 33rd and 34th avenues is Circa 33. This tasteful watering hole comes from the folks who brought you North 45 and Paddy’s, and will soft-open tomorrow (Friday). Circa 33’s location fits the same criteria that’s made North 45 a success. The Sunnyside neighborhood qualifies as a “high-destination” district with the potential to develop a cadre of regulars from around the way. Rumors of a secret “speakeasy” room and a menu of smoked entrees are circulating.

Lower Burnside gets even hipper with the Sizzle Pie and Quality Inn. The much-anticipated late-night thin-crust pizza parlor and adjoining liquor bar is scheduled to open sometime before Halloween.

Since August 21, Hall of Records has graced the Sunnyside Strip, taking up residence in the western half of the former It’s A Beautiful Pizza space. Is it a bar in a record store? Or a record store in a bar? The anomalous beer-wine-records-sandwiches format may be a stretch in most places, but on a block that also houses Stumptown Coffee, the Aalto Lounge and St. Cupcake, Hall of Records is a natural fit.

Closed for good

After six-and-a-half years at the corner of SE 21st Ave and Clinton Street, Charlie’s Clinton Corner Café (more commonly known as Clinton Corner) owner Charlie Gallipeau has called it quits. The restaurant and bar played its swan song on Tuesday night. Gallipeau blamed hard economic times and rising rents as the reasons for the Clinton Street staple’s demise.

Portland’s version of CBGB, Satyricon, will be shuttered for good at the end of October, but they ain’t going quietly. The month will be stuffed with legendary locals showing up for reunion shows, punk-rock wakes, or just a final chance to pour some liquor out for the homies. The Dandy Warhols, Richmond Fontaine, Big Daddy Meatstraw, Sugarboom, Quasi, and a cabaret curated by Kitty Diggins are among the festivities. There’s more info at the Farewell Satyricon Facebook page.

Closed (for now?)

After 56 years, Woodstock Boulevard institution the Lutz Tavern will close its doors tonight (technically tomorrow at 2:30 AM). A Lutz bartender I talked to cited slow sales and the all-too-common economic strain of the times as the reasons for the Lutz’s tragic end. But there’s still hope for the venerable old gal. The original owners may try to revive the Lutz at a later date.

Metamorphosis

Rumors of the Egyptian Room’s demise are only half-truths. The long-running lesbian enclave is removing its shingle from the corner of SE 37th and Division on October 9. But later in the month, the same ownership will reopen the place as Weird Bar, a joint that promises to be a bit more inclusive. The metamorphosis is already underway in one-third of the E-Room’s labyrinthine three-bars-within-a-bar layout.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Bar Openings, Southeast, Bar Closings, Egyptian Room

Roll Out the Barrels!

A modest roundup of short subjects from the Bar Pilot bag

Posted by: John Chandler on Sep 17, 2010 at 11:00AM 6 Comments

At the new Cascade Barrel House, no beer will be served before it’s time.

ITEM: I was lucky enough to sample several of the sour beers created by Cascade Brewing’s Ron Gansberg in advance of the opening of the new Cascade Barrel House at 935 SE Belmont St (which should be any day now). And they are incredible. What Gansberg has done with his mix-and-match, cut-and-paste barrel-aging and ale-blending approach is to produce a whole line of brilliantly nuanced beers whose flavor profiles are much, much narrower than the standard lager, pilsner, amber, porter, and stout designations. By taking fresh cherries, raspberries, blueberries, oranges, and apricots, and introducing them to existing ales and then aging them for six months at a time, Cascade Brewing has embraced chaos theory and is on the threshold of establishing a beer-tasting aesthetic that’s going to be very similar to that of wine. More subtle, more organically unpredictable. My prediction? It’s going to be big.

ITEM: Another edition of MusicFest NW has come and gone. The best show I witnessed was the sensational and soulful Bellrays who were a face-melting epiphany as always. And for variety’s sake, it’s hard to go wrong with the evil speed metal of Toxic Holocaust at the Satyricon and the grimy Black Sabbath grind of Red Fang paired with the more delicate sensibilities of a resourceful troubadour like mbilly segueing into Big Freedia’s super-freaky butt-shaking cavalcade.The diversity angle worked in a big way this year.

ITEM: Just had a divine cocktail over at Santeria, the Mexican restaurant that’s attached to Mary’s Club (formerly El Grillo). It’s called Llorona, and presumably it’s named after the Latin legend of the crying ghost woman who haunts river banks searching for her missing child. The drink itself is a spirited blend of horchata (rice milk with assorted spices), cinnamon, and a hefty pour of Hatian gold rum served on the rocks in a pint glass for $7. Poverty stricken citizens may want to opt for the $6 version with Monarch rum, but that’s not how I roll. It’s simple, sweet, spicy, and satisfying, and the ideal accompaniment to a plate of carnitas.

The Llorona at Santeria. Don’t cry—just drink up.

ITEM: A note from retro hepcat deejay Drew Groove informs me that the SE Morrison space that once housed Maiden in the Mist (later abbreviated to the Maiden) just had a soft-opening shindig for its latest incarnation, the Star Bar. Not sure about the menu, but if they’ve got the good taste to employ Drew Groove, then it will be a certain stop on a near-future ramble.

ITEM: A congratulatory shout-out to my pal Michael Carothers and his Japanese bar/eatery Miho Izakaya on N Interstate Ave. They’ve now been open for one year and it looks like the best is yet to come. A Happy Hour report is in the offing. Keep the saké warm!

Add a Comment »

Tags: Bar Openings, Craft Beers, Live, NoPo, Cascade Brewing

Spirited Away

Lee Medoff to run Bull Run Distillery

Posted by: John Chandler on Sep 01, 2010 at 01:00PM 6 Comments

Lee Medoff (right), a founding member of House Spirits Distillery, will soon open Bull Run Distillery in Northwest Portland.

Lee Medoff has been with House Spirits Distillery since its inception in 2002 and as cofounder, helped develop some of its trademark potables including Aviation gin and Medoyeff vodka. Now, after establishing House Spirits as a major player in the artisan liquor business, he’s moving to the dark side. With favorable winds and good luck, he’ll open Bull Run Distillery in late November, a fledgling operation that will specialize in “dark spirits” like whiskey and rum. In addition, his own Medoyeff vodka will be part of the inventory.

The new venture is not due to any rancor between Medoff and his House Spirits partner Christian Krogstad. In fact, it’s because of their success that Medoff feels empowered to try something else. “Aviation gin is available everywhere from Berlin to Sydney,” Medoff tells me. “But I think the dark spirits—rum and whiskey—represent the future of craft distilling.”

Bull Run Distillery, like House Spirits, will have a tasting room and retail space open to the public (NW 23rd Ave and Quimby St), and will periodically turn out small-batch artisan spirits. Medoff is installing two 800-gallon stills to up his production numbers. “This way we’ll be able to produce five barrels of rum or whiskey at a time,” he says. As for turning his attention to rum, a spirit much maligned as a fool-proof ingredient for cocktails favored by amateur imbibers, Medoff vows to bring a level of sophistication to his creations.

“Besides, I really like rum,” he confesses. Stay tuned for further developments.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Bar Openings, Whiskey, Rum, Local Distilleries

Potions & Notions

The Beer Fashioned gets a day in court

Posted by: John Chandler on Aug 26, 2010 at 02:00PM 6 Comments

The Beer Fashioned—not without its charms.

When we last left our hero, he was contemplating the ambitious and—judging by your responses—unappetizing prospect of spending some quality time with a Beer Fashioned. I’m happy to report that there were no fatalities. In fact, I see great potential there. My proportioning was rather elephantine (too much bourbon, not enough beer), but once the mixture settled a bit, the co-mingling of brown sugar, bourbon, and beer, with just a whisper of orange, proved to be an agreeable combination. The brown sugar and bourbon produced a pleasantly medicinal taste, while the wheat beer added malty notes and, along with the orange zest, provided an unmistakably festive tone. Note: I only had one due to a shortage of bourbon. More experiments to follow.

A reminder to all my drinking buddies that this weekend is the Nano Beer Festival at the Green Dragon. I for one don’t see the point of microscopic beers, but to each his own. I mean, are they served with an eye-dropper? What’s that? They’re not? Imagine my chagrin. This sudsy bash is a chance for smaller breweries (1000 barrels or less annually) like Heater Allen, Fort George, and Upright to bring out their own artisan ales and introduce them to a grateful public.

Finally, has anyone been to the Blue Parrot at 3416 N Lombard St lately? Apparently the name’s been changed to Foggy Notion, and I wanted to know if the bar was named for one of my favorite Velvet Underground songs.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Beer Festivals, Cocktails, Bar Openings

Changes at Sagittarius

And dueling pianos are back

Posted by: John Chandler on Jun 15, 2010 at 11:00AM 12 Comments

There’s change afoot at Sagittarius.

Just a few bits and pieces of pending bar news. Sagittarius, which boasts one of the better Happy Hour menus (rosemary mac & cheese, sliders, fire fries, etc) in North Portland, will be adding some new items as well as a late-night version of Happy Hour from 9 till midnight as part of a general makeover. New owner Chris Costello and general manager Ryan White are both fans of Sagittarius, and White insists the food isn’t going to be changing drastically. “We want to add some vegan options, probably a few salads, meat loaf, and an actual Happy Hour burger for $4.”

White also says they’ve painted the interior—it’s now a darker, more inviting shade of red, which is quite a change from the former atomic orange. And hours of operation will be expanding too, with the bar soon to be open for lunch during the week and brunch on the weekend, as well as staying open till 2:30 in the morning on Friday and Saturday. Oh, and there’s one other change. Instead of Sagittarius, the new moniker will be The Monkey Bar, a changeover which should take place in a couple weeks.

In more melodic news, the grand edifice at 105 NW Third Ave, most recently the home of Pala Fashion Lounge, will soon be reopening as a dueling piano bar. I know this, because I walked by it the other day and it bore a sign that declared, “Coming Soon: Dueling Pianos.” Anyone mourning the demise of Harvey Wallbanger’s and Boogie Woogie’s, two defunct bars that featured dueling pianos, should be ecstatic. As for the Bar Pilot, not so much. I went to Harvey Wallbanger’s once, and found the presence of two obnoxious pianists singing “Sweet Caroline” and “Uptown Girl” to booze-drenched bachelorettes was uncomfortably close to my personal definition of hell.

What’s wrong with dueling strippers, for crying out loud? If anyone has other items of interest from the world of bars, beer, and booze, feel free to unburden yourself here.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Happy Hour, Bar Openings, Cheap Eats