Thursday ( Now with More Art, Less Pretention)

So I saw the devil... and he rode a unicycle. Which was both unexpected and strangely fitting.

But, now that I think about it he might have been one of the high-spirited members of Clown House, a crew that lives and performs right on Alberta, every last Thursday. This particular week the event in the center ring was audience performance a la unicycle jousting. A challenging member of the audience mounts a double high bike and squares off against the devil(aka man in full body paint and a speedo, brrr thats gotta be cold) and his unicycle. It is good fun and like much of the Alberta once-a-month mayhem, absolutely free. Though, as their site says they welcome donations. Can't wait to see what they pull out next month, it looks like past highlights have been mud wrestling, and flaming cannons.

So this is Last Thursday on Alberta, the less pretentious , more insane version of the Pearl's restrained and high class First Thursday. And it is the better for it, if I may say. Across from the amazing showmen (and women) at ClownHouse were a trio of firedancers trying out new props and material on the passing crowd. The flaming sword was nice, but then who doesn't like a flaming sword?

Then there are the multitude of people who for one night a month make the sidewalk their gallery. From fences and rigged-up stalls they sell their art, painting and collages and anything you can imagine. Each booth different, some amazing, some just bizzare. There are galleries open later than normal also, but the art on the sidewalk was enough for me (also per usual we were a little late getting there and the galleries were closing).

The energy really make Last Thursday something not to be missed. The event goes long into the night in the bars along the street and you never know what you will find. There was a group all in black with glowing sticks fastened to their clothes so that in the dark they became like mobile radioactive stick figures. There was the gentleman who works everyday in Oregon City at the employment office, but once a month makes and sells fantastic gumbo along the street to the passerby. There were people who had sent a dance floor complete with pulsing lights in an unused field.

So if you have a yen for something that you don't see everyday, then stroll along Alberta the last Thursday of each month. Trust me you'll have something share with the co-workers come Friday morning.

Libation Leary (I was drinking what!)

There is no justice anymore. Chipotle, one of my favorite non-fast-food fast-food restaurants (restaurants are in fact fast-food but masquerade as cuisine) is owned by McDonalds, ruining it for me in some sort of subtle way. And just today I find out that Blue Moon is created by … Coors.

I knew when my friend Simon taunted me with his knowledge of who is behind this craft beer that I occasionally enjoy, that it would be bad. Blue Moon has a nice citrus note and is mostly what I turn to on weeknights after one or two stronger beers. It is refreshing and no very high in alcohol and … well it reminded me of my college student days before I knew what good beer was. Well, apparently there was good reason for that, being it was manufactured by the same company as those ultra cheap kegs that graced many a house party attended by yours truly.

Now, I don’t like to think I am a snob. I can toss back gas station coffee, Starbucks, and craft-roasted coffee, because let’s face it; caffeine is beautiful in many forms. Some tastier than others but all okay in my eyes. I do not know if I am so egalitarian toward my beer. It remains to be seen.

But, really? Coors? Really?

Portofinos (Long Live the Saucemaster)

So we finally broke down last night and did it. We visited Portofinos post owner switch. We had been fearful of returning even though it has been one of the favorites and also the location of one of Matt and my early dates, because last time we had been in the owner had reported to us that he was selling the business and to a corporation. Which needless to say filled us with complete horror. This was our place! A quirky little restaurant filled equally with Italian decor as art from the owner home, Easter Island. A tiny restaurant with only ten tables and Pink Martini playing. The thought that it would become corporate and impersonal was horrifying. We actually came back to dinner the next night trying to get enough Portofinos to last us, in case the worst occurred and we hated the change.
But I am happy to report that there is no need to fear, Portofinos has not been sold to a faceless corporation. That deal fell through and now Portofinos is the process of been sold to none other than the head chef! Huzzah! This man is the creator of the most amazing and wonderful sauces known to man. I would drown happily in the sambuca sauce, I would lick the marsala from plate (even strangers)... Trust me, there is no unhappiness that is not curable by sampling these sauces.
Also I will praise the service. There were mishaps, we were forgotten for a space, each server thinking the other had us; my friend received the incorrect dish; but in spite of these things the servers and buser were amazingly friendly and helpful, even sliding a free tiramisu in front of my friend (because she had to wait for her dish) even after being assured that we understood it was an unintentional mistake and didn't blame our server.
The special (which I partook of) was an amazing filet minion cooked to perfection, and covered in vodka cream sauce with a delicate vegetable lasanga on the side. Oh soo good. The Chicken Marsala is possibly the best in the city, and the appetizer of mushrooms in a delicate, yet rich cream sauce.
That is possibly the only issue with Portofinos. Everything is creamy and rich from the beginning to the end with their top notch tiramisu. So if you are in the mood for a lite bite head down the way to Springwater Grill and partake of their bar menu. But if you want food that romances you, then Portofinos is without compare.

Clarklewis – (or East Waterfront, More Than Burned-Out Warehouses!)

I know that I should have written this sooner. It has been over a week since the night Matt and I wandered down to clarklewis and had an indulgent dinner. But I guess it is also a testament to the experience that it remains vivid in the memory so long.

The atmosphere is everything that you could want. Well, I can’t really say that cause I don’t know what you want, but it is pretty damn good. The space is industrial (think cement) but this is softened and made dreamlike with flickering candlelight and a wooden bar. And also the outdoor is brought inside with giant glass garage doors, bottom a window to the capricious northwest weather, and a testament to what this warm and modern space used to be. This particular night, the last of a late summer, the doors were rolled up and warm breezes toyed with the candles, making the space one of flickering shadows and liquid, yellow light pouring over individual tables. (I know overdramatic writer is me, but again testament to my newfound love of this place).

Now to the part that seals the deal, anyone can have a great space, and really the food (getting there in a sec) was superb, but many a talented chef’s restaurant has failed… No our server, Austin, won a lot of points for the venerable clarklewis. There was a water carafe on our table, I’m not sure that we ever got to pick it up. Silently as he passed on other errands he would fill wine glasses and water glasses, not disturbing our conversation. But oh when the time to order things occurred he was not afraid to suggest, to offer polite alternatives when he thought we wouldn’t be pleased with a selection. This service was rare and precious indeed.

Food amazing. Really, I don’t know what else to say. This was speechless food, the kind that you stare at your dining partner in wonder and say, “Ohhhh.” Long and drawn out and truly the only syllable in the English language that does the combination of tastes and textures any justice at all. Highlights: halibut in chanterelle sauce, summer squash tagliatelle, arugala salad with proscuitto wrapped figs. There were more, but the names were sadly lost to the power of the flavors. I strongly recommend that you orders the Chef’s Menu. For one price the chef will choose 3 to 4 course for you, and they will make sure that you and your date get something different each course, the better for stealing bites, or as Matt and I do, trading plates completely several times each course.

So clarklewis had earned the best meal of my life through a combination of food, atmosphere and service, and I have eaten some great meals. I cannot say enough about it, but you are probably tired of reading. So go forth and eat:

1001 SE Water Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97214
503.235.2294
www.ripepdx.com/clarklewis.html