STUMPTOWNBLOGGER

FRIDAY SURPRISE

Burgerville brought back breakfast with watery lousy coffee. They listened to enough complaints and partnered with Stumptown Coffee as their new source. For a limited time you can buy a cup for a buck….Safeco Insurance charges more than most and offers lousy service. If it wasn’t for my great agent who went into the ring with this Goliath, I would still be on hold.

I read about a small Asian restaurant in Oswego on Boones Ferry Rd & how they rank in the top 100 nationwide. No kidding! This spot is terrific and you won’t leave hungry. 
LUNG FUNG WOK & GRILL- 16066 Boones Ferry Rd. Try the Kao Pao chicken & egg flower soup. 5 stars here. Nice family owned restaurant.

I have lost total interest in The Trailblazers. What a total bore it’s become. Nobody even talks about them anymore…..I’m on a roll with great survivor stories. Check out the attached photo of my most recent. It’s great.

Wishing my pal Craig Walker a speedy recovery. Hoping another radio pal gets his tricky surgery in Seattle, Scott Tom who never complains about his issues. Best to both.

Heres my new Asian restaurant: 

 

 

 

 

 

FRIDAY SURPRISE

New chain restaurant eatery opened in Bridgeport Village filled with interior gimmicks & mod lighting along with computers they hand you to pay & tip. The TIP comes up big! Service was actually excellent but now comes the food review… not interesting, very plain, very expensive. The Kona Grill can’t match Oswego Grill. This location has been a failure for the three that opened before them. 

Take a spin out to Aurora for a great turkey & cranberry sandwich at The White Rabbit Cafe. It’s 5 stars & so is their coffee & pastries. Nice people too. If there’s a line, hang in there, it’s worth it. I find Aurora very charming with old school vintage antique shops.

I can’t watch another election ad. Not one stood out to me. They are all the same showing their opponent in dark spooky shades in black & white while they sit on a lawn with their dog in living color. Please Vote!

I’m reading two books right now, Bob Woodward’s WAR & a dandy by Doris Kearns Goodwin, AN UNFINISHED LOVE STORY. Bob’s book is current & Doris takes us inside The White House with JFK, Johnson, Bobby’s 68 campaign & more. Both so talented. Next up on my stack is Portland writer & musician Willy Vlautin and his latest novel THE HORSE.

Rite Aid stores are not hiding the fact it’s a corporate mess. Signs are displayed informing customers shelves are empty because of bankruptcy. They opened too many and it shows with Walgreen’s closing over a thousand locations. Imagine the billing hours from lawyers on those leases.

Ever see anything more NUTS than rank voting in Portland. Bo Jack gives the best explanation how this doesn’t work.

https://www.bojack2.com/2024/10/the-case-against-rank-choice-voting.html?m=1

Rumors Les Schwab is being shopped around again. I thought the new group that bought it did a fine job keeping the service alive. I’m not crazy about them selling private label tires.

Next visit to a Peet’s Coffee Shop grab a can of Open Still Water. It’s a delight. The packaging is very interesting. Speaking of coffee, OVATION is excellent. They pour blends from Morocco. It’s rich full of flavor and the staff is a great team. They have a few around town.

I highly doubt this berg will get Major League Baseball. Who’s funding this dream? Are there enough sponsors? Will ticket prices push families out, how long will the land studies take? Parking? Repeat Parking. No I’m not riding Max unless they give me a security guard!!!!

Public Coast Brewing is worth a day drive to Cannon. Don’t miss their fish tacos, chowder and Stephen’s Root Beer. Owners of the famous Stephanie Inn do everything right.

i haven’t stepped into a movie theater since the pandemic. I’m use to watching films in my easy chair. No coughing, talking during movie, people crawling over me because they’re late. I’m fine with it. 

KONA GRILL AT BRIDEPORT. Pretty lipstick inside but a rip off.

ADORE THIS PLACE IN AURORA 

BEST IN CANNON BEACH

 

 

 

ITS FRIDAY

Have you had breakfast at Biscuits Cafe? It’s excellent …Reminds me of my old morning haunt Hilaires on SW Washington. Usually old school breakfast joints serve lousy watery coffee, Biscuits serves a dark rich blend that’s excellent.

It’s usually a guy with one of those dumb looking ear pieces talking at a high volume on his phone in a restaurant. He wants everyone to believe he’s a big shot player making a new business move. It’s a huge pet peeve of mine. The one way conversation we all have to hear. 

Filbert’s in Aurora is 5 stars. They have the whole package, great ambience, terrific menu, wonderful service. I really like the historic business area of Aurora.

Sightings of Coyotes is China Town. They know where the back alley food supply is!

Finished the book “A Walk in the Woods” which was 5 stars excellent. I’m starting the latest by Pulitzer winner Doris Kearns Goodwin. Its takes you inside the White House & brings political figures back to life. This book is also the story of her husband Dick Goodwin who started with JFK then Johnson & Bobby in 1968. Her writing is terrific.

OHSU on the waterfront should have their own zip code. Its a city and very well managed.

Watching less television. The political ads are down right punishing. They are all going to solve everything!

Shoes by “ON” Are the best. I live in them now. They have a company store on NW 23rd. Nobody makes a more comfortable slip on shoe than them. Speaking of shoes, watch the new CEO of Nike turn that ship around. He knows the business inside & out. A true Shoe Dog! I have no idea why the last guy is hanging around, he did lots of damage.

FILBERTS IN AURORA 

Just started this new Goodwin book. Very good into the first 30 pages.

NEW NIKE CEO ELLIOTT HILL

 

 

 

 

FRIDAY SURPRISE

Happy day after turkey, hope you have some leftovers. Looks like Tigard Cinemas will be a vast apartment complex. The site is all rubble. I was there for the grand opening when Tommy Moyer cut a beautiful red ribbon to give theater goers a new experience. Today that has shifted to watching first run films & more at home.

Giant Burger in Lake Grove was sold ( again!) & will be interesting to see what concept will be going in. It’s made for a Mike’s but I hear that’s not on the escrow papers….Nobody will give a straight answer on how many luxury condos have been sold in the glitzy Ritz Carlton Hotel. Lots of this & that. Restaurant leases are pushing $1,000 a square foot, unheard of rents.

Running into ex Gov, John Kitzhauber & had a lively conversation. He’s a very bright guy. Riccardo’s Italian Restaurant announced they had fresh razor clams, five stars here. Get on their email list, they make it entertaining. When you see they have Razor Clams, run don’t walk.

Portland announced we will get two police  beat walkers for little Detroit! They better be quick in Portland town. I rarely ever see a patrol car down in that mess.

Where can we find The Portland Tribune in print form? Curb Your Enthusiasm will be the best season ever & their last. Larry David is one of a kind.

Whats left of Tigard Cinemas 

BEST MEXICAN FOOD IN THE CITY ….OTHER ITEMS

So friends my quest to find the best Mexican restaurant in town is over. I’m officially retired from this mission after trying suggestions from best lists, friends etc…So here you go, enjoy every bite, no matter what you order. It’s LA PARRILLA KITCHEN with two spots, one at 9554 SW Allen Blvd, right across from BURGERVILLE, the other is deep in Beaverton on Hart Rd. The staff is wonderful, the food is a delight and very authentic and do not miss a side of Mole sauce to put on a burrito, taco, rice etc. I’m no big drinker but friends tell me they pour a whopper Mojito. I’m done driving around looking, this place is extremely well run & the food is delicious. Thank you Luis for this top recommendation. 
PS; Their trio enchiladas are a home run.

EVER SEE MOLE THIS GOOD ? Best I’ve ever had. 

Moving on to other matters, new TV news hires need a class in pronouncing our rivers and street names, very low rank when they can’t spill out WILLAMETTE. Wheres Kathy Smith when you need her?

Am I the only one getting offers to subscribe to magazines for $8.00 a year? How does that pencil? The production, content, mailing can’t be $8 bucks…. I signed up, still like pulp in my fingers. I got one from Readers Digest for a real low ball number. Who reads that today? I figured out that AARP monthly magazine is bigger than than the daily Oregonian. I enjoy flipping through that, seems like they have a good team producing stories that connect with Boomers.

Thirsty Lion makes a good burger. Their people make the food better. Great jazzed staff at Greenberg Rd by Washington Square. Friday is chowder day & it’s terrific. 

FIVE PLUS STARS for the non fiction book “Master Slave - Husband Wife” by Ilyon Woo. This book is so vivid it puts you there in 1848. A shameful time for this country. I’m giving this best of last year and to date because nothing topped this in 22. Every page is a hook.

I’m rooting for The Ritz Carleton to succeed in center city. This could actually be the pivot to turn the area around. It’s better than it was a year ago.

The new Sleepy Monk Coffee blend called Oregon Fog is the best period. No clue how their roasters in Cannon do it. It’s just marvelous coffee. Google them,they ship.

I’m making progress seeing the Oscar picks. My two favs for best picture are The Fabelman’s and All Quiet on the Western Front. Two very different films and top of the game. The one I have such curiosity in viewing is the movie that’s made under $40,000, cost 1 mill to make and was hidden until a few big players in the biz started jumping up and down for Andrea Risenorough’s performance in “To Leslie”

She is up for best actress! Everyone says she is the new shining Oscar star. I don’t think that scenario has ever won at The Oscars. 

The Top Gun nomination is Horseshit. He ( Cruise) made a slog of cash for the industry and helped the box office ring again. The film and his performance is not worthy of an Oscar or two.  

Please support my friends out in Oak Grove at ROAKE’S Coney Island. Food network needs to make a stop and shoot Jim & Ruth in the kitchen. It’s my death row dinner so don’t forget kids! Double coney, extra sauce, extra onion & chilies with their fabulous fries with coney sauce. Oh god it’s a gift. 

Can I publicly state I despise being led to a self check out counter. insulting to me. 

23rd & Burnside

NO FRIDAY SURPRISE

Wow what a day! Due to shortage of workers in one day this was reported to me & confirmed. A good pal walked into Jersey Mikes on the west end of our town & couldn’t find an employee. Place was empty with the lights on and cash register lit! He waited 15 minutes & gave up. Try calling their corporate phone, it’s disconnected. How long do you give this faceless chain of bland sandwiches? Must be a hex on MIKE, because Mike’s Burgers in Tigard recently opened and now the joint is closed down. Who knows the real story here, they claim the store needs more training. Take more guesses……I subscribed to the pulp edition of Wall St Journal, it landed 3 days out of 17. They say the drivers are non existent… so I walk into Barnes & Not Noble at Bridgeport Village  to buy a paper with 9 customers in line and a lady behind the counter. I’m watching three employees in there doing nothing. Felt bad for the cashier, she’s a victim too. Oh, how about buying a car & a year later no title! That’s me folks. Beaverton Mercedes is a horrible outfit to do business with. Owned by faceless Lithia in Dreadford Oregon. The good news is I’m not in Ukraine or have a child in a Texas school. My problems are minimal. 

 

Sign at Mike’s in Tigard..

DON’T MISS THIS BISTRO ON THE NEW VANCOUVER WATERFRONT ….And …F’N GOOD PICKLES

FRIDAY SHORT SURPRISE 

Hey! It’s been a full time job taking care of Phil. So here it is for this rainy day Friday in Portland town ….The new Vancouver Waterfront project is a hit, clean, beautifully appointed & has one of the best bistros to open in our area in years. DOS ALAS is superior to anything in Portland & it’s just across the bridge.
DJ deluxe, Bob Miller turned this blogger onto Grillo’s Pickles. Oh yeah they are good. You will find them at plenty of grocers including New Seasons.
Crooner, Michael Buble returns to the Moda on September 27. Tickets go on sale today. He’s an old soul in a new suit. Fabulous entertainer.
Lots of chatter on Ruby Motors as the spot to go for a very clean pre owned car or sell yours without the hassle of doing it yourself. 5 star reviews … Here is more https://www.rubymotorspdx.com/

DOS ALAS on the Vancouver Waterfront project. Great outdoor seating! 

Millers pick 

Fabulous! 

PHIL 

GET A TASTE OF THIS…..BEST FISH & CHIPS …MAKE LOVIN FUN … AND MORE

Willamette Valley Vineyards opens a beautiful tasting room & restaurant today. You will find it in downtown Lake Oswego at 55 S. State Street. The new digs will feature indoor & outdoor fireplaces & well appointed eatery. Owners & staff of  Willamette Valley Vineyards are great Oregonians.

Stevie Nicks will be performing on June 10th at the RV INN STYLE RESORTS AMPHITHEATER ( that’s a mouthful) …. Tickets go on sale today. I did some googling on this venue in Ridgefield Washington and it’s very nicely done. She puts on a fantastic show.

Bet you didn’t know that Simon Benson Visited a hotel in Chicago by the name, The Blackstone & told the famous architect, A.E. Doyle, “build me one of those” …. He did exactly that with The Benson in 1913. Cost to lumberman Benson was a cool million with the newest of everything including a phone in every room, private baths, new electric light systems and more. It made the registry of historic places in 1980.

The Portland Tribune is on line of course but this old blogger still likes pulp in my paws so I grabbed one downtown. It had terrific content. I wish it would be available in the metro area. 

Phil & Penny Knight gave 75 million to Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s research. This mighty couple saved so many lives with their contributions to leukemia research at OHSU. They just do it!  

Best fish & chips anywhere ( and great coleslaw) is served at The Highland Stillhouse in Oregon City. 5 stars all the way to this wonderful authentic Scottish pub at 201 S. 2nd St. So many friends have talked this spot up and they are not kidding around. Make sure you explore the upper level & nice outdoor area overlooking the falls. 
https://www.highlandstillhouse.com/

Highland Stillhouse historic bar.

TOP RECOMMENDATION TO VISIT THIS GREAT SPOT IN OREGON CITY. 

BEST FISH & CHIPS ANYWHERE. 

Stevie will be appearing in our area. 

New Willamette Valley Vineyards in Lake Oswego 

Simon Benson was impressed by The Blackstone in Chicago. You can see similarities with his Benson.

DONLON FLIPPING STATIONS IN WINDY CITY …..COULD BE BEST BURGER….LITTLE MORE

Best Rueben sandwich can be engulfed at Bud Clark’s old haunt The Goose Hollow Inn on SW Jefferson. I forgot how wonderful it is ….Skyline Burger is my death row Cheeseburger but Helvetia Burger in Hillsboro could be a tossup. The Jumbo burger is very special along with their famous onion rings that come close to par with Ringside. 

Joe Donlon who put in years at KGW split to Chicago for a national cable news show that was short lived. Donlon who took a ton of Chicago wind over his softie interview with Trump is landing at the CBS affiliate, WBBM which is in the tank ratings wise. Nobody could really figure out News Nation.

Voodoo Donuts have a location in Milwaukie-Oak Grove area. I drove by and thought they just opened. The clerk told me on the phone, it’s been open for a year and most donut nuts don’t know it’s there.

If you are a fan of the hit series Succession, the new bio by Brian Cox who plays Logan Roy is terrific. He’s a very good storyteller. The book is titled, Putting the Rabbit in the Hat. If you haven’t seen the series, I guarantee you will binge it. ( HBO)

Drove by a Oswego listing, one bedroom, 1.5 bath, looked like 900 feet for $750,000. It’s realty bizzaro time friends.

Actor Kevin Costner was allegedly seen in The Pizza Thief on NW Vaughn Street. He must know his pizza because it’s the best in the city. 

KGW needs to work with their new anchor. He’s stiff as Lurch on Adams Family.

Tulips are sprouting in Woodburn….Terrific exhibits are going on now at The Oregon Historical Society. I really enjoyed the Portland Buckaroo presentation. 


JOE DONLON IS ON THE MOVE IN CHICAGO 

Voodoo is on the strip through Milwaukie & Oakgrove. 

Yes! They could very well be serving the best burger in Hillsboro