Brooke Geery

Blogs

Ripped from the archives

Jam on Hawthorne

2239 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: January 13, 2010 Price for 2 (with tip) $18.50 Jam on Hawthorne is a pretty typical Portland breakfast joint, and if you know any thing about Portland, that's a good thing, at least foodwise. Ample portions, lots of variety and a full bar with all sorts of specialty cocktails are a must for any go-to breakfast spot in this town. But of course, there is a dark side to almost all of the good ones: the are small and usually crowded, and unfortunately, this much is also true for Jam. We managed to arrive at prime lunch time, and had to put our…
Read More

The Space Room/ Brite Spot Cafe

4800 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.spaceroomlounge.com/ Date of Visit: 1/12/2010 Price for 2 (with tip): $14.50 After yesterday's round up of places yet to go, it became clear we're pretty much scraping the bottom of the barrel on Hawthorne. 80% of remaining restaurants are of the scummy bar variety, and, well, my ass is already fat enough. But one place I hadn't thought of was Big Bertha's; a-ten-dollar-and-under gyro sounded mighty delicious today. It turned out though, that there was a reason we hadn't tried it: this is is exclusively a late night spot. So we hastily opted for the Space Room, directly across the street. I've been to this bar…
Read More

States #28-29: Wisconsin and South Dakota

I know, I know, these two states are NOT TOUCHING, and technically I think I drove though one of them on a different trip first, but it was my cross country drive in 2001 when I first stopped to skateboard in them each. I went back to Wisconsin a few years later while living in Chicago to skateboard, and went back on an epic South Dakota adventure with Sarah Morrison in February 2006, but as far as the order of initial visit, this is where they've ended up. #28 South Dakota [gallery=26] I love South Dakota. Maybe I just have a thing for states with South in the name, but…
Read More

Chopsticks

3616 SE Hawthorne Blvd Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Date of visit: 12/21/09 The Chopsticks on Hawthorne is one of four restaurants so named in Portland. Is it a chain or just a common name? I have no idea. But I do know it was a place we drove by a million times without even thinking of eating at. Sandwiched between the Bridgeport Ale House, and some sort of retail establishment, the somewhat classy Asian restaurant almost just blends in. Once we did tune into it, there was still some hesitation, because from the fancy sign and ornate decorations, frankly it looked expensive. But we finally made it inside…
Read More

Noah’s Bagels

3541 Southeast Hawthorne http://www.noahs.com/ Date of visit: November 29, 2009 Cost for 2: $18 Noah's bagels was one of those gray areas in this (lately somewhat neglected) blog project, which is probably why it's taken me so long to get around to writing it up (that and I am lazy.) Since it's technically a chain, it wasn't really necessary for us to eat there to reach our goal, but on this random day, it seemed like a good idea. But since I'm obviously not overly inspired by a bagel chain I'll keep this short. Bagels in Portland, like pizza, aren't great. So Noah's NY-style bagels are about as good as…
Read More

States #30-32: ND, MN and MI

Before I got bored with driving cross country, I managed to take just about every route possible, mostly to hit various skateparks for the above map. The first trip that took me through the states of MI, MN and ND in 2002 also involved Canada for a trip to the Millennium skatepark in Calgary, a passenger who learned to drive standard a few days before and had brought $17 total with him (but he had some Canadian money too!) It didn't, however, involve many photos (or it did and I just can't find them), so for this installment, you'll just have to enjoy my exciting tales about each state. Don't…
Read More

Polaroids: Part 1

In college, armed with my dad's corporate card and the knowledge anything purchased at B & H was a tax deduction, I became obsessed with Polaroids. Back then, digital cameras had such lag and poor quality, my need for instant gratification was much more satisfied with the grainy, smelly, little magic squares. I probably spent thousands of dollars on film, and shot everything from party photos to action shots with them. I've been going through old photos a lot lately, mainly trying to track down shots of every state, and I keep getting frustrated as my college years seem to be gone forever. Then I remembered the over stuffed manila…
Read More

Jam on Hawthorne

2239 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: January 13, 2010 Price for 2 (with tip) $18.50 Jam on Hawthorne is a pretty typical Portland breakfast joint, and if you know any thing about Portland, that's a good thing, at least foodwise. Ample portions, lots of variety and a full bar with all sorts of specialty cocktails are a must for any go-to breakfast spot in this town. But of course, there is a dark side to almost all of the good ones: the are small and usually crowded, and unfortunately, this much is also true for Jam. We managed to arrive at prime lunch time, and had to put our…
Read More

The Space Room/ Brite Spot Cafe

4800 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.spaceroomlounge.com/ Date of Visit: 1/12/2010 Price for 2 (with tip): $14.50 After yesterday's round up of places yet to go, it became clear we're pretty much scraping the bottom of the barrel on Hawthorne. 80% of remaining restaurants are of the scummy bar variety, and, well, my ass is already fat enough. But one place I hadn't thought of was Big Bertha's; a-ten-dollar-and-under gyro sounded mighty delicious today. It turned out though, that there was a reason we hadn't tried it: this is is exclusively a late night spot. So we hastily opted for the Space Room, directly across the street. I've been to this bar…
Read More

States #28-29: Wisconsin and South Dakota

I know, I know, these two states are NOT TOUCHING, and technically I think I drove though one of them on a different trip first, but it was my cross country drive in 2001 when I first stopped to skateboard in them each. I went back to Wisconsin a few years later while living in Chicago to skateboard, and went back on an epic South Dakota adventure with Sarah Morrison in February 2006, but as far as the order of initial visit, this is where they've ended up. #28 South Dakota [gallery=26] I love South Dakota. Maybe I just have a thing for states with South in the name, but…
Read More

Chopsticks

3616 SE Hawthorne Blvd Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Date of visit: 12/21/09 The Chopsticks on Hawthorne is one of four restaurants so named in Portland. Is it a chain or just a common name? I have no idea. But I do know it was a place we drove by a million times without even thinking of eating at. Sandwiched between the Bridgeport Ale House, and some sort of retail establishment, the somewhat classy Asian restaurant almost just blends in. Once we did tune into it, there was still some hesitation, because from the fancy sign and ornate decorations, frankly it looked expensive. But we finally made it inside…
Read More

Noah’s Bagels

3541 Southeast Hawthorne http://www.noahs.com/ Date of visit: November 29, 2009 Cost for 2: $18 Noah's bagels was one of those gray areas in this (lately somewhat neglected) blog project, which is probably why it's taken me so long to get around to writing it up (that and I am lazy.) Since it's technically a chain, it wasn't really necessary for us to eat there to reach our goal, but on this random day, it seemed like a good idea. But since I'm obviously not overly inspired by a bagel chain I'll keep this short. Bagels in Portland, like pizza, aren't great. So Noah's NY-style bagels are about as good as…
Read More

States #30-32: ND, MN and MI

Before I got bored with driving cross country, I managed to take just about every route possible, mostly to hit various skateparks for the above map. The first trip that took me through the states of MI, MN and ND in 2002 also involved Canada for a trip to the Millennium skatepark in Calgary, a passenger who learned to drive standard a few days before and had brought $17 total with him (but he had some Canadian money too!) It didn't, however, involve many photos (or it did and I just can't find them), so for this installment, you'll just have to enjoy my exciting tales about each state. Don't…
Read More

Polaroids: Part 1

In college, armed with my dad's corporate card and the knowledge anything purchased at B & H was a tax deduction, I became obsessed with Polaroids. Back then, digital cameras had such lag and poor quality, my need for instant gratification was much more satisfied with the grainy, smelly, little magic squares. I probably spent thousands of dollars on film, and shot everything from party photos to action shots with them. I've been going through old photos a lot lately, mainly trying to track down shots of every state, and I keep getting frustrated as my college years seem to be gone forever. Then I remembered the over stuffed manila…
Read More

Jam on Hawthorne

2239 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: January 13, 2010 Price for 2 (with tip) $18.50 Jam on Hawthorne is a pretty typical Portland breakfast joint, and if you know any thing about Portland, that's a good thing, at least foodwise. Ample portions, lots of variety and a full bar with all sorts of specialty cocktails are a must for any go-to breakfast spot in this town. But of course, there is a dark side to almost all of the good ones: the are small and usually crowded, and unfortunately, this much is also true for Jam. We managed to arrive at prime lunch time, and had to put our…
Read More

The Space Room/ Brite Spot Cafe

4800 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.spaceroomlounge.com/ Date of Visit: 1/12/2010 Price for 2 (with tip): $14.50 After yesterday's round up of places yet to go, it became clear we're pretty much scraping the bottom of the barrel on Hawthorne. 80% of remaining restaurants are of the scummy bar variety, and, well, my ass is already fat enough. But one place I hadn't thought of was Big Bertha's; a-ten-dollar-and-under gyro sounded mighty delicious today. It turned out though, that there was a reason we hadn't tried it: this is is exclusively a late night spot. So we hastily opted for the Space Room, directly across the street. I've been to this bar…
Read More

States #28-29: Wisconsin and South Dakota

I know, I know, these two states are NOT TOUCHING, and technically I think I drove though one of them on a different trip first, but it was my cross country drive in 2001 when I first stopped to skateboard in them each. I went back to Wisconsin a few years later while living in Chicago to skateboard, and went back on an epic South Dakota adventure with Sarah Morrison in February 2006, but as far as the order of initial visit, this is where they've ended up. #28 South Dakota [gallery=26] I love South Dakota. Maybe I just have a thing for states with South in the name, but…
Read More

Chopsticks

3616 SE Hawthorne Blvd Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Date of visit: 12/21/09 The Chopsticks on Hawthorne is one of four restaurants so named in Portland. Is it a chain or just a common name? I have no idea. But I do know it was a place we drove by a million times without even thinking of eating at. Sandwiched between the Bridgeport Ale House, and some sort of retail establishment, the somewhat classy Asian restaurant almost just blends in. Once we did tune into it, there was still some hesitation, because from the fancy sign and ornate decorations, frankly it looked expensive. But we finally made it inside…
Read More

Noah’s Bagels

3541 Southeast Hawthorne http://www.noahs.com/ Date of visit: November 29, 2009 Cost for 2: $18 Noah's bagels was one of those gray areas in this (lately somewhat neglected) blog project, which is probably why it's taken me so long to get around to writing it up (that and I am lazy.) Since it's technically a chain, it wasn't really necessary for us to eat there to reach our goal, but on this random day, it seemed like a good idea. But since I'm obviously not overly inspired by a bagel chain I'll keep this short. Bagels in Portland, like pizza, aren't great. So Noah's NY-style bagels are about as good as…
Read More

States #30-32: ND, MN and MI

Before I got bored with driving cross country, I managed to take just about every route possible, mostly to hit various skateparks for the above map. The first trip that took me through the states of MI, MN and ND in 2002 also involved Canada for a trip to the Millennium skatepark in Calgary, a passenger who learned to drive standard a few days before and had brought $17 total with him (but he had some Canadian money too!) It didn't, however, involve many photos (or it did and I just can't find them), so for this installment, you'll just have to enjoy my exciting tales about each state. Don't…
Read More

Polaroids: Part 1

In college, armed with my dad's corporate card and the knowledge anything purchased at B & H was a tax deduction, I became obsessed with Polaroids. Back then, digital cameras had such lag and poor quality, my need for instant gratification was much more satisfied with the grainy, smelly, little magic squares. I probably spent thousands of dollars on film, and shot everything from party photos to action shots with them. I've been going through old photos a lot lately, mainly trying to track down shots of every state, and I keep getting frustrated as my college years seem to be gone forever. Then I remembered the over stuffed manila…
Read More

Jam on Hawthorne

2239 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: January 13, 2010 Price for 2 (with tip) $18.50 Jam on Hawthorne is a pretty typical Portland breakfast joint, and if you know any thing about Portland, that's a good thing, at least foodwise. Ample portions, lots of variety and a full bar with all sorts of specialty cocktails are a must for any go-to breakfast spot in this town. But of course, there is a dark side to almost all of the good ones: the are small and usually crowded, and unfortunately, this much is also true for Jam. We managed to arrive at prime lunch time, and had to put our…
Read More

The Space Room/ Brite Spot Cafe

4800 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.spaceroomlounge.com/ Date of Visit: 1/12/2010 Price for 2 (with tip): $14.50 After yesterday's round up of places yet to go, it became clear we're pretty much scraping the bottom of the barrel on Hawthorne. 80% of remaining restaurants are of the scummy bar variety, and, well, my ass is already fat enough. But one place I hadn't thought of was Big Bertha's; a-ten-dollar-and-under gyro sounded mighty delicious today. It turned out though, that there was a reason we hadn't tried it: this is is exclusively a late night spot. So we hastily opted for the Space Room, directly across the street. I've been to this bar…
Read More

States #28-29: Wisconsin and South Dakota

I know, I know, these two states are NOT TOUCHING, and technically I think I drove though one of them on a different trip first, but it was my cross country drive in 2001 when I first stopped to skateboard in them each. I went back to Wisconsin a few years later while living in Chicago to skateboard, and went back on an epic South Dakota adventure with Sarah Morrison in February 2006, but as far as the order of initial visit, this is where they've ended up. #28 South Dakota [gallery=26] I love South Dakota. Maybe I just have a thing for states with South in the name, but…
Read More

Chopsticks

3616 SE Hawthorne Blvd Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Date of visit: 12/21/09 The Chopsticks on Hawthorne is one of four restaurants so named in Portland. Is it a chain or just a common name? I have no idea. But I do know it was a place we drove by a million times without even thinking of eating at. Sandwiched between the Bridgeport Ale House, and some sort of retail establishment, the somewhat classy Asian restaurant almost just blends in. Once we did tune into it, there was still some hesitation, because from the fancy sign and ornate decorations, frankly it looked expensive. But we finally made it inside…
Read More

Noah’s Bagels

3541 Southeast Hawthorne http://www.noahs.com/ Date of visit: November 29, 2009 Cost for 2: $18 Noah's bagels was one of those gray areas in this (lately somewhat neglected) blog project, which is probably why it's taken me so long to get around to writing it up (that and I am lazy.) Since it's technically a chain, it wasn't really necessary for us to eat there to reach our goal, but on this random day, it seemed like a good idea. But since I'm obviously not overly inspired by a bagel chain I'll keep this short. Bagels in Portland, like pizza, aren't great. So Noah's NY-style bagels are about as good as…
Read More

States #30-32: ND, MN and MI

Before I got bored with driving cross country, I managed to take just about every route possible, mostly to hit various skateparks for the above map. The first trip that took me through the states of MI, MN and ND in 2002 also involved Canada for a trip to the Millennium skatepark in Calgary, a passenger who learned to drive standard a few days before and had brought $17 total with him (but he had some Canadian money too!) It didn't, however, involve many photos (or it did and I just can't find them), so for this installment, you'll just have to enjoy my exciting tales about each state. Don't…
Read More

Polaroids: Part 1

In college, armed with my dad's corporate card and the knowledge anything purchased at B & H was a tax deduction, I became obsessed with Polaroids. Back then, digital cameras had such lag and poor quality, my need for instant gratification was much more satisfied with the grainy, smelly, little magic squares. I probably spent thousands of dollars on film, and shot everything from party photos to action shots with them. I've been going through old photos a lot lately, mainly trying to track down shots of every state, and I keep getting frustrated as my college years seem to be gone forever. Then I remembered the over stuffed manila…
Read More

Jam on Hawthorne

2239 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: January 13, 2010 Price for 2 (with tip) $18.50 Jam on Hawthorne is a pretty typical Portland breakfast joint, and if you know any thing about Portland, that's a good thing, at least foodwise. Ample portions, lots of variety and a full bar with all sorts of specialty cocktails are a must for any go-to breakfast spot in this town. But of course, there is a dark side to almost all of the good ones: the are small and usually crowded, and unfortunately, this much is also true for Jam. We managed to arrive at prime lunch time, and had to put our…
Read More

The Space Room/ Brite Spot Cafe

4800 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.spaceroomlounge.com/ Date of Visit: 1/12/2010 Price for 2 (with tip): $14.50 After yesterday's round up of places yet to go, it became clear we're pretty much scraping the bottom of the barrel on Hawthorne. 80% of remaining restaurants are of the scummy bar variety, and, well, my ass is already fat enough. But one place I hadn't thought of was Big Bertha's; a-ten-dollar-and-under gyro sounded mighty delicious today. It turned out though, that there was a reason we hadn't tried it: this is is exclusively a late night spot. So we hastily opted for the Space Room, directly across the street. I've been to this bar…
Read More

States #28-29: Wisconsin and South Dakota

I know, I know, these two states are NOT TOUCHING, and technically I think I drove though one of them on a different trip first, but it was my cross country drive in 2001 when I first stopped to skateboard in them each. I went back to Wisconsin a few years later while living in Chicago to skateboard, and went back on an epic South Dakota adventure with Sarah Morrison in February 2006, but as far as the order of initial visit, this is where they've ended up. #28 South Dakota [gallery=26] I love South Dakota. Maybe I just have a thing for states with South in the name, but…
Read More

Chopsticks

3616 SE Hawthorne Blvd Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Date of visit: 12/21/09 The Chopsticks on Hawthorne is one of four restaurants so named in Portland. Is it a chain or just a common name? I have no idea. But I do know it was a place we drove by a million times without even thinking of eating at. Sandwiched between the Bridgeport Ale House, and some sort of retail establishment, the somewhat classy Asian restaurant almost just blends in. Once we did tune into it, there was still some hesitation, because from the fancy sign and ornate decorations, frankly it looked expensive. But we finally made it inside…
Read More

Noah’s Bagels

3541 Southeast Hawthorne http://www.noahs.com/ Date of visit: November 29, 2009 Cost for 2: $18 Noah's bagels was one of those gray areas in this (lately somewhat neglected) blog project, which is probably why it's taken me so long to get around to writing it up (that and I am lazy.) Since it's technically a chain, it wasn't really necessary for us to eat there to reach our goal, but on this random day, it seemed like a good idea. But since I'm obviously not overly inspired by a bagel chain I'll keep this short. Bagels in Portland, like pizza, aren't great. So Noah's NY-style bagels are about as good as…
Read More

States #30-32: ND, MN and MI

Before I got bored with driving cross country, I managed to take just about every route possible, mostly to hit various skateparks for the above map. The first trip that took me through the states of MI, MN and ND in 2002 also involved Canada for a trip to the Millennium skatepark in Calgary, a passenger who learned to drive standard a few days before and had brought $17 total with him (but he had some Canadian money too!) It didn't, however, involve many photos (or it did and I just can't find them), so for this installment, you'll just have to enjoy my exciting tales about each state. Don't…
Read More

Polaroids: Part 1

In college, armed with my dad's corporate card and the knowledge anything purchased at B & H was a tax deduction, I became obsessed with Polaroids. Back then, digital cameras had such lag and poor quality, my need for instant gratification was much more satisfied with the grainy, smelly, little magic squares. I probably spent thousands of dollars on film, and shot everything from party photos to action shots with them. I've been going through old photos a lot lately, mainly trying to track down shots of every state, and I keep getting frustrated as my college years seem to be gone forever. Then I remembered the over stuffed manila…
Read More

Jam on Hawthorne

2239 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: January 13, 2010 Price for 2 (with tip) $18.50 Jam on Hawthorne is a pretty typical Portland breakfast joint, and if you know any thing about Portland, that's a good thing, at least foodwise. Ample portions, lots of variety and a full bar with all sorts of specialty cocktails are a must for any go-to breakfast spot in this town. But of course, there is a dark side to almost all of the good ones: the are small and usually crowded, and unfortunately, this much is also true for Jam. We managed to arrive at prime lunch time, and had to put our…
Read More

The Space Room/ Brite Spot Cafe

4800 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.spaceroomlounge.com/ Date of Visit: 1/12/2010 Price for 2 (with tip): $14.50 After yesterday's round up of places yet to go, it became clear we're pretty much scraping the bottom of the barrel on Hawthorne. 80% of remaining restaurants are of the scummy bar variety, and, well, my ass is already fat enough. But one place I hadn't thought of was Big Bertha's; a-ten-dollar-and-under gyro sounded mighty delicious today. It turned out though, that there was a reason we hadn't tried it: this is is exclusively a late night spot. So we hastily opted for the Space Room, directly across the street. I've been to this bar…
Read More

States #28-29: Wisconsin and South Dakota

I know, I know, these two states are NOT TOUCHING, and technically I think I drove though one of them on a different trip first, but it was my cross country drive in 2001 when I first stopped to skateboard in them each. I went back to Wisconsin a few years later while living in Chicago to skateboard, and went back on an epic South Dakota adventure with Sarah Morrison in February 2006, but as far as the order of initial visit, this is where they've ended up. #28 South Dakota [gallery=26] I love South Dakota. Maybe I just have a thing for states with South in the name, but…
Read More

Chopsticks

3616 SE Hawthorne Blvd Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Date of visit: 12/21/09 The Chopsticks on Hawthorne is one of four restaurants so named in Portland. Is it a chain or just a common name? I have no idea. But I do know it was a place we drove by a million times without even thinking of eating at. Sandwiched between the Bridgeport Ale House, and some sort of retail establishment, the somewhat classy Asian restaurant almost just blends in. Once we did tune into it, there was still some hesitation, because from the fancy sign and ornate decorations, frankly it looked expensive. But we finally made it inside…
Read More

Noah’s Bagels

3541 Southeast Hawthorne http://www.noahs.com/ Date of visit: November 29, 2009 Cost for 2: $18 Noah's bagels was one of those gray areas in this (lately somewhat neglected) blog project, which is probably why it's taken me so long to get around to writing it up (that and I am lazy.) Since it's technically a chain, it wasn't really necessary for us to eat there to reach our goal, but on this random day, it seemed like a good idea. But since I'm obviously not overly inspired by a bagel chain I'll keep this short. Bagels in Portland, like pizza, aren't great. So Noah's NY-style bagels are about as good as…
Read More

States #30-32: ND, MN and MI

Before I got bored with driving cross country, I managed to take just about every route possible, mostly to hit various skateparks for the above map. The first trip that took me through the states of MI, MN and ND in 2002 also involved Canada for a trip to the Millennium skatepark in Calgary, a passenger who learned to drive standard a few days before and had brought $17 total with him (but he had some Canadian money too!) It didn't, however, involve many photos (or it did and I just can't find them), so for this installment, you'll just have to enjoy my exciting tales about each state. Don't…
Read More

Polaroids: Part 1

In college, armed with my dad's corporate card and the knowledge anything purchased at B & H was a tax deduction, I became obsessed with Polaroids. Back then, digital cameras had such lag and poor quality, my need for instant gratification was much more satisfied with the grainy, smelly, little magic squares. I probably spent thousands of dollars on film, and shot everything from party photos to action shots with them. I've been going through old photos a lot lately, mainly trying to track down shots of every state, and I keep getting frustrated as my college years seem to be gone forever. Then I remembered the over stuffed manila…
Read More

Jam on Hawthorne

2239 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: January 13, 2010 Price for 2 (with tip) $18.50 Jam on Hawthorne is a pretty typical Portland breakfast joint, and if you know any thing about Portland, that's a good thing, at least foodwise. Ample portions, lots of variety and a full bar with all sorts of specialty cocktails are a must for any go-to breakfast spot in this town. But of course, there is a dark side to almost all of the good ones: the are small and usually crowded, and unfortunately, this much is also true for Jam. We managed to arrive at prime lunch time, and had to put our…
Read More

The Space Room/ Brite Spot Cafe

4800 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.spaceroomlounge.com/ Date of Visit: 1/12/2010 Price for 2 (with tip): $14.50 After yesterday's round up of places yet to go, it became clear we're pretty much scraping the bottom of the barrel on Hawthorne. 80% of remaining restaurants are of the scummy bar variety, and, well, my ass is already fat enough. But one place I hadn't thought of was Big Bertha's; a-ten-dollar-and-under gyro sounded mighty delicious today. It turned out though, that there was a reason we hadn't tried it: this is is exclusively a late night spot. So we hastily opted for the Space Room, directly across the street. I've been to this bar…
Read More

States #28-29: Wisconsin and South Dakota

I know, I know, these two states are NOT TOUCHING, and technically I think I drove though one of them on a different trip first, but it was my cross country drive in 2001 when I first stopped to skateboard in them each. I went back to Wisconsin a few years later while living in Chicago to skateboard, and went back on an epic South Dakota adventure with Sarah Morrison in February 2006, but as far as the order of initial visit, this is where they've ended up. #28 South Dakota [gallery=26] I love South Dakota. Maybe I just have a thing for states with South in the name, but…
Read More

Chopsticks

3616 SE Hawthorne Blvd Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Date of visit: 12/21/09 The Chopsticks on Hawthorne is one of four restaurants so named in Portland. Is it a chain or just a common name? I have no idea. But I do know it was a place we drove by a million times without even thinking of eating at. Sandwiched between the Bridgeport Ale House, and some sort of retail establishment, the somewhat classy Asian restaurant almost just blends in. Once we did tune into it, there was still some hesitation, because from the fancy sign and ornate decorations, frankly it looked expensive. But we finally made it inside…
Read More

Noah’s Bagels

3541 Southeast Hawthorne http://www.noahs.com/ Date of visit: November 29, 2009 Cost for 2: $18 Noah's bagels was one of those gray areas in this (lately somewhat neglected) blog project, which is probably why it's taken me so long to get around to writing it up (that and I am lazy.) Since it's technically a chain, it wasn't really necessary for us to eat there to reach our goal, but on this random day, it seemed like a good idea. But since I'm obviously not overly inspired by a bagel chain I'll keep this short. Bagels in Portland, like pizza, aren't great. So Noah's NY-style bagels are about as good as…
Read More

States #30-32: ND, MN and MI

Before I got bored with driving cross country, I managed to take just about every route possible, mostly to hit various skateparks for the above map. The first trip that took me through the states of MI, MN and ND in 2002 also involved Canada for a trip to the Millennium skatepark in Calgary, a passenger who learned to drive standard a few days before and had brought $17 total with him (but he had some Canadian money too!) It didn't, however, involve many photos (or it did and I just can't find them), so for this installment, you'll just have to enjoy my exciting tales about each state. Don't…
Read More

Polaroids: Part 1

In college, armed with my dad's corporate card and the knowledge anything purchased at B & H was a tax deduction, I became obsessed with Polaroids. Back then, digital cameras had such lag and poor quality, my need for instant gratification was much more satisfied with the grainy, smelly, little magic squares. I probably spent thousands of dollars on film, and shot everything from party photos to action shots with them. I've been going through old photos a lot lately, mainly trying to track down shots of every state, and I keep getting frustrated as my college years seem to be gone forever. Then I remembered the over stuffed manila…
Read More

Jam on Hawthorne

2239 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: January 13, 2010 Price for 2 (with tip) $18.50 Jam on Hawthorne is a pretty typical Portland breakfast joint, and if you know any thing about Portland, that's a good thing, at least foodwise. Ample portions, lots of variety and a full bar with all sorts of specialty cocktails are a must for any go-to breakfast spot in this town. But of course, there is a dark side to almost all of the good ones: the are small and usually crowded, and unfortunately, this much is also true for Jam. We managed to arrive at prime lunch time, and had to put our…
Read More

The Space Room/ Brite Spot Cafe

4800 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.spaceroomlounge.com/ Date of Visit: 1/12/2010 Price for 2 (with tip): $14.50 After yesterday's round up of places yet to go, it became clear we're pretty much scraping the bottom of the barrel on Hawthorne. 80% of remaining restaurants are of the scummy bar variety, and, well, my ass is already fat enough. But one place I hadn't thought of was Big Bertha's; a-ten-dollar-and-under gyro sounded mighty delicious today. It turned out though, that there was a reason we hadn't tried it: this is is exclusively a late night spot. So we hastily opted for the Space Room, directly across the street. I've been to this bar…
Read More

States #28-29: Wisconsin and South Dakota

I know, I know, these two states are NOT TOUCHING, and technically I think I drove though one of them on a different trip first, but it was my cross country drive in 2001 when I first stopped to skateboard in them each. I went back to Wisconsin a few years later while living in Chicago to skateboard, and went back on an epic South Dakota adventure with Sarah Morrison in February 2006, but as far as the order of initial visit, this is where they've ended up. #28 South Dakota [gallery=26] I love South Dakota. Maybe I just have a thing for states with South in the name, but…
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Chopsticks

3616 SE Hawthorne Blvd Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Date of visit: 12/21/09 The Chopsticks on Hawthorne is one of four restaurants so named in Portland. Is it a chain or just a common name? I have no idea. But I do know it was a place we drove by a million times without even thinking of eating at. Sandwiched between the Bridgeport Ale House, and some sort of retail establishment, the somewhat classy Asian restaurant almost just blends in. Once we did tune into it, there was still some hesitation, because from the fancy sign and ornate decorations, frankly it looked expensive. But we finally made it inside…
Read More

Noah’s Bagels

3541 Southeast Hawthorne http://www.noahs.com/ Date of visit: November 29, 2009 Cost for 2: $18 Noah's bagels was one of those gray areas in this (lately somewhat neglected) blog project, which is probably why it's taken me so long to get around to writing it up (that and I am lazy.) Since it's technically a chain, it wasn't really necessary for us to eat there to reach our goal, but on this random day, it seemed like a good idea. But since I'm obviously not overly inspired by a bagel chain I'll keep this short. Bagels in Portland, like pizza, aren't great. So Noah's NY-style bagels are about as good as…
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States #30-32: ND, MN and MI

Before I got bored with driving cross country, I managed to take just about every route possible, mostly to hit various skateparks for the above map. The first trip that took me through the states of MI, MN and ND in 2002 also involved Canada for a trip to the Millennium skatepark in Calgary, a passenger who learned to drive standard a few days before and had brought $17 total with him (but he had some Canadian money too!) It didn't, however, involve many photos (or it did and I just can't find them), so for this installment, you'll just have to enjoy my exciting tales about each state. Don't…
Read More

Polaroids: Part 1

In college, armed with my dad's corporate card and the knowledge anything purchased at B & H was a tax deduction, I became obsessed with Polaroids. Back then, digital cameras had such lag and poor quality, my need for instant gratification was much more satisfied with the grainy, smelly, little magic squares. I probably spent thousands of dollars on film, and shot everything from party photos to action shots with them. I've been going through old photos a lot lately, mainly trying to track down shots of every state, and I keep getting frustrated as my college years seem to be gone forever. Then I remembered the over stuffed manila…
Read More

Jam on Hawthorne

2239 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: January 13, 2010 Price for 2 (with tip) $18.50 Jam on Hawthorne is a pretty typical Portland breakfast joint, and if you know any thing about Portland, that's a good thing, at least foodwise. Ample portions, lots of variety and a full bar with all sorts of specialty cocktails are a must for any go-to breakfast spot in this town. But of course, there is a dark side to almost all of the good ones: the are small and usually crowded, and unfortunately, this much is also true for Jam. We managed to arrive at prime lunch time, and had to put our…
Read More

The Space Room/ Brite Spot Cafe

4800 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.spaceroomlounge.com/ Date of Visit: 1/12/2010 Price for 2 (with tip): $14.50 After yesterday's round up of places yet to go, it became clear we're pretty much scraping the bottom of the barrel on Hawthorne. 80% of remaining restaurants are of the scummy bar variety, and, well, my ass is already fat enough. But one place I hadn't thought of was Big Bertha's; a-ten-dollar-and-under gyro sounded mighty delicious today. It turned out though, that there was a reason we hadn't tried it: this is is exclusively a late night spot. So we hastily opted for the Space Room, directly across the street. I've been to this bar…
Read More

States #28-29: Wisconsin and South Dakota

I know, I know, these two states are NOT TOUCHING, and technically I think I drove though one of them on a different trip first, but it was my cross country drive in 2001 when I first stopped to skateboard in them each. I went back to Wisconsin a few years later while living in Chicago to skateboard, and went back on an epic South Dakota adventure with Sarah Morrison in February 2006, but as far as the order of initial visit, this is where they've ended up. #28 South Dakota [gallery=26] I love South Dakota. Maybe I just have a thing for states with South in the name, but…
Read More

Chopsticks

3616 SE Hawthorne Blvd Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Date of visit: 12/21/09 The Chopsticks on Hawthorne is one of four restaurants so named in Portland. Is it a chain or just a common name? I have no idea. But I do know it was a place we drove by a million times without even thinking of eating at. Sandwiched between the Bridgeport Ale House, and some sort of retail establishment, the somewhat classy Asian restaurant almost just blends in. Once we did tune into it, there was still some hesitation, because from the fancy sign and ornate decorations, frankly it looked expensive. But we finally made it inside…
Read More

Noah’s Bagels

3541 Southeast Hawthorne http://www.noahs.com/ Date of visit: November 29, 2009 Cost for 2: $18 Noah's bagels was one of those gray areas in this (lately somewhat neglected) blog project, which is probably why it's taken me so long to get around to writing it up (that and I am lazy.) Since it's technically a chain, it wasn't really necessary for us to eat there to reach our goal, but on this random day, it seemed like a good idea. But since I'm obviously not overly inspired by a bagel chain I'll keep this short. Bagels in Portland, like pizza, aren't great. So Noah's NY-style bagels are about as good as…
Read More

States #30-32: ND, MN and MI

Before I got bored with driving cross country, I managed to take just about every route possible, mostly to hit various skateparks for the above map. The first trip that took me through the states of MI, MN and ND in 2002 also involved Canada for a trip to the Millennium skatepark in Calgary, a passenger who learned to drive standard a few days before and had brought $17 total with him (but he had some Canadian money too!) It didn't, however, involve many photos (or it did and I just can't find them), so for this installment, you'll just have to enjoy my exciting tales about each state. Don't…
Read More

Polaroids: Part 1

In college, armed with my dad's corporate card and the knowledge anything purchased at B & H was a tax deduction, I became obsessed with Polaroids. Back then, digital cameras had such lag and poor quality, my need for instant gratification was much more satisfied with the grainy, smelly, little magic squares. I probably spent thousands of dollars on film, and shot everything from party photos to action shots with them. I've been going through old photos a lot lately, mainly trying to track down shots of every state, and I keep getting frustrated as my college years seem to be gone forever. Then I remembered the over stuffed manila…
Read More

Jam on Hawthorne

2239 SE Hawthorne Blvd Date of visit: January 13, 2010 Price for 2 (with tip) $18.50 Jam on Hawthorne is a pretty typical Portland breakfast joint, and if you know any thing about Portland, that's a good thing, at least foodwise. Ample portions, lots of variety and a full bar with all sorts of specialty cocktails are a must for any go-to breakfast spot in this town. But of course, there is a dark side to almost all of the good ones: the are small and usually crowded, and unfortunately, this much is also true for Jam. We managed to arrive at prime lunch time, and had to put our…
Read More

The Space Room/ Brite Spot Cafe

4800 SE Hawthorne Blvd http://www.spaceroomlounge.com/ Date of Visit: 1/12/2010 Price for 2 (with tip): $14.50 After yesterday's round up of places yet to go, it became clear we're pretty much scraping the bottom of the barrel on Hawthorne. 80% of remaining restaurants are of the scummy bar variety, and, well, my ass is already fat enough. But one place I hadn't thought of was Big Bertha's; a-ten-dollar-and-under gyro sounded mighty delicious today. It turned out though, that there was a reason we hadn't tried it: this is is exclusively a late night spot. So we hastily opted for the Space Room, directly across the street. I've been to this bar…
Read More

States #28-29: Wisconsin and South Dakota

I know, I know, these two states are NOT TOUCHING, and technically I think I drove though one of them on a different trip first, but it was my cross country drive in 2001 when I first stopped to skateboard in them each. I went back to Wisconsin a few years later while living in Chicago to skateboard, and went back on an epic South Dakota adventure with Sarah Morrison in February 2006, but as far as the order of initial visit, this is where they've ended up. #28 South Dakota [gallery=26] I love South Dakota. Maybe I just have a thing for states with South in the name, but…
Read More

Chopsticks

3616 SE Hawthorne Blvd Price for 2 (with tip) $16 Date of visit: 12/21/09 The Chopsticks on Hawthorne is one of four restaurants so named in Portland. Is it a chain or just a common name? I have no idea. But I do know it was a place we drove by a million times without even thinking of eating at. Sandwiched between the Bridgeport Ale House, and some sort of retail establishment, the somewhat classy Asian restaurant almost just blends in. Once we did tune into it, there was still some hesitation, because from the fancy sign and ornate decorations, frankly it looked expensive. But we finally made it inside…
Read More

Noah’s Bagels

3541 Southeast Hawthorne http://www.noahs.com/ Date of visit: November 29, 2009 Cost for 2: $18 Noah's bagels was one of those gray areas in this (lately somewhat neglected) blog project, which is probably why it's taken me so long to get around to writing it up (that and I am lazy.) Since it's technically a chain, it wasn't really necessary for us to eat there to reach our goal, but on this random day, it seemed like a good idea. But since I'm obviously not overly inspired by a bagel chain I'll keep this short. Bagels in Portland, like pizza, aren't great. So Noah's NY-style bagels are about as good as…
Read More

States #30-32: ND, MN and MI

Before I got bored with driving cross country, I managed to take just about every route possible, mostly to hit various skateparks for the above map. The first trip that took me through the states of MI, MN and ND in 2002 also involved Canada for a trip to the Millennium skatepark in Calgary, a passenger who learned to drive standard a few days before and had brought $17 total with him (but he had some Canadian money too!) It didn't, however, involve many photos (or it did and I just can't find them), so for this installment, you'll just have to enjoy my exciting tales about each state. Don't…
Read More

Polaroids: Part 1

In college, armed with my dad's corporate card and the knowledge anything purchased at B & H was a tax deduction, I became obsessed with Polaroids. Back then, digital cameras had such lag and poor quality, my need for instant gratification was much more satisfied with the grainy, smelly, little magic squares. I probably spent thousands of dollars on film, and shot everything from party photos to action shots with them. I've been going through old photos a lot lately, mainly trying to track down shots of every state, and I keep getting frustrated as my college years seem to be gone forever. Then I remembered the over stuffed manila…
Read More