And what have you baked lately? Seriously, this cafe is a MUST, for Francophiles or for those looking for a nice, leisurely spot for a snack.
Another delightful French-styled restaurant to experience is Carafe, 200 SW Market St., a Parisian-ish bistro quite unique to this fair city, where another Parisian native, Chef Pascal Sauton, has created an original French menu complemented by local food artisans' wares. Naturellement, whatever you choose will be paired with a perfect glass of wine from the carefully crafted wine list. L'chaim!
Yet another fun, Edith Piaf-in-the-air bistro is one of the favorites of Veronique Meunier, and boy, does she have good taste!
While dining at Le Bouchon, 517 NW 14th Ave., Veronique and I tasted some deliciously creamy green pea soup, perfectly warmed, and a white fish that was so delicately prepared with local veggies, I didn't even feel guilty for tasting it (I'm a 'vegetarian' who tries not to eat things that have faces).
If you are still able to continue the gastronomy tour, then head to Pix Patisseries, with unbelievably detailed pastries, all Parisian-style. In fact, each July, Pix's North Portland location is the site of the city's Bastille Day Block Party! You can't get much more French than that, c'est vrai?
Then onto lunch at Chez Machin creperie, 3552 SW Hawthorne Blvd., a fave among locals who know they're getting authentically-made crepes and a wide assortment of fresh salads. One more foodie thing'have something at the Petite Provenance bakery and caf', 4834 SE Division St., because you can have a superb latte in a bowl (very Parisian) and most of the servers will regale you (in authentic French accents) with tales of homemade specialties, freshly baked pastries, ubiquitous breads and omelets any style.
How Portland does the French Garden
If you're finally sated, then a wise decision is to head for one of the zillion public green spaces. You must visit one of my favorites, because if the Rose Gardens don't make you think of Paris, then you are a cynic, indeed!
Unfortunately my timing was just a little off (high season is in the summer) but my October trek through this gorgeous green space allowed me a glimpse of what had been in full bloom up until very recently.
The remaining roses were gorgeous to me, a desert resident, and the views in this convivial town are stunning. Magnificent trees, autumn leaves and turning foliage recall similar Paris days. The scent of roses, the civility on the street, the little neighborhoods'all took me back.
It occurred to me that the rose aroma must be phenomenal here in the summer, I mentioned to my host Lila, who just smiled. She, a native of Hawaii, is used to amazing flowers and scents. However, even she is moved by the amount of beauty there is in Portland.
For, just like Paris, Portland values its green, open and public places, and offers many beautiful sites for a quiet respite. And ten minutes away is a bustling urban center. Perhaps Parisians don't use bicycles as a way of commuting as much as Portland residents do. They commute underground, though, where bicyclists are often spotted, so they must be riding somewhere. It's a European sensibility'using bikes as a major transport. We, in the states, are catching on slowly. Even in New York City, a bike path was created. But in Portland, unlike say, Tucson, where most riders wear colorful spandex that leave little to the imagination, Portland bike riders are more naturally clothed.
As in, they wear dungarees and casual tops and jackets that protect the body instead of acting like a second skin (no offense to more serious riders, just telling it like it is).
This is a casual city, where Paris may be more of a showcase city. Go off the beaten track anywhere in France, though, and you'll likely see even more similarities to the Portland style.
Getting back to Parisian-inspired spots, you must visit Carafe, a Parisian-ish bistro quite unique to this fair city, where Parisian native, Chef Pascal Sauton, has created an original French menu complemented by local food artisans' wares. Naturellement, whatever you choose will be paired with a perfect glass of wine from the carefully crafted wine list. L'Chaim!
One more fantastic, albeit non-Parisian-like, restaurant is the Blossoming Lotus, 925 N.W. Davis St., a nod to all things vegan. Located in the trendy Pearl District, this restaurant prepares everything from scratch and tastes delicious. Cozy, with a Yoga Pearl yoga studio within, has become so popular that it's typical to see a line stretching out during peak times. So, go off-peak!
What truly sets this city apart from others of its impressive size, is its brilliant use of space. It is a city of neighborhoods and small communities with a downtown area that is used by all parts of the population. Can you think of another more accessible city? Maybe Boston, but I doubt it. Anyway, this aspect in itself brings to mind a European flair to the city, from its simple nod to all things vegan to its respect for the common man.
Progressive Portland
Prying myself away from the food scene, I discovered some European-like, if not completely French, aspects of this delightful metropolis. Take environmental issues. For a tourism agency to even HAVE a Sustainability Director is remarkable enough on its face.
This is a city that takes eco-conservation initiatives very seriously. Which is why it was so cool to check into the Avalon Hotel & Spa, 0455 S.W. Hamilton Court.
In March, 2008, the Avalon, a charming luxury boutique hotel and spa, banked on the Willamette River, earned the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. This is a big honor, one which more cities should try and emulate.
Not only that, this was the first LEED-certified hotel in Oregon and the seventh LEED-certified hotel in the world. In addition to being environmentally sound, the green hotel features a Spa Chakra, and is the exclusive outlet (in all of Oregon) for the French skincare line of Guerlain.