Powell’s – For anyone who loves books

Probably the most exciting place for a person who loves books is Powell’s City of Books. “City of Books” sounds like an exaggeration, but by the time you explore the main location, with its multiple floors and many nooks and crannies, you feel like it could be a city.

At Powell's entrance - "sell books"

Powell's City of Books

There are several other Powell’s locations, including one at the airport, “your first or last chance to shop at Powell’s,” says their “Welcome to Portland” brochure. For anyone looking for technical information, they also have another location with tech books!

Not just new books, there are used books as well. You can find a room full of cookbooks – categorized by type of cuisine, even, and so many different variations on a theme that you can get lost! There are history books – of many countries, time periods and some in languages other than English. There are humor books, children’s books, and gadgets to accompany books (bookmarks, covers, etc.)

Often, they have author events. I know because I receive their e-mails and hear about these events frequently.

 
They brag about having over 1 million books at their main location alone and being open 365 days a year. Amazingly, every clerk we talked with was cheerful and knowledgeable. No musty old bookstore, Powell’s is clean, well-lit and – BIG. I repeat BIG.

 
There are elevators, but take your vitamins before you go. You could find that the category of book you’re looking for has been moved to a new location.
I just about had to be dragged out kicking – no screaming, though. Although it is not a library, the noise volume is very low. People are quiet as they look for their treasures.

 
Checking out is efficient, too. I had two items and, even with about seven people in line ahead of me, I think I was finished in less than five minutes.
Sometimes, you can be too efficient. I would have liked an excuse to stay longer and look around more!

 
The Portland Streetcar comes right to Powell’s and the bus (TriMet) and lightrail (MAX) are within five blocks.

 
Powell’s is at the edge of the Pearl District, which we’ll visit soon.
Don’t leave Portland without visiting!
www.powells.com

Tomorrow… A visit to Portland’s Saturday Market

Rogue Ales

Unlike someone who recently wrote a book entitled, Going Rogue, I actually had the opportunity to go to the Rogue Distillery & Public House, one of the many pubs that are scattered throughout the city of Portland, Oregon.

Rogue Distillery & Public House

Notice that I didn’t call this a brewpub.  This is actually a restaurant that serves Rogue Ales, which are brewed solely in one location, Newport, Oregon.  The distribution area is much more than just Oregon as Rogue Ales are sold throughout the U.S. and in 21 countries.  There are also nine restaurant/public houses from San Francisco to Issaquah, Washington.

The Distillery adjacent to the restaurant does not brew beer, but instead, is the first Rum Distillery in Oregon.

Located in the Pearl District, Rogues’ location was the former home of Portland Brewing. You’ll find a 36-tap beer dispenser serving various award-winning Rogue Ales: Dead Guy Ale, Double Dead Guy Ale, Shakespeare Stout, etc.

But this time, there was not the normal “usual suspects” on the extensive menu.

Kobe Beef is normally considered to be one of those items served in “five star” restaurants.  But at Rogue you can have one of five different burgers and five various HOT DOGS! 

That even includes a Kobe Beef Corn Dog … try to get one of those at the State Fair!

Yes, you can certainly have a less expensive burger at one of those places with the kid’s playland in the front, but that’s not Kobe!

The beef is supplied by Snake River Farms of Eastern Idaho who raise hormone-free cattle at twice the rating grade of USDA Prime in much the same style as their Japanese counterparts. 

My choice was the 1/2 LB Kobe Cheese Burger ($13.50) with Rogue Creamery (not related to Rogue Ales) White Cheddar Cheese.  Complete with onion roll, wasabi mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, onion and fries, that was a great burger! 

Tender, cooked just how I ordered, and yes, it was expensive … so what … it’s KOBE! 

My dining companion opted for a Black Bean and Quinoa salad ($8.95)

Of course there were Black Beans (hence the title of the entrée) along with corn, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, jalapeños and spices served atop a generous serving of avocado on a bed of quinoa (hence the other part of the entrée’s title.)

As I am always on the lookout for either the best Lobster Roll, or Chicken Marsala (the latter is much easier to find outside of Maine), my dining companion is on a world quest for the best New England Clam Chowder (suspiciously easy to find just about anywhere.)

Rogue’s Clam Chowder (Bowl $5.95 / Cup $3.95) is a New England style which included bacon, celery, onions, and potatoes.  Served with a house-baked Hazelnut Ale bread this chowder is now on the list of top 10 that is in no particular order.

Rogue Distillery & Public House

1339 NW Flanders
Portland, OR

  
Hours: 11 AM – 12 AM, Sunday-Thursday | 11 AM – 1 AM, Fri/Sat

Distillery Tours: 2 PM, Monday-Friday

www.rogue.com

www.snakeriverfarms.com