Highlights from Portland
Over Easter break, I had the opportunity to visit Portland, Oregon, a city famous for its outdoor adventures, microbreweries, green living, and exceptional food scene. Aside from a much needed break from Edmonton’s winter, our trip presented a chance to do some design research related to breweries, distilleries and cocktail bars. We were also visiting some friends and, though it was our fourth visit to Portland, we were glad to benefit from a local’s scoop of the dining scene.
Expatriate
One of our first stops was brunch and cocktails at Expatriate, where food and ambience are Asian-inspired, denoted, in particular, by a red and gold Chinese arch framing the back bar. The restaurant’s brand identity, designed by The Beauty Shop, is expressed through the a collection of international marks and symbols. Dishes were well executed, each one paying homage to the origins of the recipes, but with a unique twist.
Baerlic
After exploring the Alberta Arts District and a couple patio beers later, it was time to move on to our next adventure. We decided to hit up Baerlic a brewery located in the Hosford-Abernethy neighbourhood. Baerlic’s brand identity, designed by brewery owner Ben Parsons, has various expressions including a monogram, wordmark, and icon. The majority of the bottle and can designs feature a neutral-coloured logo and playful typography with the use of bright colours to showcase different types of beers.
Ecliptic Brewing
Ecliptic’s beer labels were designed in Portland by Sasquatch Agency and feature the familiar astronomy themes that the brewing company is well known for. Each label exhibits different colours and icons, allowing each beer to be visually differentiated, yet the brand is cohesive and recognizable. The astronomy theme is also carried through the physical space branding and design.
House Spirits Distillery
House Spirits Distillery, manufacturer of gin, vodka, aquavit, liqueur and whiskey, has a production facility and tasting room located on Portland's Distillery Row in the Central Eastside Industrial District. Of all the spots we visited on this trip, the interior design of this space was one of my favourites. The relationship between physical space design and brand identity was seamless and strong. The interior design is by Osmose and the print and web design was completed by Sarah Cook Design. Large fir baffles with a diminishing repeat around a large window offer a view into the production facilities beyond the tasting room. Lines present in the logo appear in various elements of the space including the bar and display shelves.
Bar Casa Vale
We ended our trip on a high note with dinner at Bar Casa Vale. The place is known for its Spanish-influenced tapas and cocktails. We were also fortunate enough to be there just in time for happy hour. We had already spent the day's calories, and the small sharing plates were a perfect way to try a selection of things on the menu without subjecting ourselves to too much discomfort.
Below is a list of other places we tried on our trip, all great spots to hit if you are visiting Portland.
Thai
Nong’s Khao Mun Gai - Thai Chicken rice is staple in Thailand. I grew up eating this for breakfast everyday like North Americans eat toast and butter. The way the chicken is poached here and the sauce is exactly how it would be served at a street stall in Thailand.
Hat Yai - This place features food from the Southern region of Thailand. I was already stuffed from our two-hour dinner at Daruma, but I couldn’t resist ordering take out from Hat Yai due to all its amazing reviews.
Chinese
Stretch the Noodle - Food cart selling delicious hand-pulled noodles
XLB - Great soup dumplings and comfort Chinese food.
Japanese
Daruma - Sushi bar on Killingsworth with a great selection of saké
Nimblefish - Meticulously sourced and sliced sushi, sashimi, and hand rolls
Cocktails
Clyde Common - Tavern serving Prohibition era-themed cocktails
Old Salt - Sit-down restaurant and bar on one side with a lunch deli, butcher and pastry shop on the other
Beer
Pfriem’s - Located in Hood River, it's taproom featuring house made craft beers and food
Cascade - Brewpub serving handcrafted sour beers
Great Notion Brewing - Brewery and tap room with great hazy IPAs
Hair of the Dog - Brewery that specializes in bottle-conditioned beers which improve with age
Coffee
Stumptown - Local coffee roaster with various locations
Barista - Local coffee shop with various locations around town
Dessert
Pip’s Original Donut - Fried-to-order mini-donuts
Blue Star Donut - Fine donuts and coffee
Fifty licks - Ice cream shop with nontraditional flavours and toppings