A few Sundays ago the Seattle Seahawks were not playing football. My wife and I were doing some shopping, however midway through the day I was burned out and she continued. With no football to watch I needed something to do so I followed the white and black signs on the corner of Russell and MLK to the Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Show.
Venue Goes Cuban
Venue restaurant located on the corner of MLK and Graham has recently changed it’s format to Cuban.
At the end of October a new owner took over Venue located 2808 NE MLK. He immediately changed the restaurant to Venue Cuban Habana and Salsa Bar.
Sparkys Pizza Now Open
Eliot has a new pizza restaurant that opened last week along MLK.
Sparky’s pizza is the latest business to open up in the former Chicago Pneumatics building at MLK and Brazee. They feature “New York” style pizza that can be purchased by the slice or as an entire pizza. In addition, Sparky’s offers some favorite pizza-house extras like bread sticks and buffalo wings.
Sparky’s is located at 2434 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in the newly renovated Black and White building. They are open Monday – Thursday 11 am – 9 pm, Friday and Saturday until 10pm and Sunday from noon – 8:30 pm.
Cafe Wonder
If you have ever been on Russell Street between MLK and Williams after dark you have probably noticed the orange neon sign near the corner of Russell and Rodney. Just about every night it lights up for the Wonder Ballroom and Cafe Wonder.
Iraq Names Project Leaves Eliot
July 4th I wrote about the Iraq Names Project entering Eliot Neighborhood . After an out of town vacation and a busy schedule I was finally able to volunteer chalking late July and early August. I’m glad I found the time – it was a rewarding experience.
On Friday July 27th I took the day off work. I decided it would be a good day to first meet up with Nancy and her project and a good way to start my day. They were working on NE Monroe after circling Dawson Park heading back toward MLK. I intended to remember the very first name I chalked but I have since kind of lost track. I doesn’t really matter because they are all important, what is more important is the great feeling of being involved in such a wonderful project.
The Latest Gotham Tavern
The Gotham Tavern in some from or another has been in Eliot Neighborhood for some time. I first discovered it while walking around lower Albina taking pictures to be used for this web site. Until then I was unaware it was there right in our neighborhood. I’m glad I found it.
First Thursday in Eliot?
Did you know you can experience First Thursday in Eliot? On Thursday July 5th my wife and I were looking for something to do. After having dinner we stopped by Mark Woolley Gallery for First Thursday. It was a great way to spend the evening.
More good reviews for Toro Bravo
Willamette Week ran a very positive review of Toro Bravo in the July 4 issue.
Eliot’s newest restaurant has earned nothing but high praise from Portland’s food crowd. You can read good reviews here and here.
Toro Bravo, 120 NE Russell St., 281-4464. Dinner 5-10 pm Monday-Thursday, 5-11 or midnight Friday-Saturday, 5-9 pm Sunday
Iraq Names Project
On this Fourth of July we stopped by Tiny’s for lunch. While going inside I noticed some chalk on the sidewalk. After looking a little closer I saw chalk south down MLK as far as I could see. Just up a block or so was the end of the chalk along with several people writing on the sidewalk. We ate our lunch outside then went to talk with the chalkers.
The New Portland Trailblazers
As I was walking to work last week I passed a guy all decked out from head to ankle in Blazers gear. I would say head to toe, but he was not wearing Blazers shoes though his black sneakers did fit right in. I remember back when it was not unusual to see folks sportin’ Blazers gear. I like that I am seeing it more and more.
Eliot Restaurants make 2007 diner guide
Several Eliot eateries made the top 100 in The Oregonian’s 2007 Diner’s guide.
The Eliot restaurants that made the list are:
- Mint , 816 N Russell St , Portland, OR 97227. To read the review, click here
- Russell Street Bar-B-Que, 325 N.E. Russell St. , Portland, OR 97212. The review
- Toro Bravo , 120 N.E. Russell St., Portland, OR 97212. The review
Beer and Wine Tasting in Eliot’s Lower Albina Area
For a long time my wife and I have had this idea to taste in the lower Albina area of Eliot. Being busy like everyone else, we finally, after many months, implemented the plan. Stereotypically I prefer beer and my wife prefers wine. Of course that’s not say I don’t enjoy a good wine now and then and her a good beer. On this day we were both happy.
Continue reading Beer and Wine Tasting in Eliot’s Lower Albina Area
McMenamins Coffee Roastery
The other day I was walking home from work. I work near the Lloyd Center Mall, so I try to get my daily exercise by walking. Anyway, as I was walking through the Nike Outlet parking lot I smelled coffee in the air. It’ wasn’t the familiar coffee smell like experienced on a Saturday morning in Goldrush Coffee Bar, it was something different.
5th Annual Wellness Within REACH Walk
Roy Jay, longtime community resident and businessman, will serve as Grand Marshal of the walk.
Date: Saturday, August 18 at Dawson Park.
Activities and registration: 8 a.m.
Walk: 9 a.m.
Good in the Hood
The Good in the neighbor-Hood parade and neighborhood festival will unfold the weekend of June 23-24.
The parade is Saturday, June 23. It starts at 11 a.m.
The festival is Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Location: King School Park — 4800 Block of N.E. 6th (South of N.E. Alberta St.)
Eliot Neighborhood 