Though only a few bars in Portland can really be designated Soccer Bars, during the World Cup the list expands dramatically. Virtually all bars that have a TV will occasionally be tuned to world soccer this summer, and many bars, restaurants, and cafes that don’t normally sport TVs will roll in a big screen or mount an HD flat screen above the bar.

Soon to become a regular hangout for yours truly . . .

I’m a Stumptown heretic, but I do agree with some of the criticisms of Starbucks expounded by Stumptown’s “charismatic founder”, Duane Sorenson and others.

Season’s Eatings, a local artisans food, wine and spirits market, takes place Saturday, December 5th from noon to 5pm at the New Deal Distillery and Tasting Room (1311 SE 9th).

There’s more to Turkey Day than just Turkey.

Wow, I’m a bit surprised by how many events there are this weekend. It’s tempting to spend November in hibernation mode, but there is just too much damn stuff to do . . .

I like to support local businesses, but at the same time I maintain certain standards. Stumptown Coffee Roasters, doesn’t always meet them (and I know that puts me in the minority here in Portland). It’s clear from Ethan Epstein’s New York Press article Totally Stumped, that he’s not a huge fan of Stumptown either. But [...]

It’s easy to gripe about the surly service – hire a hipster to sling your coffee and you’ll get hipster-style service from them. But that’s not a Stumptown exclusive; it’s the case with virtually all of this city’s independent, non-family run, coffee shops. My problem with Stumptown is that their coffee is truly awful. I [...]

A story covered by Portland blog More Hockey Less War a month ago is now being covered by the New York Times: An Application for Baristas That’s More Than Milk and Beans. North Portland’s Ladybug Organic Coffee Company (8438 N Lombard) asks prospective employees to fill out a (pdf) five page application form that includes [...]

These don’t all qualify as trends, and they are not all Portland specific, but I need to get this off my chest. Bacon for dessert It’s just a bad, faddish idea. Soon it will go the way of 80s era yogurt and muffin shops and we’ll wonder what were they thinking?! Overpriced fish and chips [...]