Mercato

I stumbled upon a new restaurant while going between the two Powells on Couch. I almost tripped over the reader board stating the lunch items of the day. I was intrigued by the listing of onion, ale and gorgonzola soup. The soup sounded yummy and I was hungry. I wandered in and ordered my lunch. They offer a bowl of soup and half a salad or half a Panini for $8. I am very happy to find half orders for lunch. The bowl of onion, ale and gorgonzola soup came in white soup bowl that was lower on one side. The salad was on the side of the soup bowl. The napkins were white cloth, what a treat. The soup was delicious. I was sorry when my bowl was empty. I would like to make the soup at home.

Mercato 904 NW Couch St. Portland, Or 97209 503.219.9966 www.mercatopdx.com

vinideus wine shop

vinideus wine shop
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

Two locations one in the pearl and one in Beaumont village. I have been stopping in the Beaumont location to listen to Jazz on Saturday evenings. Last Saturday I had a delightful evening sipping wine and listening to Jazz. Their wines are handcrafted from small vineyards. They are very good at finding me a wine to drink that matches my description of what I want to drink. They serve wine by the glass and small plates of food that compliment the wine. Pay a small corkage fee and drink any wine in the shop.
Up coming events at the Beaumont shop: March 15, 2008 from 5 pm until close $15 for six Oysters and a flight of three wines. Saturday March 16, 2008 sample 2004 Marguaux and 2004 Château Vernous from 4 – 7 pm; Music from 7 pm – 10pm by Nick O’Donnell Band.
Vinideus Pearl 1019 NW 11th, Portland , Or
Vinideus Beaumont Village 4759c NE Freemont, Portland, OR
www.vinideus.net

First Thursday Art Walk October 4 2007

It is a raining first Thursday. There is a lot of art to see in downtown Portland and the Pearl. Bring your umbrella and enjoy splashing in mud puddles while going between galleries. Urban Wine works 407 NW 16^th is featuring artist Reginald Brooks. Music by Joshua Slamp and appetizers by Simply Thyme Catering. Each monthly featured artist paints a wine barrow. There is now quite a varied selection of painted wine barrows to look at. While you are there enjoy the flight of wines, tasting fee $15. This month it is 2006 Soellner Gruner Veltliner Wogenrain, 2005 Caymus Conundrum, 2004 Domino IV Syrah, and 2001 Brigaldara Amarone.

Mark Woolley Gallery 817 SW 2^nd is hosting Be Blue (Sky), a group show celebrating blue.

Bullseye gallery 300 NW 13^th, is showing janice vitkovsky, beneath the surface.

First Thursday September 6 2007

Time for another lovely evening walking around downtown and the Pearl looking at art.

Mark Woolley Gallery has moved back downtown to 817 SW 2^nd. The gallery is showing Melinda Thorsnes and Rebecca Guberman-Bloom works of art. Quintana Galleries is celebrating 35 years with an anniversary exhibition. I am looking forward to stopping in the museum of contemporary art and the other galleries in the same building like blue sky. 724 NW Davis.

First Thursday Art Walk May 3rd

I am looking forward to a nice evening strolling around downtown and the Pearl looking at art. I hope the weather acts like spring and I don’t get hailed on. I am excited that Margo Jacobsen has come out of retirement and opened another gallery. I enjoyed looking at the art that she sold, especially the glass artist’s works at her old gallery. Margo Jacobson Gallery 1306 NW Hoyt St. # 301. www.margojacobsenartdealer.com

Quintana Galleries 120 NW 9^th, www.quintanagalleries.com is showing Tundra and Sea Artic Arts of Canada and Alaska. Quintana has an impressive collection of Native American art. Blackfish Gallery 420 NW Ninth Ave is an artist owned gallery. www.blackfish.com Works showing for the month of May are by Kate Simmons.

I am going to stop in Lawrence Gallery 903 NW Davies, www.lawrencegallery.net, sip a glass of wine and look at art. Attic Gallery, www.atticgallery.com, Pearl location 539 NW 10^th at Hoyt is showing Gretchen Gammell. I enjoy looking at her art. She captures being a woman so well. The Albina Community Bank at 430 NW 10^th always has a nice show. Mark Wooley moved to the east side of the Willamette River to the Wonder ballroom 128 NE Russell. www.markwoolley.com Take the free Russell Shuttle service from the Pearl District to the Mark Wooley gallery. The Grove Bomb Bus looks like a fun ride across the river.