Portland is a foodie city

One of the best things about Portland is the food, and how it turns up in the least expected locations. The town could use a few more Indian restaurants to give Vindhalo some competition, but take a look at where Martin and Erika fueled their day-long junk food and entertainment binge...

10:00 am: Light breakfast at home and after a peek outside to confirm that it is not, in fact, raining, a lovely stream-side hike through Forest Park to create an appetite for the day's indulgences.

1:00 pm: Motivated by a burger craving, M&E check out the Bridgeport Brewing Company, where Martin is disgusted by the Pearl-izing of a greasy dive bar into a sleek yuppie bakery. Plan B: the competition - the Widmer Brothers Brewery. Beer is good, burger is decent, but no fries??? What kind of burger restaurant doesn't serve fries?

4:00pm: Movie time! The Science of Sleep at the Laurelhurst Theater. 3 bucks (another great thing about Portland). While watching the film, M&E munch on 3 slices of Hot Lips pizza (made with organic ingredients!), beer, lemonade, and popcorn. There is a nifty table to put your food on while you watch the movie.

6:30pm: Time to kill before the theater and there is a definite chill in the air. M&E head to The Wonder Ballroom, which hides the best-kept secret in Portland in the basement - the Wonder Cafe. Bartender puts on a show as he fixes two flaming Spanish coffees. (Who knew that nutmeg is inflammable?) Martin orders the calamari (Addictive!) and Erika finishes it off (Couldn't stop!). Bartender sends them off with something he calls "blueberry tea" for the road.

Me, I spent the day moving between my two favorite heating vents and nibbling cat food whenever the mood struck.