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October 26th, 2007
Greetings! And welcome to the first issue of Portland Picks for Men. We know it seems way past due. Come on … a publication conveniently sent to your inbox that gives you the scoop on the best places to shop, eat, drink, recreate and relax in our fair city? For us guys, it seems like a no-brainer. But like so many chores we’re urged to do around the house, we’ve procrastinated on this, too. So here it is—the big day. Champagne is customary at the launch of a new ship, but we’re just a humble publication. So instead, grab your favorite single-malt scotch and a good cigar and enjoy your first voyage on the S.S. PPFM. (And save the champagne for your next promotion.) Like what you see so far? It just gets better. And the kicker? It’s free to subscribe—sign up now. For you ladies sneaking a peek, be sure to forward this to all of your man-friends (or sign them up at www.PortlandPicksforMen.com—they’ll thank you for it.) And don't forget that thanks to PPFM, you now know where the guys will be. You're welcome. |
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Portland Picks for Men: |
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| 1 | Forrrre, Matey We’ve been taking ourselves too seriously. Working nights, weekends—and weekend nights; let’s face it, we’re not kids anymore. So, at the risk of throwing a hissy fit in the face of all our grown-up responsibility, it’s time for some much needed stress relief. And what better way to blow off a little steam than a nice round of golf? And avast, ye sailors, downtown in the basement of the Hilton awaits the most masculine of avocations—3-D black-light mini golf. Descending the stairs after seeing the skeleton pirate at the door, we started to get the giggles. But once we got our putters, balls and 3-D glasses, the giggles turned into laughter and we had a blast. It all glowed—pirates, skulls, tiki gods, sharks and ghost ships. Did we get competitive? Yes. Were we afraid we might run into a kid as we Frankensteined around, disoriented by our glasses? Yes. Indulge in a spooky island getaway during your lunch break by taking advantage of their groovy lunch special: 12-2 pm, half-round of golf for $4. Then leave your 3-D glasses on for that afternoon meeting and rock somebody’s world. Glowing Greens |
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| 2 | Sharp-Dressed Man Sometimes we think we’re getting too old to keep shopping at Urban Outfitters. We need to dress a little more maturely, but we're not quite ready to start dressing like Dad (though dressing like Grandpa is somehow okay). That's where a place like Finn comes in. Finn specializes in sharp clothes that never go out of style, but with a slightly modern edge. They offer classic labels like Robert Talbot and Swiss Army alongside more fashion-forward designs from Gant and Napapijri. For the more adventurous among us, Finn offers items by London label Duchamp, known for vibrant, colorful accessories like ties and cuff links. One of our favorite items was a wool zip-up sweater lined with jersey cotton—in it, you can look dashing and distinguished and still feel like you're wearing a T-shirt. And ultimately, though we aren't quite ready to throw out our Shiner Bock tee, we could probably stand to wear a blazer once in a while. It might feel good, it’ll look great, and it’ll make our boss (and the ladies) remarkably happy. Finn |
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| 3 | Sake-fied Let’s face it—a lot of us guys aren’t huge fans of sushi. (At least less of us than the fairer sex.) But we almost always can be coaxed out by the sake (not to mention the hottie we get the invite from). Yes, sake is a more universally enjoyed Japanese export for those of us with a Y chromosome. So we were stoked to find Zilla Sake, a bar dedicated to the finest fermented rice concoctions around. The owners traveled the globe, from NYC to Tokyo, to assemble their selection. And because we Portlanders love our local fodder, they’ve rounded out the menu with great Oregon labels like Sake One and Momokawa. And since a good sake buzz creeps up almost unexpectedly, we were thrilled to see Japanese-style tapas on the menu, which are carefully crafted to compliment your chosen nectar. With ample reading material on sake and an expert staff, you’ll leave an expert yourself. And won’t that come in handy the next time you’re dragged out for sushi? Zilla Saké House |
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| 4 | Wingin’ It Feeding ourselves can prove to be down right inconvenient. So many times we skip meals simply because it’s not worth the trouble—and the results can be cataclysmic (a low blood sugar-induced breakup comes to mind). But finding a quick and satisfying fix can often boil down to two things: Meat and sauce. Enter the mustachioed wing slingers at Biggs Bros. Wing Shack—local service-industry veterans who threw their collective expertise into the fryer. With plenty of sauces including buffalo, honey BBQ and “The General,” as well as some killer sides like mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and tots, you’ll definitely find your favorite flavor of poultry appendage. But if you really want to throw your cajones into the fire, order up the “ Captain Insano.” We could only make it through one of these (they make jalapenos taste like water), which would have been one bite had there not been an audience. We’re still having flashbacks. As the temperature plummets, you’ll find us hunkered down, watching the game, and taking advantage of the Bros’ rib-sticking, mercury-rising dude food. Biggs Bros. Wing Shack |
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| 5 | We Have the Technology Hell yes Steve Austin was awesome. What child of the 70s didn't worship the Six Million Dollar Man? We had the lunch box and the t-shirts, and admired his cool qualities. He always foiled the bad guy, got the girl, and he looked good doing it. And now it's your turn. Once the strict domain of women, non-surgical appearance treatments are more acceptable for men than ever, and VanderVeer Center has safe and easy treatments for unwanted facial redness, blemishes and acne scars. Their newest specialty is Accent XL™, an FDA-approved radio-frequency energy treatment to tone and tighten male trouble areas like the abdomen, love handles and under the chin. It takes less than an hour, feels like a warm massage and shows immediate inch-loss results. No recovery time needed. And what about no more shaving, waxing or ingrown hair? Try permanent hair reduction at the VanderVeer Center—no more hairy neck, shoulders or back. With a team of highly trained specialists working on you, you’ll feel the like Ten Million Dollar Man. So don't be surprised if you return to the office with a newfound swagger. VanderVeer Center |
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| Ask a Style Coach | |||
Smoke and Mirrors Q: How do I hide my beer gut? A: Steer clear of Federline’s wife-beater or Snoop’s oversized Pendleton. The ladies want you wearing a fitted dark-colored shirt under a fitted and unbuttoned, lighter-colored jacket. Visually, your midsection will recede and the vertical lines of the open jacket will make you appear taller and leaner (aka hotter). It should shave off at least a half rack. Ask a style coach! Contact Jandi Girard: jandi@coachinspire.com |
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| Cocktail of the Month: | |||
Said to be the first American cocktail, this modern twist on a classic is the perfect way to warm up during the drizzly season. Its smooth blend of spice and sophistication just may leave you daydreaming of a simpler time. The Sazerac: Coat martini glass with Absente and pour out. In a cocktail shaker, shake the bourbon and 6-7 splashes of Peychaud bitters over ice. Pour into the Absente-coated glass. Garnish with orange zest. 23Hoyt |
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| Necessities: | |||
| 1 | Umber-ella No, not the most annoying song of last summer, but rather the most overlooked accessory in a man’s wardrobe. Given Stumptown’s climate, umbrellas are always on hand, and they’re as noticed as our raincoat or shoes. So it’s criminal that we still lumber about with that small black affair from the drugstore. We recommend this number at Mario’s by local outfit Shed Rain. It won’t break the bank, and since you spent $400 on that outfit, don't cover it (and your date) with some bush-league mess. |
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| 2 | Taking Care of Business There's no need to be thrifty when it comes to covering your most precious possessions. Happily, there are upgrade options in the underwear department. We like the new "Posh" underwear by C-IN2 at Under U 4 Men, available in four elegant cuts, at both their downtown and Bridgeport stores. Made from Micro-Modal fiber (from the beechwood tree—who knew?), it upgrades your options with style and comfort. Taking care of business, indeed! |
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| 3 | Sweet Pea There are two kinds of men: Those who have never invested in a quality peacoat for winter, and those who have. You can always spot the latter because they’re wearing them—often. Nobody laments the peacoat’s lack of versatility. They look great with everything from formal attire to jeans and a sweater. We like the wool/cashmere blend by Revoak. With masculine, military inspired detailing, shoulder straps, collar buckle, and double-breasted wooden buttons, it adds the right amount of flair to a classic. |
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| 4 | Join Me by the Fire, Kitten The best thing about being a single gent in cold weather months is the fireplace. Clearly one of the least obvious aphrodisiacs in the realm of décor. Stumptown homes are usually equipped, but sometimes not. And what of the bedchamber? Well, an easy, affordable and eco-friendly fix can be found at Addco Electric Fireplaces. Based in St. Johns, you’ll find realistic fireboxes and mantles at their site. Just plug in, and, well, you know what to do next. |
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| 5 | Groom Your Room Just because you live in a bachelor pad doesn’t mean your décor has to fly solo. A pile of empty pizza boxes does not an end-table make, and though this is Portland, Bob Marley posters aren’t considered “high art.” Wallpaper is an easy way to make a statement without redecorating the crib. We’re digging the “Hancock” style from Crazy Coconut. At $6.75 a square foot, it’s a cool way to add some interest, and let’s face it—some class—to your digs. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Who Says Dating is Hard? So many Stumptown singles complain about the dating scene. You might be one of them. If so, get off your keister and fix the situation. “Fearless Dating” is a co-ed workshop that offers a killer new approach. Learn how to make an authentic connection while communicating what you intend to communicate, and while you're there, who knows who you might meet? What: Fearless Dating seminar |
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| 2 | It's Easy Being Green Ever fantasized about puttering around in your own greenhouse? Tomatoes in December for fresh salsa? Meyer lemons for mojitos? A greenhouse is more affordable than you might think, and the folks at Farmington Gardens have got the goods. And how about these apples: All attendees who purchase a greenhouse will receive 10% off, plus a free bench. What: Sunshine Gardenhouse Workshop at Farmington Gardens |
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| 3 | Give In to Your Urges If you find yourself at Elephants Deli, blowing the diet on a corned beef sandwich, you might as well go for dessert because this fall they’re cooking up homemade ding-dongs and pumpkin milkshakes. And don’t worry; we’ll have advice next issue on where to get the best bulky sweaters to hide your new winter layer. What: Homemade Ding Dongs at Elephants Delicatessen |
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| 5 | Salt Pairings at the Gilt Club Gilt Club and Whole Foods are partnering for an educational 3-course salt-pairing dinner, and you’re invited! The evening begins with cocktails and appetizers, and includes a salt-tasting demonstration that will showcase a variety of unique and rare gourmet sea salts from Artisan Salts. Guests will leave with recipes, tasting notes and information about each salt. Bring a date! What: Salt-Pairing Dinner at the Gilt Club |
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| 6 | Biggest lucy Warehouse Sale Ever! Guys: Do the girls a favor and let them know about this. Lucy’s fantastic activewear is like catnip to the ladies, and they’ll want to stock up at their biggest warehouse sale ever. While supplies last, tops are $10, pants $15-$20, jackets $20, shorts $5 and accessories $5-$10, and 10% of proceeds will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest. What: lucy Warehouse Sale |
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| 7 | Plans for Halloween? Join Fantasy for Adults Only, the premier store for erotic costumes, on Halloween night. It makes total sense that they’re throwing a party at the Chesterfield. We don’t know what’s in store, but you’re guaranteed to see lots of ladies in naughty outfits, and it’s probably one of the most, um, unusual parties in the city. What: Party at the Chesterfield with Fantasy |
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We take suggestions, btw. If you know of a place that should be in PPFM, email picks@portlandpicksformen.com with the details. |
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