Last November, instead of staying glued to nonstop election coverage at home, I flew to a place overflowing with green spaces and excellent drinks to clear my head—no matter the outcome.
Portland, the self-proclaimed weird capital of the Pacific Northwest, is famous for its lively brewery scene and a serious devotion to a perfect cup of coffee. But it’s not only beer and coffee that shine here. Talented bartenders mix memorable cocktails, and the city’s proximity to the Willamette Valley—whose river runs through town—means excellent local wine is always within reach.
When I wasn’t wandering seasonal blooms at the sprawling Rhododendron Garden or admiring the koi pond, Mount Hood views and the Japanese Garden, I was searching for calm in a glass.
Just a few blocks from my room at the Sentinel in the West End, I found Maurice, a tiny, charming spot serving French- and Norwegian-inspired dishes. Lunchtime on Wine Wednesday is a great moment to visit: it’s easier to get a table, and the ever-changing small plates—made with local-farm ingredients—pair with special bottles listed on a chalkboard. A Loire Valley bubbly made from Grolleau and Gamay matched perfectly with ice-cold Kumamoto oysters and tinned sardines, while a raspberry-tinged Pinot Noir from Walter Scott in the Eola-Amity Hills complemented regional cheeses and cured meats on the charcuterie board.
Generation Gap at Teardrop Lounge © Kelly Magyarics
Another Francophile favorite is Normandie, a stylish bistro in the Southeast neighborhood. Seated alone at the bar, I chose several small plates to sample more flavors. Poached prawns, Dungeness crab, shishitos and cucumber arrived atop a tangy gochujang crème fraîche, while roasted, nearly caramelized kabocha squash—tossed with persimmons, pickled shallots, cashews and sunflower seeds—was spooned over lime yogurt. Both dishes paired beautifully with a grass- and gooseberry-scented Sauvignon Blanc from Phelps Creek in the Columbia Gorge.
Oregon wine is exceptional, but Portland’s cocktail scene is equally compelling. Teardrop Lounge has been a city mainstay since 2007, and Daniel Shoemaker’s Pearl District bar is essential for cocktail enthusiasts. The menu is extensive, with about 30 selections grouped into themes such as “Arid & Aromatic” and “Supple & Herbal.” I sipped the Generation Gap, a “Bright & Crisp” cocktail made with a proprietary gin blend, Italicus herbal liqueur, a cardamom-sage tincture and sparkling orange wine. From my spot at the round bar, I watched the team’s efficient, technique-driven service—every move precise in a well-choreographed rhythm.
At newcomer Too Soon in the buzzy Kerns neighborhood, Adam Robinson and Nick Flower pay homage to the early-2000s New York bar renaissance. The compact space, bathed in neon pink light, serves quirky combinations like apple with bourbon and horseradish, or mezcal with celery and shiso. I tried the House Special: a savory, tropical drink where Tanqueray gin is infused with curry spices, bell pepper, coconut, lime and basil, then clarified to preserve the coconut’s rich mouthfeel without its color or texture. The result was unusual but precisely right—an apt ending to my short Oregon escape during a week of election anxiety.