I came to the city of Portland for the World Domination Summit. But I also contacted Travel Portland to let them know that my readers chose the city of Portland over Spain and while they don’t normally work with independent publishers it was such a strong statement that Lila offered to take me out and show me the best of Portland.
Even better they put me up at Hotel Rose, after 5 days in a hostel I needed the space. Lila met me there and I knew the day would be fantastic when I learned she is from Hawaii and once had her own food blog.
Starting the day with lunch at Olympic Provisions, the first USDA-approved salumeria and there are now two locations. It was so delicious and I only wished I could have brought some back to Canada with me.
We then took a car ride out to Beaverton to check out Copper Mountain Vineyard where I learned the wine industry started in Oregon in the late 70s as a bit of an experiment.
Copper Mountain is a family-owned vineyard committed to sustainability and I learned about biodynamic farming and how they are experimenting with lupine to remove fungus.
Here they explained wine takes generations and patience, that there is no recipe for farming as land and climate changes.
Ponzi Vineyards
We moved on through the Oregon countryside onto Ponzi Vineyards. Another family-owned vineyard with a more formal approach to wine but also the opportunity to try some of the world’s best wine with some of it featured in the White House.
Ned Ludd
Perhaps one of the most interesting places was dinner at Ned Ludd, which is an American Craft Kitchen. The menu focuses on local ingredients and changes weekly.
The food isn’t fussy and highlights the best of the season, featuring local farmers.
The day made me realize that a week wasn’t enough time in Portland, there is so much to see. Fortunately I already booked my ticket for next year’s World Domination Summit.
This all sounds AMAZING!
I was in Portland a few weeks ago and totally fell in love with the city. There’s such a cool local food scene. I didn’t have a single bad meal while I was there.
I definitely need to go back in the near future!
I think it would be pretty tough to find a bad place to eat. I went to the farmer`s market and also had fantastic food.
Definitely looks like the most perfect day!
If you have never been to Oregon you definitely need to get over here.
That could be a perfect day. I would certainly enjoy a day of food and wine! And I didn’t know Oregon was big on wine – thats exciting for this wine-lover.
I didn`t know that either but it makes a lot of sense as it`s on the West Coast.
I booked my ticket for WDS next year too! We MUST meet up for some culinary adventures while we’re there 🙂
Yes next year we need to plan ahead. I may try to go a few days early so I can just relax before the insanity starts.
Very interesting! I’ve not been to Portland but would love to include everything you’ve listed here 🙂
It`s really a fantastic city, I cannot wait to come back again next July.
Good stuff. I didn’t think to look up any interesting food or wine excursions while I was in Portland. Aside from Voodoo Doughnuts, which probably doesn’t count. (But it should.)
Read a couple posts back, I`m actually not a fan of VooDoo, you need to go back and eat!
Portland sounds like such a great city! Looks like you had a great day, I’ll have to keep this in mind if I ever get there.
If you are on the West Coast or have the chance to go definitely spend a few days in Portland.
I just went to Olympic Provisions and overdosed on MEAT! They do a fantastic job.
I really do love the food there, I could have just stayed all day to eat.
Can you believe I went to one of the top wine regions in the country but didn’t go to a vineyard? The breweries pulled me in because I knew I wouldn’t be able to try many of them outside of the state… and that is the one thing I was truly deprived of in Latin America.
I am definitely doing a wine tour next time I visit Portland, so I’ll keep these vineyards in mind.
They definitely have some great breweries but I`m still shocked you didn`t try the wine.
As a Portlander, I have to agree that the city is pretty wonderful! You definitely had some good food and wine.
The one thing I did not have was enough time, next year I`m going to have to tack on a few more days.
A great day visiting Portland! Couldn’t help noticing the “chorizo from Andalucia” in the first photo…
They had a fantastic selection, I wish I had more time to go back and try more.
oh man…Ned Ludd looks so delicious! it’s been too long since I’ve been in PDX! *SIGH*
When I first arrived and tried the street cart food I wondered why anyone would go to a restaurant – but Ned Ludd takes it to a new level.
Wow, you got a rare blue-sky day in Portland. Every time I’ve been there, it’s been overcast and rainy! I guess that’s why Chris holds WDS in July =)
It can be tough for some Americans because it falls so close to the Fourth of July but it guarantees great weather.
Friends of mine moved to Portland a few years ago and absolutely love it. I’ve only passed through the airport there, but am ready to make a proper visit, especially after seeing your great pics.
Definitely visit your friends, it`s a city worth spending time in.
It does sound like a perfect day. Shame on me for not visiting Portland yet.
And you are so close!
Sweet! This looks like my kind of day…food and wine.
It doesn`t really get any better!
From the look of it you got the grand tour indeed. I’d love to visit a vineyard and then have a meal like that one.
It was truly the perfect day.
Whoa the food looks amazing! 😀
Anything that makes veggies look like they don`t need meat is truly spectacular.
And also straight up meat is always a favourite!
I want to eat everything from Olympic Provisions!
So do I, we should go back together.
What a great day in the city! Love that she was eager to show you the best of what Portland has to offer!
It was really nice to see Portland with a local.
Excellent food shots, you got my taste buds excited and my mouth watering. Portland is definitely on my list of places to hit up once we are back state-side. Now I know to plan time for the vineyards as well, thanks for the great post!
The vineyards are fantastic, I really want to try more West Coast wine.
Oh I loved Portland so much when I visited! I wasn’t even there for that long though so would definitely go back and explore some of these places. Thanks for sharing!
I only spent a week in Portland and it wasn`t enough time, fortunately I am heading back next year for the World Domination Summit.
Ooh, maybe I should go to WDS next year, too. I’ve been wanting to go but should just make the commitment to go and plan it. This kind of day looks like something I would love. Portland (and OR) is another place I’ve never been so this is getting bookmarked for future reference. Nice use of collages, btw
Portland is such a great city. I love visiting there.
Argh! All your posts on Portland are making me super jealous. I’ve wanted to go there ever since I started watching Portlandia. Hopefully soon…
Missing you in the blog house!
How did I not post on this? That all looks delicious! I love that we both went to Portland but had two totally different food experiences.