What should a couple of Angelenos do in MIAMI?

Hey ESB,

I know this is last minute, but I thought you and my fellows readers might have some tips on places to see/do/eat in Miami. I am taking my husband there for his 30th birthday next week, and neither of us have ever been there. 

Why, you ask, did we decided to pick Miami for our trip? Well, we're both really curious what it's like, love cuban food, and imagine it's somewhat like LA in that it has lots of hidden neighborhoods worth exploring but with warmer beaches. Other than rollerblading, what do cool people do in Miami?

We're not into night clubs, but I am looking forward to going out for some fancy cocktails at the Delano or somewhere swank (he's a teetotaler, but loves a good club soda). We love food. We love living seeing cities from different angles. I love gardens. He loves pinball. Oh, and he loves Miami Vice.

Our home-base will be this awesome airbnb rental in North Miami.

So, I'm looking for suggestions for a great coffee place (like Intelligentsia or Handsome or Cafe de Leche), a delicious birthday dinner, and other secrets I might not otherwise find on yelp. (Is it just me, or is yelp the least helpful thing these days?)

Thanks!

*****

I put out a tweet, and the universe gave us Caro. This lady grew up in Miami, went to college outside of LA and decided to return to her hometown, where she spends her free time eating, tweeting and drinking gin. She is awesome.

Here are Caro's recommends (and a few non-recommends) for Miami:

First things first: Miami, like Los Angeles, has awful terrible public transportation. If you're feeling adventurous you could venture onto a bus, but you might get shanked, aggressively cat-called and offered questionably sourced narcotics all from the same person. Or at least this is what I have been told; no self-respecting native would be caught dead on a bus. One of my friends just got punched IN THE FACE by a stranger on the train last week. He dislocated his jaw. This is a true story. This is not a joke. Legit, punched.

Coral Gables and Downtown/Brickell/Design District have some free “trolleys” (read: glorified bus) that are more bourgeoisie-approved, clean and probably safer since they don’t run through questionable parts of the city like the metro does. (Think: park your car once and use the trolley to get around the general area.)

I would recommend renting a car. Car2Go just launched as a more eco-friendly Smart-car sharing alternative you could look into, your rental is right on the edge of their “home area” and it looks like you might only have to walk a few blocks to get to a car.

Once you have a car, you’re going to want to stock up on some snacks for your stay, head to the nearest Publix and hit up the bakery for some croquetas de jamon, pastelitos de guava y queso and some chocolate chip cookies because they are fucking amazing. You might also want to pick up some Limon Pepino (Lime-Cucumber) Gatorade, because I’m pretty sure it’s regional and it is delicious! Side note: unlike California, supermarkets don't sell liquor here  – only beer and wine –  so if you want to buy your own booze you'll have to search for a separate liquor store. I know; it sucks.

As you suspected, Miami has a bunch of little neighborhoods with their own personalities, so I've organized this list by geographical area.


Coral Gables ("The Gables")

Eat: Eating House – some of the most creative, fattening, delicious food in Miami served by the nicest people in town. Come for a casual weeknight meal or the highest-calorie Sunday brunch (1-5PM) of your life (Cap'n Crunch Pancakes covered in condensed milk. Carbonara Eggs Benedict etc etc), either way don't miss the tomato salad (served with nitro-blasted coconut milk, micro herbs and edible flowers for extra fanciness).

(Carbonara Eggs Benedict from Eating House via Thrillist Miami)

Their menu changes daily, but mainstays and crowd favorites are the Pasta Carbonara, Chicken and Waffles and Charred Corn. (Pro-tip: for instant street cred with the staff, be sure to order a Carpano on the rocks. It's sweet vermouth and it's delicious.)

Do: Walk around Miracle Mile. Plenty of cute shops and a great Argentinean bakery for empanadas and dulce de leche filled pastries.

The Biltmore Hotel is dripping with old school charm. Everything they do there is top-notch: food, cocktails, service. The pool at the Biltmore is one of the most unique in Miami, and being off the beach never gets that packed. Splurging for a private cabana will get you the 5-star treatment without spending 5-figures. Cabanas start at $89 a day.

More: Fairchild Tropical Garden (for lots of greenery and exotic flora), Matheson Hammock (waterfront park with boat access and a great romantic seafood restaurant, Red Fish Grill)


Coconut Grove ("The Grove")

Brunch: Green Street serves brunch every day until at least 2 PM, and offers a perfect cure to that Tuesday morning hangover.

Drink: Grab some Icees from A.C.'s in Kennedy Park and enjoy your brain freezes at the waterfront.

See: Burn Notice, set in the old Coconut Grove Convention Center


Calle Ocho/Little Havana

Eat: Versailles – Versailles is the epicenter of Cuban culture in Miami. When the Heat win the playoffs or Castro finally kicks the bucket (or when we pretend he does), Versailles is the place to go with your cazuelas (Cuban for pots and pans) and make as much noise as possible. Other than the culture, the draw here is the food. Beyonce and Jay-Z make Versailles their first stop when visiting town, completely shutting down the back room of the restaurant, but hey, sometimes you just need some moros and platanitos in your life. Anything with pork will be good. For a snack, head to their bakery and pick up some pastelitos and coffee.

(Colada via Arroz y Frijoles)

Cuban coffee is served in three iterations: Café con leche (whole milk lightly stained with espresso), Cortadito (equal parts milk and espresso. Served in a 5 oz cup) or Colada (Sugar stained with espresso, served in 1oz shots. Approach with caution. It’s served in small quantities for a reason. It is jet fuel. It will get you wired. I don’t care how much you think you’re intolerant to caffeine. This is a different beast, trust me.) You can find it all over the city these days, but dozens of little “cafesito” windows line Calle Ocho (8th street) and will provide an authentic experience.

Azucar – Local ice cream shop with some rad flavors, including: Café con Leche, Platano Maduro (sweet plantain), Elvis (peanut butter and banana) and Balsamic Strawberry.

Also recommended: Catharsis, LaCasita

See: Maximo Gomez Domino Park

Do: Viernes Cultural (Cuban ArtWalk), last Friday of every month.

South Beach

Delano is spot on for drinks with a classic South Beach glamour feel. They have a few bars at the hotel: Rose Bar in the lobby, FDR in the basement and a bar out by the pool. I recommend mojitos at the Rose Bar (some of the best in town) or craft cocktails downstairs. Sister hotel Mondrian sits on the opposite side of the island and serves 16 different kinds of caipirinhas. Their west-facing location makes them a perfect spot for watching the sun set over the Miami skyline. Get the chilli-passion caipirinha, it balances passionfruit with siracha for an all around awesome cocktail.

Eat: Choose any of the Pubbelly establishments: Pubbelly Sushi, Pubbelly or Barceloneta are all on the same block and are all tapas style: Sushi, gastro pub and Spanish, respectively. After dinner you can walk over to Purdy Lounge for some drinks and a relaxed local vibe. Their fourth outpost, Macchialina, is Italian and physically distant from the first three, but still delicious and cozy. Get the Americano cocktail and don't miss the short rib and tallegio lasagna.

More recommendations: HaVen (gastro-lounge-meets-acid-trip), Lime (fast-casual-Venezuelan take on Mexican food),

See: Juvia – Get a drink and the Salmon Nashi appetizer, enjoy the view and then leave. This place is pure atmosphere; the panoramic views of Miami Beach are unparalleled and the ambiance is classic see-and-be-seen South Beach. The food, however, is forgettable.

(Miami's South Beach by Alexandra Roberts)

Drink: Broken Shaker – Unfortunately they're closed until November 2012, but if you ever come back, you MUST pay them a visit. The bar chefs behind the cocktail consulting company The Bar Lab created a secret garden drinking den and will wow you with their classic and off-the-cuff cocktails. Walk in, order a "Bartender's Choice" (specify what alcohol and flavor profile you prefer), sit down for some Jenga or battleship or play a little ping pong and say hi to their resident cats.

Do: A Duck Tour – I know, they're super cheesy, but embrace the cheesiness. The Duck Tour down here will give you a good overview of South Beach, drive you down Collins and then through Biscayne Bay were you can peep celebrity houses on Star Island and the mansions used for Miami Vice and Scarface. The highlight of the tour, though, is when they hand you a super soaker to hit unsuspecting tourists on Collins Ave.

Walk around Lincoln Road, it’s the Miami equivalent of Santa Monica Blvd, featuring shops, great people watching and plenty of living statues.

Go to the Beach. The Boucher Brothers provide excellent cocktail, umbrella and lounge chair service on the beach and will treat you like hip-hop royalty. If you’re willing to skip the star treatment, head to South Pointe Park near the southern end of the island for easier parking and fewer crowds.

Crash a hotel pool party. Because the party doesn’t have to stop when the sun comes up. Or you can hit the pool at the Loews for a more relaxed atmosphere.


Brickell

Eat: Edge Steak & Bar for a swank yet approachable date night. Nestled on the 7th floor of the Four Seasons, they excel at service, food and cocktails without being pretentious about it. Stick around after dark for cocktails by the fire pits outside and you might get treated to s’mores featuring graham crackers and chocolate made in house, or come early for their $1 oyster and half-off drinks happy hour (4-7, weekdays). Their signature steak rub and hot sauce are delicious and made from the peppers growing right there on the 7th floor.

Drink: Blackbird Ordinary for expert craft cocktails and a relaxed vibe.The bartenders have plenty of sass, but they make a good drink, so take the attitude with a grain of salt, your Cara Cara will be worth it.

Redlands/Homestead

Do: Take an airboat ride through the Everglades; gators, herons and the theme song from Deliverance playing in your head all day. There a few different companies that offer them, Everglades Alligator Farm is one and they offer a gator wrestling show and a walk through their snake room after the ride. Make sure you stock up on insect repellent beforehand because the mosquitoes don’t quit down there in the swamp.

On your way back to civilization pick up some locally grown exotic fruits and milkshakes at mega-sized fruit stand Robert Is Here (Robert is actually usually there, and super helpful) and some fresh squeezed juice at Palacio de Los Jugos (Mamey or Guarapo, which is made from sugarcane, are both amazing). 

Design District/Wynwood

Eat: Micheal's Genuine Food & Drink, Sugarcane, Mandolin Aegean Bistro, Joey’s

(Miami graffiti by Alexandra Roberts)

Drink: Panther Coffee owners Joel and Leticia have been in the coffee business their whole lives and decided to bless Miami with their expertise, brewing in-house roasted artisan coffee in the middle of uber-hip Wynwood. They source the beans from Nicaragua, Brazil, Columbia etc and their artisan drinks are the best in town. Grab a cappuccino and oogle their antique Perfekt roaster. [Editor's Note: Here is your Intelligentsia.]

Sugarcane, Mercadito, The Corner are all serving up great drinks. Democratic Republic of Beer (tiny bar with 500+ kinds of beer).

See: Wynwood Walls as an intro to the Miami street art scene. The Walls are actually a curated gallery featuring hyper-famous street artists (Shepard Fairey is represented there). Check out mini-documentary, “Here Comes the Neighborhood” for a great teaser. Then, wander the neighborhood (in your car, because it’s still “up and coming”) to browse plenty more larger than life murals.


Wrap-Up

During August and September, a bunch of Miami’s best restaurants participate in Miami Spice and offer prix fixe menus at a discounted rate. Standout deals include: Bourbon Steak (a Michael Mina Restaurant).

For a taste of local flavor before you arrive, be sure to watch the "Shit Miami Girls Say" videos on YouTube. They are spot on, you will see.

Also, I would recommend watching locally-produced documentary "Cocaine Cowboys" so that when you go on the Duck Tour and they tell you Miami Vice spurred Miami's economy in the 70's you can tell them that THEY ARE WRONG, because it was totally the cocaine trade.

[Editor's Note: FUCK YEAH. NOW I NEED TO GO TO MIAMI. p.s. Be sure to check out Caro's six tips for MIAMI-fying your wardrobe.]

for the lovers of mason jars

(And the drinkers of disgusting green smoothies.)

Have I got a product for you.

CUPPOW. Pronounced... Cup-POW? 

Turns a canning jar into a travel mug. BPA free, obv.

via much and little via my friend L.

What should we do in Victoria, BC?

(Friendly Victoria Seals by Fishy979)

Hi ESB,

My husband and I used your Portland trip guide (that Joanna wrote) when we went for a weekend in November. It was fabulous. Broder was amazing and we were lucky to get a table in the first batch when it opened on Sunday morning.

Anyway, we are planning to go to Victoria, BC over president's day weekend and were wondering if any locals in might be able to write a post. Obviously it is unlikely that you could post this next week for us since you will be *ahem* snorkeling. But I'm sure lots of Seattle readers (and Vancouver and everywhere else) would be interested!

On a completely different note: Would you consider a boobs-week post about pregnancy and already big(ger) boobs? I'm totally lost. When should I buy a new bra? I'm putting it off because I'll probably go up another couple sizes but I don't know.

Thanks!

*****

When I put the call out on Twitter, Rachel, a library enthusiast/government lackey/west coast adventurer, was the first and only Victorian (Victoriite?) who offered to write a guest post. Let's consider ourselves lucky that she appreciates the finer things, such as coffee coffee coffee and LOCALLY MADE GIN.

Here's Rachel:

Oh Victoria I love thee, let me count the ways. My husband, Dallas, and I moved to Victoria in August 2010 after living in Alberta for many years. I’m originally from the coast and have always wanted to move back to be closer to friends, family, and milder winters. It was easy enough to convince Dallas that Victoria was the place to be given the proximity to his true love (after me, of course) – surfing.

To be honest I didn’t really know that much about the city before moving here, but I am a quick study and have fallen in love with everything Victoria has to offer. There is an vast array of incredible restaurants, cafes, and shops – it’s no wonder that a friend of mine has referred to Victoria as the velvet ditch – once people get here they realize how sweet it is and stay put.

A word on Victoria – if you are a visitor it is most likely that you are staying downtown and/or near the Inner Harbour. If that is the case you should be able to walk to 80% of what is on this list. For the rest, a short cab ride may be in order. There is one exception to the rule, and it’s worth sorting out transport to do – The Butchart Gardens. I was a doubter for the first year of living here…I mean, it’s just a garden, right – for tourists and the elderly? However, it is pretty spectacular in every season.

(Butchart Gardens, Winter)

Coffee:
Try Habit, The Parsonage Café (home to Fernwood Coffee), Discovery, and Street Level Espresso. For tea drinkers out there, do not miss Silk Road Tea on the edge of Chinatown.

Bakeries:
Victoria does not disappoint in this category. Visit Cascadia, Bubby Roses, or Wildfire. For the Gluten-Free people in your life, Origin is a gem – a bit off the beaten path, but so worth it.

Local tip #1: To combine the above, walk across the Johnson Street Bridge (or if you’re visiting from March through October catch a harbour ferry) to Dockside Green and gorge yourself on treats from my favourite bakery, Fol Epi, and a cappuccino at Fantastico next door.

Breakfast:
Mo:Le, The Blue Fox, and Shine Cafe. A new addition, Hudson Jones is also a sure thing – Maple Bacon Sticky Bun, need I say more.

Local tip #2: if you want to avoid waiting in a long line for brunch on the weekend, check out The Superior – a creative menu, and live music as well. They also do dinner and drinks properly too!

Lunch: Hernande’z for the tacos, Foo for Asian street food, and Pig for BBQ. Red Fish, Blue Fish has, hands down, the best fish and chips in the city.

(Red Fish Blue Fish by Karlie85)

Local tip #3: if you are in Victoria from Monday to Friday, lunch at Relish or Devour are amazeballs – some of the best food Victoria has to offer at these 2 spots.
Drinks:

Victoria has a surprising number of beer producers for its size. Get acquainted with pints from Driftwood, Phillips, Hoyne, Lighthouse or Van Island. I like the view at the Flying Otter or Spinnakers and the low key nature of Garrick’s Head.

For cocktails, sit at the bar at Veneto, Clive’s or the Bengal Lounge at the Empress Hotel. My favourite spot for wine is Stage, where the food is also incredible.

Dinner:

If you’re looking for casual, Ferris’ Grill has the best falafel and the chicken penne soup that you will not regret trying (it may sound weird, but just trust me). Rebar is where vegetarians and those who love them gather. [Editor's Note: I ♥ REBAR.] If you want to be charmed beyond belief, visit Skinnytato, a mom-and-pop Polish place. Pizzeria Prima Strada serves the BEST pizza, Neapolitan-style (certified by the VPN).

(Ferris' Grill)

Local tip #4: if you’re at the Cook Street Prima Strada, you will most likely wait for a table as they don’t take reservations. But hey, it’s ok – head across the street to the Beagle Pub to continue your quest to try all the local micro brews. Your cell will ring when your table is ready!

Ulla is a sure thing for a special occasion dinner – beautiful food, drinks, staff, space. I’m also looking forward to my upcoming birthday dinner at Zambri’s, which I’ve been wanting to try since we moved here.

Believe it or not, there is more to do in Victoria than eat. Victoria is also a great place to shop – find something for yourself at Susaion, Still Life, Lark & Sparrow or my personal favourite, Smoking Lily.

Browse for books at Munro’s, jewelry at Violette, buy ESB some of her favourite deodorant at Emporia. New to Yates St is Nest & Cradle – worth checking out for you and your home. Because you’re already at the Atrium building to drink coffee at Habit, stop in at Cook Culture for your kitchen.

Now that you’ve eaten and shopped yourself silly, a long walk is in order. Victoria is notorious for views of its picturesque inner harbour, which you can walk along from downtown all the way to Fisherman’s Wharf where you will see a floating community and feed fish to friendly seals, if that’s your thing (come on…I know it is). Another great walk is found at Ogden Point, where the Breakwater stretches nearly a kilometre into the sea, and then along Dallas Road, where you look out across the strait to Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.

(Fisherman's Wharf by Hummingbird604)

As I mentioned earlier, a visit to The Butchart Gardens is worth it, even if gardens aren’t really your thing (*raises hand*). Before heading to the Gardens, stop at Hilary’s or Choux Choux for a picnic to take with you. If you are driving out that way, why not visit Sea Cider and then Victoria Spirits – two local producers who are making exceptional hard cider and gin that will make you weep.

p.s. Because I gather you are preggers, you should also stop at Hip Baby on lower Johnson, and check out the clothing for littles at Smoking Lily/Milkman's Daughter.

Also: If anyone wants to answer the bra question, feel free to dive in.

IS THIS TOO SNARKY FOR YOU??

I'm the biggest loser of them all because I'm not drinking tea or coffee at the moment.

Got incredible joy out of walking to Downbeat and ordering a fucking DECAF LATTE on Saturday. It wasn't even a good latte.

But the no caffeine is helping my headaches. A lot.





Sigh.

Fishs Eddy via amy*
______________________________


*So annoyed that permalinks for comments have disappeared. I need to speak to Google about that.

What should I do in Portland??

Dear ESB,

DISCLAIMER: I'm not a bride or engaged or anything (I do have an amazing jazz musician for a boyfriend...does that help?) but I'm thinking of taking a solo trip to Portland, first weekend in November, to be by myself/get some writing done/SEE THE WORLD!

On the OFF CHANCE that you have some time to spare (plus I know you love Portland and I know you take care of your girls, so)--any idea where I should go? What I should do? Incredible coffee shops to write in? Places to walk? Will the weather be icky?

*****

I rly didn't think I'd manage to get this one up.... But lo and behold: when I tweeted "Anyone want to write a What To Do In Portland guest post?" it took Joanna Bean Martin exactly 3 seconds to volunteer.

Remember Joanna?? She is only ONE OF MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE EAST SIDE BRIDES. It will take me some time for me to get over the fact that she left Los Angeles, but whatever.

Joanna and her husband Ike headquarter Afterall, their production company/design agency, inside Lucas, a salon and arts space in Downtown Portland. So I guess if you're Gretchen Jones, you could, say, get a bang trim while they work with you on the redesign for your site.

Anyhoo. Here's Joanna's advice for what to do/see/imbibe in Portland:

I've had a love affair with Portland for a while. So much so, that I got married there two years ago and finally made the move with my husband Ike and one-year old son Julian from L.A. last spring. Since then, we've headquartered and made ourselves at home in Northeast Portland.

If you were my guest and we only had 48 hours, this is what we’d do: drink, eat, shop, repeat. Day 1 is jam-packed. Day 2 is a little -- just a little -- more relaxed.

Day 1:
Pre-breakfast coffee at Woodlawn Coffee & Pastry. The pastries are worth the trip. This coffee shop is in one of the newly revitalized pockets of Portland and even though it's busy there’s always a seat here. (If you’re not feeling Gluten, Tula just opened and I hear it’s divine.)

Head to N Mississippi and put an order in at The Big Egg food cart, which is usually about a 45 min wait on the weekend. I recommend the Breakfast Wrap. Disclaimer: I am neither a breakfast burrito lover nor a wrap person, but this is the BEST egg-bacon-potato combo I’ve ever eaten.

Local Tip #1: say you want it how Dori likes it. She’s friend and regular at The Big Egg.

While you wait for your wrap, walk south to The Mississippi shopping district.
The Meadow: specialty salt and chocolate shop
Sunlan: the coolest light bulb store you've ever seen
Paxton Gate: oddities, curiosities and what nots
Pastaworks: fancy Italian market (delicious sandwiches)

Local Tip #2: Eat your wrap while sitting on a bench overlooking the river at Mocks Crest Park (a hidden empty lot that was recently declared a city park overlooking the Willamette River (will-AM-et not will-AMET) with views of downtown and the West Hills.

Next, head west over the river and choose your own adventure: Downtown/Pearl District or NW 23rd north of Burnside. Either area is good for walking/shopping...
Good classic vintage: Magpie, Avalon, Ray’s Ragtime
For your tax-free Isabel Marant and Rachel Comey fix: Odessa, Francis May
For your home: Alder & Co, Woonwinkel, Pendleton Home Store
Portland’s version of Pearl River Mart: Cargo
For your man: Lizard Lounge, The Woodlands, Dunderdon, Blackbird
For reading a book outside: Jamison Square, Classical Chinese Garden
Get lost inside for awhile: Museum of Contemporary Craft, Powell's [Editor's note: I would just like to point out that this book store has a SOLID five stars on yelp, with 1072 reviews. Also, H is a big fan of Powell's technical bookstore.]
For wishing you had more money: Drive around the West Hills and into Washington Park (beautiful houses surround the park, beautiful views from the park)

Pick up an afternoon coffee at the Stumptown at the Ace or Barista in the Pearl or a quick cocktail at Clyde Commons (Rec: Part and Parcel on the rocks) or Kask (High Desert Swizzle: mezcal and crushed ice). Ok, I like tequila.

Head up Highway 30 W towards Scappoose and follow signs for The St Johns Bridge. It wouldn’t be a complete Portland experience without visiting this bridge and Cathedral Park below it.  While in St Johns, get a Halibut Sandwich from Burgerville (our very own local/sustainable fast food chain).

Day 2: I’ve saved my faves for Day 2. This itinerary is East Side heavy because it’s the side of the river I live on, and frankly, if you’re reading ESB, it probably means it’s the side of the river you’d live on too. [Editor's Note: Yessssssssssssssssssssssssss.]

Read: YOU HAVE TO HAVE BREAKFAST AT BRODER. If nothing else on this list, do that.
Get lost in a vintage warehouse: House of Vintage
Favorite curated vintage shops: Palace, Rad Summer, Half Pint
Best place to go broke: Una
Buy something that makes you feel intelligent: Stand Up Comedy
Best place to buy crystal jewels: Sword & Fern
Nice gifts: Nationale
Local gifts: Local Goods
Get an afternoon coffee and hang out with some cool looking people: Heart
Portland loves sandwiches: Bunk, Meat Cheese Bread, Laurelhurst Market

Local Tip #3: The line at Voo Doo Donuts is never ending and moves insanely slow. If you’re a donut person, definitely get the Maple Bacon, but if you’re not, like me, go across the street and get a drink at Valentine's.

--------------------------------------------------------
Night Time:
Local Tip #4: Happy Hour Menus abound in Portland. It’s the best way to get the most bang for your buck at the best restaurants in town.

Favorite Happy Hours: Tasty N Sons, Sapphire Hotel, Clyde Common, Produce Row, Central
If you’re still hungry: Olympic Provisions (NW location), Gruner, Navarre, Luce, Grain & Gristle

For a lively bar scene: Dig A Pony, Bye and Bye, Bunk Bar, Yes and No, Rontoms

For some local lore: Hubers, Driftwood, Jake’s, Dan & Louis
Because it wouldn’t be Portland, without mentioning a strip club: Magic Garden is kinda awesome, Mary’s is a classic, Sassy’s is debauchery.

Local Tip #5: Portland is a great city to see live music. It’s a town full of musicians and music lovers, therefor it’s also a town full of lots of great venues. Some of my favorite are: Roseland, Doug Fir, East End, Someday Lounge, Wonder Ballroom

There is a lot missing from this list, but I think it will give you a good taste of why Portland is awesome, and lead you to places to do some discovering on your own.

Our lady Joanna has chosen to ignore your "Will the weather be icky?" question so I'll go ahead and answer it for her: Yes.

See helpful hints here from Vancouver/Seattle ladies regarding dressing for rain.

(Photos by Nikki Fenix)

What should Pasty Minnesotans do in LA? (WEST SIDE EDITION: Part 2)

When I first posted What should Pasty Minnesotans do in LA? Paige Appel (aka The Ambassador of Fun) busted me for being east-side-centric.

Hello.

I still wouldn't want to live on the west side. But this series does make me want to cross La Brea a little more often.

Here's Paige on Westwood/West LA + Brentwood:

In my opinion, the west side doesn't go east of the 405, but I have to cover the neighborhoods slighted in the previous posts. I'm breaking it down by location and categories for easy reference in case those Minnesotans can only hit up a few neighborhoods. All of these recs have been tried and loved by me and mine. 

Westwood/West L.A.

Eat.

Apple Pan for the longest running mom and pop burger house in the city. 

Westside Tavern for chicken liver mousse and a great Sazerac.

Native Foods for vegan twinkies and flavorful brown rice bowls.

Junior's Deli for potato latkes and matzo ball soup.

Stan's Donuts for the peanut butter and chocolate filled monster donut.

In N Out near UCLA for the design and burger.

Sunnin for Lebanese amazingness.

Shabu Shabu, Ramen, and Sushi on Sawtelle. 

Diddy Riese for the UCLA student gawking and overrated cookies. 

(Stan's Donuts)

Shop. 

Wally's for wine, handcrafted liquors, and gourmet cheeses.

Children's Book World for a vast curated selection of kids books.

HAMMER Museum book store for art books. 

Buy rare movies at Cinefile.

Buy rare used books at Alias Books

See + buy the most beautiful bonsai trees at the nurseries on Sawtelle

Do.

HAMMER Museum for the best contemporary art shows in the city. See Paul Thek now.

See local live theatre at The Geffen Playhouse.

Movies at The Fox and The Bruin, the dying breed of the huge single screen theatre.

See the Farmer's Classic tennis tournament live at UCLA every July. (ya know, if you like tennis)

See the best midnight movies (aka THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH) at Landmark's Nuart

Fall asleep on a leather couch eating chocolate with sea salt at Landmark's Westside Pavillion

Paul Thek Untitled (Meat Piece with Flies) at The Hammer

Brentwood

Eat.

Tavern for butter crumbed eggs and brisket hash.

Sugarfish for no frills, high quality sushi.

FARMSHOP for a considered, but light lunch in the mart.

Reddi Chick for cheap and good fried chicken and BBQ sauce.

Sweet Rose Creamery for small batch, homemade ice cream. Get the Basil, Salted Caramel or Black Sesame Soy.

Pressed Juicery for fresh concoctions straight from the cold press. Fave is pear ginger pineapple mint.

Osteria Latini for spaghetti bolognese straight from Northern Italy.

SusieCakes for sour cream cheesecake and whoopie pies.

Luxxe Cafe has the best beans and best espresso drinks in the city. (yes, I'm claiming that) Mr. Appel has had the acclaimed versions at Intelligentsia, LAMILL, and the likes and demands Luxxe is as close to Italian coffee as he has ever had in the states.

Shop.

Compartes for geometric and tasty chocolates.

Selima et Benjamin for sunglasses. 

Poppy for well-made, unique, european kids clothes.

Turpan for curated eclectica.

Union Made for Steven Alan-esque menswear. 

Post26 for new and vintage fashions.

James Perse for linen Repetto flats and what else? James Perse.

Diesel bookstore. A disappearing breed of books.

Broken English for interesting jewelry.

Trading Post for a post office straight out of Mayberry complete with unique sundries.

(Broken English)

Do.

Drive up Kenter Canyon to Crestwood Hills Park and on the way marvel at the cluster of Case Study post and beams.

Obviously, go to the Getty. 

Hike Mandeville Canyon.

Have a drink at the top of the Hotel Angeleno for a breathtaking view. 

Walk, shop, eat. See above.

Ride bikes down San Vincente to Ocean Blvd. 

Be sure to catch Part 1 (West Hollywood + Beverly Hills) and Part 3 (Santa Monica + Venice)

Top Photo by Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin for Vogue Paris August 2011