"Get a Front-Row Seat at the Teardrop Lounge If you enjoy drinking cocktails, you'll like the Teardrop Lounge. If you enjoy seeing them made, you'll like it even more. It was pure fluke that when we arrived, the only seats remaining were the two barstools next to the wait-station, and we took them willingly, because we'd heard good things about this place from a gin-distilling friend in London . Speaking of gin and tonic, this place makes its own tonic water from scratch, and it's a million times better than the anaemic stuff that comes out of a soda stream. What was supposed to be a place to kill some time before the cinema turned into an hour-long entertainment in itself. The mixologist was kept on his toes—the bar was at capacity and the orders just kept coming—and we didn't see him slow or stop for a second. From Tom Collinses to Negronis to Long Island Iced Teas, not to mention the raft of house cocktails that the Teardrop is famous for, he was stirring, shaking, and sluicing incessantly. And if we'd thought that would make him too busy to talk to the likes of us—well, we were very wrong. He was charming, insightful, interested in what we were up to, and witty (at one point, looking a little exhausted, he told me "If you came in here and ordered a simple gin and tonic, I wouldn't just make it for you, I'd buy it for you"). Seriously, I couldn't recommend this place more highly. Go there. And give the barman a break."

"Barrel-aged Beer in Portland Hair of the Dog was the most fun (and perhaps the most risky) stop on our Portland bicycle brewery tour. The beers are delicious, unique, and each named after the brewers—which makes it especially fun to get a flight and compare them. I liked "Fred," a sugared-up Belgian, and my next favorite was "Adam," a chocolaty stout. They have a high alcohol content, so take that into consideration when ordering."

"I'll Try Them All One of my favorite ways to sample a city is to taste its micro-brews. So when I'm in Portland , my number-one stop is the Rogue Distillery and Public House. The beer is so spectacular I lugged home several pints. With so many to choose from, I didn't know where to start, but luckily I was there with a friend, so we both ordered a sampler of five beers each. Neatly organized on a wooden palette, they came in the spectrum of golden hues. While it was hard to choose a favorite, I can suggest one to bypass: the VooDoo Donut tribute maple bacon ale. If you like applewood smoked bacon, perhaps you'll enjoy this pink-bottled beauty. Of course I, like many, had to try it and you likely will too."

"One of My Top 5 Brunches Ever Tasty N Sons is on the Top 5 list of best brunches I’ve ever had. Here I was introduced to Shakshuka, an Israeli dish made of red pepper & tomato stew, with baked eggs and merguez sausage. It’s served in an orange potted bowl, and you want to savor every single bite. And yes, you will wait. But it’s worth it for such inventive options."

"Growler-to-Go There was a time in the not-too-distant past when folks would wander down to their neighborhood brewery and come home with a pail or two of fresh beer. Today's growler industry was born from these humble beginnings. The Tin Bucket takes the practice and geeks it up with modern technology to insure every container they fill leaves fresh. This NoPo pit stop is on the bike route and a popular pause for cycling commuters needing a boost. The Bucket is filled with a great selection of bottle beers and ciders and sports 40 virtual tap handles for pints and growlers. The filling stations are a Jetsons-like operation imported to PDX from down south. The high-tech nature of recycling your container for beer refills pairs perfectly with Portland 's sustainability culture. The selection is ever-evolving and the staff is up-to-speed on taste profiles and beer trivia. There are a few tables in this small space to sample and ponder what to take home. Just don't leave empty growler-ed."

"Beer on the Move Finding great beer is rarely about the destination and more about the journey. There are no shortage of trails to take you on beer expeditions in Portland , with Migration taking its place among the best. Locally sourced, owned, operated and distributed, the beers coming out of this brewery are broad and balanced. The brewers embrace the importance of innovation, while staying true to styles that span centuries. The beer menu is all Migration, all the time, with seasonal and special batches breaking into the lineup on a regular basis. The IPAs are hoppy and the stouts are, well, stout. Keep track of your alcohol content (always posted along with bitterness values) if you plan on operating machinery after a couple rounds. Some styles creep up into the double-digit range. You'd swear the folks serving the beer are the ones making it, based on their knowledge and expertise in pairing your taste to their brews. The other benefit is a great pub menu with something for everyone. Try the pulled pork nachos or hypocrite burger to give your cold one something to wash down. The pet-friendly patio seating is lively rain or shine and the beers are on sale during televised local sports team events. Plenty of onsite bike parking, too, if you decide to two-wheel it in."

"Tequila? Olé! Ducking into the Matador in the alphabet district is a great way to tour the Mexican culture through its tequila and mezcal heritage. Touting over 100 tequilas in a variety of vintages, you're likely to become a bit overwhelmed by the depth and complexity. This anxiety is generally relieved after a couple of shots. Staff are keen on giving solid recommendations based on your preferences. There are "flights" of tequila to introduce you to the subtle characteristics of this oft-misunderstood beverage. Be daring and undaunted by the task at hand, and try to sip, not shoot. Salt & lime optional. The space is anchored by a large fire pit that is cozy in the winter months. Huge windows open during summer to bring the outside, in. The menu is focused and leans toward the California interpretations of Mexican cuisine. The pork dishes are a bit more traditional, while the fish tacos have a NW flair. The carne asada is nicely done, and there are veggie and gluten-free options all over the menu. Happy hour is a big draw with lots of great dishes and featured drinks on the cheap. While being part of a small chain of restaurants might seem one-dimensional, Matador promotes local sourcing on ingredients and lets each store have its own personality. NW Portland is a great neighborhood for exploring, and a tequila flight at the Matador is an entertaining way to get the party started."