Yummy! Non-smoking! Incipient heart attack!

If you’re a fan of the classic greasy hamburger, consider visiting Stanichs, located in both NE and SW Portland. I am most familiar with the NE Stanich’s at NE Fremont and 49th, in the Beaumont neighborhood. This Stanich’s is full of pennants, making for mesmerizing viewing if conversation grows dull. While clearly once a smoking spot from the fine patina on the walls, the air is now clear.

There is a special Stanich burger involving an egg, which I have never personally consumed, but is met with much happy sighing by friends. The normal burger is a delight, as is the classic grilled cheese. Don’t forget the fries.

We have repeatedly discovered that the NE Stanich’s is closed on Sundays. I think they might accept cards now as well. They are located at 4915 NE Fremont St, Portland - (503) 281-2322. The SW Stanich’s is at 5627 SW Kelly Ave, Portland - (503) 246-5040. They can be found online via Citysearch, but do not appear to have their own website, and I’m not sure of the accuracy of the information there…

Blue Olive is a Mediterranean restaurant located on NE 46th and Fremont in the Beaumont neighborhood.  Besides being a cool neighborhood, this is a wonderful restaurant.  Run by two delightful brothers, the food is a wonderful blend of Mediterranean/Persian flavors.

If it’s nice, sit in the back patio.  And we always end up ordering one of the platters for two.  The variety is fun, you won’t go hungry, and the lamb is amazing.

Farmer’s Markets are a joyful part of living in Portland.  There are lots and lots of them, and sometimes it’s hard to remember all of the options.  Walking, biking, and occasionally driving the Hollywood Farmer’s Market is a great Saturday morning activity.  Of all of the places in my greater neighborhood, I bump into the most friends (some from my early childhood) at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market.  For prepared foods, I am particularly fond of the Crepe Women and the Fleur de Lis bakery folks.  We’ve found lots of great produce (particularly berries) this year, and since we didn’t get a vegetable garden going I am very grateful to have fresh basil!  And I can’t wait for local tomatoes.

There is now a small Farmer’s Market right by the NE 7th Ave. MAX stop on Tuesdays in the late afternoon, which I am hoping to try out on my way home in the super-heat today.  And then there is another Farmer’s Market at the Ecotrust building on Thursdays that I keep meaning to inspect from work as well.  So much good food, so little time!

I love the Rose and Thistle. Neighborhood bars are a great thing, and the Rose and Thistle (NE Broadway and 23rd) is a lovely place to comfortably have dinner or hang out. I am also a huge fan of gardenburgers and fries, and the Rose and Thistle does an excellent job of both. Everything is done just right, and my request for extra pickles is always met. I also adore the staff at the Rose and Thistle, even when they are busy.

There are also some other cool things on the menu at the Rose and Thistle, including some more traditional Scottish fare. The specials also tend to be wonderful, particularly a pork chops they had recently. My love of their gardenburger means I usually have to sample the other dishes via friends and family, but I don’t think any of us have been disappointed. Even when we’ve eaten there a couple of nights in a row…

I’d love to know more about the history of the Rose and Thistle — there are some intriguing articles posted on the walls, and it sounds like I have missed the former beloved (and perhaps crusty) owner prior to his departure to the big haggis in the sky.

Ben and I swung by the Mulch in the Gulch event yesterday at 17th and NE Clackamas, and I had an absolutely fabulous crepe.  I’m not entirely sure who the crepe makers were, but I hope that they will appear again.  We were there the first part of the gathering and failed to find anyone about recycling our spare dryer.  Then again, I was struck shy at the time, and didn’t do a good job of chatting with strangers.  However, the neighborhood overall seems very friendly and I’m sure that we’ll get to know more folks over time.

I continue to thoroughly enjoy Broadway Floral, who had a lovely selection of plants!