Start Spreading
the Dough
Great East Coast pizza is hard to find in Portland, so word
of Pizza Hut's Big New Yorker Pizza ($9.99 with one topping) gave
us hope for something more homey and less chi-chi than newfangled Pacific
Northwest pies. The 16-inch pie (30 percent larger than Pizza Hut's regular
large pizza) topped with extra sauce and cut into eight "foldable" pieces,
is supposed to mimic New York slices. Fold, schmold. And even the bigger
size and extra, tangier sauce don't make a more savory 'za--this is no
Big Apple in a box. (Big-city types may require foldable slices they can
inhale on the way from the dry cleaner to the bank, but we Portlanders
like to sit down and eat more leisurely.) On the other end of the Sicilian
spectrum is Red Baron's new Bake to Rise pizza (about $5 at most
groceries). The Bake to Rise feature offers a bready crust that gives
frozen pizza new life; unlike other frozen-food-aisle standbys, this newbie
is not prebaked. It smells dreamy, but be prepared for a Wonder Bread
crust that's probably not as crispy as you'd like. (LB)
More than One
Feature Presentation
The world of movie entertainment abides by the credo, "more
is better." The latest proof: Portland's newest super-deluxe multiplex
has just opened its doors amid a welter of superstores. National chain
Century Theatres presents Eastport 16 (4040 SE 82nd Ave., 775-0000),
which boasts 16 theaters, each offering comfy seating--with cup holders,
no less. Because the rows of seats rise steeply, you'll never have to
strain to see over that tall person with the huge hair. The digital
stereo sound is booming, though the impressive volume couldn't drown
out an annoying cell-phone conversation on a recent visit. One-upping
the coffee cart at Lloyd Cinemas, Eastport boasts an espresso bar and
a deluxe concessions counter with fancy cheesecake. Striving to be an
all-encompassing entertainment center (possibly fit for a child's birthday
party), the plex comes complete with a super-arcade. (LB)
Free Your Mind
Unless you're a food critic, there's still no free lunch.
There is, however, free education. In its inaugural semester,
a program organized by several Lewis & Clark College students offers
weekly instruction and discussion on everything from postmodernism to
knitting to automotive repair. According to its pamphlet, Free University
"was established to bring people together to learn in a safe and
supportive environment." Based on the classes I attended, I can say
Free U is achieving that directive with high marks. The classes are
taught by teachers, students or anyone interested in having a consistent
forum to discuss whatever intrigues them. The varied offerings include
Candace Maynard's class on Kenpo, a self-defense technique, and Adam
Sommers' "Saving and Investing in the Stock Market" (a second night
has been added to accommodate the nearly 40 twentysomethings wanting
to hear about derivatives and preferred stocks--call it a sign of the
times). Free U is currently offering 31 classes; most meet one day a
week for one to two hours. Classes will continue in the fall. Experts
and non-experts alike are encouraged to contact the program if they
want to coordinate a class. To register, or for more information, e-mail
freeu@lclark.edu. (MM)
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Willamette Week | originally
published March 3,
1999
|
