Food Reviews & Stories The perfect hangout for a post-Sopranos spaghetti-and-meatballs marathon. Don't be deceived by the name: Pizza isn't even the half of what Nicola's is all about. Here, intimidating plates of pasta bully their way into the spotlight, threatening to break your belt buckle but not the bank. All entrees   More

Performance Ever tire of the media's quest to identify the country's next hotbed of creativity? In local playwright Steve Patterson's new play, Lost Wavelengths (part of Portland Center Stage's Just Add Water/Wes ...   More

Performance [STAGE] Every so often somebody brags, "Nothing can shock us anymore." But every society has its taboos.Take, for example, the love between a 10-year-old boy and a 30-year-old priest. Edwin Sanchez's ...   More

Performance Who knew what would erupt when Theater Vertigo's well-rounded acting ensemble decided to team up with defunkt theatre's forward-thinking design group for playwright Len Jenkins' Like I Say?Both innova ...   More

Food Reviews & Stories It's hard to really discern what this place is going for: Imagine a magical land aesthetically reminiscent of the '50s, where Creole jambalaya ($9.95), Greek salad ($9.25), turkey quesadillas ($7.75) and schinken au bracken ($8.50) all live together in perfect harmony. Call it indecisiveness or call   More

Food Reviews & Stories A no-nonsense, hold-the-health-food house of heartiness. Regulars know to bypass the printed menu and just ask Gretchen what she's got on the stove or in the fridge. Whatever you do, don't forget to order two scoops of her special, cholesterol-laden shrimp, tuna or chicken salad on the side ($2.75-$   More

Food Reviews & Stories The hippest little breakfast-brunch-lunch joint for animal lovers and their animal-eating sweethearts. Locals come in droves for the scrambles, like the 12th Avenue ($7), a colorful, fresh amalgam of zucchini, corn, green onions, tomatoes and parmesan with your choice of eggs or tofu. If you like it   More

Food Reviews & Stories Conscientious meets delicious: Owner Polly Bangs employs homeless and disadvantaged youth in entry-level positions at North Mississippi's most bangin' place to pop plate after plate of hot pasta. While it may not sound like it, romantic, open-face booths for lovebirds and a candle-lit bar for friend   More

Food Reviews & Stories The real deal for barbecue in Southeast. Clay's serves up stout sandwiches and hearty, Southern-style platters with great sides, like kick-ass slaw and homefries with garlic sauce. Beware: The honey-cured pork-loin sandwich ($8.75)—piled high with bleu cheese, crispy Granny Smith apples and tasty ga   More

Food Reviews & Stories You'll think you've died and gone to Paris when you glimpse this bright, ambitious bakery's display of sugary, chic baked goods. From heavenly butter croissants ($1.95) to rich bread puddings ($3.50), Ken's sweet treats hook you; its savories reel you in. To totally transcend traditional Parisian st   More