Nathan McCall, Them: A Novel

Here comes the neighborhood.

Books In Them , Nathan McCall’s debut novel (Atria Books, 338 pages, $25) , the title refers both to the black residents of one Atlanta inner-city ward and the young white “urban homesteaders&rd ... More

Wednesday, January 16, 2008 Kevin Allman

Clarklewis, Reloaded

A new cast and crew bring stellar starters and desserts to one of Portland’s most talked-about restaurants, but the middle act still needs work.

Food Reviews & Stories I never made it to clarklewis’ first incarnation, and always had the feeling I’d come to The Producers just after Nathan Lane had left the show. A Portland transplant, I missed the initial ... More

Wednesday, October 24, 2007 Kevin Allman

Restaurant Guide 2007

Food Reviews & Stories Now in its seventh year, Bluehour is still perfect for the pretty Pearl District: pretty décor, pretty dishes, pretty servers—and pretty expensive. Actually, it’s two restaurants. By day it’s a sunny power-lunch lair. By night, it’s one of the few Portland settings whe More

Wednesday, October 17, 2007 Kevin Allman

Restaurant Guide 2007

Food Reviews & Stories Now with a new owner (Bruce Carey has replaced ripe’s Michael Hebb and Naomi Pomeroy) and a new chef (Daniel Mattern in, Morgan Brownlow out), clarklewis has grown past its enfant terrible stage. It has settled into providing Portland with some of the best salads, appetizers and cocktails in t More

Wednesday, October 17, 2007 Kevin Allman

Restaurant Guide 2007

Food Reviews & Stories Two years ago, Roux staked a Northwest-meets-Creole claim by bringing New Orleans-influenced food to an eclectic crowd on North Killingsworth Street. Several chef changes later, it’s still good, if lacking a unified overall vision. Grab one of the wooden booths, order a New Orleans cocktail fr More

Wednesday, October 17, 2007 Kevin Allman

Restaurant Guide 2007

Food Reviews & Stories This spare little storefront eatery in Northeast Portland is a destination for its finger-licking Texas- and Carolina-style barbecue. Smokemaster Rodney Muirhead’s dry rubs and puckery vinegar-based sauces are good enough to convert those who swear by wet ’cue. It’s hard to choose More

Wednesday, October 17, 2007 Kevin Allman

Boomsday

Christopher Buckley advocates for the final Big Chill.

Arts & Books Stories Cassandra Devine is one pissed-off 29-year-old. An overworked whiz at an evil Washington PR firm (is there any other kind?), she's broke and miserable, and her taxes keep getting raised to boost the B ... More

Wednesday, April 25, 2007 Kevin Allman

Recovering From Storm, Large

Hurricane Katrina relief efforts live on in Portland through the arts.

News In early April, Mayor Tom Potter, local businessman Sho Dozono and several dozen other Portlanders will jet to New Orleans on a "Flight of Friendship," meeting for four days with dignitaries and glean ... More

Wednesday, March 7, 2007 Kevin Allman

Small Town Punk

John Sheppard remembers a Lost Generation sprinkled among the Lacoste generation.

Books 1980 was a rotten year to be a teenager. On the plus side, there was no AIDS and no MTV, but since we didn't know about them, it was hard to appreciate their absence. On the minus side was, well, almo ... More

Wednesday, March 7, 2007 Kevin Allman

Restaurant Guide 2006

Food Reviews & Stories The modern melding of country Cajun and refined Creole food into what's become known as "Louisiana cuisine" is served up at this sleek Northeast Fremont bistro. N'awlins folk art and George "Blue Dog" Rodrigue prints are the backdrop for some savory offerings from chef-owner Adam Higgs, who understa More

Wednesday, October 18, 2006 Kevin Allman