It is my impression that the city of Portland kickstarted the infinite improbability drive sometime last fall, and that things have been slightly askew ever since. We now have a monument to minibikes, bikini-clad baristas (the burns!) and city council devoting serious discussion to the merits of giant neon roses. Is it just me, or is Portland exploring a new sort of weirdness?

If you feel that the news has spiraled into the realm of the absurd, we’re here to help. Exercise some modicum of control over the world by naming the city’s best restaurants, bars, band and more in our 2009 Best of Portland Reader Poll. It only takes five minutes, and we promise you’ll feel measurably better when your finished. We’ll print the winners in our Best of Portland issue on July 22.
—Best of Portland Editor Ben Waterhouse