Skip to main contentOnce a year we step down from our vaunted thrones as arbiters of culture and let you, our uncannily knowledgeable and attractive readers, pick the best places and people the city has to offer. This year, 2,178 of you gave us your opinions. Here's what you had to say:
EATS
Best New Restaurant
Given the hour-long wait, it's no surprise that you chose Ken's Artisan Pizza (304 SE 28th Ave., 517-9951). Runner-up: Le Pigeon
Best Old Restaurant
After 13 years of (locally) sustained excellence, Higgins (1239 SW Broadway, 222-9070) still has your hearts, stomachs and—ouch—sometimes wallets. Runner up: Wildwood
Best BBQ
Forget the whole Texas versus Memphis debate—you get it all at Russell Street Bar.B.Que (325 NE Russell St, 528-8224). Runner up: Clay's Smokehouse Grill
Best Bakery
It was a tight race between two of Portland's world-class bakers, but, in the end, Ken's Artisan Bakery (338 NW 21st Ave., 248-2202) wins da pennant. Runner-up: Pearl Bakery
Best Hangover Brunch
You nurse your Bloody Marys at Tin Shed Garden Cafe (1438 NE Alberta St., 288-6966). And then you eat at the runner-up. Runner-up: The Original Hotcake and Steak House
Best Power Brunch
When it's time to settle the deal over bacon and eggs, you head for "Mama's," a.k.a. Mother's Bistro (212 SW Stark St., 464-1122). Runner-up: Bijou Cafe
Best Burger (cheap)
Who can argue with Burgerville's Painted Hills Beef patties and fresh-from-the-field toppings? (Burgerville.com).Runner-up: Helvetia Tavern
Best Burger (spendy)
Born March 3, 1994, the Higgins Burger is still your favorite. Greg has this town on a (Kaiser-like) roll.Runner-up: Castagna
Best Burrito
You really love Cha! Cha! Cha! (3433 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 236-1100, and other locations)—the cheapo mini-chain's burrito won in a landslide. Maybe it's the hot sauce. Runner-up: La Sirenita
Best Local Restaurant Chain
How could McMenamins (mcmenamins.com) not be your favorite? Besides, they have a restaurant in a mortuary. How cool is that? Runner-up: Burgerville
Best Cart
Oh, man, those lentils at India Chaat House (804 SW 12th Ave., 241-7944) are to die (and come back several times) for. Runner-up: Sawasdee Thai beat out Taqueria Lindo Michoacan by just four meager votes
Best Chocolate
Moonstruck Chocolate (608 SW Alder St., 241-0955, and other locations) took a whopping 54 percent of the vote. Runner-up: JaCiva's Bakery
Best Coffee Roasters
No competition here: Stumptown Coffee Roasters (3377 SE Division St., 230-7797) comes in first by a 1,061-vote margin. Runner-up: Portland Roasting Company
Best Coffee Shop
Let the Californians and other upstarts come—Portland will remain thoroughly weird as long as you keep drinking at Goody Cable's much loved Rimsky-Korsakoffee House (707 SE 12th Ave., 232-2640). Runner-up: Albina Press
Best Tea Shop
Tao of Tea (239 NW Everett St., 224-8455, and other locations) steeps it right for 54 percent of you, and that's not counting all the write-ins for the Classical Chinese Garden's teahouse (operated by Tao of Tea). Runner-up: TeaZone. *Notable write-in: Townshend's Alberta Street Teahouse, with more than 50 votes.
Best Sweet Treats
Pix Pâtisserie (3402 SE Division St., 232-4407, and other locations) is where you go to rot your teeth with stylish sweets. Runner-up: For the first time in years, Papa Haydn takes second place.
Best Doughnuts
Weirdos win in this town, and Voodoo Doughnut (22 SW 3rd Ave., 241-4704) is as weird (and popular) as it gets, taking almost 70 percent of the vote. Runner-up: Annie's Donuts
Best Restaurant for Blowing Someone Else's Dough
Too close to call: Higgins, Genoa (2832 SE Belmont St., 238-1464) and Bluehour (250 NW 13th Ave., 226-3394) received 306, 301 and 296 votes, respectively, for the best place to empty Uncle Warbucks' wallet.
Best Restaurant to Pop the Question
Where but an intimate corner in Paley's Place (1204 NW 21st Ave., 243-2403)? Runner-up: Il Piatto *Notable write-ins: "Closing time at the Copper Penny"; "Gresham 7-11"; "Oh, God...that would be wonderful if he proposed at Masu"; "Wild Abandon (the server isn't going to pay much attention to you anyway—might as well kill the time waiting for water refills by agreeing to get hitched)."
Best Fish & Chips
You like them greasy and British at the Horse Brass (4534 SE Belmont St., 232-2202). Who knew? Runner-up: Halibut's
Best Gelato
Mio Gelato (25 NW 11th Ave., 226-8002) is the preferred frozen fix. Runner-up: Staccato Gelato
Best Hotdog
The Dog House (2845 E Burnside St., 239-3647) squeezes into the lead by 15 votes as your fave place to grab a dog with everything. Runner-up: Zach's Shack *Also: 34 votes for Good Dog/Bad Dog and 11 for Costco.
Best Late-Night Eats
When it's late, you wanna eat some Southern comfort food that will stick to your alcohol. That's why y'all head for Le Bistro Montage (301 SE Morrison St., 234-1324). Runner-up: Dots Cafe
Best Mexican Restaurant
Ustedes siempre van a Taquería Nueve (28 NE 28th Ave., 236-6195), y con buena razon. Runner-up: ¿Por Que No?
Best Pizza
"Eat local!" you freaky organic types chant. "Eat Hot Lips!" (721 NW 9th Ave., #150, 595-2342, and other locations) Runner-up: Ken's Artisan Pizza
Best Slab o' Beef
You adore "old school" and "classy." That's why you make your meat runs to Ringside Steakhouse (2165 W Burnside St., 223-1513; 14021 NE Glisan St., 225-0750). Runner-up: Jake's Grill
Best Sushi (cheap)
Hit up Mio Sushi (2735 N Killingsworth St., 286-5123, and other locations) for affordable nigiri and something akin to Japanese pizza. Runner-up: Sushi Takahashi
Best Sushi (spendy)
For extravagant raw fish, you go to Dragonfish Asian Cafe (909 SW Park Ave., 243-5991). We don't know why, either. Runner-up: Sinju
Best Flesh-Free Fare
You gobble meatless burritos at Laughing Planet (3322 SE Belmont St., 235-6472, and other locations). And you like it.Runner-up: Vita Cafe
Best Chinese Restaurant
Apparently, Chinatown is over; the action's now at Sungari Pearl (1105 NW Lovejoy St., 222-7327). Runner-up: Wong's King Seafood
Best Thai Restaurant
Guess what? You're still eating at Typhoon! (410 SW Broadway, 224-8285; 2310 NW Everett St., 243-7757). Runner-up: Pok Pok/Whiskey Soda Lounge
Best Vietnamese Restaurant
An enormous majority of you get your slurp on at Pho Van (1919 SE 82nd Ave., 788-5244, and other locations). Runner-up: Pho Hung
Best Down-Home Cookin'
You think Delta Cafe's (4607 SE Woodstock Blvd., 771-3101) fixin's are finest. We agree. Runner-up: Zell's Cafe
Best Sandwiches
Out-of-towners can huff and puff all they like, but you really like the New York-style offerings at Kornblatt's Delicatessen (628 NW 23rd Ave., 242-0055). Runner-up: Pearl Bakery
THE ARTS
Best Art School
Despite (or possibly because of) its camouflaged digs, you love the Pacific Northwest College of Art (1241 NW Johnson St., 226-4391). Runner-up: Art Institute of Portland
Best Arts Org—Visual Arts
With all the money you've poured into it lately, the Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park Ave., 226-2811) had better be your favorite. Runner-up: SCRAP
Best Arts Org—Dance
You like the old-school ways of Oregon Ballet Theatre (818 SE 6th Ave., 222-5538, obt.org) best. Runner-up: Do Jump!
Best Arts Org—Classical Music
Even if you rarely attend, you might like to know that the Oregon Symphony (orsymphony.org, 228-4294) is still packing them in. Runner-up: Portland Opera
Theater Company (Equity)
Between the jaw-dropping new venue and a killer season, it's no surprise you love Portland Center Stage (128 NW 11th Ave., 445-3700). Runner-up: Artists Repertory Theatre
Theater Company (Fringe)
Theatre Vertigo (theatrevertigo.org, 306-0870) may have yet to win a Drammy, but they've won your hearts. Runner-up: Sojourn Theatre
Best Art Gallery
It's a matter of civic pride (and a love of local artists) that you vote for Jane Beebe's PDX Contemporary Art Gallery (925 NW Flanders St., 222-0063). Runner-up: Elizabeth Leach Gallery
Best Locally Owned Movie Theater
You love the great movies, good brew and comfy seats at the Laurelhurst Theater (2735 E Burnside St., 232-5511). And, oh, the popcorn's not bad either. Runner-up: Cinema 21
Best Local Author
That salacious scribe Chuck Palahniuk took home almost half the vote. Runner-up: Ursula K. Le Guin
Best Place to Rock Out
You're still loving the bouncy floor at the Crystal Ballroom (1332 W Burnside St., 225-0047). Runner-up: Doug Fir
Best Local Band Name
Jesus Burger is the host with the most—votes, that is. Runner-up: Fruit of the Legion of the Loom. Has no one else heard of these bands, either?
Best Local Band
Pop orchestra Pink Martini came in with an easy, 160-vote lead over the competition. Runners-up: In order, the Decemberists, the Shins, Menomena and Storm Large
THE BODY
Best Barbershop
You get your hip clips at Bishops Barbershop (3742 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 238-9600, and other locations). Runner-up: Rudy's Barbershop
Best Hair Salon
Write-ins constituted 47.5 percent of the votes, but no single salon got enough votes to beat out Dirty Little Secret (1909 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 288-8968). Runner-up: Bishops Barbershop
Best Spa
You steam, soak and indulge your senses in elegance at Aequis (419 SW 11th Ave., 223-7847). Runner-up: Dragontree
Best Facial
You medicate your mug at Aequis, too. Runner-up: The Face Place
Best Gym
24-Hour Fitness (1202 NW Irving St., 222-5344; many other locations) raked in 283 votes, plus 73 write-ins. Runner-up: Multnomah Athletic Club. Seriously? Our readers are better-off than we thought!
Best Public Pool
You like your laps at Mount Scott Community Center (5530 SE 72nd Ave., 823-3183). Cowabunga! Runner-up: Dishman Community Center
Best Yoga Studio
You get bendy at Yoga in the Pearl (925 NW Davis St., 525-9642). Runner-up: Yoga Shala of Portland
Best Tattoo Parlor
You get inked at Tigerlily Tattoo & Design (4620 NE Sandy Blvd., #7, 288-1555). Runner-up: Atlas Tattoo
Best Piercing Parlor
Looks like you get your holes at Black Hole Body Piercing (2946 NE Glisan St., 231-0712). Runner-up: Straight to the Point
DRINK
Best Bar in the City
Your favorite gin joint is rontoms (600 E Burnside St., 236-4536), the new kid in town. Runners-up, in order: The Horse Brass, Doug Fir, Mint/820
Best Bar in Your Neighborhood
North: Vendetta (4306 N Williams Ave., 288-1085) Northeast: Alberta Street Public House (1036 NE Alberta St., 284-7665) Southeast: (tie) Aalto Lounge (3356 SE Belmont St., 235-6041) and Sapphire Hotel (5008 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 232-6333) Northwest: Blue Moon Tavern (432 NW 21st Ave., 223-3184) Southwest: Lucky Lab Public House (7675 SW Capitol Highway, 244-2537)
Best Happy Hour
You get your discounted drinks (and cheap eats) at Portland City Grill (111 SW 5th Ave #30, 450-0030) daily from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Runners-up: Jake's Seafood, Oba!, the Brazen Bean
Best Bartender
National mags agree: Lucy Brennan (820) is the top mixologist in town. Runners-up: Kevin Johnson (Devil's Point), Kevin Ludwig (Park Kitchen), Kelley Swenson (Ten-01)
Hottest Bartender
Smokin'-hot Andrew McHendricks (rontoms) can pour you a drink anytime. Runners-up: Bridget O'Connor (Holocene), Lucy Brennan (820), Amanda Prock (Lupa)
Best Dive Bar
You slum it up it with the best of 'em at Ash Street Saloon (225 SW Ash St., 226-0430). Runner-up: Joe's Cellar Lounge
Best Brew Pub
You suck down housemade suds at the Lucky Lab (915 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 236-3555, and other locations). Runner-up: Amnesia Brewing
Best Mixed Drinks
You like them shaken, stirred and very, very sexy at Saucebox (214 SW Broadway, 241-3393). Runner-up: Mint/820
Best Karaoke
You hit them with your best shots at the Alibi (4024 N Interstate Ave., 287-5335). Runner-up: Chopsticks
Best Place to Get Your Groove On
Groovy and ginormous, Holocene (1001 SE Morrison St., 239-7639) is where you go to shake it. Runner-up: The Goodfoot
DJ Who Spins Just for You
You narcissists! DJ Wicked (justplainterror.com) spins for everyone! Runner-up: DJ Sew What
Best Meat Market (mfw/wfm)
When you need a slice of that sweet meat, you slither over to Barracuda (618 NW Glisan St. #402, 228-6900). Now, where did we put our panties? Runner-up: Ground Kontrol
Best Meat Market (wfw)
We don't have Bill O'Reilly's pink-pistol-packing lesbian gangs in this town, but we do have the Egyptian Club for gal-on-gal action. (3701 SE Division St., 236-8689). Runner-up: Crush
Best Meat Market (mfm)
Here's a "gay agenda" for you: Gay boys love to get lucky at Saucebox. Runner-up: Scandals
Best Place to Make Out
You folks are bolder than we are: Playing tonsil hockey on the Tram? Runner-up: Living Room Theaters *Notable write-in: Skidmore Bluffs.
Best Place to Break Up
You like making scenes in public. Like, Pioneer Courthouse Square public (Southwest 6th Avenue and Morrison Street). Runner-up: Lloyd Center Ice Rink
Best Place to See Naked Men
If you can get past security, why not ogle the meat in the Blazers' locker room? Riiight—in your dreams, buddy. Runner-up: Silverado.
Best Place to See Naked Women
You apparently aren't keen on movement: You ogle the stiff broads (sculptures, not docents) at the Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park Ave., 226-2811). Runner-up: Mary's Club
Best Place to Rub Shoulders With the Beautiful People
You obsessively scan the crowd at Doug Fir (830 E Burnside St., 231-9663). Are you cool enough? Well, are you? Runner-up: Bluehour
Best Pool Room
You polish up your english and then load up on good grub at the Rialto (529 SW 4th Ave., ?228-7605).Runner-up: Sam's Hollywood Billiards
Best Place to Wait for the Smoking Ban
Until 2009, you're sticking to the cancer-free air at Doug Fir (830 E Burnside St., 231-9663).Runner-up: Vendetta
Best Local Booze—Brewer
Man, oh man, do you love that Beertown Brown from BridgePort Brewing Company (1313 NW Marshall St., 241-7179). Runner-up: Roots Organic Brewing
Best Local Booze—Wine Shop
You pop your corks over the selection at Urban Wine Works (407 NW 16th Ave., 226-9797). Is it the "adult sno-cones"? Runner-up: Cork
Best Local Booze—Hooch
Hmmmm...McMenamins Edgefield. Is it the booze? Or the fact you can fall down into a bed after you get all hooched out? (2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale, 669-8610)Runner-up: Clear Creek Distillery
PUBLIC LIFE
Best Local Political Cause
Top five: Up with bikes! Biodiesel for all! Ban smoking! Enough with the trigger-happy cops, already! Start smoking the weed—legally! Notable write-ins: "Abortions for everyone!"; "Are the Benson Bubblers wasting water? We should turn those off"; "Ban pedestrian right of way!"; "Can we pump our own gas already????"; "equal rights goddamn!!!!!!"; "Get over the stripper obsession. Xoxo—a former stripper"; "Go gay marriage, go gay marriage, go!"; "Just stay in frickin' Williamsburg, already! Don't move here! OK!"; "Local economys [sic]! Are good!"; "More Public Restrooms!"; "No exposed flabby bellies on men or women"; "Mandatory hygiene classes for alt-lifestyle folks"; "Photovoltaics for every building— let's get off the oil tit"; "Stop studded snow tires! It only snows two fucking inches a season here!"; "Start the Society For The Preservation of Portland Earlobes."
Best Scandal
The Tram Debacle was the shocking-est, most shameful scandal of the past year, you say. Runner-up: The Derrick Foxworth Flame-out
Best Member of City Council
Is it his smoldering eyes or hot talk in Council sessions? Whichever, you like Sam Adams. A lot (see below). Runner-up: Erik Sten
Hottest Member of City Council
Again, his hotness, Sam Adams, is your dishiest Commish. Runner-up: Gap-toothed Erik Sten
Best County Commissioner
The new guy gets a break. Ted Wheeler turns your wheels. Runner-up: Lisa Naito
Hottest County Commissioner
Blond "Mean Girl" Lisa Naito steals your throbbing heart. Runner-up: Maria Rojo de Steffey
Best Local Political Activist
Steve Novick. Is anyone surprised that the short, mouthy dude with a hook for a hand comes out on top? Watch your back, Gordon. Runner-up: Jefferson Smith
Hottest Political Activist
Sorry, Jeff. Fellow Bus Project driver Anna Galland makes our civic heart go thumpity-thump. Runner-up: Jefferson Smith
Best Local State Rep/Senator
Rep. Diane Rosenbaum. She loves the gays, and Kate Brown, too! Runner-up: Rep. Mary Nolan
Hottest Local State Rep/Senator
This is weird. Or is it just some Democratic conspiracy? Tie: Rep. Diane Rosenbaum/Rep. Mary Nolan
Best Local Nonprofit
You animal lovers tugged at our hearts when you voted for the Oregon Humane Society (1067 NE Columbia Blvd., 285-7722, oregonhumane.org). Runner-up: Mercy Corps
Best University or College
It's big! It's unwieldy! And you love Portland State University anyway! Runner-up: Reed College
SHOPPING
Best Bike Shop
Time for new wheels? You head for the Bike Gallery (1001 SW Salmon St., 222-3821, and other locations). Runner-up: River City Bicycles
Best Car Wash
You hose off the filth at Washman (1530 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 235-9111, and other locations) Runner-up: ECO Car Wash
Best Auto Repair
When the car clanks, you take it to Burnside Auto Repair (2546 E Burnside St., 234-7900). Runner-up: Bill's Automotive
Best Clothing for Hip Chicks
You go to crazy for Kathryn Towers and Holly Stalder's Seaplane (827 NW 23rd Ave., 234-2409). Runner-up: Pin Me Apparel
Best Clothes for the Society Set
Mario's (806 SW Broadway # 250, 241-5034, and other locations) is where you go to get dressed up. Runner-up: Mimi & Lena
Best Vintage Clothing
Red Light (3590 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 963-8888) lightens up your wallet and your closet. Runner-up: Ray's Ragtime
Best Cookware
Almost all of you head to Kitchen Kaboodle (535 SW 6th Ave., 464-9545, and other locations) for kitchen whats-its. Runner-up: In Good Taste
Best Florist
The bouquets at Sammy's Flowers (2122 NW Glisan St., 222-9759; 5320 NE 33rd Ave., 281-0310) are good enough for your beloved, and for the tables at Bluehour. Runner-up: Gifford's Flowers
Best Furniture
There's nothing like the bizarre-but-cheap jumble of furniture at City Liquidators (823 SE 3rd Ave., 238-4477) to decorate your pad. Runner-up: Hive
Best Local Grocer
New Seasons Market (1954 SE Division St., 445-2888, and other locations) is by far your favorite place to shop for the fresh stuff, with almost 60 percent of the vote. Runner-up: Zupan's
Best Independent Bookseller that Isn't Owned by Michael Powell
When you want to shop somewhere a little less mind-boggling, you go to Annie Bloom's Books (7834 SW Capitol Highway, 246-0053). Runner-up: Looking Glass Books
Best Comics Shop
Every month you run to Excalibur Comics (2444 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 231-7351) to get the latest Powers. Runner-up: Bridge City Comics
Best Record Store
Music Millennium (3158 E Burnside St., 231-8926) is still your favorite (even though it's closing its Westside store), taking home 55 percent of the vote. Runner-up: Everyday Music
Best Video Rental
Movie Madness (4320 SE Belmont St., 234-4363) is the place to go for obscure videos—with over 50,000 titles, how could it not be? Runner-up: Videorama
Best Lighting
The selection at Rejuvenation (1100 SE Grand Ave., 238-1900) brings light to your darkness. Runner-up: Hippo Hardware
Best Lingerie and Bedroom Gear
How naughty! You outfit your drawers at Spartacus (300 SW 12th Ave., 224-2604). Runner-up: Oh Baby
Best Jewelry
Twist (20 NW 23rd Place, 224-0334) is your go-to place for mementos (and expensive apologies). Runner-up: Gilt
Best Outdoors Gear
You outfit your next adventure at, um, Next Adventure (426 SE Grand Ave., 233-0706). Runner-up: Andy and Bax *Also, 150 write-in votes for REI, which isn't from 'round these parts.
Best Skate Shop
Need a board? You go straight to work at the Office (2136 E Burnside St., 595-5298). Runner-up: Cal Skate
Best Girls' Shoes
You're all soled on Shoefly (718 NW 11th Ave., 973-5555; 7347 SW Bridgeport Road, 968-8137). Runner-up: PedX Shoe Shangri-La
Boys' Shoes
You treat your feet at Johnny Sole (815 SW Alder St., 225-1241). Runner-up: Mario's
OUTDOORS
Best Bike Path
You take your leisurely weekend rides along the Springwater Corridor. Runner-up: Waterfront bike loop
Best Hiking Trail
You lose yourselves in the woods of the Wildwood Trail. Runner-up: Hoyt Arboretum
Place to Jog (or Power Walk! Whoo 1987!)
You huff and puff along the Eastbank Esplanade. Runner-up: Waterfront Park. Notable write-in: "Anywhere I can watch you power walk."
Best Place to Play Pick-up Basketball
Laurelhurst Park is where you get your game on. Runner-up: Irving Park Courts
Best Skate Park
You like it old-school at Burnside Skate Park. Runner-up: Outside my window at 3 am—no, seriously.
Best Place to Walk Your Dog
You pace the pooch at Mount Tabor. Runner-up: Washington Park
Best View of the City
Sunset from Mount Tabor is indeed a glory to behold. Runner-up: Council Crest. Notable write-in: "The Tram—excellent at sunset or sunrise—great for necking."
EVERYTHING ELSE
Best Hotel
Times may change, but you still recommend the Heathman Hotel (1001 SW Broadway, 790-7752). Runner-up: The Jupiter Hotel
Best Sports Franchise by Which You Live or Die
The Trail Blazers took a sudden lead late in the game after drafting Greg Oden. We'll see how long that lasts. Runner-up: Rose City Rollers. Notable write-ins: "Do we have a reading team?" "ducks!!!!!"; "Oregon Ballet Theatre" (two votes); "Watching sports is for fat people."
Best Blazer
Brandon Roy.Runner-up: Greg Oden. Notable write-ins: "houndstooth, hand-embroidered"; "Move to Bolivia with your draft pick already"; 15 votes for Clyde Drexler.
Hottest Blazer
Brandon Roy. Runner-up: Ime Udoka. Notable write-ins: Drexler, again
Best Oregonian Reporter
You admire Jeff Manning for his hard-hitting coverage of real issues. Good on you, Jeff. Have you taken that place over yet? Runner-up: Anna Griffin. Notable write-ins: "Whoever does the comiccs [sic]"; "Shawn Levy for president"; "Steve Duin (has the chutzpah to cover the Kennedy assassination)"; "Beth Slovic....Thanks for taking on VP ...GO BETH."
Best Local Blog
An Exploration of Portland Food and Drink (portlandfoodanddrink.com) is the only place for up-to-the-minute, possibly spurious food gossip. Runner-up: Bike Portland (bikeportland.org)
Best Locally Published Magazine
You spend a lot of time in checkout lines, so you love Portland Monthly. Runner-up: Bitch
Best Municipal Mascot
We can only hope that Tres Shannon from Voodoo Doughnut is still the perfect example of a Portlander. Runner-up: That old standby, Portlandia
Best New Building
You love the Armory (128 NW 11th Ave.), which is only sorta new. Who cares? It's awesome (despite what WW has said in the past). Runner-up: The Tram
Best Old Building
You can't beat the gravitas of Multnomah County Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave.). Runner-up: Union Station
Best Reason to Move to Portland
Top five: "Young Creatives," Bike-friendly streets, Stumptown Roasters, Strippers, Veggies Notable write-ins: All of the above (11 votes); the weather (19 votes); "Because it's Portland, and the essence, which can't be taken apart into individual factors, is what makes it great"; "Better than Seattle"; "cleanliness" (2 votes); "CRAFT BEER/ BREWPUBS"; "Don't move to Portland, but rather one of the suburbs"; "eco-minded liberals and good food"; "Everybody else is doing it...."; "Everything!" (6 votes); "The food!" (15 votes); "Gays AND strippers!" "Global Warming—we seem to be unaffected"; "It's better than anywhere you could ever live on the East Coast."; "liveability" (8 votes); "most beautiful exciting city except for Paris"; "no reason, go away"; "Oregon Bus Project Hotties"; "Please don't" (4 votes); Powell's (5 votes); rain (9 votes); "So you can tell people you live in Portland..."; "The Beer, The Wine, The home-fermented liquor and the art of enjoying it all"; "The Freak Mountain Ramblers....this is why I will never be able to leave"; "The Outdoors" (11 votes); "The red brick in the tranny mall"; "To keep away the fishing village feel...better chances for locals to date someone with more than two degrees of separation"; "the whole gestalt"; "to support Steve Novick"; "to swim in the Willamette"; "Willamette Week"
Best Reason to Move Away from Portland
Top five: Gentrification, the Pearl, the dating scene, "Young Creatives," Strippers Notable write-ins: "All of the above" (7 votes); "aggressive scenester-ism (you try to blame the hipsters, you assholes, but it's all of you)"; "all of the above except strippers and stumptown"; "bite your tongue! I'm never moving!"; "bojack.org"; Californians (7 votes); "Christian Hipsters"; Cost of housing/living (24 votes); "Everything closes at 10"; "the OLCC"; "Getting too crowded" (2 votes); "Hawthorne Cutlery's Ad Agency"; Hipsters (20 votes); Homeless (7 votes); "House Republicans"; Job market (11 votes); Lack of diversity (8 votes); "Lack of sunshine"; "Lars Larson"; "losers at the Doug Fir who are afraid to rock out and get down, I'm never going to an over-21 show again, these people suck!"; "None!" (18 votes); "Only if someone gave me a beachhouse"; "Portland Schools Foundation and the school board that hired Vicki Phillps"; The rain (49 votes); Traffic (21 votes); "USOs—unidentifiable sexual objects"; "suburban Hummer drivers who flock to NW 23rd"; "The Portland Mercury"; "The Oregonian"
Best Landmark You Love (or Love to Hate)
The White Stag "Made in Oregon" sign. Runner-up: The Tram. Notable write-ins: "The Black Box"; "Abe Lincoln in South Park Blocks"; "big pink... hate"; Hung Far Low (6 votes); "Joan Crawford (I mean of Ark)—Gleason (sic)/39th" (6 votes); "Love The White Stag Sign (jerks—give US the choice!)"; St. Johns Bridge (5 votes); "that big thing on Alberta wrapped in saran wrap" (2 votes); "The Portland sign at PCPA—how did they not see that it's a huge double sided dick? or did they?"
Least Despicable Neighborhood Neologism
Although a startling number of you didn't get that the question was written in jest, the top five were: NoPo (North Portland), TweBu (28th Avenue and Burnside Street), FoPo (Foster-Powell), LoBu (Lower East Burnside Street), and the very popular write-in candidate, "THESE ARE ALL STUPID MAKE THEM STOP."?Other notable write-ins: "WeMo (Westmoreland)"; "The Taint (upper and lower) halfway between Couch and Ash"; "SoWhat? (South Waterfront)" (11 votes); "Shunthorpe"; "PoNoMo (Old NoPo)"; "PlsStop"; "oh god no! No! No! No!"; "NoPoPoPoOhNo"; "NonPo (Milwaukie)"; "NePoGo (NE Port. Golf)"; "LoKi (lower Killingsworth)"; "CloTi (Close-in Tigard, baby)"; "Clivison"; "BePop—Between Popeye's on MLK"
WWeek 2015