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by Pat MacAodha
edited by David Levine
Welcome to Portland's favorite Con Escape site: the Red Lion Jantzen Beach (AKA "The Other Hotel") and Red Lion Columbia River (AKA "The Other Hotel") on Hayden Island. These two hotels are within walking distance of the Jantzen Beach Shopping Center, which offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and a carousel. The only challenge to have access to all this is managing to cross the road without becoming somebody's hood ornament. (We recommend that adults accompany children-the kids are usually better at these things than grown-ups are.) An occasional walk or jog along the historic Columbia River is also a possibility for fitness enthusiasts.
The I-5 corridor provides a useful umbilical between Hayden Island, Vancouver, Portland and all points beyond. Vancouver is just over the Interstate Bridge to the north, and the bulk of Portland lies to the south. Heading into Portland, be sure to watch for the "City Center" exits, unless you fancy getting lost in North Portland, the West Hills, or one of our beautiful, scenic warehouse districts.
Downtown Portland is 7 miles south on I-5, accessible by both car and bus. If you are a "Con-or-nothing" type, you're stuck on Hayden Island, but if you need some away time, the metropolitan area features an excellent variety of food and entertainment possibilities. Exploring Portland, alone, can be an adventure worth the pursuit. (Even the warehouse district has its possibilities-Powell's City of Books, the bookstore with its own map, is in that vicinity.) Historic Fort Vancouver, once the site of the Hudson's Bay Company, is a great way to explore history up close and personal (I stole that part).
Remember to make reservations at any restaurant that is not a fast-food place, pizzeria, or Denny's clone. Large groups are welcome at any restaurant with enough notice, but descending en masse and without warning on a restaurant may cause the staff to be as enthused about serving you as they would be about entertaining a herd of Triffids. Reserve ahead. It can't hurt! There are a number of specialty restaurants in the area, and copies of the Oregonian's A&E (Arts & Entertainment) section and the Willamette Week restaurant guides will be available for your perusal at the Information Desk. Listings included here are just tip of the iceberg for local dining and entertainment. We offer a variety of suggestions that span the continuum from "plastic food" to fine dining. Enjoy!
Pedestrians: to cross I-5 and live to tell about it, go under the freeway between the two Red Lions' parking lots.
If you are one of those who reserved your room here with a Visa or MasterCard, you can dine at any Red Lion restaurant and charge your food and drink to your room account. Also, if you want to dine at "The Other Hotel" or at the Red Lion Inn At The Quay (located just across the bridge in Vancouver), you can make restaurant reservations at your own hotel and reserve the hotel shuttle to take you back and forth. Please give the shuttle service at least one hour's notice if you plan to take advantage of these transportation options.
- Brickstones Bar - 240-4291
Mon-Fri 11:30 AM-midnight;
Sat-Sun 11:30 AM-1:30 AM
Food and drink available, sometimes handles overflow from Brickstones Restaurant. This place makes Callahan's Crosstime Saloon look like the Quiet Bar, and television is King. Skill in sign language will be a plus here, and the only way you'll be able to converse unless you are a shantyman or you like laryngitis.
- Brickstones Restaurant - 240-4567
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30 AM-2 PM; Dinner: Sun-Thu 5-10 PM; Sat-Sun Brunch: 8:00 AM-1:30 PM; Dinner 5-11 PM
Slower during peak service hours, can flow over into the Quiet Bar or Brickstones Bar. Pricey, but good food. (Or see Red Lion Jantzen Beach or Inn At The Quay).
- Quiet Bar - 283-2111, ext. 4627
Usually open Friday and Saturday 8 PM-midnight. (If there are special hours to accommodate the Con, we'll tell you in the Daily Zine.)
Meals can be ordered here, minus the TV mania, but if you're not a fire-breathing dragon, bring your gas mask and goggles; maybe a telescope will be useful for finding the party you promised to meet.
- Coffee Garden - 283-2111, ext. 4412
Usual hours 6 AM-midnight-unless they change their minds.
The Coffee Garden is a Red Lion institution, and the best place to be able to find the party you agreed to meet. The hours are pretty good, but for even later or earlier rendezvous, Denny's is open 24 hours. The Coffee Garden has the best prices of any of the Red Lion restaurants, and a fair variety. Vegetarian is available.
- Maxi's - 283-4466
5:30 PM-10 PM weeknights, 5:30 PM-11 PM weekends; Sunday brunch 9 AM-1 PM, $14.95 per person
Fine casual dining, Red Lion style. Seafood is the specialty, but steak, chicken, etc. are also available. Price range: $9-$17.95. Make a reservation.
- Coffee Garden
6 AM-11 PM
Same as the Coffee Garden at the Red Lion Columbia River.
The Red Lion Inn at the Quay is located just the other end of the Interstate Bridge, at 100 Columbia in Vancouver, WA. See above for shuttle info.
- Pacific Grill and Chowder House - Portland phone number: 285-0636
6 AM-11 PM; Sun brunch 9 AM-2 PM ($9.95 Adults, $5.95 children)
Excellent seafood!!!
The mall is open Mon-Fri 10-9; Sat 10-6; Sunday 11-6. Most fast-food places will accept take-out orders. Numbers refer to the local area map.
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- Blue Heron Coffee - 735-3986
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- Cinnabon - 289-2917
Cinnamon rolls and sandwiches.
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- Dairy Queen - 285-4121
For DQ addicts.
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- Gyros Gyros - 283-2171
Fast Greek, good and messy; gyros, souvlaki, falafel; all the usual Greek favorites. Best bet at the mall.
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- Health Haus - 285-9724
Natural/health food store; no restaurant.
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- Hot Dog On A Stick - no phone
Just what it says.
- K
- Little Caesar's Pizza (in K-Mart) - 283-4670
For the truly desperate pizza hound.
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- Mrs. Fields' Cookies - 283-5040
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- Old Holland Bakery - 283-1575
Bakery goodies and lunch stuff.
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- Orange Julius - 289-1902
Hot dogs, burgers, and (duh!) OJ.
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- Yonny Yonson's - 289-2003
Sit-down cafe; sandwiches, soups, frozen yogurt. Box lunches available.
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- Denny's - 285-0735
Open 24 hours (`nuff said!).
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- McDonald's - 12005 N. Center; 289-2127
6 AM-11 PM
Playland available; standard Mickey D's fare.
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- Pietro's Pizza - 12115 N. Center; 289-5566
Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM; Sun-Thu 11 AM-10 PM
For the slightly desperate pizza hound.
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- MT Pizza, Deli & Pub - 11995 N. Center; 289-0336
Mon-Sat 10 PM-1 AM; Sun 1-10 PM
For the pizza hound: pizza, calzone, deli sandwiches, fried chicken and 200+ brands of beer. Minors welcome in restaurant area only.
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- Chang's Mongolian Grill - 12055 N. Center; 240-0205
Lunch: 11:30 AM-2:30 PM; Dinner: 5-10 PM
Select your own and watch the cooks stir fry it. All you can eat; Reasonable prices; Half price for kids under 10. An Orycon family favorite! (There's also a Chang's in "Old Town," Downtown Portland: 1 SW 3rd Ave.; 240-2025.)
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- Newport Bay - 11950 N. Center; 283-3474
Fri-Sat 11-11; Sun 10-10. Combination menu/buffet brunch Sun 10-2
Seafood!! Fresh fish, and non-marine options as well. More reasonably priced than Red Lion seafood options, but no better than the Red Lion.
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- Burger King - 12225 N. Jantzen; 285-5883
Fri-Sat 6:30 AM-11 PM; Sun-Thu 6:30-10 PM
For BK freaks or desperate parents!
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- Safeway Food Court - 11920 N. ML King Blvd.
6 AM-11 PM
Sushi bar; Chinese food; deli with salads and cold cuts; "fry case"; espresso bar; juice bar, salad/sandwich bar.
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- Waddles - 11900 N. Martin Luther King Blvd.; 289-5538
Sun-Thu 7 AM-10 PM; Fri-Sat 7 AM-11 PM
Family-owned family restaurant, similar to Denny's; a N. Portland classic.
- Hong Kong Inn - 806 Broadway; (206)695-1553
Fri 11 AM-10 PM; Sat noon-10 PM; closed Sunday
Mandarin and Szechuan. "Okay" Chinese. To get there: take I-5 north to exit 1C, left on Mill Plain Blvd., left on Broadway, six blocks down on the left in the SeaFirst Bldg. Costs more than Peking Garden.
- Peking Garden - 2101 Main St.; (206)699-1005
Fri 11 AM-11 PM; Sat 4-11 PM; Sun 4-9:30 PM
Good basic Chinese. To get there: take I-5 north to exit 1D, left on Fourth Plain Blvd., left on Main St. at the light, a couple blocks on left. Returning to the Red Lions, take Broadway (behind the restaurant) back to Fourth Plain. Turn right and merge left many lanes quickly. (Whew!!)
- Royal India Cuisine - 316 SE 123rd, Suite D1; (206)944-9883
Dinner served from 5 PM daily.
Tandoori cuisine. Reservations appreciated. To get there: take I-205 to the Mill Plain exit. The restaurant is located in the Bridgeport Plaza on Mill Plain Rd., behind the Mai Tai Restaurant.
- Stuart Anderson's - 415 E 13th; (206)695-1506
For the Serious steak freak on a medium budget.
- TeeDee's Pie House - 6600 NE Hwy 99; (206)695-1506
Family dining; late hours; best pie selection in the Metropolitan area. If it's baked into a pie (exception: four and twenty blackbirds), you'll find it at TeeDee's. (P.S. The Pecan pie is almost Southern.)
- Who Song and Larry's Cantina - 111 Columbia Way; (206)695-1198
Definitely Mexican! Chicken, Shrimp and Steak Fajitas, Chile Rellenos, Sizzling Fajitas Salad and more. Call ahead for large groups.
If you want to plan a special event, birthday, anniversary or the signing of that book contract, there is an excellent selection of restaurants that lift dining out of the ordinary and into the superb. Reservations are a must for all of these restaurants.
- The Spirit of Portland - Board at 842 SW 1st Ave. in Portland; make advance reservations by calling 224-3900.
Cruise the Willamette River and dine on Roasted Top Sirloin, Baked Salmon and other delights. $29.95-$39.95 per person, payment required in advance.
- Sayler's Old Country Kitchen - 10519 SE Stark, Portland; 252-4171
Home of the 72-oz. steak, and all kinds of steaks, chicken and seafood besides. Go with a Portlander if you don't want to get lost, but don't miss the opportunity. This is one place were you can't reserve and will have to wait in line. It's worth the wait!
- Sylvia's - 5115 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland; 288-6828
Outstanding Italian food in Portland's Hollywood District. Veal Scaloppine alla Benissimo!!, Canneloni, Chicken Cacciatore and more. Ummm! Reservations please.
- L'Auberge - 2601 NW Vaughn St., Portland; 223-3302
Portland's premier French restaurant. Expensive, yes! Classy? Definitely! But, no question, it's one of Portland's finest. Reservations required.
- Mummy's - 622 SW Columbia, Portland; 224-7465
Middle Eastern food in a "verry interesting" setting. Who knows, Lon Chaney's ghost may join you for dinner here. All kidding aside, the food is excellent. Call for reservations.
- Trader Vic's - 309 SW Broadway in the Benson Hotel, Portland; 295-4130
Excellent food, outstanding service, Polynesian ambiance, but no hula dancers. TV's is still one of Portland's finest. Call for reservations.
- Bush Garden - 900 SW Morrison, Portland; 226-7181
Fine Japanese cuisine, not for the limited pocketbook. Reserve early to get a private dining area, and remember to take off your shoes. One of the restaurant guide producer's personal favorites for over 20 years. Bush Garden offers elegant dining in an elegant atmosphere.
I have to stop here. There are so many excellent restaurants, and only a limited space in the pocket guide. Come back to Portland again, Westerconners. We promise to regale you with even more wonderful choices.
Jantzen Beach
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- Carousel - Located in the mall
Mon-Fri 10 AM-9 PM; Sat 10 AM-6 PM; Sun 11 AM-6 PM
50 cents per ride, 3 for $1.00.
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- Toys "R" Us - SW corner of the mall parking lot; 289-4691
9:30 AM-10 PM daily
For the kid in all of us.
Portland
- Children's Museum - 3037 SW 2nd Ave.; 823-2227
Open daily 9 AM-5 PM
Admission $3.50 for everyone over age 1.
- Cowboys Then & Now Museum - 729 NE Oregon, Suite 190; 731-3200
Wed-Fri 11 AM-5 PM; Sat-Sun noon-5 PM
YeeHah!! A fairly recent (and small) addition to Portland's museum fare, but rapidly becoming one of the most popular museum offerings.
- Discovery Zone - Lloyd Center; 288-2900
Mostly for kids.
- "Historic" Hawthorne District
Portland's answer to Greenwich Village, though more sanitized and yuppified. Food (lots of variety), served in restaurants and cafes that blend in with the semi-Victorian/immigrant atmosphere of the neighborhood; lots of speciality shops offering everything you never imagined you wanted for your cat, dog, bird, bike, garden, bath, etc. Art galleries, magical shops and Espresso to the 4th power. If it's unusual and it can't be found in the Hawthorne District, it's not worth finding (according to the "natives")! Take I-5 to the Morrison Bridge exit, go east to SE 7th, turn left onto Hawthorne and go east, young (or old) fan. The best part of the Hawthorne District starts at about 30th and goes up the hill to about 52nd avenue.
- "Murder Served Hot" at the Portland Inn, 1414 SW 6th at Clay; 524-4366; by advance reservation.
Every weekend.
Dinner with a murder mystery-and the murderer may be sitting beside you!
- Powell's City of Books - 1005 W Burnside; 228-4651
One of the biggest bookstores in the world, and known around the world. Contains the Anne Hughes Reading Room, a coffee shop where you can enjoy espresso, regular coffee, tea, seltzers, sandwiches, soup and a yummy selection of pastries from local Portland bakeries while checking out that stack of books you found on the sale table in the Rose Room. Many of Portland's literati have been spotted rubbing elbows with the rest of us at Powell's.
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) - 1945 SE Water Ave. at Clay St.; 797-4000 (current exhibit; Sky Theater; Submarine Tour; Laser Light Show).
9:30 AM-5:30 PM; Thu-Fri, 9:30 AM-9 PM
Strollers and wheelchairs available; smoke-free.
OMSI's portable planetarium, STARLAB, will be a special feature at Westercon this year.
- Oregon Maritime Center and Museum - 113 SW Front Ave.; 224-7724
Fri-Sun 11 AM-4 PM
If you are enamored of the days of wooden ships and iron men, this is the hang-out for you. Items from sternwheelers, sidewheelers, navigational instruments, etc. recall a Portland past "right here in River City."
- Washington Park Zoo - 4001 SW Canyon Rd., Portland; 226-1561
Open 9:30 AM daily.
Admission charged. Strollers available. If you are just not ready to go back into mundanity after the Con, try the zoo. At least interacting with the primates may put the "real" world back into perspective and restore your sense of humor.
- Portland Art Museum - 1219 SW Park at Jefferson, Portland; 226-2811
Tue-Sat 11 AM-5 PM; Sun 1-5 PM
Adults $4.50; Seniors $3.50; Students $2.50; Family $10.00; children under 5 Free; Wheelchair accessible; smoke-free.
Vancouver
- Discovery Zone - (206)254-2900
- Fort Vancouver
Historic early home of the Hudson's Bay Company, more recently, a "modern" military post complete with soldier cemetery. Many of the former "quarters" on "Officers Row" are now offices for attorneys, psychologists, architects, etc. The archaeological restoration project of the "Old Fort" is still in progress.
The I-5 Corridor
The "Enchanted Duo" are two theme parks for those wishing a large dose of electronically enhanced magic.
- The Enchanted Village - near Federal Way, Washington; (206)661-8000
Open 11 AM-5 PM weekends
Ages 2 and under, free; 3-9, $9; Teens and adults, $11; 62 and over, $7. For a party of 20 or more, call (206)925-8001 (Tacoma) or (206)661-8001 (Seattle). One of two theme parks on I-5, its prices are not so enchanting when compared to those of its southern cousin.
- The Enchanted Forest - Take the Sunnyside, Turner exit 7 miles so. of Salem, Oregon; 8462 Enchanted Wy, Turner; (503)363-3060.
Open 9:30 AM-5:30 PM
Ages 2 and under, free; 3-12, $4.75; Teens and adults, $5.50; 62 and over, $5.50. The Haunted House is $1 more.
- Wildlife Safari - at Winston, Oregon, just south of Roseburg; (800)355-4848
Summer Hours: 8:30 AM-8 PM. Call ahead for current hours and fees.
Take Exit 119 Winston, to Hwy 42, 3 miles; right on Lookingglass Rd., then right on Safari Rd. (180 mi. so. of Portland). Lions and Tigers and Bears and Giraffes and... oh my!
Bank Machines
All have Accel, Cirrus, Exchange, Plus, Visa and MC symbols.
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- Bank of America - north side of the mall
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- First Interstate Bank - near Burger King
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- UBank - inside Safeway
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- US Bank - next to the Red Lion Columbia River, off the Multnomah wing
Miscellaneous Services
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- Liquor Store - 11915 N Center; 283-2907
10 AM-7 PM; closed Sunday
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- Plaid Pantry - 1463 N. Hayden Island Dr.; 285-5576
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- Safeway Supermarket - 11920 N. Martin Luther King Blvd.
- Tri-Met (Portland's Bus System)
For schedules and info, call 238-RIDE (TDD: 238-5811) between 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM weekdays. "Call-a-Bus" 24-hour recording: 231-3199 (TDD: 239-3010)
Crisis Intervention Services
- Alcohol and Drug Helpline - 232-8083; Youthline 233-1113
- Alcoholics Anonymous (24 hr. hotline) - 223-8569
- Al-Anon/Alateen - 292-1333
- Metro Crisis Hotline - 223-6161
- Emanuel Hospital and Health Center - 2801 N. Gantenbein, Portland; emergency 24-hour service; 280-4128
- Portland Women's Crisis Line - 235-5333
- Oregon Poison Center - 494-8968
- General Emergency - 911
- Narcotics Anonymous Hotline - 233-2235
- Dove Lewis Memorial Emergency Veterinary Clinic - 228-7281
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