Everyone has their favorite places to frequent and hang out, and ours are quite diverse ( I’m sure you will spot similar threads). I have to admit, I have a soft spot for good pastries, and the best that you will find in Vancouver, are at Je T’aime Bakery and Patisserie on Main Street. I think I am there nearly every day for a pastry and a baguette to take home. Maybe I should suggest to Claire that she let us work on her website 😉 The other place you may find us at, is River Maiden Coffee, they serve up some of the best lattes around the ‘Couv (using Stumptown Coffee)… it doesn’t get much better. I haven’t decided whether I prefer a 12oz 1 pump Vanilla latte, or a 16oz Mocha, no whip? It’s all good, and we love each and every pulled shot! Lunch is hard to pass up at either Provecho Mexican Grill for some amazing Mexican food (my favorite is the Carne Asada tacos), or a slice at Vancouver Pizza. Both on Main Street, all within walking distance. And after meals like these, we could all use the walk!

But we’re more than just food and beverage (I think…). We love music! From Jazz to Metal, Jpop to Classical, Prog to Indie, and Blues to… well, you get the idea. Finding vinyl treasures is always a pleasure. There are some mint used stuff out there to be found, as well as some grimey finds to clean up. Among the best places to find music are Music Milennium and Everyday Music. Music Milennium is a Portland tradition… not the easiest to get to, and certainly not the most spacious inside, but always the best of what there is to find. Make mine a Blue Note remaster from Music Matters, Analogue Productions, or Classic Records…. Yum! (don’t forget that April 17th is Record Store Day, celebrating the last of the great Independant Record Stores! Go support yours!). If you want a huge selection, check out one of the many Everyday Music stores in the Portland area (and a few in Seattle). I even poke my head in the local Vancouver musty vinyl store dive now and then. But what to play your trusty vinyl on? Well, check out some of these wonderful purveyors of fine HiFi gear and toys that will certainly get you in trouble with your significant other for considering purchase. I love the digs at Stereotypes and Pearl Audio… makes you want to pull up a chair and sip a fine glass of Pinot Noir or Cab, while basking in the glow of tubes and solid state! If a used find is your joy, try Echo Audio in downtown Portland. You never know what great old classic you may find there. We got our own Decco goodness there, and my how we are enjoying it! If you want to keep up with all of the latest HiFi happenings, check online magazine Tone Audio.  (reformatted to fit your shiny new iPad… which, I don’t have)

And the Portland area just wouldn’t be Portland without the obligatory trip to Powell’s Bookstore. I know that Jeremy would spend more time in there if he wasn’t already smitten with the local library. Some folks like to read… and some devour literature like pastries. Jeremy would be the latter.  So many great places to visit or hang out… so little time. (and if only they all had free WiFi!)