Hawthorne/Belmont, Portland, Oregon (A)

While many pubs in Portland specialize in local brews, the Horse Brass offers a dizzying array of foreign beers. This British-themed pub has a menu of traditional UK dishes (like Scotch Eggs and Bangers and Mash) – and, of course, has dartboards. Dan Younger has owned the Horse Brass for twenty years, and jokingly claims to have bought the pub from the original owners after they got him drunk. Struggling early on with an out-of-the way location, Horse Brass has flourished as the Belmont neighborhood began to grow. Today, the pub does a strong business with young and old alike mixing and enjoying the city’s best taste of Britain.

While video stores seem to be a dying breed, the independent-minded Movie Madness retains a loyal cult following. Specializing in the hard-to-find films and memorabilia, the store has been a fixture in the city since 1991. Opened by Mike Clark with 2000 movie titles in an 800 square foot store, Movie Madness grew in reputation…and in size. In 2007, the store was remodeled – and the collection expanded into 70,000 titles in more than 6000 square feet. Aside from the impressive array of films, Movie Madness contains a “Museum of Motion Picture History” – with over 100 costumes and props used in films, including the baby carriage from “The Untouchables” and the actual knife used in “Psycho”!

At over 26 acres, Laurelhurst is one of the largest parks in the city. Beautiful lawns, biking and running paths, basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer fields, picnic sites, playgrounds and wading pools are found throughout the park. Two of the park’s additional draws include a large off-leash area for dogs and a pond populated by numerous ducks, swans, geese, fish and turtles. The park opened in 1912 on farmland purchased from former mayor William S. Ladd, and many of the original buildings remain. In 2001, Laurelhurst Park was named to the National Register of Historic Places. This park is a great place to relax – and visiting during the vibrant colors of trees in Fall is especially nice.

Occupying a large, nondescript warehouse building on Hawthorne, House of Vintage is like a huge, fantastic garage sale of almost anything imaginable. The building is actually a collective of over 55 independent merchants, but it’s often hard to distinguish one section from another. A maze-like trip through the store is a patchwork of mostly-used items, either out in the open or tucked away in nooks and crannies. You can find everything from vintage clothing and furniture to artwork and pop-culture memorabilia for very reasonable prices. With 13,000 square feet to explore, allow plenty of time to be able to see it all.

This beautiful theater was originally built by Universal Pictures in 1927 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. In its early years, the Baghdad hosted some of the very first talking movies and a number of vaudeville shows (including Sammy Davis, Jr.). Lovingly preserved by the McMenimans, this vintage theater with onsite restaurant and bar is a great place to take in good food, beer and a movie all at the same time. The ornate interior is like stepping into a time warp – with a fountain, enormous balcony, vaudevillian stage, chandeliers and vintage design with a Middle-Eastern flair.

One of Portland’s most popular eateries, folks often line up at this family owned pizzeria for the authentic, Old Italian style pizzas. Only a limited amount of dough is made each day – and when that is gone, no pizza for you! The dough – which is made of only four ingredients (flour, water, salt and yeast) – is fermented for over 24 hours to help give the crust texture and acidity. Cooked in extremely hot ovens (up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit!), the crust has a bit of char – giving it an old-world charm and flavor. It’s a bit different than the pizza most are used to – and most definitely worth trying. However exclusive the supply, the dining area is decidedly low-key, if a bit crowded. To end this tour, catch the Tri-Met #14 bus just outside the restaurant at 47th and Hawthorne for the trip westward to downtown.