Giving this concept another try. This post will (hopefully) be updated with new reviews throughout the year. This is mainly for my personal reference, since I love going out to eat but am notoriously forgetful as to where I've been or what I thought about it.

Grüner (Jan. 6):Having heard great things about this place for the last year or so, ( Read more... )

... in 7 easy steps:

• Go to my new favorite steak restaurant in town, Laurelhurst Market. Take three friends.
• Order a whiskey cocktail with amaretto and lavender ("The Setter").
  
  
  • Other options include: The Smith, a complex cocktail that tastes a bit like a creamsicle; the Dizzy Sour, a rye whiskey drink; a gin and tonic with house-made tonic (upgrade ( Read more... )

(Related 2009 lists: movie list 2009, restaurant list 2009)

List of Books I Read in 2009

Newest reviews are at the top of the list.

• Cathedral, Raymond Carver (1983): A collection of twelve short stories of desperation and intensity, and chiseled out of stone. Carver, an Oregon native, expertly manages to communicate incredible emotional ( Read more... )

(Related 2009 lists: book list 2009, restaurant list 2009)

List of Movies I Watched in 2009 (underlined = in the theater)

Newest reviews are at the top of the list below.

• You and Me and Everyone We Know (2006), dir. Miranda July: Great debut from a former Portland resident and performance artist (but a little jarring to see Portland place names ( Read more... )

(Related 2009 lists: book list 2009, movie list 2009)

List of Restaurants I Visited in 2009 (underlined = first time)

Newest reviews are at the top of the list.

• Screendoor, Portland, OR (Jan. 22): I don't know why we don't go here more often, really. I mean, I've never had a bad experience. Well, ok once, when the boneless chicken breast in the ( Read more... )

Caught up on some reviews lately, here are links ...

Movies:

• Tropic Thunder

Restaurants:

• Lincoln
  
• Radio Room
  
• Caldera Public House
  
• Podnah's Pit
  
• Pause

Books:

• Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, Chuck Klosterman
  
• Watchmen, Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons

(Related 2008 lists: book list 2008, movie list 2008)

List of Restaurants I Visited in 2008 (underlined = first time)

Shortcuts first. When updated, new reviews are at the top of the list below.

Portland:
3 Doors Down + + Le Bistro Montage + + Caldera Public House + + E’Njoni Cafe + + Higgins
Jake's Grill + + Kenny & Zuke's + + Lincoln + + ( Read more... )

I'll update to list those I've read most recently at the top.

(Related 2008 lists: movie list 2008, restaurant list 2008)

List of Books I Read in 2008

• Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, Chuck Klosterman (2004): Klosterman is, to me, one of those people I want to either hang out and be friends with ... or kill and somehow take credit for all he's ( Read more... )

A personal resolution for me this year is to keep an ongoing list of the movies I've seen (and the books I've read), and maybe what I thought about them. I'll update to list those I've seen most recently at the top.

(Related 2008 lists: book list 2008, restaurant list 2008)

List of Movies I Watched in 2008 (underlined = in the theater)

• Tropic ( Read more... )

Music:

"The Understanding" (Röyksopp) ... the second album from two nerdy, synthy guys in Norway, sounds just as gleaming, less otherworldly, and more danceable, than their initial "Melody A.M." release. Highlights include echoes of their old sound on "Only This Moment" and "Circuit Breaker" (the former featuring guest female vocals), and new ( Read more... )