0 Introducing our Austin Community Manager, Whitney Francis

By Unknown | At 13.27 | Label : austin , best evers | 0 Comments

Hello, Hotpotters of Austin!

My name is Whitney Francis, and I�m happy to announce that I�ve recently joined the Google Hotpot team as Austin Community Manager! First off, I just want to say how excited I am to be representing Hotpot in one of the most unique cities in the country. Get ready to join me at some very cool upcoming events, share your favorite Austin places, and learn helpful how-to Hotpot tips. We're looking to do something for everyone: foodies, outdoor enthusiasts, dog lovers � everything that makes Austin the great city it is.

If you�re wondering more about me, I was born right here in central Texas and have lived in Austin for the past five years. In that time, I�ve worked for the National Karaoke League, covered SXSW as a reporter, and started my own blog called Free Eats Austin. I love to discover new places, and since Hotpot is all about sharing your Best Evers with friends, I thought I�d share a list of my Austin favorites with all of you!

I wouldn�t be a true Texas gal without a Texas-sized appetite for barbecue, and no one can smoke a brisket better than the guys at Franklin BBQ. Whether it�s a �Tipsy Texan� (brisket and sausage sandwich) or their fall-off-the-bone ribs, the second you try your first bite, you�re in Heaven!

Of course, if it�s a Tex-Mex craving that�s got me in its grasp, then I head straight to Polvos for a bowl of queso and their shrimp fajitas. With fresh ingredients like squash, mushrooms, and spinach, these dishes take South-of-the-Border cuisine to a whole new, mouth-watering level.

Once I�m finished indulging my gluttonous side, you may see me hitting the trail down at the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike, perusing the selections at BookPeople, or sipping on a Manhattan at Trifecta. And after that bit of liquid courage, it�s not at all unusual to spy me onstage at Ego�s � karaoke being my second passion, after Hotpot, of course!

That�s just a taste for now, but I�d love to hear what your Best Evers are too in the comments. Stay tuned to the blog for more from Austin, and ping me any time with questions or ideas at @GoogleATX on Twitter.

Posted by Whitney Francis, Austin Community Manager

0 Best Ever Concert Series: The Dandy Warhols, Typhoon and Y La Bamba

By Unknown | At 21.22 | Label : best ever concert series , best evers , portland | 0 Comments

To wrap up our Best Ever Concert Series, The Dandy Warhols, Typhoon and Y La Bamba took the stage last Thursday at the University Chapel in Portland, Oregon. Several hundred people gathered in the church's pews and choir lofts to watch an amazing night of music, including a psychedelic light show by The Dandy Warhols.

Here's video of Typhoon's performance:



And here's the full gallery of photos from the night:

In case you missed it, here's past coverage of all three of our shows, including photos and video of The Thermals, Lifesavas, Red Fang and The Builders and the Butchers.

A big thanks to the Official Manufacturing Company and crew for putting on such an awesome series of shows!

Rock on, Portland.

Posted by Vanessa Schneider, Hotpot Team. Video by Chris Hornbecker, Jeff T Smith and OMFGCO. Photographs by Jeff T Smith and OMFGCO.

0 Share your Austin Best Evers at Music by the Slice 2011

By Unknown | At 14.26 | Label : austin , best evers , sxsw | 0 Comments

Editor�s Note: We on the Hotpot team love our music � Best Ever Concert Series, anyone? � so we�re sponsoring Music by the Slice, a three-day music party thrown by Austin's Home Slice Pizza during SXSW. Stop by 1415 S. Congress from 1 to 7pm daily from March 17 to 19. It�s free � no wristband or RSVP required. You can listen to the music or share the event info with your friends on Facebook.

Home Slice Pizza employees are consummate music fans. And once a year, when all of Austin is listening, Home Slice throws a party called Music by the Slice that channels our passion for music, for pizza, and for showing folks a genuine good time.

This is our 6th year hosting Music by the Slice and this year's event promises to the best yet.

First, we have a stacked lineup of 30 carefully chosen bands from all across the indie music spectrum, from hip hop (Aesop Rock with Rob Sonic and DJ Big Wiz, Shad) to pop (The Submarines, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Ivan & Alyosha, The Boxer Rebellion) to bluegrass (Trampled by Turtles), to indie guitar rock (Versus, Telekinesis, Wye Oak, Times New Viking) to rootsy (The Cave Singers, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Great Lake Swimmers) to just plain quirky (Kimya Dawson, Thao with the Get Down Stay Down), and of course a healthy dose of the next big thing thrown in the mix (Lord Huron, Still Corners, Kopecky Family Band, Typhoon).

Second, we are teaming up with our pals over at Google Hotpot to pull this thing off. These guys are going to have a 25-foot map of Austin, where peeps attending Music by the Slice can rate their Best Evers in Austin! Just as we are passionate about the bands we select, Austinites love championing our local independent places. With so many out-of-towners visiting Music by the Slice, this is a great chance to throw some shout outs to your favorite places around town in a very public way and win them some new customers during the festival.

But the best part? It�s all for charity. Yes, that�s right, all the profits from our outdoor bar sales will be donated to Urban Roots/Youth Launch, a youth development program that uses sustainable agriculture as a means to transform the lives of young people and increase the access of healthy food in Austin. These guys have a farm in East Austin where they employ and educate local kids about sustainable farming and donate much of what they grow to feed the hungry locally here in Austin.

It's going to be an awesome event, and we can�t wait! Come on by Home Slice Pizza this week, listen to some great music, and share your favorite Austin spots.

Posted by Joseph Strickland, Co-Owner of Home Slice Pizza

0 Best Evers: Stephanie Stricklen

By Unknown | At 12.23 | Label : best evers , portland | 0 Comments

Editor�s Note: While we�re in Portland, we wanted to bring some local flavor to the blog by asking writers who live in the area to contribute Hotpot-style city guides: recommendations on where to eat, where to shop, where to hang. Below, locally based writer Geoff Kleinman sits down with Stephanie Stricklen to discuss Stephanie�s Portland Best Evers.

In addition to rating and reviewing businesses on Hotpot, you can give your 10 favorite businesses a Best Ever award. We thought it would be fun to talk to a few prominent Portlandians to see what businesses they're giving their Best Ever awards to and why.

Up next in this ongoing series is Stephanie Stricklen, who hosts a quirky, geeky, fast-paced show called Live @ 7 on KGW Newschannel 8. She's worked at KGW for more than a decade and loves it; she has interviewed amazing people like the Dalai Lama and gotten to do amazing things like fly in an F18 with the Blue Angels and cover the Olympics all over the planet. You'll also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Here are Stephanie�s 10 Best Evers:

Mint Tea
This tea shop is crazy awesome. If you're either looking for a place to take an out of town guest or need a one-of-a-kind gift, stop by. Try the Moroccan mint tea and say hi to Jenna and Abdul.

Cinetopia
No better place to check out a movie on our side of the river in Vancouver; the husband and I go early and I check out Cinetopia's wine room and then order appetizers and settle in inside the Living Room theaters.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters
What can I possibly say about this killer coffee that hasn't been said before? Maybe that I love, love, love it (and I drink decaf)?


Sushi Tsunami
You never really know what you're going to get at a sushi-go-'round joint, except at Sushi Tsunami.  Consistent, quality, pocketbook-friendly delicious sushi.

McMenamins Edgefield
Had many stellar overnight trips here.  From the fun, eclectic bars to the overnight accommodations, this is an all-around win IMHO.

Lauro Mediterranean Kitchen
A (relatively-speaking) old-school standby for me. The food here is always great.

Shigezo
Stumbled across this Japanese bar and grill on a downtown walk. Fell in love with the food, the atmosphere and the fact that every time I've been there more people are speaking Japanese than English.

Powell's City of Books
Books. More books than you have ever seen in your entire life. You're welcome.

New Seasons Market
The folks at New Seasons joke about the friendly service there, but they're not kidding. They'll help you pick that perfect pastry, or deli gem to set your party apart. I spend too much time surfing the cheese counter. If you see me there, please remind me that I am on a perpetual diet and should keep moving on.

Uwajimaya
Any place that boasts veggies that come with a "Caution: May burn skin if handled raw" warning is aces in my book. ACES. I could spend a fortune there sampling wonderful foods not normally available in your local grocery store.

Which businesses will you give your 10 Best Evers to?

Posted by Geoff Kleinman. Geoff is the editor of DrinkSpirits.com, a national blog helping people figure out what to drink, and OnPDX.com, helping people figure out what to do in Portland.

0 Come Celebrate Austin with Google and GSD&M at SXSW

By Unknown | At 14.36 | Label : austin , best evers | 0 Comments

The best taco in Austin sparks a healthy debate when brought up at GSD&M � every employee you ask will give you their opinion about the freshest tortillas or the tastiest salsa that makes their taco worthy of the �Best Ever� title. Our agency is deeply rooted in Austin and it's not just the best tacos our employees rave about; it�s also the best swimming holes, best barbecue joints, best lookout points, and all of the spots that make Austin the one-of-a-kind city that it is. Many of these places are renowned, but there a lot of secrets you need a local to tell you about.

With people heading to Austin this week in droves to kickoff SXSW, we wanted to do our due diligence to ensure the out-of-towners know the best places to go. We teamed up with the Hotpot crew to plan The Industry Party on Monday, March 14 at GSD&M. We�re going to have music from J. Roddy Walston & The Business, The Mother Truckers and Lance Herbstrong. We�ll feature art from Austin's Magda Sayeg, RAD Furniture, and Hugh MacLeod to name a few. And we�ll unveil a seriously awesome interactive Google map showcasing GSD&M�s Best Evers of Austin.

We can only hope SXSW attendees will discover some of their own Best Evers this trip, and we can't wait to see how theirs compare to ours. But seriously, you'll have to trust us on the tacos. You can thank us later.

Posted by John McGrath and David Rockwood, GSD&M

0 We're On a Boat: Sailing With Red Fang and The Builders and the Butchers

By Unknown | At 09.05 | Label : best ever concert series , best evers , portland | 0 Comments

Update 3.11: We've got video of the show! Film and editing by Chris Hornbecker & Caleb Plowman in collaboration with Official Mfg Co.:



Last Thursday, we hopped aboard The Portland Spirit in Portland, Oregon, to rock out at our second show in the Best Ever Concert Series. Red Fang and The Builders and the Butchers played to a packed boat as it sailed down the Willamette River.

Here's a bunch of photos from the night:

The next gig? This Thursday at the University Chapel � yep, a church! � with The Dandy Warhols, Typhoon and Y La Bamba. 

Posted by Vanessa Schneider, Hotpot Team. Photos by Chris Hornbecker.

0 Rocking and Rolling to The Thermals and Lifesavas

By Unknown | At 21.57 | Label : best ever concert series , best evers , portland | 0 Comments

Update 3.3: Here's a video capturing all the fun at The Rink. Film and editing by Chris Hornbecker & Caleb Plowman in collaboration with Official Mfg Co.:



Last night, we got our skate on in Portland, Oregon, as we kicked off our Best Ever Concert Series at Oaks Amusement Park Roller Rink. Portland favorites The Thermals and Lifesavas rocked out on stage, while concertgoers relived their grade school days working up a sweat in tan and white roller skates. There was cotton candy, a Wurlitzer organ, a giant Place pin balloon � basically, everything that is cool and awesome.

Check out a full gallery of photos from the night:

Photo by Fritz Mesenbrink 

Photo by Chris Hornbecker

Photo by Fritz Mesenbrink

Photo by Fritz Mesenbrink

Photo by Chris Hornbecker

Next up? Red Fang and The Builders & The Butchers this Thursday aboard The Portland Spirit. See you on the high seas, mates!

Posted by Vanessa Schneider, Hotpot Team

0 Best Evers: Laura Kelso, Writer

By Unknown | At 11.10 | Label : austin , best evers | 0 Comments

In addition to rating and reviewing businesses on Hotpot, you can give your favorite businesses a Best Ever award. While we're in Austin these next several weeks, we thought it would be fun to talk to a few prominent Austinites to see what businesses they're giving their Best Ever awards to and why.

Up next in this ongoing series is Laura Kelso, an Austin-based food and travel writer who regularly contributes to Southern Living, Texas Monthly, Austin Monthly, and the Austin American-Statesman. She also has written for Travel + Leisure and the Discovery Channel. Laura was the food critic for Austin Monthly for four years, and is the co-founder of Dishola.com, a website devoted to sharing the love of food � dish by dish. We asked Laura to give us some of her Austin Hotpot Best Evers.

Uchi
I know. Uchi�s praises have been sung in oh-so-many-ways. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways�but honestly, this cutting-edge sushi mecca serves up the most imaginative Japanese fusion fare in town. Think smoked baby yellowtail, served atop crunchy yucca chips with garlic brittle and Asian pear. (Can you say umami?) Besides, how is it not possible to �heart� chef Tyson Cole? He�s the bomb.

Fonda San Miguel
How can you not love a restaurant that feels like a spacious hacienda in the Mexican highlands, filled with Mexican paintings, Saltillo tiles, and punched-tin lanterns that play tricks with the light? Add to that the Mexican interior cuisine � fresh ceviche, handmade flour and corn tortillas, tacos al pastor, and roasted poblanos � and you can see why �the Fonda� earns my love. Oh, and the crepas de cajeta, layered with milky caramel sauce, cinnamon and ice cream? In a word, ricissimo.


Thai Fresh
I love Jam Sanitchat�s sunny eatery, which triples as a kitchen, informal dining room, and grocery store. A handful of daily dishes, displayed in a deli case, range from spicy lemongrass soup to green curry with tofu and summer squash. Sanitchat � both owner and chef - sources many of her ingredients locally, including natural chicken from Buddy�s, meat from Richardson Farms, and vegetables from Austin-area farmers� markets. I head to Jam�s when I want to get my Thai on.

Lamberts Downtown Barbecue
It�s my go-to joint for barbeque, and not just because the brisket, rubbed with brown sugar and coffee, is finger licking good. Juicy smoked chicken is enlivened with an achiote and lime rub, and the seared chickpeas and goat cheese appetizer is a must for any garbanzo devotee. Chefs Larry McGuire and Tommy Moorman bring a laid-back vibe to the old school dining room, with its historic brick walls and warm lime green booths. Live nightly music upstairs in the lounge is another awesome perk.

Flip Happy
Sure, this vintage Airstream might have erratic hours and ridiculously long lines, but the hand-made sweet and savory crepes are worth the wait. One of the grande dames of the Austin trailer scene, Flip Happy opened its windows in 2006, and has subsequently blazed a path for a long line of other foodie four-wheelers. Their sweet and savory crepes oozing with the likes of Gruyere cheese, roasted chicken, caramelized onions, Nutella and bananas makes it easy to believe their slogan: �Made from Scratch with Love.�

Vespaio
It�s where I go when I�m craving authentic Italian � antipasti, wood-fired pizzas, pastas, and seafood. Just thinking about the tartare di tonno � chopped sashimi grade big eye tuna tossed with Dijon mustard and capers, served with olive tapenade, grilled focaccia crostini and Belgian endive � makes my mouth water. In season, the back garden yields a bounty of fresh basil and heirloom tomatoes that are showcased in dishes like Vespaio�s caprese salad, complete with their own homemade mozzarella.

TacoDeli
The most challenging thing about eating at TacoDeli is choosing what Mexican-style taco to order. Will it be the cochinita pibil � Yucatecan�style roasted pork, marinated and cooked in citrus and achiote, or the Florentino � fresh spinach, saut�ed in olive oil and sherry and tossed with onion, mushrooms, and red bell pepper? Mil gracias to Mexico City native and TacoDeli owner, Roberto Espinosa, for bringing a toothsome taste of the Distrito Federal to Austin�s table.

Posted by Vanessa Schneider, Hotpot Team

0 Get Ready to Rock, Portland: Presenting the Best Ever Concert Series

By Unknown | At 23.02 | Label : best ever concert series , best evers , portland | 0 Comments

Update 3.1: The Red Fang and The Builders & The Butchers show is SOLD OUT. See you on the high seas!

Update 2.26: The Thermals and Lifesavas show is SOLD OUT. See you at The Rink!

Update 2.25: We've added distribution locations to the My Map for the second show featuring Red Fang and The Builders & the Butchers.

Update 2.21: We've created a Facebook event so you can RSVP and spread the news about these awesome shows to your people. Word.

When we first hit Portland in December to experiment with a new marketing approach for Google Places, we knew the city had an amazing music scene, full of great musicians and venues. And, well, just like Portlanders, all of us on the Hotpot team really like to rock it out.

So starting Feb. 28, to celebrate the sounds of Portland, we're bringing PDX something extra special. We're calling it the Best Ever concert series � named after one of our very favorite Hotpot features, the Best Ever medal � and here's what's going down:

How to Get In

So how do I get into one of these shows, you ask? The shows are free and all ages, but you have to show us a special wristband that�ll be given out at specific times at various locations throughout the city.  

For the first show at The Rink, locations include Compound Gallery, The Fix at Someday Lounge, Ace Hotel Portland, Fresh Pot Mississippi, and Hawthorne Burgerville.

For the second show on The Boat, locations include Trade Up Music, Jackpot Records, The Rebuilding Center, Music Millennium, Chopsticks II and the Peoples' Sandwich of Portland.

Details for the third show to be announced soon!

Here's a handy My Map of these locations:


View Wristband Pickup Locations for Best Ever Concert Series in a larger map

When To Get These Wristbands

As for when the wristbands will be available, and for which show, this is where it gets fun. You need to follow us at @HotpotPDX on Twitter to find out exactly when the wristbands will be made available. And then it's up to you to run, jump, bike, or swim as fast as you can to make sure you get one. No wristband, no show entry. Sad face.

Bonus!

Available at each show will be a custom Scout Book. This book includes a digital download code to get the Best Ever Mixtape, featuring exclusive tracks from some of Portland�s favorite bands. The book also lists some of the places in town considered Best Evers by the band members. A limited edition of 5,000 books will be produced and distributed.

Think that just about covers it. Be sure to stay tuned to @HotpotPDX and the Hotpot Blog for more information before, during and after the shows � lots of good stuff in store.

A Special Thanks

One final note: These concerts would not have been possible without the help of the amazing (and dashing) Portland-based Official Manufacturing Company. So make sure to thank, high five and hug, these three fellas next time you see them around town.

See you in the front row!

Posted by Vanessa Schneider, Hotpot Team

0 Best Evers: Corey Arnold, Photographer

By Unknown | At 16.57 | Label : best evers , portland | 0 Comments

Editor�s Note: While we�re in Portland over the next few weeks, we wanted to bring some local flavor to the blog by asking writers who live in the area to contribute Hotpot-style city guides: recommendations on where to eat, where to shop, where to hang. Below, locally based writer Audrey Van Buskirk sits down with Corey Arnold to discuss Corey's Portland Best Evers. Be sure to join the conversation in the comments below.

Photo courtesy of Corey Arnold

In addition to rating and reviewing businesses on Hotpot, you can give your 10 favorite businesses a "Best Ever" award. With thousands of businesses to rate and review, and only 10 Best Evers, it can often be tough narrowing down which 10 represent the absolute best of the best. We thought it would be fun to talk to a few prominent Portlanders to see what businesses they're giving their "Best Ever" awards to and why. Look out for more of these lists in the coming weeks.?

We checked in with Portland-based photographer Corey Arnold in between his traveling the world, shooting magazine assignments and taking on personal projects. He also moonlights as a commercial fisherman in Alaska two to three months per year. His photographic chronicles of the commercial fishing lifestyle have been exhibited in galleries worldwide, and in publications such as The Paris Review, Artweek, Esquire and Outside Magazine. Corey has just released Fish-Work: The Bering Sea. He gave us nine Portland Best Evers and one from San Francisco.

Rontoms: This East Burnside bar boasts the cutest ladies in town, a huge space for outdoor seating and a good selection of booze. It�s big but it has the feeling of a cabin.

Charles A. Hartman Fine Art: The finest photography gallery in the Northwest is a tightly run ship with a super friendly owner.

Ned Ludd: Another Portland place with a cabin-like vibe, this Northeast Portland restaurant has great service and served me a smoked cod dish that was my most memorable meal of 2010.


Clyde Common: Find Portland�s best atmosphere, a great scotch selection, smart bartenders, and strange and tasty meals at this downtown restaurant in the Ace Hotel.

Flower of Life Massage: I don�t really want to tell anyone about the amazingly inexpensive and relaxing massages provided by Rebecca Ellis.

Digicraft at Udevelop: The best place in Portland to make large photo prints, this place is super cheap, handles large scale projects as well as small and overall provides just the best photo processing and service.

Deadliest Catch Food Cart: Go here for real Alaskan seafood served by a real Alaskan crab fisherman and his wife, an intimate atmosphere with indoor seating and incredibly tasty king crab burritos.

Glenhaven Skatepark: Looking for the best place to collide with a BMX bike while riding a skateboard? You�ll find it here. It boasts the best use of space in a Portland skateboard park and is overall the city�s best medium-sized concrete bowl.

Arleta Library Bakery and Caf�: This sweet oasis in deep Southeast offers amazing baked scones, homemade catsup and jam, and the friendliest staff ever. A quintessential Portland neighborhood place.

Paxton Gate: My favorite place to buy stuffed toads and giant beetles. This San Francisco place is like a giant science lab and the best place to buy a dead anything.

Which businesses will you give your 10 Best Evers to?

Posted by Audrey Van Buskirk. Audrey has written for dozens of local and national publications including Willamette Week, Portland Monthly, Northwest Palate, The Stranger, Nickelodeon and Everyday with Rachael Ray. She manages three boys from Southeast Portland.

0 Keep Your Recommendations Weird in Austin

By Unknown | At 07.05 | Label : austin , best evers | 0 Comments

Editor�s Note: Starting today, we�re kicking off a local marketing campaign in Austin, Texas, to spread the word about Google Places and Hotpot among local business owners and those who live and work in the area. To get the Austin party started, we�ve teamed up with Torchy�s Tacos to give away delicious free tacos to their customers (get �em while they�re hot!). We asked Tiffany Harelik, a fourth generation Austinite and member of the Torchy�s team, to write a little something for the blog about working with Google and some of the amazing food Austin has to offer.

Photo courtesy of Jared Tennant Photography

When Google first called me at Torchy�s Tacos, they said they were coming to my hometown to celebrate Austin�s local business community. Hot off the track from launching Hotpot, a new local recommendation engine from Google Places, Google has chosen Austin to promote this fun new technology because of our forward-thinking and love for all things local. And several Austinites had recommended Torchy�s as a great team to partner with when Google hit town. 

Cecelia and Vanessa from the Hotpot team met me at the Trailer Park on South 1st Street to chat about all the delicious food we offer here in Austin, and to talk about all the Google products you can use to help your business (or your favorite Austin business) connect with customers. Cecelia had a clue about Austin�s great food offers, being a UT alumna, but Vanessa was new to the Tex-Mex scene, so we had to order some tacos before we could even proceed.

Photo courtesy of Jared Tennant Photography

We quickly decided we wanted to do something fun for Torchy�s customers, and what�s more fun than free tacos?

Thus, I'm exceptionally excited to announce that we�ll be giving away � on Google � the Hotpot taco (or for those familiar with our menu, the Migas) at all six Torchy's Tacos locations until 2pm today. Keep in mind this is while supplies last and one per customer. Woohoo! Thanks, Google.

Now back to Hotpot. It�s a tool that supports local businesses by allowing users to share the places they love with their friends and discover new places they might like. As both a local Austin business owner and someone who reviews other local businesses, I'm excited about Hotpot and very happy to see big dogs like Google collaborating with unique trendsetters like Torchy's.

One of the fun features of Hotpot is the Best Ever medal, reserved only for the most deserving of favorite local spots. The Google girls asked me about some of my Best Ever trailer food vendors so they could check them out while here in Austin. (This, as you know, is always my most dreaded question. Trailers, you�re all pretty.) But for you, Google and readers, here is just a tiny portion of the awesome trailers not to miss, in addition to our beloved Torchy's:

G'Raj Mahal � fine Indian dining al fresco on Rainey Street
La Boite Cafe � unique local bistro cuisine in an eco-friendly box on S. Lamar
Franklin Barbecue - a must-have mouthwatering bbq experience east of campus
Hey Cupcake! - selling thousands of swanky cupcakes a day in multiple locations
Mighty Cone - gourmet fried chicken from the creators of Hudson's on the Bend on South Congress
Lulu B's Sandwiches - one of the best-kept underground secrets of sandwich teases on S. Lamar
The Flying Carpet � incredible Moroccan food from a loving family on South Congress

Photo courtesy of Jared Tennant Photography

A big thanks again to Google for recognizing Austin for one of the things we love about ourselves: that we vote with our dollars by supporting each others' businesses both on and offline.

Posted by Tiffany Harelik. Tiffany started her company Trailer Food Diaries with nothing more than a blog in February 2010. Attracting the attention of C3 Presents, she partnered with them to create the first annual Gypsy Picnic trailer food festival last fall. Her successes led local trailer food ambassadors Torchy's Tacos to hire her, and she consults with other trailer food vendors across the country. Her trailer food cookbook will be coming out this fall. She remains inspired by the foodie-entrepreneurs she encounters on her trailer food journeys.

0 Best Evers: Elly Blue and Meghan Sinnott

By Unknown | At 20.26 | Label : best evers , portland | 0 Comments

Editor�s Note: While we�re in Portland over the next few weeks, we wanted to bring some local flavor to the blog by running Hotpot-style city guides: recommendations on where to eat, where to shop, and thoughts from locals. Below, we sit down with Portland bicycling experts Elly Blue and Meghan Sinnott to discuss their PDX Best Evers.

Elly and Meghan, photographed by Patrick Barber

In addition to rating and reviewing businesses on Hotpot, you can give your 10 favorite businesses a "Best Ever" award. We thought it would be fun to talk to a few prominent Portlanders to see which businesses they're giving their Best Ever awards to and why.

Up next in our series is Elly Blue and Meghan Sinnott. Elly writes professionally about biking for Grist and about biking as a woman in her zine Taking the Lane. Meghan organizes bike events ranging from 20-person Midnight Mystery Rides to 5,000-person World Naked Bike Rides. Together they are creating a website to help tourists discover Portland by bike. PDXbyBike.com will launch in April 2011.

Here are Elly and Meghan�s list of 10 Best Evers and why:

Courier Coffee: Best coffee in town (yes, better than Stumptown). Here�s where you can see the most alarming new bike fashion, catch a bike-themed art show, or enter the track stand competition to win a free coffee drink.

Portland Bicycle Tours: It's downtown. They have bikes to rent. They are connected with a pedicab company. Their staff is friendly, knowledgeable and laid back. They love Portland and offer specialized tours to show you the best sights. Their fleet includes a wide variety of bikes that won't make you look like a tourist.

Movie Madness: Giant movie rental emporium. Rare and hard-to-find movies that are "out of print." Free, fascinating museum of movie memorabilia. Free membership.

A Better Cycle: Worker-owned cooperative bike shop replete with cheap, used bike parts, funky art, honest staff and a friendly, tall-bikey vibe. They're open late, too!

New Seasons: Ten percent of profits go to charity. Lots of bike parking. The cashier will give you stickers if you ask. Locally owned. Good sample days. Wonderful selection of goods. Knowledgeable sommelier.  Clean bathrooms. They tout themselves as the "friendliest store in town," and they just might be!

Clever Cycles: Portland�s largest fleet of cargo bikes and classy European imports. Cycle-chic fashion. Rent a sturdy British folding bike to tool around town, or a Dutch box bike to carry your date to dinner.

Microcosm Publishing: This small store is packed with mainly nonfiction books and zines. Used and deeply discounted new books range from how-to guides to everything to serious political philosophy and history. Pick up an iconic �Put the Fun Between Your Legs� t-shirt. Bike stickers and patches make perfect souvenirs.

Multnomah County Library: Zine library, free talks, free computer use if you get a day pass (and don't have a library card), they'll send anything to other libraries for pick up, you can drop off books at any location, great staff, easy-to-use website, a nice place to dry off on a rainy day, tons of bike parking at all locations.

Powell Butte: Spectacular view of Portland, with signs to tell you what you�re looking at. Old growth forest on the back side�right off of the Springwater Corridor bike trail! Beautiful escape from town.

Laurelhurst Theater: One of Portland's famous theater pubs. See a movie for $3 and enjoy local microbrew and pizza while you're at it. Independently owned. Good selection of classics and second-run movies. In a neat part of town that most visitors don't know about.

What are some of your Hotpot Best Evers? Share in the comments below.

Posted by Vanessa Schneider, Hotpot Team

0 Best Evers: Ken Aaron, Photographer

By Unknown | At 12.54 | Label : best evers , portland | 0 Comments

Editor�s Note: While we�re in Portland over the next few weeks, we wanted to bring some local flavor to the blog by asking writers who live in the area to contribute Hotpot-style city guides: recommendations on where to eat, where to shop, where to hang. Below, locally based writer Geoff Kleinman sits down with Ken Aaron to discuss Ken�s Portland Best Evers. Be sure to join the conversation in the comments below.

In addition to rating and reviewing businesses on Hotpot, you can give your 10 favorite businesses a Best Ever award. With thousands of businesses to rate and review, and only 10 Best Evers, it can often be tough narrowing down which 10 represent the absolute best of the best. We thought it would be fun to talk to a few prominent Portlanders to see what businesses they're giving their Best Ever awards to and why.

Up next in this ongoing series is Ken Aaron, photographer and co-founder of Neighborhood Notes, the thorough, smart source for neighborhood news and events in Portland. We asked Ken to give us his 10 Portland Hotpot Best Evers. In addition to naming his favorites, Ken gives some great insider tips:

Lincoln Restaurant 
Lincoln is a lot like Michelle Obama. It exudes warmth, charm and a little sparkle. It�s everything we love�an ever-changing menu that features local, seasonal ingredients; attentive service and pleasant atmosphere�without all the fuss. Jenn Louis and David Welch are the perfect hosts for an everyday nosh or special occasion.

• Local Love: Lincoln purchases micro-crops from The Side Yard, a small-scale urban farm in northeast Portland.
• Tip: Give Lincoln�s commuter corridor happy hour a spin. A bike corral is right outside the restaurant, and you can eat more onion rings if you get there by bike.

Little Green Grocer 
Every neighborhood needs a corner shop like this one. Scott Lekovish is a real mix master. He handpicks an inventory of healthy everyday grocery, excellent and affordable wines, prepared foods, and a whole host of local, sustainable goods. LGG caters, too! Best of all, Scott�s constantly introducing his customers to tastier, healthier food options. We love that.

• Local Love: LGG partners with Portland Pedal Power to deliver groceries by bike!
• Tip: Sample one of �America�s best pies� at LGG. Random Order pies offered by the slice and by special order.

Ecru Modern Stationer
This bright, cheery store is hard not to love. And hang out in for hours. Owner LeAnn Dolan curates an amazing array of greeting cards, boxed notes, stationery, pens and gift-y goodness for every budget.

• Local Love: Ecru offers a nice selection of paper goods from locals like Red Bat Press and Studio Olivine.
• Tip: LeAnn is a gift-wrapping machine. Just sayin�.

Cellar Door Coffee Roasters
Andrea and Jeremy Adams offer some of the best fair trade, organic micro-roasts in town. Their Peru FTO has a rich chocolate flavor with hints of caramel and a luscious feel on the palate. It�s a rich, smooth cup of coffee that�s truly one of the best parts of waking up. We�re addicted.

• Local Love: Cellar Door powers their shop with electricity from renewable sources, and even designed a more efficient way to process the exhaust from their roaster. If that�s not neighborly, what is?
• Tip: Try House Spirits Distillery�s coffee liqueur, featuring coffee roasted by Cellar Door.

Nong�s Khao Man Gai
What can you say about a food cart where you eat nearly every week? That it�s damn tasty, yo. The seemingly simple poached chicken and rice are put into another orbit with the addition of a fermented soybean sauce infused with garlic, ginger and chilis. It�s sour, spicy and salty goodness with just a hint of sweetness. Perfection!

• Local Love: Nong�s proudly serves Draper Valley chicken, and sources ingredients locally as often as possible.
• Tip: Get there early! Often sold out by 1 p.m. 

Back to Eden Bakery
We were goners after our first bite of pumpkin whoopee pie. Then came the peanut butter fudge, cheesecake and assorted other sweets that we now crave. This charming vegan (and often, gluten-free) bakery has turned us on to a whole new way of eating�and we love it!

• Local Love: The bakery serves pour-over coffee from Cellar Door.
• Tip: Get Luna & Larry's Coconut Bliss by the scoop in three flavors: Naked Coconut, Dark Chocolate and Vanilla Island.

Tilde
Debbe Hamada�s smile is infectious. So is the need to shop her immaculately displayed boutique of personal accessories, art and other objects of desire�much of it local and sustainable. All of it drool worthy. We love learning about the artists and products via well-written notes around the shop.

• Local Love: Ogle ceramics by Laura Cooke, jewelry by Tasi Designs and artwork by Rachel Austin.
• Tip: Be sure to pick Debbe�s brain about the neighborhood. She�s a fountain of info.

Salvage Works
Preston Browning offers one of the most interesting shopping experiences in Portland. His inventory is an ever-changing mix of architectural salvage, custom furniture and vintage home parts. It also features an eclectic assortment of vintage home accessories, collectibles, upcycled goods, beehives and chicken coop kits. The doll head planters are almost as awesome as the bedpan collection. Almost.

• Local Love: Be sure to ask Preston to point out the locally made goods.  Everything from artwork to jewelry to furniture!
• Tip: Visit Salvage Works during Kenton�s Third Thursday art walk. Preston makes awesome snacks. 

Nuvrei Pastries
The aroma of fresh baked pastries will lure you into Nuvrei's modest basement shop, but it�s the croissants, scones, cookies and tarts that will keep you coming back. Marius Pop creates buttery, rich French pastries that are impossible to resist. Case in point: the almond chocolate croissants. I'm eating one now.

• Local Love: Find Nuvrei pastries at Stumptown Coffee, Cloud Seven Cafe, Barista and other (lucky) coffee shops around town.
• Tip: Love French macaroons? Nuvrei has them every Saturday.

Barista 
According to Billy Wilson, making coffee is only about 5% of what being a barista really is.  "You can show anyone how to make coffee," he says, "but the brilliance comes from the knowledge of knowing and tasting coffee...developing your palate." Barista is the only coffee program in town that offers single cup brewing and multiple roasters side by side. Great coffee, no attitude.

• Local Love: Portland fave Stumptown Coffee is always available. Other local micro-roasters are in the rotation, too.
• Tip: Be sure to ask which coffee is best suited for the drink you�d like.

Which businesses will you give your 10 Best Evers to?

Posted by Geoff Kleinman. Geoff is the editor of DrinkSpirits.com, a national blog helping people figure out what to drink, and OnPDX.com, helping people figure out what to do in Portland.

0 Best Evers: David Walker, Writer

By Unknown | At 11.06 | Label : best evers , portland | 0 Comments

Editor�s Note: While we�re in Portland over the next few weeks, we wanted to bring some local flavor to the blog by asking writers who live in the area to contribute Hotpot-style city guides: recommendations on where to eat, where to shop, where to hang. Below, locally based writer Geoff Kleinman sits down with David Walker to discuss David�s Portland Best Evers. Be sure to join the conversation in the comments below.

In addition to rating and reviewing businesses on Hotpot, you can give your 10 favorite businesses a Best Ever award. With thousands of businesses to rate and review, and only 10 Best Evers, it can often be tough narrowing down which 10 represent the absolute best of the best. We thought it would be fun to talk to a few prominent Portlanders to see what businesses they're giving their Best Ever awards to and why.

Up next in this ongoing series is David Walker,  an award-winning journalist, filmmaker and writer. He is the writer, co-producer and host of the web series Missing Reel, the creator of the pop culture publication BadAzz MoFo, and a regular guest on the Cort and Fatboy Show. In 2011 he will publish his first novel, a Young Adult action adventure book.

Big-A** Sandwiches: Whenever I think about leaving Portland, I then think about the things I would miss the most. It is a short list to be sure, but on that list are the food carts. I�ve been a fan of the carts going back to the 1980s, when Judy�s Hot Dogs was pretty much the only game in town. Whenever I can, I try to grab lunch at a cart, and for the better part of a year, Big-A** Sandwiches has reigned supreme as my favorite. Those two-fisted meals of meat and French fries mashed together between some bread and covered with cheese is enough to keep me living in Portland for a little while longer.


Cosmic Monkey Comics: The city of Portland is fortunate to have more than its share of great comic book shops, and it almost seems like a crime to pick one over the others, but the fact that Cosmic Monkey is within walking distance of my home, they always maintain a well-stocked selection of mainstream and indie comics, and that the shop is generally free of geeky collectors with bad hygiene goes a long way with me.

Roseway Movie Theater: I�m old enough to remember when movie theaters were buildings with one auditorium that showed one movie at a time (unless it was showing a double feature, which I�m also old enough to remember). Most of the great theaters were either divided up and turned into multiple screen venues, or simply closed down. For years, the Roseway remained a single screen venue, while also becoming something of a rundown flea trap. But then it closed down, went through a drastic renovation, and was reborn as an all-digital projection theater with the best picture, clearest sound, and most comfortable seats you could ever hope for. If it isn�t playing at the Roseway, I won�t bother going to see it.

Cameo Cafe East: Amidst all the fancy eateries around town that serve breakfast, it is hard to get a good old-fashioned meal. Instead, you get these overly complicated affairs that have a lot of ingredients, but somehow never enough food to fill you up. When it comes to breakfast, I want it basic, plentiful and tasty. Give me a giant stack of pancakes, bacon and some eggs, and I�m happy. Just make sure it�s all done right. And that�s why I love the Cameo.

Powell�s Books: It is a terrible cliche for anyone from Portland to list the legendary Powell�s Books as one of their favorite places, this I know. But the truth of the matter is this has been one of my favorite places since the early 1980s, when I was still in junior high school. So many of the great businesses that made Portland unique have faded away over the years, but Powell�s has endured. It is one of the few places I can go and spend hours browsing the aisles and not feel like I�ve wasted my time.

Reading Frenzy: You could probably fit all of Reading Frenzy into the restroom at Powell�s Books, but that doesn�t mean the store is lacking in heart. This emporium of independent publishing specializes in 'zines and small press books, and it embodies the by-any-means-necessary ideology of the DIY culture. In a city that claims to foster the independent spirit, there is no greater place to examine what the spirit entails than Reading Frenzy.

Escape from New York Pizza: Once upon a time, in a city called Portland, there was only one place to get good pizza: Escape from New York Pizza. Now there are several spots located all over town, but Escape from New York is still my personal favorite. The original restaurant that was located in downtown is long-gone, but the one in Northwest Portland is still turning out the best pizza-by-the-slice you could ever hope for, without all the gourmet nonsense that distracts from what a good slice of pie is supposed to be.

Foti�s Greek Deli: I�m a creature of habit and I like consistency. I suppose that�s why I�ve been eating lunch at Foti�s Greek Deli longer than any other place in Portland. It may also have something to do with the fact that it is best place in town for get a gyro sandwich, and  that the service is always friendly.

Horn of Africa: This is the one restaurant where I�m not afraid to try new things, because everything I�ve ever had has been great. A mix of various African cuisines awaits those with a sense of adventure who don�t mind their food with a bit of a spicy kick. During lunch they have a buffet, which means you can try all sorts of dishes you might not otherwise. And the owners, who are just about the nicest people you could ever hope to meet, actually take time to make sure you�re enjoying your meal.

Multnomah County Library: Some people might find it strange that the library is one of my favorite places, but Portland has a great library system, with branches all over the metro area, and helpful staff. There is an incredible selection of books, DVDs and CDs to choose from, and you can have anything you want transferred to the location nearest you. I�m usually picking up something from the library at least once a week, sometimes more. And it is all free. Seriously.

Which businesses will you give your 10 Best Evers to?

Posted by Geoff Kleinman. Geoff is the editor of DrinkSpirits.com, a national blog helping people figure out what to drink, and OnPDX.com, helping people figure out what to do in Portland.

0 Best Evers: Jennifer Heigl, Author and Foodie

By Unknown | At 12.49 | Label : best evers , portland | 0 Comments

[Ed. Note: While we�re in Portland over the next few weeks, we wanted to bring some local flavor to the blog and ask writers living and working in Portland to contribute Hotpot-style city guides: recommendations on where to eat, where to shop, and thoughts from locals. Be sure to join the conversation in the comments below.]

In addition to rating and reviewing businesses on Hotpot, you can give your 10 favorite businesses a "Best Ever" award. With thousands of businesses to rate and review, and only 10 Best Evers, it can often be tough narrowing down which 10 represent the absolute best of the best. We thought it would be fun to talk to a few prominent Portlanders to see what businesses they're giving their "Best Ever" awards to and why. Look out for more of these lists in the coming weeks.

First up is Jennifer Heigl, author of the buzz-worthy food industry blog Daily Blender, with such luminaries as Anthony Bourdain, Tom Colicchio, and Andrew Zimmern as fans and regular readers. We asked Jennifer to give us her 10 Portland Hotpot Best Evers, and here's what she came up with:

Saucebox: A great atmosphere with stellar tunes on rotation, Saucebox delivers one of the best happy hours in town. Whether on a date or out with the gang, enjoy well-mixed cocktails alongside tasty bites of Asian-inspired dishes at this downtown destination.

Clyde Common: Although often noted for its fantastic menu and talented mixologists, Clyde Common lives up to the hype. A wide selection of top-notch spirits with communal tables and plenty of bar space for one and all, this restaurant has become a star spot for locals and travelers (thanks to its next door neighbor, the hip Ace Hotel) alike.

Ground Kontrol: Though it probably says a lot about my age, I get a little giddy every time I make it to Ground Kontrol. With a wall lined with Atari's and old-school Nintendos, along with an upper level full of nostalgia-inducing pinball games, Ground Kontrol features games of our youth. With a small bar offering beer and wine, invite a few of your friends for a night with Pac-Man and PBR at this Portland gem.

Teardrop Lounge: Though Teardrop offers a great menu of nibbles, this fantastic lounge is best known for its inventive cocktails. Renowned mixer Tommy Klus, along with a full staff of �ber-talented bar masters, makes Teardrop my number one choice for tasty potables.

Bunk Sandwiches/Bar: Hailed by many in town to be the best sandwich spot in Stumptown, Bunk Sandwiches, located on the city's east side, will have you braving the rainy local weather time and time again. Served up simply, on playfully logo-ed butcher paper, Bunk's sandwiches are by far a do-not-miss. The best part? They recently opened a late night bar just a few blocks away from their inaugural location, offering the same great sandwiches, plus beer, wine and spirits, to the city's night owls.

Scratch: Located just south of downtown, in the heart of beautiful Lake Oswego, Scratch caters to diners in the know. Cozy and comfortable, chef Patrick Warner delivers seasonally-driven dishes to satisfy even the most discerning foodie.

Mabel & Zora: What red-blooded woman doesn't love a boutique with the latest and greatest in luxurious fashions? Mabel & Zora offers a beautiful collection of sumptuous clothing and accessories to ensure you're one stylish lady about town.

Park Kitchen: Right on the path of the city's beautiful park blocks, Park Kitchen is a winner from start to finish. Accomplished barman Adam Robinson offers cocktails and spirits to match with chef Scott Dolich's delicious seasonal dishes.

Cupcake Jones: From their regular red velvet to seasonal flavors like pumpkin and peppermint, Cupcake Jones is my spot for sweets. Be sure to check their calendar for their monthly donation days - when a portion of sales is donated to a local non-profit.

Pok Pok: What can I say about Pok Pok that hasn't been said? Located in Southeast Portland, chef Andy Ricker's menu will blow your mind - with flavors and spices in these Southeast Asian dishes that will surprise and satisfy. With an inspired bar menu - be sure to check out the house special drinking vinegars - Pok Pok is great for lunch or dinner. Just be sure to get their early!

Which businesses will you give your 10 Best Evers to?

Posted by Geoff Kleinman. Geoff is the editor of DrinkSpirits.com, a national blog helping people figure out what to drink, and OnPDX.com, helping people figure out what to do in Portland. Expect to see more good stuff from him soon.