Oregon: Exploring the surrounds of Portland

I've always been drawn to cities that offer a blend of urban sophistication and natural beauty. Portland, Oregon, with its vibrant food scene, great breweries and excellent coffee, complimented immensely by the nearby stunning landscapes, has become one of my favorite destinations to explore.

The gorgeous Willamette Valley wineries

One of the highlights of my recent trip was a day trip form Portland to the Willamette Valley, renowned for its pinot noir production. We started our journey at Hawks View Winery, where we enjoyed a delightful tasting of their wines and a delicious squash, goat cheese, pesto flatbread and burratta bruschetta that I will continue to dream about. Their sparkling pink pinot was so exceptional that I knew I had to bring some back to Chicago. 

Our next stop was Allora Vineyard, where we indulged in a leisurely glass of rose on their terrace overlooking the vines and Mt Hood in the distance. The lunch menu here also looked outstanding, but be sure to book!

Hiking around Mt Hood

To get outside into some nature, we headed to Skamania Lodge, a picturesque resort nestled in the Columbia River Gorge. The lodge offered a peaceful escape from the city, with stunning views of the river and surrounding mountains bordering Washington and Oregon. We spent our time relaxing in the sauna and spa, walking through the grounds, and enjoying a delicious dinner and drink at the onsite restaurant and bar. We could have easily spent another night here exploring the nature nearby, and enjoying yet another night sitting by the outdoor firepit or our room's cosy fireplace. This is the perfect getaway destination for a much needed wind down.

Back in Portland, the food scene was truly impressive. One of the best restaurants we visited was Kann, where we enjoyed a memorable meal at the bar. Kann is Haitian cuisine meets the Pacific Northwest, where we chose the Akra (taro fritters), pork chop topped with the most delicious smokey peach, scallop handmade pasta, and Kann’s take on the Bombe Alaska with their Baked Haiti. The entire menu is gluten free and dairy free too - very impressive! There is a cocktail bar also owned by the Director Gregory Gourdet where some of the Kann dishes are served just next door and I will be back to try it on my next visit!

Dinner at Kann

Mayrose, a charming restaurant located downtown within the Duniway Hotel, was another standout. I had the most delicious scallop entree and salmon pate crostini.

For a more casual dining experience, we loved Farmhouse Kitchen Thai for modern Thai cuisine in a cool, vibey atmosphere, and Luc Lac Kitchen for a trendy Vietnamese dining experience with delicious food, fast service and a lively atmosphere.

I can't forget about the coffee; Portland spoiled us coffee-snob Aussies with excellent baristas and cafe culture. Spella Cafe was the perfect hole-in-the-wall espresso cafe where the baristas were friendly and the beans were strong! Case Study Coffee was also a great location to sit for a strong cappuccino and a decent almond croissant - my kind of breakfast!

Bar at The Dossier Hotel

We stayed at Dossier Hotel, which was the perfect combination of luxury and retro charm. The hotel's stylish decor and comfortable amenities made it a great home base for our exploration of Portland and surrounds.

Portland and surrounds exceeded all my expectations. From the vibrant food scene to the stunning natural beauty, there's something for everyone in this charming area. If you're looking to explore a destination that offers a perfect blend of urban sophistication and natural beauty, Portland, Oregon is definitely worth a visit.