Tony Secolo and Kelly Coller host a Friday Night Dinner party for Mix Magazine. Photo by Martin Thiel.

The Latest Issue April/May 08

Starters

Mixmaster Bloody Marys aren’t just for boozy brunches any more. Local hot spots are jazzing up the red juice with pickled vegetables, Asian ingredients and inventive ways to juke up the heat.

Pub Crawl Who needs crocuses? The signs of spring that John Foyston looks for are the seasonal beers from local brewers.

Radar Regional Thai, Basque, Belgian - international food is making the scene in the city. But if we tell the truth, Portlanders really just want a plate of pasta. Christina Melander reports on the new crop of Italian eateries.

Friday Night Professional and personal life seem to merge for Kelly Coller and Tony Secolo of OFFICE PDX, but that’s OK with them. These cool customers share their entertaining strategies.

Selects Some of the most affordable French wines come from the Rhone valley, but so does some of the most mediocre. Our panel sniffs (and swirls and spits) out the best of the bunch, whether you like your reds brambly, fruity or even with a whiff of barnyard.

FAQ John Kennedy of Great Wine Buys tells us why gruner veltliner is groovy.

Good Cheese If a cheese that tastes of ocean mist mingling with deep earthy, woodsy aromas of a forest trail makes you swoon, Tami Parr has just the thing for you.

The Goods A balanced breakfast needs something from all the major food groups: eggs, pork, caffeine, alcohol and jam made from locally grown berries. We share our favorites.

Eat Here After your last run, you’ll want to get more than a beer and a burger in this windswept village. The dining scene in Hood River is definitely growing up.

Scene Where should you go for sustenance as you wait for warm weather to arrive? Check out our capsule reviews on the best happy hour places, coffee shops, wine-centric restaurants, kid-friendly joints and more breakfast spots for the early-birds.

Shop Contact info to make shopping easier for you

By Hand Faith Cathcart finds beauty in unexpected places.

Entrees

The Secret Lives of Waiters Meet five of Portland’s best servers who, when they’re off the clock, step into other lives that are worlds beyond two-tops and tips. Grant Butler lifts the veil. Photos by Motoya Nakamura.

A Tea That Can Unwind Time Inara Verzemnieks never knew you could get “tea drunk” until she spent some time with tea guru Paul Rosenberg and his rare Chinese pu-erhs. Photos by Stephanie Yao.

The New Breakfast Club What makes Portland want to rise and shine, and then wait in line for an hour for breakfast? Karen Brooks explores the phenomenon and profiles four places that are reinventing the morning ritual. Photos by Ross Hamilton.