I’m hoping that by now everyone is coming out of their “turkey comas” and is ready to begin celebrating the festive December holiday season. Check out my list of great events happening in the Pearl District and beyond!

• First Thursday: Instead of freezing out on 13th Avenue, this First Thursday head to 1015 NW Lovejoy for Urban Art Network’s Indoor Art Walk & Sale. Get a jump start on your holiday shopping by perusing over 30 local artists’ work. Featuring everything from paintings and photographs — to sculptures, fashion, jewelry and more — you’re sure to find something for your loved ones. The event is tonight — December 1st — from 5 – 10 p.m. and continues on Friday, December 2nd from 1 – 10 p.m.
• Portland Holiday Ale Festival: Hop on the Portland Streetcar and head downtown to the 16th Annual Holiday Ale Festival in Pioneer Square. Choose from over four dozen holiday ales that are crafted specifically for this festive event. Whether it is stouts or Belgians you’re after, this is the place for you. Tickets are $25 and include a mug. The festival runs Thursday – Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Portland Center Stage (128 NW 11th Ave.): Head to the theater to see either the holiday classic, A Christmas Story or The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris. Either show is sure to produce lots of laughs. Both shows run through the end of December (Christmas Story till the 24th and Santaland till the 31st), and there are still seats available for this weekend’s performances.

Know of any other great events this weekend? Please let us know in the comments section below.

Have you purchased your tickets to Cavalia yet?  This exciting blend of equestrian and performing arts — which opened last night — comes with a lovely added surprise: many Pearl District businesses are offering terrific discounts to the show’s ticket holders. And if you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, this is more incentive to buy before the show is sold out!

Why not make a night of the whole event and treat your date to a lovely meal before or after the show? Fratelli’s Ristorante and Bar (1230 NW Hoyt) is offering a whopping 20% off your entire purchase. Who wouldn’t enjoy a comforting Italian meal with the weather we’ve been having? The Daily Cafe (902 NW 13th Ave.) and Brix Tavern (1338 NW Hoyt) are also offering a generous 15% off. For all of you oenophiles, Metrovino (1139 NW 11th) is offering a complimentary glass of sparkling wine with any meal purchase. And if it’s a pick-me-up you are after, stop by Sister’s Coffee Company (NW 13th and Marshall) for a free 12 ounce latte.

Photo: Fratelli

There are also some terrific deals offered on shopping. For instance, House of Lolo (1037 NW Couch) is offering 20% off your entire purchase and Mabel and Zora (748 NW 11th) and Leanna NYC  ( 402 NW 12th Ave.) are both offering 15% off any full priced items. And for the young ones, stop by Posh Baby (809 NW 11th Ave.) for 25% any purchase of $25 or more. If you’re looking for deals for your home, both Nobal Home (110 NW 9th Ave.) and Thea’s Interiors (1204 Northwest Glisan) are offering 15% off your entire purchase.

Photo: Thea's Interiors

For the full list of discounts and specials — or to purchase tickets to the big event — head to Cavalia’s website here. And don’t forget that in order to receive the special promotions, you’ll need to show your event ticket.

I gasped this morning when I looked at the calendar and realized that Thanksgiving is only two weeks away. October went by with the blink of an eye and here we are, almost halfway into November. As year’s end draws near, our calendars are only going to fill up faster with houseguests, parties and travel. What better time than the present to stock up on hostess gifts for all the events we have coming up? Lucky for us, the Pearl District has just the shops and boutiques to find all of your goodies.

• Corkscru (339 NW Broadway) In my opinion, you can never go wrong with wine. And that’s why you should head to the lovely little Corkscru, which hosts a large, well-organized selection. They even have a selection of wines $12 and under for those of us on a holiday budget!
• Oblation Papers & Press(516 NW 12th Ave). For all paper products head straight to Oblation for a wonderful selection of letterpress cards, wrapping paper, ribbon and trinkets. How sweet are these Christmas telegram notes?
  

  Photo: Oblation

• Eden(221 NW 11th Ave.) According to the shop’s website, Eden is “a garden of earthly delights.” And having had a chance to peruse through their goods, I can’t help but agree. They have a spectacular collection of Voluspa (my favorite) candles. The Italian Blood Orange scented candle is sure to spice up any gathering!
  

  Photo: Eden

• Sammy’s Flowers (1128 NW Lovejoy) Late for the party and empty-handed? Don’t forget that Sammy’s is conveniently located right on Lovejoy. Whether you run in to grab a bouquet or a house plant, either is sure to please any host.

Know of any other great Pearl District shops for hostess gifts? Please let us know about them in the comments section below.

If you’ve ever walked over the grates on the northeast side of NW 10th Avenue and Flanders in the Pearl District then you know about the “aroma” — the delicious aroma of baked breads and sweets wafting from the vents of Nuvrei Patisserie and Cafe (404 NW 10th Avenue).

It’s an aroma that’s heavenly enough to stop you dead in your tracks. And while customers used to have to head down to the subterranean bakery to get their fix, Nuvrei has now expanded their business to an upstairs cafe. Which makes it all the more tempting to go in!

The new space, albeit small, is very lively and bright. The first thing to meet the eye is the colorful case of the bakery’s famed macarons. And situated next to those, you’ll find more of the familiar pastries such as croissants, cookies, and scones. Nuvrei has also added a more substantial breakfast menu consisting of items such as a vegetarian quiche and a croque-monsieur. Another welcome addition is the bakery’s large lunch menu which includes hot and cold sandwiches, as well as salads.

My dining partner and I arrived just before noon and were both in the mood for a sandwich. I had the Tails & Trotters ham with brie on Nuvrei bread and my companion sampled the Brat sausage on mauricette bread with fresh tomato and brie. Both sandwiches were to die for! Chewy, soft bread with just the right amount of quality, local ingredients. Needless to say, I will definitely be a regular at Nuvrei.

Have you been to Nuvrei yet? Any favorites you want to share? Please post a comment below and let us know…

If you are feeling like you will be all dressed up with nowhere go for this upcoming Halloween weekend, fear not, the Pearl District has several spooky events to keep you and your family entertained. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Pumpkin Decorating: Head over to Umpqua Bank (1139 NW Lovejoy) and get your creative juices flowing for some pumpkin decorating fun. All supplies and pumpkins are provided, so all you have to do is bring the kids.

Harvest Party: Bring your whole family to City Bible Church (1210 NW Lovejoy) for the 2nd annual Harvest Party. The event is free and will feature games for kids and adults. Kids should also bring a bag for all that loot they will collect!

Nightmare on Couch Street: Blitz Pearl (110 NW 10th Ave.) will be transformed into a spooky haunted house from the 27 through the 29th. Event begins at 9 p.m. each night. Wear your costume and participate in the costume contest while enjoying the beats of DJ Sovern T. Event limited to 21 and over.

Dia De Las Meurtas Celebration: Another great 21-and-over event… Celebrate the Day of the Dead at Pink Rose (1300 NW Lovejoy St.) on Saturday the 29th at 6:30 p.m. For only $35, the event features a three course meal with tequila pairings. Don’t scallops with tequila lime beurre blanc and roasted poblanos — or pork jowl with harissa and tequila agave glazed onions — make your mouth water? The celebration continues into the night with more specialty tequila drinks after the doors open to the public at 7:30. Call the restaurant at 503-482-2165 to purchase your tickets before they’re sold out.

Photo: PDX Pipeline

Trick-or-Tiki: Ward off evil spirits and stop by Trader Vic’s (1203 NW Glisan St.) on October 29th from 3p.m. to close. The restaurant is offering drink specials and spooky pupus. The costume contest begins at 7 p.m. and features categories such as most original, best tiki and “Keep Portland Weird.” The restaurant is now accepting reservations; please note, the event is not recommended for children.

Annual Squishing of the Squash: If you’re up to venturing out of the Pearl District, take the streetcar to the Max and then zoom on up to the Oregon Zoo for a great photo opportunity. The elephants receive an enormous pumpkin to pulverize. The squishing event occurs on Friday the 28th at 10:30 a.m. and is free with zoo admission.

Photo: Oregon Zoo

Howloween: If you can’t make the squash squishing, Howloween will be going on all weekend at the zoo from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Families can enjoy a safe trick-or-treating environment which includes a scavenger hunt leading them to exciting activities around the zoo. The event is free with zoo admission.

Know of any other fun or freaky events in the Pearl District? Please let us know about them in the comments section below!

Photo: Cavalia

Big news here over at HOYT! We’re very excited to be among the corporate sponsors helping bring Cavalia, an impressive orchestration of equestrian and performing arts, to the Pearl District this fall. The show, which is scheduled to start November 16, 2011 and run through December 04, 2011, will be located in the North part of the Pearl, at NW 12th and Quimby.

Cavalia was created by Normand Latourelle, one of the co-founders of Cirque du Soleil. The production features 39 acrobats, aerialists, dancers, musicians, riders, as well as 42 horses from around the world.

Photo: Cavalia

This Tuesday, Cavalia’s famed “Big Top” tent will go up in the Pearl. Standing 110 feet tall and spanning more than 26,000 square feet, it’s the largest touring tent in the world. It features a 160-foot wide stage, which gives the horses plenty of space to gallop at full speed.

Cavalia has performed across Europe and in 41 cities across North America, including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas and Toronto. We’re honored to support a show of this magnitude right here in our very own neighborhood!

If you’re unfamiliar with the show, check out the video below. It will give you a sense for the show’s central theme: humankind’s longstanding relationship with the horse, and how this has evolved over time.

Are you as excited to see the show as we are? You’ll find details about the show, and online ticket sales, on Cavalia’s website.

At a loss for weekend plans? Do you have visitors in town but aren’t sure what to do with them? Well worry no more, the Pearl District has plenty of activities to keep you entertained.

• Portland Cocktail Week: Help celebrate the craft of bartending and fine spirits with Portland Cocktail Week from October 20 – 23rd. Bars all over town will be hosting special cocktail events, including nearby Davis Street Tavern, Teardrop Lounge, Lola’s Room (at the McMenamin’s Crystal Ballroom) and Kask. Put on your fanciest cocktail dress and get ready to drink Pernod Ricard’s famous libations. Tickets for most events are $40 and include food and drink; seminars run about $15. Purchase tickets and check the schedule for the weekends events here.
  

  Photo: Portland Cocktail Week

• Bet on the Pearl IV: Join the Portland Pearl Rotary Club for Bet on the Pearl IV at Portland Union Station’s Grand Hall (800 NW 6th Ave.) The rotary is transforming the hall into a casino on Saturday night from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Enjoy hearty hors d’oeuvres, drinks, live music and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit service projects in our community. Purchase your tickets here— and good luck!
  

  Photo: Portland Pearl Rotary

• LexiDog Howl-O-Ween Party: Stop by LexiDog (416 NW 10th Ave.) for their annual Howl-O-Ween party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday. The party includes a costume contest, treat decorating, games and a fortune teller.
• Lastly, if you are looking for a new dining hotspot, check out the newly opened Mellow Mushroom ( 1411 NW Flanders). The Pearl District is lucky enough to have the first of its kind on the West Coast. Mellow Mushroom is an eclectic pizza joint serving a wide selection of appetizers and salads, hoagies, calzones, over 100 beers and of course, pizza! You can even get pizza by the slice until 2 p.m. everyday. Whether you’re in the mood for Mighty Meaty or a Mighty Veggie, they’ve got you covered!
  

  Photo: Mellow Mushroom

Be sure to check out my post next week on all the Halloween happenings around town!

As much as many of us Portlanders might be trying to deny the impending, rainy winter, it’s time for us to begin embracing the aspects of the season that we actually do enjoy.

For me it’s the chance for snow, scarves and boots, trips to the mountain, pink cheeks, hot drinks, comfort food, cool air, holidays, sweaters and most of all, a roaring fire. And while we can’t all be so fortunate as to have a fireplace in our apartment or condo, there are plenty of restaurants in the Pearl District that do.

Photo: Examiner.com

• Paragon (1309 NW Hoyt) Whether you’re out and about for a quick lunch or a cocktail, the bar in Paragon is one of the coziest in town on a rainy day. Might I recommend the grilled cheese and tomato soup? Pictured here is the Gorgonzola cheesecake appetizer, which is also fabulous.
• Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House (210 NW 11th Ave.) Saddle up to the bar at Deschutes for their fireside happy hour Monday – Friday from 4-6 p.m. All menu items are priced at $4.50 or less. Try one paired with a seasonal or specialty beer before they’re gone!
• Sisters Coffee Company (1235 NW Marshall St.) If it’s a pick-me-up you are after, then snuggle up to the fire at Sisters for your daily fix. Their rustic-themed coffeehouse seems the perfect place to work, study, read or catch up with your friends. You could spend hours in there!
  

  Photo: Irving Street Kitchen

• Irving Street Kitchen ( 701 NW 13th Ave.) The Pearl District’s southern-inspired restaurant, Irving Street Kitchen, serves happy hour, dinner and brunch on the weekends. They also have a mouth-watering list of cocktails. The Dandy American made with Bulleit rye, apricot liqueur, Domaine de Canton and Angostura bitters might even light a fire inside you!
• Meriwether’s Restaurant (2601 NW Vaughn St.) Although a little off the beaten path, going to Meriwether’s presents the perfect opportunity to stretch your legs and get some fresh air with a nice walk. And what a handsome reward a glass of wine by the fire will be.

Know of any other cozy nooks in the Pearl District? Let us know about them in the comments section below.

The Mio Seafood Market, located in the Pearl District’s north end, has been open since late June, and it’s taken me way too long to stop by — boy, am I glad I finally did!

The seafood market was added onto the existing Mio Sushi headquarters at 1703 NW 16th Ave. (Hours: Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.). Mio operates eight local sushi restaurants — including one in the Pearl on NW Hoyt — and with all the abundant seafood available to them, it makes perfect sense to open a market.

The market offers a lovely selection of fresh, sushi-grade fish and shellfish. They also have a large selection of Asian groceries so customers can make their own sushi. Also on hand: vegetables, frozen goods and an ample drink selection.

Most enticing to me, however, is their lunchtime fish-and-chips menu. Ranging from $5 – $9, one can choose from cod, shrimp, salmon, halibut or a daily special accompanied by your choice of tartar or cocktail sauce. I selected the shrimp and my dining partner tried the halibut. Both were perfectly cooked with just the right breading and they came with a heaping mound of french fries. More than enough to keep me going until dinner time.

On my next visit, I’ll definitely purchase a nice piece of fresh fish to bring home. I suppose it’s time to start reading up on how to make sushi!

What better time to revisit all of your favorite Pearl District art galleries than the 25th anniversary of First Thursday next Thursday, October 6th, 2011?

Whether you’re in the mood to buy a new piece, mingle with friends or get out on the town to sip some wine, the Pearl District will be beckoning you with open arms next Thursday. Check out my list of just a few of the many wonderful galleries in the neighborhood.

• Augen Gallery (716 NW Davis) Stop by Augen’s reception from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and view the works of Sarah Ellen Taylor and Morgan Walker. Taylor’s work in particular caught my eye as she takes inspiration from haute couture and high fashion.
  

  Marc Jacobs Offers by Sarah Ellen Taylor

• Bullseye Gallery (300 NW 13th Ave.) Next, check out Bullseye until 8 p.m. to view contemporary glass artwork. Displaying from October 5th through November 29th will be Cipher by Australian artist Kate Baker. Cipher consists of kiln-formed sculptures and panels showing her depiction of the human experience.
• Butters Gallery (520 NW Davis) Butters will be hosting a reception until 9 p.m. and showing off the stunning works of Jeff Fontaine. Fontaine, a local artist, uses photographs of ordinary man-made items such as old signs and turns them into vibrant works of art.
  

  KHK5159 by Jeff Fontaine

• Froelick Gallery ( 714 NW Davis St.) Froelick will be showcasing two artists exhibits on the 6th until 8 p.m. Check out Tom Prochaska, whose work encompasses painting, etching, glass and papier mache — and Sally Finch, a master craftswoman.
• Quintana Galleries (124 NW 9th Ave.) Qunitana plays host to an exquisite collection of Native American art. On display through October 29th is Soapstone Carving of the Eastern Arctic, Ivory of St. Lawrence Island, Alaska and Bone Carvings of Alaska and Canada.
• Waterstone Gallery (424 NW 12th Ave.) Head over to Waterstone from 6 – 8 p.m. to view the works of Robert Hess and Sue Del McCulloch. Hess is displaying stunning bronze sculptures and McCulloch’s landscapes will leave you wanting more!

Late Spring Snow by Sue Del McCulloch

Lastly, don’t neglect to check out the First Thursday Street Gallery on NW 13th Avenue between Hoyt and Lovejoy. Imagine all the gems one could find with over 150 different local artists showcasing their work. See you here in the Pearl next Thursday!