Museum of Contemporary Craft

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With national and international media shining bright lights into every nook and cranny of Portland culture, this saccharine-sweet spot gets the most hype of all. (read more) In what used to be one of Portland’s grimiest locales, the Pearl District’s upscale retailers have come a long way from their busted-warehouse beginnings—a transformation both lauded and severely scoffed at, depending on whom you ask. For better or worse, there’s no apparent end in sight to the high-rise construction. Spendy though it is, all this dense mixed-use development makes for readily walkable retail, food and gallery bounty. Couple that with the alphabetical street names, and it’s easy to navigate through high-end local shops like Bubble Boutique (1238 NW Glisan St., 219-0098) and Lizard Lounge (1323 NW Irving St., 416-7476) that commingle with giant chains like REI (1405 NW Johnson St., 221-1938) and Diesel (30 NW 12th Ave., 241-1355). For a morning bite, scribble your party’s name on a waitlist at the French-American Everett Street Bistro (1140 NW Everett St., 467-4990), or nurse your hangover at kitschy Byways Cafe (1212 NW Glisan St., 221-0011). Should the sun decide to pop up, head over to Jamison Square (810 NW 11th Ave.), where condo-dwelling MILFs and their preppy offspring splash in the fountain and take PB&J breaks at Sip & Kranz (901 NW 10th Ave., 336-1335). For a reality check, pop by the Low Brow Lounge (1036 NW Hoyt St., 226-0200) for some killer tater tots and a brew, or wallow in the blues at Jimmy Mak’s (221 NW 10th Ave., 295-6542). —Elianna Bar-El.

• Bluehour Food
• Fratelli Food
• Ecotrust Food
• Teardrop Cocktail Lounge Food
• REI Food
• Sur La Table Food
• Gerding Theater Stage
• Lawrence Gallery Live Music
• Umpqua Bank-Pearl Live Music
• Andina Live Music
• Paragon Restaurant Live Music
• Vault Martini Live Music
• BodyVox Studios Dance
• Low Brow Lounge Visual Arts
• American Institute of Architects Visual Arts

Events Today

Monday October 13

VISUAL ARTS

The Ceramics of Gertrud and Otto Natzler

Museum of Contemporary Craft Gertrud and Otto Natzler crafted ceramics together out of their Los Angeles-based studio for over 40 years. The Natzlers arrived in the U.S. in 1938 after fleeing Austria during World War II and created over 25,000 pieces of ceramic art during their tenure. Select pieces of the Natzler collection will be on display. 724 NW Davis St., 223-2654. Closes Jan. 25, 2009.

Manufractured: The Conspicuous Transformation of Everyday Objects

Museum of Contemporary Craft Artists painstakingly rework nondescript manufactured items into incredible brand new objects, like "Cat Chow's Bonded, a dress made from one continuous zipper." 724 NW Davis St., 223-2654. Closes Jan. 4, 2009.

Harriete Estel Berman

Museum of Contemporary Craft Simulated chairs, appliances, teapots, and teacups, meticulously constructed from recycled, pre-printed tins. 724 NW Davis St., 223-2654. Closes Oct. 28.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday October 14

VISUAL ARTS

The Ceramics of Gertrud and Otto Natzler

Museum of Contemporary Craft Gertrud and Otto Natzler crafted ceramics together out of their Los Angeles-based studio for over 40 years. The Natzlers arrived in the U.S. in 1938 after fleeing Austria during World War II and created over 25,000 pieces of ceramic art during their tenure. Select pieces of the Natzler collection will be on display. 724 NW Davis St., 223-2654. Closes Jan. 25, 2009.

Manufractured: The Conspicuous Transformation of Everyday Objects

Museum of Contemporary Craft Artists painstakingly rework nondescript manufactured items into incredible brand new objects, like "Cat Chow's Bonded, a dress made from one continuous zipper." 724 NW Davis St., 223-2654. Closes Jan. 4, 2009.

Harriete Estel Berman

Museum of Contemporary Craft Simulated chairs, appliances, teapots, and teacups, meticulously constructed from recycled, pre-printed tins. 724 NW Davis St., 223-2654. Closes Oct. 28.