Neighborhood:
Division & Clinton When Portlanders wax ecstatic about what a precious, unique flower our city is, we usually offer up Hawthorne or Mississippi as proof. (read more) However, the neighborhoods that most embody Portlandness are those lovely streets where houses, industry, classy retail and restaurants comfortably rub shoulders. Case in point: Division and Clinton streets, where some of the city’s best restaurants—top-notch Thai joint Pok Pok and Whiskey Soda Lounge (3326 SE Division St., 232-1387), classy comfort-food stalwart Savoy Tavern (2500 SE Clinton St., 808-9999) and Lauro Kitchen (3377 SE Division St., 239-7000), David Machado’s Mediterranean gem—share blocks with Lambretta-dealing Ptown Scooters (3347 SE Division St., 241-4745) and the Village Merchants resale shop (3360 SE Division St., 234-6343). Swill drinks at swanky Victory (3652 SE Division St., 236-8755) or lesbian nightspot The Egyptian Club (3701 SE Division St., 236-8689), and catch a flick at the masterfully curated Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St., 238-8899) or the flesh-tastic Oregon Theater (3530 SE Division St., 232-7469), where a raincoat is a must to fit in with the crowd. Aaah, sweet harmony.
—Ben Waterhouse.
