Highland Pub & Brewery

Location: Highland Pub & Brewery in Gresham, the first of the strip mall locations.

Fellow travelers: Sven & the lovely creative Bridget. Bridget lives almost as far east as we do and right on Powell, so this was an easy location to invite her to. Plus, with a name like Bridget, she was practically required to go to the Highland! Sven & I haven't seen her in a while, so I am delighted this aspect of the Project is working out so well.

Favorite light: I do not know what this is doing anywhere in Gresham, but here it is! McMenamins itself describes it as "our gorgeous psychedelic-Italianate chandelier."

Favorite art: This may be the only McMenamins location with a fish tank! There's not really any special art on the walls (except in the brewery), but there is a goldfish painted in the bathroom.

Food: Captain Neon burger, tater tots & part of an iced tea. I've finally discovered that McMenamins' burgers taste better medium-rare and salted.

Passport stamps: none! I knew I would forget my passport at some point during the Project, and today was that day. I'm going to have to come back -- maybe to tour the brewery?

Redemption Dec22: I finally got the stamp!

Other items of note: 

• This was one of the locations I stopped during my big Ultimate McMenamins (bike) Ride in 2012. I rode all the way from Forest Grove to Troutdale, stopping at several McMenamins along the way. By the time I reached the Highland, I was almost deliriously happy because I knew I was going to make it to the Edgefield that night.
• This location is almost right off the Springwater Corridor Trail. Convenient!
• Wish this location had milkshakes!

North Bank

Location: North Bank in Eugene. It is a lovely, lingering location set beside the gentle Willammette. Tubers and kayaks float by in the water and bikes float by on the adjacent path. The outdoor seating is generously shaded by dappling trees.

[The best covered bike parking in Oregon?]

Fellow travelers: Sven sold out both Best of the Northwest Animation Festival shows at the Bijou Metro (AND the one at the Hollywood in PDX), so I took him to North Bank to celebrate!

Favorite light: I love when McMenamins puts these fabric lamps in their outdoor spaces. Inside: eh. Outside: awwww!

 

  

Favorite art: not much painting. Lots of carved wood panels.

Food: tremendously delicious blistered green beans I would eat every day if I could, charred corn salad, an elk burger, Terminator stout shake.

Passport stamps: North Bank, Halfway to St. Patrick's Day

Other items of note:

• I had no idea it was Halfway to St. Patrick's Day until I heard bagpipes playing inside. Bagpipes! 
• All the servers were wearing football outfits and face paint. It clashed a bit with the rest of the ambience, but I imagine it is a very popular place on game days.
• A bug bit me on the leg, leaving a huge welt. 

 

East 19th Street Café

Location: East 19th Street Café in Eugene. I followed the wise example we set at McMenamins on Monroe and chose this location before UO was in session.

Fellow travelers: Sven and I were in Eugene for the Best of the Northwest Animation Festival, which we show a week after the main festival in Portland.

[Sven says he likes kissing selfies better than any other selfie.]

Favorite light: I honestly do love these simple ribbed lamps with the copper sun inserts, which are a McMenamins hallmark. At this location, they had many clusters of them.

Favorite art: not a lot here, honestly. Though the Oregon County Fair seems so tied to the spirit of Eugene that it would have felt weird not to include a photo of this painting.

Food: a Ruby Ale Shake, overcooked steak & garlic fries

Passport stamps: East 19th Street Café

Other items of note:

• The outside patio is quite pleasant. It's on the east side of the building which buffers it from the afternoon sun. And it's lightly offset from the not-very-busy street.
• They forgot the "ale" part of the Ruby Ale shake when it was first brought out, and I was interested to note that a plain raspberry shake is not nearly as good as a Ruby Ale shake. I've never had a reason to compare before.

McMenamins on Monroe

Location: McMenamins on Monroe. Alice Ann wisely observed that this location would be best attended before OSU began its fall term.

Fellow travelers: My esteemed colleagues Alice Ann, Jodi and John! We were all working in Lebanon that day, so it was a short hop over to Corvallis afterwards.

Favorite light: I thought this beaded lamp was pretty unusual:

Favorite art: The sink installation on the wall is wonderful. Some of them are painted underneath, and John noticed some of them even have water running!

Also, this brewery tank was nicely done:

Food: fish & chips (because Monroe said it was one of their specialties), blackberry cider, caramel hazelnut tart. I would have gotten a shake but I thought the blackberry cider would be enough, especially with a long drive home.

Passport stamps: McMenamins on Monroe

Other items of note:

• This location has a projector clever hidden by their interior bar roof and a large pull-down screen. Seems ideal to rent for gatherings.
• According to the history, the founder of the McMenamins empire used to work for a sandwich shop formerly at this location.