portland + cannon beach

Portland was one of those places I had high expectations going into and it somehow managed to exceed them. Last week Ben and I drove down to the City of Roses for 2 days and then Cannon Beach for one day. I've been wanting to go for quite some time after hearing how great (and abundant) the food and beer is there. I wasn't bothered about the beer but to my delight they have gluten-free breweries there! And let me tell you they were the best I've tried yet. There are sooo many interesting and diverse food stops in Portland, from hole in the wall food carts to picnic-table style mexican to hipster I-know-I'm-hanging-out-in-the-cool-place brunch joints (and yes I did wear my flannel shirt to such outing). I feel like we were always eating and it was so great! It is also super gluten-free friendly without trying to be trendy if you know what I mean. Apart from that we strolled around the city while I probably too often dragged Ben into another "cute" shop.

{dinner at Cha Cha Cha - homemade Mexican, delicious tamarind margs and warm, friendly service}

{a pre-breakfast warm-up at Heart}

{amazing brunch at Tasty n Alder}

{one of my favourite moments took place at Petunia's Pie and Pastries. We popped in b/c it looked so cute but I knew I couldn't eat any of the ridiculously delicious looking cupcakes, pies, loafs, cookies, whoopie pies, and more. I watched with deep sadness as Ben ate his raspberry cupcake. I went to the counter and asked with little hope if there was any chance something was gluten-free. He looked at me with a smile and said everything was gluten-free (and vegan). I was shocked, overwhelmed, and excited all at once. Let's just say I had my fair share of Petunia's treats. Ben didn't even taste the difference and said it was his favourite thing he ate that day. The idea is that it's a great bakery that just happens to be gluten-free and vegan. I love that. Someone's done their job well.}

{took a peek inside the Ace Hotel along w/ neighbours Stumptown Coffee Roasters 

and Clyde Common}

{another great brunch was had at Kenny and Zuke's}

{one of my favourite places in Portland was Powell's City of Books. With 4 levels and 68,000 square feet everyone can find something up their alley. I think we spent over an hour perusing the shelves. I walked away with Kimberley Hasselbrink's Vibrant Food, which is amaaaazing btw.}

{we didn't try Voodoo Donuts but we did try Blue Star which we were told was actually better.)

{a great place to try out Oregan's breweries is Bailey's Taproom. They have 24 rotating taps along with bottles. That there on the left is Omission's gluten-free lager - wouldn't even know it's gf)

{spent the last afternoon in North Portland where you can eat grilled cheese on a school bus!)

{Bollywood Theatre is such a fun place - so many different things to try and the decor transports 

you to another place)

{ice cream was something we took really serious on this trip. Salt and Straw knocked our socks off. From left to right: watermelon + carrot sorbet, salted caramel, malt chocolate and finally strawberry, balsamic + peppercorn. The service was super friendly too.}

{the evening in Cannon Beach was cloudy + misty, loved it!)

{but the next day was bright and sunny!)

{view from Ecola State Park - so incredible there}

**I also wanted to mention the Vietnamese restaurant Luc Lac in Portland, which I had no photos to show for. Very generous portions of great Vietnamese food and the setting is great with a ceiling covered in pink parasols. Lots of gluten-free options :)