Betsy D.'s Profile

I didn't get to see a show here, but based the ambience and food, Doug Fir gets 5 stars. Our waiter recommended the Buffalo Burger, and it was fantastic. I'd never had Buffalo before, but I liked it more than beef. I paired with some tasty salmon chowder, which was another first for me. Unique food, awesome vibe. I'd love to come back and see a show here eventually.

If you're looking for an easy way to help others on a global level, volunteer at the Children's Hunger Fund! You're sure to get a few warm fuzzies for just a few hours of work.

My friends and I decided to join the food pack assembly line on a Saturday morning, and within hours we (along with several other local volunteers) packed hundreds of boxes of food for those in need. It was a very tangible way to help others, without much commitment on our end.

During our water and snack break, the lead staff member explained exactly how we were helping the organization on a larger level by showing us a video and letting us know where our particular boxes would be shipped. It's nice to know how your labor is contributing to the overall goal of the charity.

If you're interested, call or email Children's Hunger Fund for available opportunities. Their Saturday sessions fill up fast, which is a testament to the experience!

This is the perfect outdoor venue for an intimate, inexpensive, laid-back summer show. I'm big a fan of Koffehouse's annual independent music summer show at the Ford. Bring friends, bring a date, and don't forget your wine and cheese picnic! Avoid stacked parking by parking at the Universal Metro Station and taking the free shuttle.

We decided to take this boat tour on a whim. Tickets were a little pricey, so if you have time to plan ahead, I recommend finding better deals online or in the Entertainment books.  

The crew loaded us quickly and efficiently. There were two seating areas: inside the boat and on the deck (uncovered). It was crowded so we were stuck on the deck. Our seats allowed for fantastic views and photo moments, but we were FREEZING. They made a lot of money on hot chocolate during our tour!

Our docent was interesting and knowledgeable, and kept our attention most of the time. I learned a lot about architecture in general, and some cool stories about the history of the city. My family and I really enjoyed it. It's a rather long tour, so it would probably be a bit tedious for kids.

I received awful service three out of the four times I used them.  

On my first visit, I had them clean my coats and repair a tear in my favorite jeans. They returned my coats with hairs all over them. I complained and the sales girl took a lint roller to them. The "patched up" jeans tore again within minutes of wearing them. Tear looked worse than it did pre-patch, so I ended up throwing them away. What a waste!.

On my second visit, I had them reattach the buttons on my wool coat. Within weeks, all three buttons fell off.

On my third visit they got a stain out of my fancy dress, and they were successful. It looked great.

My fourth and last visit was to see if they could hem my jersey-knit summer dress. The sales people were wanted to charge more than the dress actually cost. When I asked to speak to the seamstress, they said she worked very limited hours and was unavailable. They didn't fight for my business; it was almost as if they were trying to turn me away. If that's the case, then they got what they wanted; I won't go be coming back to Roxy Cleaners.

They make a yummy, simple, and satisfying breakfast burrito. I recommend the bacon burrito with easy potato, extra cheese, and hot sauce on the side.

Bring some green because this quaint hole-in-the-wall is CASH ONLY. Also, If you're going on a weekend morning, be ready for a long wait. Keep yourself entertained by watching at the guy in the back who cracks a million eggs a minute (mad skillz!).

They do take phone orders, which *might* save you the long wait-time on weekends. "Might" is the keyword, because unfortunately they're often too busy to pick up the phone. I've had about a 30% success rate.

After five + years of living in LA, I finally decided to brave the nearly hour-long wait and try a famous Pink's hot dog. While the ridiculously-long line provided ample time for people watching and conversation, the food was disappointing. My friends and I shared the popular bacon chili cheese dog, and we were unimpressed. The chili was bleh, the bacon wasn't crispy, and I could not get past the disgusting "snap" casing on the hot dog.

I enjoyed the good company, kitsch, and landmark status, but I won't be ordering another Pink's dog again.

Hotel Cafe is my favorite place to hear upcoming indie singer/songwriters in LA. I discovered my favorite musician, Greg Laswell, at this place, and I've had a love affair with his music ever since.

The club has gotten increasingly crowded over the past few years. They recently added online ticketing, which is convenient when popular artists are on the bill. Each set is ticketed separately, so on crowded nights, the bouncers clear the floor between performers. If it's not too crowded, you can usually just pay the cover ($10-15) and stay all night.

Expect to stand if you're in the main room, as there's not much seating (it's usually reserved, anyway). I haven't tried the food;  the drinks are good, but too pricey. Neither affected my review because this place is really just about the music.

I also highly recommend the Hotel Cafe Tour, which is fantastic group of Hotel Cafe "regulars" who travel and perform together.

Thanks for pointing us in the direction of the Waffle Window, yelpers. It was glorious, and also gloriously cheap.

For starters, this place is an actual window. Don't try going into the attached restaurant unless you want a different menu and a sit-down meal. The Waffle Window is just around the corner from the restaurant entrance, and it is so quaint and cute that it looks like it came right off the Gilmore Girls set. The main restaurant does offer both outdoor and indoor seating for Waffle Window customers, which is a bonus.

We tried the Green Tea Mint Lemonade, and it was so deliciously refreshing that I wished I had a gallon to take home. I got the 3 B's waffle: bacon, brie, and basil. It comes with peach jam on the side, and when eaten together, it was sweet and savory perfection.

I can't wait to go back to Portland so that I can eat here again!

Voodoo Doughnut is a MUST-DO in Portland. It's unique, and like the rest of Portland, it doesn't take itself too seriously. One glance at the menu and you'll understand why (the gay bar, cock and balls donut, etc.). You can see their electic menu in the photos I posted. Unfortunately they were out of several things by the time we arrived (10 am).

I got the bacon maple bar and peanut butter Oreo chocolate donut (the latter at the cashier's recommendation). Both were amazing, and sweet enough to give you an incredible sugar rush. I especially enjoyed that the bacon was crispy (not soft or soggy).

I debated on 4 or 5 stars, and decided on 4 because I wasn't aware of the LONG line and the fact that there is pretty much NO interior to this place. Don't expect to eat inside, you'll be taking your pink box of treats to go. Also, It was raining so we got soaked while waiting in line. Such is life in the Pacific Northwest, I suppose. If you go, bring your umbrella. And you should definitely go, because it's a sweet Portland treat.