Paul Gerald

I love this book. Love the way it's laid out, with maps showing which peaceful places are located in each neighborhood or metro region, and the places indexed by category. Love the mixture of old favorites like the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden and Forest Park, with little out-of-the-way places I've never heard of. Most of all, I love Paul Gerald's easygoing, honest voice that makes him feel like the ideal traveling companion for the outings he describes. This would be a perfect show more welcoming gift for friends or family moving to Portland, but I've lived here 20 years and it will take a prominent spot on my shelf full of Oregon things-to-do books. show less

Lots of information and a really fun read about how and where Portlanders do breakfast. Gerald melds his own dining experiences ("When Jerry dropped a knife, in the time it took me to crack a joke about his lack of sophistication, somebody was standing next to him with a new, clean knife . . . on a platter"), with quotes from restaurant critics (something he cheerfully asserts he'll never be), foodie comments he's found online, and background information gleaned from owners, staff and good show more old-fashioned research. Restaurant website addresses are provided, when available, so readers can check for updates on hours and prices. The resulting assessment of nearly a hundred tempting spots for breakfast is thorough and entertaining. show less

Not sure about the panoply of breakfast options before you in Portland, Oregon? Leafing through this book will give you the details to pick the right place for a weekday breakfast before work, a leisurely brunch with friends, or a nicer affair with the parents. It's fun to compare your take on a place with the author's, and find new places that perhaps you never knew served breakfast.