Agent Info
Marisa Swenson
Earth Advantage Broker
971-285-7955
Agency Info
MRealty Inc
2211 NW Front Ave Ste. 101
Portland, OR 97209
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The Observatory
photo by Marisa Swenson
The Observatory just opened in December on the Stark St strip of new restaurants and boutiques. I finally had a chance to try it out the other night and it is excellent. It is a nice open space that they have created a very comfortable atmosphere with low lighting and a very cute vintage decor. The cocktail list is very unique with spicy drinks like the chai buttered rum to sweet cocoa drinks. They have a good selection of food from appetizers to full dinners that are moderately priced. I am more than pleased to have a nice bar like this in the Montavilla area, it’s good for the equity.
Located next door to Salty’s at:
8115 SE Stark
Portland, OR 97215
Bai Yok Thai Cuisine
Yummy, just typing the name of this restaurant makes me salivate. They make one of the best Pad Kee Mao’s (drunken noodles) in Portland, and it’s only a couple of blocks from my house! Located in the heart of Montavilla in a bright purple and green Portland bungalow style house. Owned by the same people that run Thai Peacock in downtown with pretty much the same menu.
Located across from Vestal Elementary School:
150 NE 82nd Ave
Portland, OR 97220
Montavilla Farmers Market
photo by Marisa Swenson
Still in it’s infancy stage at 2 years old, the Montavilla Farmer’s Market provides a decent selection of local organic produce, baked goods and handmade wares. The more business it gets each year the larger it will grow so head on down from June 8th through October 5th Sundays between 10am -2pm. Look for me at the community outreach booth at Beets Automotive, I will be there a couple of times this Summer!
Located at:
7600 SE Stark
Portland, OR 97215
Thatcher’s Restaurant and Lounge
photo by Marisa Swenson
Montavilla neighborhood sports bar/dive that just had a face lift. Good place for a casual quick beer with a friend to catch up on old times.
Located across the street from the Bipartisan Cafe:
7905 SE Stark
Portland, OR 97215
Caldera Restaurant
This cozy pub style restaurant at the top of the hill on Stark in SE is a must try. The interior is mainly lit by candles and the back patio in dining in the summer has an equally soothing ambiance. The drinks and food are really good and the waiters are very friendly. Housed in a historic turn of the century drug store painted the most fabulous color of blue gray I have ever seen. It makes me want to take a sample and paint my own house the same color.
Located next to Cooper’s Coffee Shop:
6031 SE Stark
Portland, OR 97215
The Country Cat Restaurant
The name makes me think that everyone here is going to be barefoot and have pieces of straw hanging out of their mouth when you walk in (actually the chefs wear blue jean overalls in the kitchen). The food is hardcore American with an organic, gourmet twist and absolutely amazing! I am a vegetarian so I have and will only experience a small section of the menu, it tends to cater more towards meat eaters. If you have room at the end of the meal try the rhubarb cobbler or a cookie that is made to order so it comes piping hot mmmmmm. The decor is also fantastic from the logo cat mosaic that greets you before you enter and the huge twisted iron door handle to the olive green bucket seats and lots and lots of wood. It makes me miss the farm that I never had.
P.S. They also serve brunch on the weekends
Located next door to Ya Hala in Montavilla:
7937 SE Stark
Portland, OR 97215
The Academy Theater
This fully renovated theater, which was originally opened in the 1940′s, has 3 full screens, Dolby surround sound, reclining stadium seats and serves Flying Pie pizza. There have a great beer and wine selection as well as many non-alcoholic beverage options. They offer childcare (call ahead, not all movies) and minors are allowed accompanied by an adult. This is our favorite “cheap date” place on Tuesday nights when admission is 2 tickets for the price of 1 (regular admission is only $4).
Located in Montavilla:
7818 SE Stark St
Portland, OR 97215
Flying Pie Pizzeria
Seriously, one piece of pizza from this place is the equivalent to 2 full meals. You have to eat your slice with a fork otherwise it will cave due to the weight of the amount of toppings that are applied. This, their special blend of cheeses, delicious crust and amazing sauce are the reasons why people travel from very distant neighborhoods (you know who I am talking about Vancouverites!) to get their pizza feed on. They have very affordable lunch specials, the by-the-slice is so huge it is more like 1/2 of a small pizza. This place gets crazy on the weekends and you will most likely wait 45mins to an hour if you are there at rush time so order some bread sticks and take a roll of quarters to play video games while you wait. If you go to a movie next door at the Academy they serve slices of Flying Pie Pizza to enjoy during the movie.
Located in Montavilla:
7804 SE Stark
Portland, OR 97215
Ya Hala Lebanese Cuisine
Just saying the name makes me feel like I’m starring in a rap video….but seriously the Baba Ghanouj at this place will make you Holla! I feel so blessed to live only a few blocks from this restaurant because it has proven to be one of my favorites and if we are ever snowed in for multiple days or weeks I still have access to it! If you want to try it out, be aware that on a weekend night you will probably have to wait 30 mins to 1 hour for a table because it is no secret how amazing their food is. You can order meals individually or family style for larger groups. After dinner, get a piece of Baklava to go and skip your happy tummy down to the Bipartisan Cafe to wash it down with some Stumptown Coffee. Perfect.
Located in Montavilla:
8005 SE Stark
Portland, OR 97215
Bipartisan Cafe
photo by Marisa Swenson
The Bipartisan Cafe is one huge reason why everyone should want to buy a house in Montavilla (SE Portland). Located on the Stark street village strip between SE 79th and 80th this cozy cafe serves up amazing Stumptown coffee and home made pies with fun flavors like pear berry or strawberry rhubarb. If you buy a house with me, one of these lovely pies will most likely make it to your counter on closing day.
Located at:
7901 SE Stark St
Portland, OR 97215
