“FieldTrips” is either a day trip or a few days where I visit food areas of interest which may include farm visits, producers, wineries, restaurants and/or other places that people can visit. This is about offering Vancouver Foodster readers a chance to get out of town and take a “Field Trip” for the day or a few days to explore, learn, taste and experience.

Field Trip to Portland and The Hoxton

I recently took a trip South to explore Portland, Oregon one of my favourite food cities on the West coast. While in the city, I was also there to experience another Feast Portland, one of the most incredible food and drink festivals in America that takes place annually each September.

Located on the edge of Chinatown in downtown Portland, I stayed at The Hoxton Hotel, this is a boutique style hotel based around comfort. It’s easy to get around by walking or taking the streetcars, and the hotel is located near the Chinatown Gate, the Chinese Gardens and other notable spots.

Their stylish décor in each of the hotel rooms, plush bedding and complimentary Wi-Fi will make you feel at home. They recently added Lovely Rita restaurant on the main level along with a full bar. When you get hungry either head downstairs to dine in the restaurant or pick up the phone and order their convenient room service. They also offer a rooftop Mexican restaurant at Tope which also boasts a great outdoor patio with exceptional views.

In the afternoon I visited the Portland Art Museum for the first time, the museum was founded in 1892, making it the oldest art museum on the West Coast and seventh oldest in the US. Here are I explored a couple of their exhibitions including their Native American art collections.

The hotel offers a complimentary light breakfast each morning delivered to the guests rooms, if you wish to partake you choose from a few selections on a card in the room and place on the door handle before you head to sleep and select the time you want it to delivered to you in the morning.

After walking the neighborhood after my light breakfast snack, I visited Lovely Rita on the main floor of the hotel for a larger breakfast.

I had a Yogurt bowl, along with a Vanilla and Orange Concha, a Cortado, and a Sweet Corn blonde; I also took a Three Hour Tour Smoothie to go for the road. The restaurant also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily in their very cozy restaurant.

One of my favourite cafes in Portland is Proud Mary and I was happy to visit again for lunch, they are located in the East Alberta neighborhood which was about a 15 minute drive from the hotel. I enjoyed their Aussie meat pie with greens along with a pour-over coffee. 

The Hoxton Hotel is located at 15 NW 4th Avenue in Portland

It was another wonderful visit to Portland.

Stay tuned for my next Field Trip outside of Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Disclosure: The Hoxton Hotel provided me with complimentary accommodation, Travel Portland assisted with other aspects of the trip. As always, all opinions and photos are my own.