Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
labyrinth (with loads of grimy atmosphere, we might add) is now a spa-
cious, attractive space that most recently held an upscale Thai restaur-
ant and lounge, Siam Society. It's worth looking inside to see the trans-
formation.
Continuing along Alberta, just beyond NE 28th Ave. you'll come to La
Sirenita, which for a very long time was pretty much the only place to
get a decent taco or burrito within the city limits. These days the options
are practically unlimited, but La Sirenita gets props for being here first.
A movie house from 1927 until 1978, the Alberta Rose Theatre at NE
30th Ave. was closed for 20 years until it reemerged as a 300-seat live-
music venue. It's also where the very worthwhile
Live Wire!
radio pro-
gram is recorded in front of an audience (visit
livewireradio.org
for
more info).
Opened in 1999, Vita Cafe was part of the vanguard of both the Alberta
restaurant scene and the wave of vegan-vegetarian dining options in
Portland. This was in the era before anyone had given much thought to
gluten, pro or con, and tofu was generally considered a form of punish-
ment. The Vita dedicated itself to using sustainable business practices
and became a leader in thoughtful restaurant dining, all the while
churning out meals that made healthy eating taste good. The staff
worked with locally and organically produced ingredients, and the res-
taurant dedicated a percentage of sales to environmental nonprofits.
Some people might have found these practices a little stuffy at the time,
or at least intimidatingly pure-hearted, but these days it just seems like
ordinary good behavior. Progress!
NE Alberta St. is so densely packed with things to look at that the best
way to return to the starting point is simply to retrace your steps. If
you're tired, though, you can also catch Bus 72.
POINT OF INTEREST (
START TO FINISH
)
St. Andrew Catholic Church
standrewchurch.com
,
806 NE Alberta St.,
503-281-4429
The Bye and Bye
thebyeandbye.com
, 1011 NE Alberta St., 503-281-0537
Green Bean Books
greenbeanbookspdx.com
,
1600 NE Alberta St., 503-954-2354
Salt & Straw
saltandstraw.com
,
2035 NE Alberta St., 503-208-3867
The Know
theknowbar.com
,
2026 NE Alberta St., 503-473-8729
