With a weather forecast that had warned us of 15 mph winds but minimal precipitation during the early hours, we felt betrayed when the storm-like rains began.  Thus our choosing a shop just two miles away was a no brainer.

Costello’s changed ownership a couple of years back, and we’re glad to see the new owner kept its travel videos, clocks of the world, pastry recipes, and older furniture.  It remains a hub for NE Portland group meetings, and there’s normally a nice buzz of conversations in the air.  Admittedly Costello’s doesn’t have a variety of seat options that we normally recommend to make a shop feel more homey or cater to singles as well as groups, but it’s filled with so many colorful knick-knacks, that it’s always enjoyable to visit.

Discussion topics today included DM reporting on J and his joyous trip to Ojai where he was able to connect with high school friends and bask in sunshine, making today’s rainstorm that much harder; M updating us on his recent voter canvassing activities in Arizona, and his planned September hiking trip to Bavaria with two children; there he hopes to connect with members of his grandfather’s hiking club and share old photos; and H describing his sleep deprivation due to a PDX jazz concert where the doors opened at 8:00 but the headliner didn’t start till 11:15 – coming home at 1:00 takes its toll on him nowadays.

2222 NE Broadway                                                http://www.costelloscafe.com