Portland Coffee Hangouts

On a beautiful sunny morning – which we especially adored after last week’s dark rainstorm – 6 of us took the 55 minute scenic route to the Frog, which is usually a 25 minute direct ride.   The Rocking Frog epitomizes the seating variety that we appreciate.  The atmosphere in the library with its leather chairs around study tables surrounded by books, differs from the cushioned arm chairs of the relaxed living room, which differs again from the utilitarian seating of the game room.   (Additional seating in the backyard furthers these choices in warm weather.)  No wonder we’re taken with how the owners took full advantage of what they had to work with.  Our perch today was in the gameroom – which we had to ourselves – for 90 minutes of mostly political/philosophical discussion.       rockingfrogpdx.com     2511 SE Belmont

We continue to really enjoy the homey feeling at Cellar Door.   Maybe it’s the swinging screen door – which angles across SE 11th and Harrison – some 15 feet from the smiling barista behind the counter who quickly makes eye contact with you.  Sunday the four of us felt immediately welcomed, and couldn’t think of many other shops that provide such a quick rapport.   We also appreciate the dimensions of the counter vis-a-sis the space, the chandelier out front, the wall art, and little bit of extra privacy of the space in the back; but since other shops have similar features, it must be the angled swinging door and immediacy to the counter.     http://www.cellardoorcoffee.com      2001 SE 11th

Sweetpea is the 1st vegan bakery we’ve visited, in part because few of them are open at 9 on Sundays.   (In fact, on this particular Sunday, two of us initially tried to visit 2 downtown coffee shops that used to be open at 9 on Sundays (Pazzoria and Portland  Penny Diner,) only to find them now closed; thankfully Sweetpea was steadfastly open.)   In any case, the pastries were tasty, the staff cheery and helpful, though the hang-out ambiance could be improved, (like many bakeries where the retail trade is secondary to their main bakery business.)    http://sweetpeabaking.com/        1205 SE Stark  

It doesn’t feel like the bakery has changed in the two years since we last visited.   It is still a smart mixture of industrial and clean lines, with full length windows along the street so there’s lots of light.   The baked goods are still tasty.  And the hangout ambiance is still so-so because the acoustics are also industrial, so you hear others’ conversations and you have to talk louder than normal in order for friends at your table to hear you.  Seating options also can be improved.   Admittedly, not everyone is as focused on hanging out as we are.    2600 SE Division    http://www.littletbaker.com

Our initial experience two years ago was so-so, as we were wet from the rain and the small shop felt cramped, not conducive to hanging out.   (That surprised our coffee-focused friends who felt First Cup had the best coffee in the area; of course, their focus was on coffee quality, not hanging-out ambiance,)   Glad to report that the shop has expanded a bit since then, and now there’s room for a soft bench and some art, making it much homier than before.  Still feel though, it could benefit from  even more improvements to counteract what feels like a lack of pedestrian traffic.    http://www.firstcupcoffeehouse.com/     4103 SE Woodstock