Portland, OR - Love at First Bite

I was attracted to Portland the first time I got there. When I took a Taxi at the airport to get to its downtown area, the cab driver introduced the city as well as himself. He told me that he had lived in my town for many years before moving over to Portland, and he didn't speak any English until he immigrated to the states at the age of 45. The fluency of the Taxi driver's English raised hope in me of my own language skills, and his liking Portland more than the area where I live made me wonder that this must be a wonderful place, even though I couldn't see much of the city since it was a dark late Winter afternoon. Then that very first evening, at Ringside Fish House, I ate the best scallop Risotto I ever had. It was just out of the world! And I couldn't help but falling in love with this place. During my most recent trip to Portland, I visited two Chinese restaurants: Red Robe (大红袍) which is one block from Lan Su Garden in Old Town area, and Hunan Restaurant (湖南楼) at Broadway and Washington. When the owners figured out that we'd want Chinese Chinese food, they provided it. Those were not the best foods I've had, but very tasty indeed. Besides the satisfying food, we also enjoyed very pleasant, lengthy and in-depth conversations with the owners. I liked Red Robe's owners' tastes in art and music, and the interior decoration of this tea house restaurant. The owner of Hunan Restaurant had a very rich life experience to share with us. They also introduced the culture and history of the city to us, from angles that are different from each other and from the first Taxi driver. Speaking of food, I should not forget to mention the Portland city food carts and the highest value to price ratio food they sell. The quietness and peacefulness of the city, the culture penatrated in the air, people's upward spirit and friendliness, and the easiness in everything makes me believe that I must have lived there for the whole of my last life. Yes, after all these years and places that I have been to, this is the town where I feel I am finally home. 1. Quiet & Peaceful 2. Portland Building 3. Residence Building at Lovejoy St & NW 11th Ave 4. Signature of Pearl District 5. Convenience (restroom at the corner of Jamison Square) 6. Wall Paintings Next to Portland History Museum 7. Convenient Public Transit System 8. The Food Carts 9. Regretfully I Only Took a Picture of the Dessert at Ringside Fish House  10. Eco-friendly Rain Garden 11. People and The Environment 12. Bill Roberts   It reads: A public servant, private developer, and devoted citizen, whose wisdom and determination helped create twentieth century renaissance of downtown Portland. As the first President of Tri-Met (1969 to 1974) Bill Roberts guided the creation of this Transit Mall. He set high standards for Portland's urban excellence, whether as a developer of landmark renovations, or as Chairman of the Portland Development Commission (1981 to 1985). This marker expresses the gratitude of those who knew Bill Roberts, worked with him,  and seekto carry on his spirit of dedication to the city.