Portland Restaurant: Donnie Vegas

What: Donnie Vegas
Where: 1203 NE Alberta 
When: Daily 4pm - Close
Honeys Heart: Roll the Dice!

Adam and I got bikes for my birthday and decided to put them to good use right away. I know, Adam got a bike for my birthday too, but don't worry, I'll be getting something for his birthday now that I know this is a thing. I'm a fan of riding to a rewarding destination so we biked to Donnie Vegas on NE Alberta for a drink and a hot dog.

Isn't my bike cute? Adam says I'm too matchy matchy with my white and teal bike, and black and teal helmet, but I'm okay with it. 

Lucky for us sweaty bikers, Donnie Vegas has an awesome back patio area where we started with a couple cocktails. Moscow Mule ($7) for me and a whiskey tea cocktail for Adam.

After settling in with our cocktails, we decided to try their $5 hot dogs. Adam chose the Dirty Hawaiian with teriyaki, pineapple, and scallions. The hot dogs aren't particularly special on their own, just a simple beef dog, but the toppings, price, and patio make it a nice, low key place mid-bike adventure.

I chose the Banh Mi Dog with hoisin, pickles, and cilantro. I preferred mine to Adam's but they were both good!

So you may be wondering how we ended up with four drinks on our table...

Well, a fun drink option at Donnie Vegas is to roll the dice for a $4 drink. I can't remember all six options but they included a tequila shot, pickle back, featured cocktails, and a few other options. Each is associated with a number and you get whatever it lands on. Risky, but for only $4 we were in. We both happened to get featured cocktails and ended up with another bourbon tea cocktail and a mojito. 

This would definitely be a great spot for a drink and hanging out with a group. Everyday they have happy hour including a drink special, $1 off drafts, and $2 plain dogs. Oh and they give fair warning on the site, that "Donnie changes the menu whenever he wants, ya dig", so don't be surprised if none of this is relevant.

Portland Bars: The Old Gold and The Box Social

When we decided to find a place together in NW, Doug and I promised ourselves we wouldn't become those people. You know, the people who don't venture across Burnside and would certainly never find themselves on the other side of the river, especially on a weeknight.

But, slowly but surely, we kind of have become those people. Especially now that summer is finally here, it's so nice to just walk somewhere instead of drive.

Good thing Portland Monthly just published an article about Portland's Best New Bars. Finally, some inspiration to get us out of our happy, if not somewhat boring, NW rut!

We had already tried many of their recommendations (Kask, Rum Club, Barwares, Dig A Pony) but the promise of a nice patio at The Old Gold caught our eye.

What: The Old Gold
Where: 2105 N Killingsworth st
Honeys Heart: The patio

I don't know when this happened, but N Killingsworth, like the part right by Beaterville (perennial UP breakfast favorite), got really nice all of a sudden. There's all kinds of bars and restaurants and little boutiques. I didn't quite believe that Beaterville hadn't up and changed locations when we first drove by.

Anyway, The Old Gold is one of those recent additions. They have a great mix of craft cocktails and local taps, and their patio is one of the nicer I've seen in Portland. And it's dog-friendly.

I ordered The Sweet Science, made with gin, grapefruit juice, grapefruit bitters, and lime.

Doug had The Angie, made with WhipperSnapper whiskey (Doug's new favorite), grated ginger, and ginger beer.

And then we shared a O.G. Mule, made with vodka, lime juice, fresh mint, and kombucha. 

We both liked the O.G. Mule the best, but all three drinks rank pretty high on our list of "best drinks in Portland."

We didn't get any food, but it all looked pretty tasty so I wouldn't mind going back for happy hour or dinner next time, instead of just getting drinks.

Happy hour is Mon-Fri from 4-7pm with $1 off well drinks, house wine, micro brews, and sandwiches.

What: The Box Social
Where: 3971 N Williams
Honeys Heart: Ru Paul Sparkle Pony  

We weren't quite ready to head home yet, so we decided to head over to another of Portland Monthly's recommendations: The Box Social.

I had been once before with Allison for an early happy hour and while it was nice, I got the feeling that The Box Social really shines after dark. It does call itself a "drinking parlour" after all.

I was right. The mood is much cozier and romantic at night.

I ordered the Ru Paul Sparkle Pony, made with St. Germain, aperol, grapefruit, rhubarb bitters, Peychauds bitters & champagne. 

I do like a cocktail that's a bit challenging- complex flavors and all that. But sometimes it's nice to drink something that's just plain delicious with no complications. That's what the Sparkle Pony was. Fruity and bubbly, I could have downed quite a few of those, no problem. Also, the name is awesome. I'll be back for more of these I'm sure. 

Doug tried For You, Vermont. Would love to tell you what's in it, but The Box Social's website is down. We know it had maple syrup in it (hence the name) and that it was tasty. 

Cheers!