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10
Feb 2012
05:09 PM

Make a Whole Day of It! Valentine’s Day in Portland.

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A flood of Portland entries for BRINKguide this week  has got me very pumped! Our four new editors are uncovering so many great places, so I decided I’d give you a sneak peek into their entries with a Valentine’s date.

This week, we are planning a night out for Portlanders with the edge you’ll need to impress a lucky someone on Feb. 14th. Grab your umbrella and follow these instructions.

FIRST, HEAD TO>>>

Sammy’s Floral Shop/2280 NW Gilsan St./sammysflowers.com

Portlanders might be a bit scruffy but your date would still be pleased with a bouquet, terrarium or single rose from the local farmers market. They do custom stuff and they have a quick turn-around but check into it now, Valentine’s Day is obviously a busy time for the shop given the title “Best Florist in Portland” from multiple magazines.

AND THEN>>>

Sweets Etc./7828 SW Capitol Hwy/sweetsetc.com

If your date is more keen on something edible, Sweets Etc. will have any sweet you need. They really have a lot of unique treats from around the world. Our editor recommends the fresh fudge or chocolate dipped cheesecake but show your sweetheart you really get him/her and slyly pry their favorite kind of delicacy out of them before heading in. If Sweets Etc. doesn’t have something, the employees will know where you can find it.

TO START OFF THE AFTERNOON>>>

Glowing Greens Miniature Golf/509 SW Taylor Street/glowinggreens.com

If you and your date are adventurous (and it isn’t too crappy outside) head to this pirate-themed indoor 3D black light miniature golf course. The course itself is a little “rinky dink”, but the decor and overall wackiness is charming. And it captures the city of Portland, which tends to lean a little towards a laid-back eccentricity.

THEN FOR DINNER>>>

Toro Bravo/120 NE Russell Street/torobravopdx.com

This is on one editor’s “short list of the city’s finest restaurant’s” so it’ll be fitting for a special night out. Foodie’s praise the tapas-style dishes especially, the brussel sprouts with bacon sherry cream, pork and almond empanadas and signature Paella Toro. The wine list is huge and the cocktails are creative (and great), so it is a good first stop to unwind after some mini-golf and get the rest of the night started. Get out of their by 7:30pm so you can make it to this next bit in time.

CATCH THE ROMANTIC FLICK WILD AT HEART>>>

The Bagdad Theater/3702 SE Hawthorne/mcmenamins.com/219-bagdad-theater-pub-home

Who doesn’t love watching a young Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern in the off-kilter romantic movie Wild at Heart. And you can see the 35mm David Lynch cult classic in the perfect venue this Valentine’s day starting at 8:30pm. Tickets are only five bucks, so if you spent too much at dinner, rest assured you can impress your date for a lot less. The Bagdad Theater has been a Portland landmark since 1927, its Vaudeville days have passed, but it is still one of the best spots in town to take in a show and you can drink a delicious IPA or a cocktail from the full bar while you do it.

AFTERWARDS FOR DRINKS>>>

Silk by Pho Van/1012 NW Glisan/phovanrestaurant.com

You certainly could have chose this for your dinner spot, the authentic Vietnamese cuisine is modern and unique, but we are more keen on their upscale bar. It is appropriately elegant for Valentine’s Day and infused with a bit of exoticism to make the night not so run-of-the-mill. That’s why it’s a great spot for an after-the-movie sip. Try the Thai Chili-infused Tuk Tuk martini to get the full experience of the place.

IF YOU’RE STILL GOING >>>

Aalto Lounge/3356 SE Belmont St./aaltolounge.com

This bar masters the hip bar triumvirate: a well-priced and interesting drink selection, hilarious bartenders and a colorful environment. If you prefer to enjoy your date in a quiet space, take your libations to the couches near the front of the bar. But the back patio is great to socialize and smoke, if you care for that sort of thing.

AND THE NEXT MORNING>>>

Gold Rush Coffee Bar/2601 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd/goldrushcoffeebar.wordpress.com

Whether the night went so great that you spent the night together or you dropped them at their door with a smooch, it’s not a bad idea for you to enjoy some more time with your Valentine’s day over a really great cup of coffee. You could almost walk across Portland on the roofs of coffee shops – they are everywhere. But Gold Rush sticks out because in addition to their good brew, they have friendly, long-time employees (low turnover is always a clue to a great place), Wild West decor and stellar breakfast options (they are inexpensive AND tasty, novel).

-Caroline Jackson

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03
Feb 2012
08:50 AM

V-DAY in NYC: BRINKguide Has Your Plans Ready

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We figured there’s enough going on in your day-to-day, so we sent out a call to our editors in New York City. We asked for the most romantic spots and pulled together a supreme Valentine’s Day schedule. Just make sure your sweetheart is free on February 14th and follow these simple instructions.

Before your meet up with somebody special, you’re going to need a bottle of something nice (for enjoying back at the hotel) and/or flowers (to woo them before your date).

For a bottle:

Astor Wines & Spirits/ 399 Lafayette Street/212-674-7500

This wine shop has just about every option you can think of. If you live anywhere close to here, it should already be your liquor store of choice. Countless wines, spirits and sakes grin at you in technicolor hues. They herald from all places and across decades, and run the full gamut of grape varieties.

For some flowers:

Anthology Floral Design/1 Fifth Ave/212-677-0102

Call or visit ahead and send your lovely something at work, or plan to pick a bouquet up on the way to dinner. This is downtown’s best all-purpose flower shop. The flower arrangers are “seasoned,” so to speak and the prices can be a bit steep, but it’s a special occasion and arrangements won’t disappoint.

Now, make a reservation for dinner:

Blossom/187 9th Avenue/212-627-1144

This is where ‘fancy with a fireplace’ meets ‘organic vegan eats.’ This spot is intimate and romantic, the perfect atmosphere for a cuddly Valentine’s Day, and the food options will please any sort of date. Enjoy a cocktail, or some wine, and gaze into each others eyes and prepare for your next stop.

No need to plan ahead of time for the next event on your sultry agenda. Take your date for some dancing at the ultimate spot.

Groove Bar & Grill/125 MacDougal Street/212-254-9393

This place is one of the only bars in downtown Manhattan that focuses on Funk, Soul, R&B, and Hip Hop. And the artists aren’t just of any caliber – these are the best. This is perfect for a sexy, laid-back night with a special someone. It may get a little full on the 14th, since others may be looking to get close to their honeys, but the crowd is always super easy going.

Book a room at a hip hotel, in a prime spot.

The Standard/848 Washington Street/212-645-4646

Hotelier Andre Balazas doesn’t disappoint. You’ll pay a pretty penny to stay in these hipster-chic digs but for one special night, it is perfect. It straddles the High Line elevated park and looks great from outside, even better from inside one of the posh rooms. This is where you whip out the fine wine you got a deal on at Astor Wines and Spirits and enjoy your lucky significant other.

Don’t feel left out if you aren’t going to be in the Big Apple on the most romantic day of the year. Every venue in our BRINKguides is carefully selected, so you can create your own special day where ever you are.  Read More »

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15
Nov 2011
05:43 PM

Flourishing Here and Abroad

The Portland addition of BRINKguide is picking up. I’m getting venue reviews just about every day now from our savvy new contingent in the North East. One editor raved about a flower shop in Nob Hill called Luv ‘N Stuff. This place has been family owned and operated for nearly 30 years and editor Lauren Murphy promises they know what they are talking about. Plus, they sell unique gifts to go along with the bouquets and they offer free shipping locally if you make an online order here. So go ahead and send a bud some blooms already.

(Luv ‘N Stuff, 1037 Nw 23rd Avenue, Portland)

This new review reminded me of an older one from one of our trusted guides in Madrid, Kelly Hurd. Hurd added the Tirso de Molina Plaza flower stands to our guide a month or so ago. I asked her for some additional photos for the blog because I was intrigued by her description: “If you walk through this small plaza between La Latina and Lavapiés at night, you may wonder “What are all these strange cube sculptures for?” But if you happen to find yourself there during the day you will discover that these mysterious giant cubes open up like origami into flower stands.” They slipped my mind until now but they are quite a sight. She says the cafes along the plaza are also good for café con leche and some people watching.

I’m proud to say we have received and edited all of the entries for BRINKguide Madrid, so soon reviews like Hurd’s will be easily accessible on your smart phone. And if you think you have what it takes to be an editor for Portland, Tucson, Bisbee or Boston, apply here.

-Caroline Jackson, editor of BRINKguide

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28
Oct 2011
05:02 PM

Halloween in BrinkGuide Cities

Where ever you are, we at BrinkGuide have searched the internet and our own guides to find the best places to be to fully enjoy this Halloween weekend.Here is your rundown and let us know if we are missing out on something special and/or spooky travelers and locals shouldn’t miss.

(Photo from NYmag.com)

DANZIG!! If you are in Manhattan or anywhere in the NY Burroughs, head out to Hammerstein Ballroom ( 311 W. 34th St) October 29th to hear some classic Samhain and Misfits songs from the dark idol himself. But if you can’t get tickets or the price is to steep for your blood (you can get them for $36.50-$97), fear not, the Boogaween Costume Ball is happening down on Houston St. the same night. There is sure to be dancing at the Mercury Lounge (217 E. Houston St) and tickets to the ball will only cost you $25 the night of the show.

(Photo from timeout.com)

In London, the Round Chapel (Clapton Park United Reformed Church, 1d Glenarm Rd.) will show horror classics all weekend. Showings, or “screamings” as they’re calling them, happen early (at either 4:45pm or 7:30pm October 28-31) so you can get spooked before you head out for a night of partying. Choose from “The Omen”, “The Exorcist”, “The Blair Witch Project” or “Halloween.” From what we can tell, the hallowed halls of the historic church is the perfect venue to get you in the mood for the holiday.

(Photo from Halloween 2007, Pitussi’s flickr stream)

From what our Madrid editors have told us, Spaniards haven’t quite caught on to celebrating Halloween, save for the students. A little bit of digging and we found the goth club Dark Hole has been putting on a Semana Gotica de Madrid kick off event each year. We have found pictures of wonderfully costumed patrons from years passed but can’t find exact details for this years event. Ask a local, show up at the venue in your darkest costume (13 Mesoneros Romanos, Metro: Gran Via) or go to find Madrid’s Gothic Week website to find out the latest event offerings in the area.

(Photo from Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli Photography + Design)

This weekend Tucsonians will have plenty of house parties and concerts to choose from but really we are saving our energy for the big event next weekend. Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican holiday for celebrating the dead, will be celebrated the weekend after Halloween. Floats and folks with black and white painted faces will parade through downtown on November 6th for the All Souls Procession, with the route ending in a Dance of the Dead. Residents don’t skimp on costuming as you can see from the photo above, taken at last year’s event. This will be the 21st walk and the community organized event has attracted as many as 20,000 participants in the past.

-Caroline Jackson, editor of BrinkGuide

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24
Oct 2011
09:00 AM

Vicarious Brooklyn Bar Crawl

I’ve been cruising through final edits of our New York Burroughs edition of BrinkGuide and I found we had a bit of a drought when it came to bar and club reviews. Maybe our editors aren’t big drinkers but I thought our app users should have some options when they’re trying to imbibe outside of Manhattan. So I sent one of our tried and true editors Liz Hazard on a bit of a club hopping mission through BK. I armed her with a list of some of my old haunts in Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Red Hook, Bedstuy and Clinton Hill and a weekend to cruise around. Her reviews started coming in today and she fished out some spots in Williamsburg that I love and some that I hadn’t discovered yet. Liz also threw in some shopping and eating spots you may want to stumble into when you decide to give the boozing a rest. I thought I’d give you all a sneak peak into which venues she’s recommending and I’m planning on checking out on my next visit.

Rosemary’s Green Point Tavern (188 Bedford Ave.): A local treasure. The beer comes in styrofam cups, perfect for sneaking a big, cold brew out the front door and talking a walk around Williamsburg but if the weather isn’t permitting, enjoying the seasoned bar patrons is the second best option. Year round Christmas lights provide stellar decor for party time.

Juliette (135 N. 5th St.): Another lovely spot to get a drink in Williamsburg but with a bit of a different flavor. This French brassiere has a totally cozy roof but will require a prettier penny than Rosemary’s. We recommend grabbing an Irish coffee in colder months or a St. Germain cocktail in warmer and enjoying the outdoor seating. Their food, desserts and coffee come recommended as well if you’re interested in something more substantial or non-alcoholic.

Buffalo Exchange: This now chain originated in BrinkGuide’s hometown of Tucson (we may be world travelers but I’m in Arizona as I type this post) but this location gets particularly choice items. Grab the hip and affluent’s cast offs for pennies on the dollar. You can find well-known current designers and also vintage pieces in great shape. But it gets packed out on weekends and even some weekday afternoons so be prepared to duke it out with other shoppers.

Masten Lake (285 Bedford Ave.): After fighting elbow-to-elbow with other fashion connoisseurs, this restaurant may be the perfect spot to unwind. Inspired by the owners’ childhood vacation home in the Catskills, Masten Lake proves to be a great departure from the bustle of Williamsburg and the big city in general. It has only been around since July but the kinks are all worked out (the chef has some cred: he worked at Roberta’s and Lupa). The food (Italian-influenced, simple, market-driven) is the highlight but the wine is on-point as well, featuring great female winemakers of the world in particular.

I’m looking forward to you all getting your hands on the full range of what New York Burroughs has to offer (including Liz’s full bar crawl report) when the new BrinkGuide comes out soon! Check back for more traveling tips and for the date of the big launch of our forth-coming BrinkGuides London, Madrid and NY Burroughs.

-Caroline Jackson, Editor of BrinkGuide

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21
Oct 2011
03:25 PM

These Madrid Bars are not One-Trick Ponies

One of our new BrinkGuide editors told us recently Madrileños love a bar that doubles as something else. So we thought we’d feature two she frequents in case you want a little something extra with your mojito. And these two are in the same neighborhood, Malasaña, so the bashful traveler can check out a more modest venue, while the daring can go for something more risque. You’ll see what I mean.

J&J’s (c/ Espiritu Santo, 47): You’ve run out of holiday reading material but also really could do with a nice, cold beer. Why not kill two birds with one stone? This little bar, tucked away on Calle de Espiritu Santo doubles as a cunningly-disguised bookshop! Bookworms will find hundreds of second-hand titles awaiting them downstairs. A firm favorite with the local ex-pat community, they also have a quiz night on Fridays and a language exchange night on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Beware, it gets pretty crowded.

ConSentido (C/ Barco, 32, Tel: 91 521 16 44): Really, it was only a matter of time before someone opened a bar which doubles as a vendor of, um, adult playthings. Here you can browse an exciting range of “back massagers” as well as erotic art. And if you should need to build up a little Dutch courage before making your purchase, a discreet, exotically decorated bar at the rear of the premises offers the usual range of beverages. José the owner claims they do the best mojitos in the city (but then, everywhere claims that, eh?) Open from 8pm (closed Sundays and Mondays).

Madrid is so close to launch! If you’re planning a trip to Spain, check back here for features on the capital city and to find out when you can get the app.

-Caroline Jackson, Editor (Photos taken by BrinkGuide contributor Victoria Knill)

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06
Apr 2011
11:56 AM

London is Closer Than You Think

Well, if you hail from the U.S.A, it’s still kind of a long ways away. I don’t know, maybe like 3741 miles…

We aren’t talking about the city though- We are talking about the new BrinkGuide London you can tote around with you while you journey. It is bound to be jam-packed with crucial info about places like the Hunterian Museum, which specializes in displays of tons of weird human body oddities. If that doesn’t stir your fancy, look forward to all the hidden eateries you would never find otherwise! All brought to you by our select group of intrepid local London writers.

Stay tuned for news on the release!

24
Mar 2011
03:32 PM

Got Android? Get a BrinkGuide!

So after all the hard work our stellar BrinkGuide programmers put into making BrinkGuide Android accessible,

we thought we would celebrate…

No–sorry– no free drinks. But how about a free Manhattan BrinkGuide!

You’re welcome.

Check it out here

17
Mar 2011
02:06 PM

BrinkGuide Goes Android

Hey all you Androidians or Apple Product dissenters out there: BrinkGuide is now available for the Android. (AWESOME!)

Now you too can access the only mobile vagabonding guide takin’ traveling back from the man! Available to download on your Android phone here.

27
Jan 2011
06:09 PM

Almost Android Ready

Psst… BrinkGuide for Android. Pass it on.

27
Jan 2011
05:56 PM

Hurry!

photo courtesy of Photologic

San Francisco Brink Guide iphone App is free!

From now until February 2nd you won’t have to pay for it like all the other suckers.

Why SF only? Because we love you.

http://brinkguide.com/guides

15
Dec 2010
05:17 PM

London Calling

As the year winds down, we are gearing up for our newest release – BrinkGuide London. Our intrepid team of writers has been scouring the hot spots and not spots of the most multicultural, schizophrenic, cosmopolitan and straight-up brilliant city on the planet. We’re happy to report the London line-up is coming together nicely. From diners to dim sum, Hello Kitty cameras to custom tattoos, burlesque to bistroteque – you get the idea. So stay tuned.

Meantime, with the heady mix of fresh snow and holiday buzz in the London air, why not drop by the Ice Rink at the Natural History Museum in the coming days. After all, even a tourist trap can be an awesome thing – especially in winter when the tourists ain’t around. Located on the east lawn of the museum grounds, the Ice Rink is in its fifth year, but has upped its game this season with an enormous 1,050-square-meter rink. (A smaller rink for pint-sized skaters is linked via an ice bridge.) Best part: The Cafe Bar perched overlooking the ice is a prime spot for imbibing some liquid courage or just feeling warm and smug. No cover, reasonable drinks, pricey to skate.

Til 10pm most days – through January 9

For more information: click here

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photo credit: Tabitha Langton