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NEIGHBORHOOD
chocolate habanero treat. Sweet is also the
word at Staccato Gelato (232 NE 28th Ave, 231-
7100) two short blocks away (the #19 bus line
stops conveniently outside). The dense flavors
rotate daily, and though it may be tempting to
stick with the passion fruit or the pistachio,
you will be rewarded for trying something
new, like lavender. The rewards extend to your
calorie intake as well, because gelato is made
with milk, not cream; you’ll be able to take
your “a lot” portion to go on a warm day and
enjoy a guilt-free walk around the tree-lined
neighborhood.
Speaking of rewards, Spa La La (234 NE
28th Ave, 233-2106, spalala.net) is right next door.
It’s open and airy with tons of windows that
offer a street view of the goings on outside
while you’re plucked, painted, massaged and
pampered into nirvana. Kalista Salon (137
SE 28th Ave, 230-8952, kalistasalon.com) fills in the
gaps, offering an inviting selection of massage
treatments ($75–$100) and artful hair
services in a tranquil, garden-like setting.
Hipster haircuts—and PBRs—are available at
“Portland’s original rock ‘n’ roll barbershop,”
Bishop’s (210 NE 28th Ave, 235-2770, bishopsbs.com),
and sexpot hairdos are crafted by the ladies at
Do or Dye (2730 E Burnside, 235-6242).
After you’ve gussied yourself up, you’ll
surely want to do a little shopping to complete
your new look. Una (2802 SE Ankeny St, 235-2326),
which is celebrating its first anniversary this
month, is like the immaculate walk-in closet
you’ve always dreamed of having, a wardrobe
full of gossamer dresses, well-structured
pants and striking jewelry, from both local
and exclusive national designers. Butterscotch
(144 NE 28th Ave, 234-6877, shopatbutterscotch.
com) may seem like a children’s-only fanciful
boutique, offering delectable little clothes
and diaper bags, but they also sell jewelry,
handbags and Cielo Blue stationary. And of
course, no Portland neighborhood is complete
without the corner vintage store, and in this
case, one of the best, Lady Luck Vintage (1
SE 28th Ave, 233-4041, ladyluckvintage.com), is at the
heart of the area.
There is a seemingly misplaced Coca-
Cola syrup plant smack dab in the middle of
all this shopping/primping/feasting action;
the hot spots are buffered by chiropractors
and dentists, even a warehouse-like paint
store. But that’s the charm of Upper Burnside.
Even with trendy new restaurants, happening
bars, fashionista destinations and the Bermuda
Triangle of night life, this will always be a
lived-in, working and playing neighborhood.
It’s a refreshing escape from other, more
expensive, more pretentious hipster hangouts.
You’re welcome to wear your crumby ‘ol Converse
and make yourself comfortable.
Staccato Gelato
The Laurelhurst Theater, one of the
first art deco buildings built in Portland, is
now one of the greatest date ideas of all time;
the $3 admission means that you can spend
the leftover $5.75 you would have spent at the
megaplex on yummy Pizzicato pizza, brought
over from across the street (2811 E Burnside,
236-6045, pizzicatogourmetpizza.com), and a pitcher
of beer. What else do you need in life? Well,
maybe a little rock star action couldn’t hurt;
head over to Chopsticks for some of the best
drunken karaoke.
The area is also bursting with hopeful
newbies joining the ranks of those that have
been longtime favorites. Alma Chocolates
(140 NE 28th Ave, 517-0262, almachocolate.com), its NE
location barely a year old, creates divine 23-
karat gold-covered chocolates in the shapes
of religious icons like the Buddha and the
Virgin de Guadalupe. You may need otherwordly
protection when you decide to try their