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Cafes contribute to the best of Porland's culture
Unique coffee shops in the Portland area provide excellent places to study

Have you ever wondered where to spend an all-nighter studying? Perhaps the 24-hour Starbucks in Beaverton Town Square would be a good place to start, provided you sign out before hand. According to the barista, the person who works the espresso machine, this Starbucks is "the only coffee shop open 24 hours in all of Oregon."

Even at 1 a.m. the coffee shop is still alive with customers. Most people are studying, but a social crowd remains. Some sit at the outside tables, others stay inside, gathered at the coffee bar or around small tables.

An additional late-night selection of coffee is available from this unique Starbucks: the "night cups," mixtures of espresso, steamed milk, flavor essences and whipped cream. Live bands play every Friday or Saturday evening.

For some students, Beaverton may be too far to go for a coffee. Some may even prefer to stay at home. For the homebound, the Pied Cow on Belmont offers coffee from inside a cozy house. The only way you can tell it isn't your own house is that you still have to pay (unless you come with a reporter who is testing coffee for a college newspaper).

Inside the cafe through large wooden doors are two rooms. One room has a traditional coffee shop setting with small, candle-lit tables surrounded by antique chairs. The other room is carpeted and contains both couches and chairs with an elegant rose-colored wall.

Although some strange ideals are represented in the decor, such as a goddess shrine inlaid in the wall and Hindu artwork mixed with modern art, the eight-year-old cafe would be a choice location for a romantic date, or a group date for those leaning more toward courting.

More candle-lit tables appear in the isolated courtyard at the back of the old European-style house. A mysterious torch and Christmas tree lights add a warm glow. Even the coffee is good. Jennifer, the supervisor, let me try one of her favorites, the "Ivanhoe" drink, a sweet iced espresso topped with whipped cream, well worth the $2.25. The service is exceptional, and the waiters are friendly.

Another cafe that decorates with Christmas tree lights is The Fresh Pot, located in the Powell's Bookstore on Hawthorne Boulevard. Unlike the coffee shop at the downtown Powell's, this one has a local feel and casual atmosphere. One customer walking in with a beanie hat, steel-toed boots and worn jeans was greeted with "What's up, Bry?" by a server.

The Fresh Pot has a free and unique setting that makes it unique. Olive green walls blend in with large plants. A couch sits with pillows scattered over it; the coffee table in front of the couch displays newspapers that have been vigorously ransacked.

Under the coffee bar lie telephone books, a dictionary, a copy of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," a chess game, Clue, Risk and Scrabble. The games and books blend with the abstract and modern paintings, which also look like clutter at first glance.

The espresso drink the waiter offered me conformed to the naturalistic theme: a "double soy vanilla latte," his personal favorite. Though the soy wasn't very noticeable, the unique, earthy taste made it overall the best cup of coffee I tasted.

The Fresh Pot is also in an ideal location. Two businesses down is the Oasis Cafe, open until midnight, with outdoor tables as well. One man, who has been going to the Oasis Cafe since 1990, said he likes it because "they have wonderful food and cool music."

The Oasis is better known for its pizza than its coffee. The most ordered product, according to a server, is "a slice of cheese" (pizza). From the tables, diners can see the chefs in the back tossing pizza dough; one can buy a cooked slice for just over $2. Old jazz plays subtly in the background.

A Starbucks is located across the street from the Oasis Cafe, along with a cinema and more restaurants. A woman plays a violin outside the Starbucks as people walk by. Some of the passers-by stop to sip coffee and read. Others stand in line to watch a movie. The nightlife is lively in this neighborhood.

Another great coffee shop in a lively area is Coffee Time on S.W. 21st Street. Even at 11 p.m., Coffee Time is still busy. The line at the coffee bar remains constant with three to five people.

One unique aspect about this cafe is the outside awning that produces heat. Customers sitting outside wear shorts and T-shirts during the winter and feel as warm as if they were inside.

Inside the cafe, an intriguing science fiction painting covers the entire wall to the right and behind. Four chess boards are set up with people gathered around them to watch the competitors. According to one of the chess players, Coffee Time is an ideal place to play chess and find other players. The usual homework crew also gathers, some in study groups.

Passing through a hallway from the main room, leaving the clamorous party atmosphere, one enters a room furnished with a beautiful leather couch and sofas. A simulated fireplace gives the room a cozy and warm feeling, although it doesn't produce any heat. Modern paintings, which are for sale, decorate the wall.

Beyond this room is a third room, even more intimate with dark walls and dim lights. Large paintings of Renaissance rooms give a spacious illusion to the small room. The room is romantic with rose-colored walls, curtains, rugs and fancy tables, but still has a '90s pop culture setting with randomly selected chairs and unusual lighting.

Coffee Time's service is also excellent. Servers remain pleasant in the midst of stress. For a touch of lively atmosphere at a downtown cafe, Coffee Time is the place.

Rimsky's is another unusual coffee shop. Like the Pied Cow, Rimsky's is situated in a house. The most unique part of Rimsky's is the bathroom. As one goes up the stairs to the bathroom, a collage of famous people on the wall makes the journey interesting.

The bathroom itself looks like an underwater scene. Feet hang from the blue ceiling, a mermaid holds toilet paper, and oddly, a "dead" person lies in the corner of the room, guaranteed to give you a fright at first sight.

However, I was warned by Nathan Willard, a junior, that the service at Rimsky's was poor and the waiters were unfriendly. "I have washed my hands of Rimsky's, and I will never go back there again," he said.

Willard told how waiters chased him outside the building complaining he had not tipped enough, when in fact his group had paid exactly 15 percent, the expected tip. Moreover, the woman overcharged him $5.

When I went to visit Rimsky's for myself, it had closed at 11:30, although the sign outside said it was open until midnight. The next night I went earlier, and the waiter seemed to be amused in insulting me: He brought me a few popcorn seeds, a couple slices of lemon and a cup of water when I asked for a sample of coffee.

Nevertheless, cafes can be a great place to study late at night, meet new people or just enjoy the atmosphere. To experience Portland culture, visiting these cafes is an excellent start.

Stephen Heckman would like to thank all those who graciously let him sample coffee, allowing him to remain on a caffeine high while writing this article.



The well-lit house the Pied Cow occupies was built in 1893.

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