Begin the New Year by teaching your dog some new tricks. The Dog House is featuring a six-week obedience training class for puppies and adults, taught by Katrin Greim, MA, CTC, CPDT of Plucky Puppy.

Classes Begin: Wednesday January 27, 6:30 p.m.
Call or stop by for details or to sign up.
The Dog House Doggie Daycare & Wash
www.thedoghouseportland.com | 503-241-5905

The crew at Bambuza has been crafty over the holidays; come check out the new cozy bar. Join Bambuza for drink and food specials starting at $1.50, PLUS new extended Late Happy Hours now on Friday and Saturday nights.

> Early Happy Hour: Monday – Saturday, 3:00pm – 6:00pm
> Late Happy Hour: Friday & Saturday, 8:30pm – 10:30pm

Recently the Examiner profiled the Rilassi Readings series that happens the first Thursday each month at Rilassi Coffee and Tea House here in South Waterfront.  Click here to read the entire article.  The next event takes place on August 6th and will feature Brian David Johnson’s futurist thriller, Fake Plastic Love.

Le Hana is now offering 50% off of dinner at their South Waterfront location.  Be sure to stop by and get some of the best sushi in town.  For more information please visit www.lehana.com.

When: Thursday December 11th.

Shop from a variety of exceptional holiday gifts provided by the following Portland merchants: Cielo Home, Ecru, Emily Katz, JD Madison, Judith Arnell Jewelers, Mabel & Zora, Madison Millinger, Maison, Naturally Knotty, Oliva Belle, Orchid Exchange, Relish, Sahlia Michelle Jewelry

Complementary valet and refreshments will be provided.

Location: Atwater Place (0841 SW Gaines ST) | 5 – 9 PM | Public Welcome

South Waterfront has been buzzing lately with new improvement projects, from Greensways and Neighborhood parks to the ground breaking of the Mirabella. Let’s add one more to the growing list – the Gibbs St. Pedestiran Bridge, linking us to our neighbors to the West.

The firm working on this project, CH2MHILL, is asking for public input on the design options for the bridge and have a public survey posted on their site to collect our input. Here is a link to their site: www.gibbsbridge.org.

This survey is open until June 15th, so please try and add your input as soon as possible. Here is a link to the survey: Gibbs St. Survey. They will also be holding an Open House on June 25th – the location has not been solidified yet, so be sure to check back soon.

A new restaurant is moving into the John Ross, on the corner of SW Bond and Gaines.  Daniel and Katherine Nguyen are inviting local residents to a welcome event next Saturday, the 5th of April, from 6-9pm.  He has asked that anyone interested please RSVP by Thursday, April 3rd by calling 503.206.6330.

“Taste of the Mekong along the banks of the Willamette”

Sip on a Mekong Mojito and munch on Coconut Summer Rolls by the Willamette River. The delightful culinary flavors of Vietnam await at Bambuza Vietnam Bistro, opening in April. Owners Daniel and Katherine Nguyen have been busy traveling and preparing since last summer to open Bambuza at the John Ross Condominium Tower in Portland’s South Waterfront District.

“It’s great to be home,” says Katherine who grew up in Portland and will manage the South Waterfront location. “I’m up for the challenge,” says Daniel, a Camas native. “It’s truly a unique place and an opportunity that I could not let pass by,” said Daniel after being introduced to the location by college classmate.

To kick off Bambuza’s Grand Opening, Daniel and his wife, Katherine will host a private sneak-preview event in early April to offer a tase of what’s been cooking since last summer down at the South Waterfront. Bambuza will open to the public on Tuesday, April 8th.

Bambuza Vietnam Bistro in the South Waterfront will be the second in the family’s line of casual, upscale Vietnamese restaurants. Bambuza will feature distinctive Vietnamese dishes that focus on fresh and healthy ingredients. The restaurant will offer casual, take-out service at lunch and full-service meals at dinner with a full bar and wine list.

Another retailer has opened their doors in the South Waterfront neighborhood.  Owner Karen Naylor has been gracious enough to offer a few words about her services:

“We are very proud of our grooming services. We want people to know that besides the elegant feel of the salon, we are not your everyday dog grooming shop. The care and comfort of the animals is our main focus. Whether or not you have a puppy or a senior pet, we will make every effort to make sure that the experience for your pet is as stress free as possible. Taking the extra time when needed to accommodate the special needs of any pet. If your dog is a nervous dog, or just hates being bathed and groomed, we will do our best to make the experience as pleasant as possible.

We use only premium products for our bathing, ensuring a bath that will leave the pet clean and fresh with out irritants that can sometimes result from using lower quality shampoos. I also want people to know that their pets will be groomed in a safe caring environment . I have been grooming for 10yrs, and have built my clientele on their trust in me that I really care about each and every pet that I touch. I would like people to know that even though we are called “The Pampered Pooch”, we do groom cats and will carry cat products also. We will be carrying a variety of toys, rain gear, sweaters, harnesses and pet foods, holistic diets, including raw diets and several other choices for healthy diets for all pets.

I am looking carefully for companies that sell environmentally conscious products. I am planning on supporting the local humane society and animal shelters, volunteering services for pets in need of grooming before they can be put up for adoption, and hopefully helping in someway with getting needy pets adopted out to good homes. We again are very excited to be open in the South Waterfront community.”

Thank you, Karen, for summarizing your services. This is a very exciting time for pet owners who take extra pride in their furry family members. Now is the opportunity to Pamper your Pet!

To be more accurate, I received a 20% off coupon from a friendly promoter while leaving the nearby Fred Meyer supermarket, and having no other immediate dinner plans, my partner and I decided to give it a try.  Lets just say it had us quickly considering our next opportunity to revisit this fine establishment.

I’ll always remember my first dinner there, which may remain my favorite.  Being a lover of lamb, I could not resist trying a rack of it in the style of Japanese cuisine.  Four sumptuous chops, done to tender perfection, surrounded a pyramid of fried rice, and were topped with a sweet teriyaki demiglace.  A real treat!

On another visit, I ordered the delicious chicken katsu, meaning breaded chicken.  These masterpieces come rolled around a stem of asparagus and lightly battered with a Japanese panko.  Each bite is a burst of juicy flavor, held intact by its crispy exterior.

And if fish is more to your taste, know that Le Hana offers the most fresh and clean tasting sushi that I have ever had.  Their hamachi is of the most choice cut, and their Oregon salmon is like taking a bite of local heaven.

When I found out that Le Hana would be opening a location in my new neighborhood, I almost jumped for joy.  Those who have yet to sample its rich menu of delectable treats should make it a point to do so.  It is a delightful gift for South Waterfront residents and visiting patrons alike.

For more information, check out their website: http://www.lehana.com/

Hopefully, all who are reading this have had a chance to shop at the Urbana Market, and to experience all of the conveniences that this store has to offer.  For those who haven’t, let me tell you a bit about it.

Urbana, for its size, will surprise many with how many items it has in stock.  You can find some exquisit Oregon wines, individual dinners and lunch entrees-to-go, essential eco-friendly cleaning supplies, and even some local artwork on display.

As a new resident, I have found myself in need of supplies numerous times, and have praised my fortune for having such a well stocked neighborhood merchant.

For sure, if you find yourself in need of a trip to the supermarket, why not first see if you can save yourself a trip, while perusing the wares that Urbana has to offer.  You may be pleasantly surprised.

Anyone anxious to see more retail space in the South Waterfront will be relieved to learn that Umpqua Bank will open its doors as early as Monday, November 5th.

I had the pleasure of speaking to Dave Hawkins, branch manager, who was supervising some of the finishing touches this morning.  As you can see from the photos, Umpqua will sport a contemporary look, fusing technology with eco-friendliness, in the spirit of the South Waterfront.

I know that I am looking forward to the service and convenience that Umpqua has to offer.

http://www.wweek.com/editorial/3350/9855/

“Across the street, an upscale eatery called Orupa (Oregon + Europe, get it?) will debut this winter in the stunning Atwater Place tower.”

Sounds great, I can’t wait!

Click on the link for a great write-up on the other great restaurants of the South Waterfront.

I wanted to start my first blog with a series of welcome posts to local South Waterfront retailers.  First off is Bella Espresso.

Located on the south-west corner of the Meriwether block, this incredible coffee shop offers a unique experience.  Rather than relying on a trendy Seattle-like display, Bella goes for a more classic ambiance, from the renaissance murals on the ceiling, to the lionesque busts at the foot of the stairwell.  The entire affair allows one to feel like they’re living in an Italian villa.

 The owners have really gone above the norm to create a pleasant and social atmosphere.  The staff is friendly and courteous, and they will deliver your order directly to your table.  Chess sets are available to have an engrossing match with your partner.  And WiFi is available, too (by the way, it’s speedy).

  

So relax.  Enjoy a cappuccino as you can plug in your wireless laptop while sitting in the comfortable sofa by the fireplace mantle.  Try some of the delicious gelato ice cream while browsing the Internet near the windows overlooking the newly constructed Atwater tower.  Or simply stop by for a game of chess while enjoying a freshly grilled chicken panini.

Bella Espresso is an enjoyable experience, and I hope people stop by to welcome them to the neighborhood.

By the way, if you have any comments or suggestions for our friends at Bella, please add your thoughts to this topic.  Looking for something in particular to be added to the menu?  Have something you especially like about the coffee?  Or maybe a constructive criticism…?  I would love to hear your thoughts.