Higgins started dying when the Oregonian moved out of its palace across the street. The expense-account trade dried up. Lawyers decamped. PSU can't supply customers.
Yah, high-end restaurants are hurting everywhere, but downtown Portland is a basket case. There are expensive (and worth it) restaurants out in the neighborhoods. Might be nice to vist 'em from time to time.
My wife's birthday is this week. I decided to celebrate with our kids and their significant others. I looked at the menu and the prices make that unwise. Sorry. I love Higgins although, true, I havent been there in a while. I fear that part of town is gonna take a long time to recover (assuming it does recover). A thought: relocate up to Slabtown. There is still a vibrancy here and, I promise to become a regular when the parties are smaller. Your legacy in Portland history is just too much to lose. Please relocated and stay open.
While what you say is true, I think it is incomplete. All the places you mention are commercial spaces. Those are valuable, for all the reasons you say. But a vibrant neighborhood also needs shared public spaces that encourage people to use them. The European and Asian cities I personally have most enjoyed are filled with outdoor plazas that are full of plants and people playing music, walking, sitting and talking or playing games or exercising in groups. These complement restaurants and bars; both are needed if a place is to feel alive.
I am saddened by the passing of Higgins. Maybe the younger generation wants "speed, spice and sustainability," but at least the last two items on that list can also exist in a restaurant where you can sit down and eat in a gracious environment. My priorities, shared I think by many in my older generation, are to be cared for by a waitstaff that is attentive and happy (or at least seems to be happy) to see me, and will bring me a good meal in a pleasant atmosphere where I can hear the conversation with my fellow diner(s). That good meal can be anything from tasty bistro fare to refined cuisine. Good value is great to find, too, but presenting quality food served by experienced people costs money. Unfortunate that the downtown workers that were the customer base for good restaurants have disappeared. Many years ago, the central cities in many locations were going downhill. Then they were revived. I hope somehow that can be brought to happen again.
Higgins started dying when the Oregonian moved out of its palace across the street. The expense-account trade dried up. Lawyers decamped. PSU can't supply customers.
Yah, high-end restaurants are hurting everywhere, but downtown Portland is a basket case. There are expensive (and worth it) restaurants out in the neighborhoods. Might be nice to vist 'em from time to time.
Do you have some suggestions on restaurants out in the neighborhoods to try?
Well written piece. Things change due to unforeseen events and the dynamism of culture. It feels destabilizing when it’s happening.
My wife's birthday is this week. I decided to celebrate with our kids and their significant others. I looked at the menu and the prices make that unwise. Sorry. I love Higgins although, true, I havent been there in a while. I fear that part of town is gonna take a long time to recover (assuming it does recover). A thought: relocate up to Slabtown. There is still a vibrancy here and, I promise to become a regular when the parties are smaller. Your legacy in Portland history is just too much to lose. Please relocated and stay open.
While what you say is true, I think it is incomplete. All the places you mention are commercial spaces. Those are valuable, for all the reasons you say. But a vibrant neighborhood also needs shared public spaces that encourage people to use them. The European and Asian cities I personally have most enjoyed are filled with outdoor plazas that are full of plants and people playing music, walking, sitting and talking or playing games or exercising in groups. These complement restaurants and bars; both are needed if a place is to feel alive.
I am saddened by the passing of Higgins. Maybe the younger generation wants "speed, spice and sustainability," but at least the last two items on that list can also exist in a restaurant where you can sit down and eat in a gracious environment. My priorities, shared I think by many in my older generation, are to be cared for by a waitstaff that is attentive and happy (or at least seems to be happy) to see me, and will bring me a good meal in a pleasant atmosphere where I can hear the conversation with my fellow diner(s). That good meal can be anything from tasty bistro fare to refined cuisine. Good value is great to find, too, but presenting quality food served by experienced people costs money. Unfortunate that the downtown workers that were the customer base for good restaurants have disappeared. Many years ago, the central cities in many locations were going downhill. Then they were revived. I hope somehow that can be brought to happen again.
I've had the cheeseburger. It's at best worth $16. Charging $22 for a cheeseburger is bad business.
The term “Death by a thousand cuts” comes to mind. 😢