Tag: fosterpowell

Around the World In 180 Steps: International Cuisine of Foster-Powell

Posted on by Kim Parmon

The Foster Powell neighborhood is known for its diverse food scene with so many options on one street. Explore the world with just 180 steps (for legal reasons this is hyperbolic). Here are our top 5 international eats in the Foster Powell neighborhood. 

 

Tambayan Restaurant- 

6014 SE Foster Rd. Portland, OR 97206

The first stop on our trip is to the Philippines. Enjoy authentic Filipino food from Tambayan Restaurant. Start off easy with Lumpia Sariwa before diving into Kare-Kare Beef, or if you’re feeling adventurous try the Kare-Kare Oxtail. Finish with Leche Flan and bask in the glory of your wondrous food baby. 

 

Pho Hung–

4717 SE Powell Blvd. Portland, OR 97206

Hopping over the South China Sea, get a taste of Phở Hùng, a Vietnamese family-style joint known for its “unfussy” Pho, Vegetarian, and Rice Plates. Be the adventurous one in the group by ordering their special Pho bowl featuring all the beef cuts imaginable – brisket, flank, fat brisket, tenderloin, and honeycomb tripe. Feeling less adventurous? Try their Pho featuring meatballs and beef broth. Veggies? Try vegetarian spring rolls, deep-fried and served with rice noodles and vegetables. 

 

Ishtar Gate– 

5222 SE Foster Rd. Portland, OR 97206

Continuing west, your mouth will be thrilled to try the flavors of Iraq by visiting Ishtar Gate! You can’t go wrong with falafel. Order it as a side plate to your main dish of Lamb Shawarma or BBQ Grilled Veggies! On the go? Pick up the Ishtar Gate Combo and enjoy deep-fried falafel, zucchini, and cauliflower with garlic and lemon juice served on saj bread and don’t worry you can get fries with that! 

 

An Xuyen Bakery- 

5345 SE Foster Rd. Portland, OR 97206

Feeling Sweet? An Xuyen Bakery has you covered with artisan Pan Asian Pacific pastries. This has to be the only place in Portland where you can get French Macaroons, Bao, Pork Buns, and Cream Puffs! If you’re feeling hungrier than that, you’ll find delight in any of their filling sandwiches on daily made loaves of bread. 

 

Qué Bacano– 

7238 SE Foster Rd. Portland, OR 97206

Jetting over to South American cuisine, fall in love with fresh and authentic Colombian food from Qué Bacano! Mastering quick-and-portable eats, try their classic Empanadas con Aji with beef, chicken, or veggies, or try their Almojabanas, a cheesy cornmeal and egg roll. If you really want to dig in, give their Bandeja Paisa a go! Featuring red beans, rice, ground beef, chorizo, plantain, fried egg, avocado, and more fresh ingredients you can’t go wrong with this traditional Colombian meal!

 

Nayar Taqueria– 

5919 SE Foster Rd. Portland, OR 97206

Authentic Mexican is the game, and Nayar Taqueria is the name. Your mouth will be watering when you see the Carne Asada Tortas. You’ll be the winner of “Taco Tuesday” with their Chile Colorado and Tinga Tacos. And why not pair this fantastic feast with one of their signature margaritas? Gorge in peace and get it all to go! Even the margaritas! 

 

And just like that, you’ve been around the world in 180 steps… more or less. 

Start ’em Young…Tyler’s First Investment

Posted on by Olivia Rush

Congratulations to Tyler, who has just purchased his first real estate investment at the ripe old age of 24!

Tyler was referred to me by past clients/friends of mine. He is a foreman at an electrical company, and seriously ambitious. During our first conversations, Tyler shared with me his long-term goal of acquiring properties as a means of passive income and eventually to fund his retirement.

Tyler was open to many different neighborhoods, but wanted to be on the east side. Initially, he thought he wanted a house that needed some sweat equity. We saw a handful of homes, and his search quickly pivoted. Since he wanted to rent out some bedrooms right away, homes in better shape were more appealing.

I had had my eye on a house a few blocks away from me that was newly listed and had used it as an example of the kind of house we should be looking for. It was what I call a “plain Jane” home – clean and in good condition but nothing fancy – and a 3/2. It was listed a bit above Tyler’s price max, but after just one week on the market, it dropped 30K in price.

Tyler called me as soon he saw the price drop, and we both agreed we needed to see it STAT. Even though he had just driven all the way back to Beaverton from seeing other homes in SE, he got back in his car. Since the house was literally blocks away, I was able to sneak away from a gathering I was hosting for 10 minutes to show the house.

It didn’t even take 10 minutes – Tyler wanted this house. We knew we needed to submit an offer that evening, before the weekend’s open houses. We offered a bit over the new price but less than the previous price – and added a $5K signing bonus if they accepted it before noon the next day. The house had been a rental property, the Sellers just wanted it sold – we were pending by 9:30am!

We were able to negotiate a sizable chunk of credit for repairs, and the appraisal came in supporting value. Tyler got his keys over the weekend, and we celebrated as one does when they buy their first house at 24 – with a shot of tequila! Cheers to this smart young man for taking steps early on to set himself up for success later. Can’t wait to help with the purchase of investment property 2!

A Lifetime’s Work

Posted on by Olivia Rush

This realtor just may have accomplished her most impressive and life-spanning goal yet.

Mikaela and I grew up together in Maine. We were two young, fun-loving dorks (still are, less young); see photo below for reference.

Boston Museum of Science photo booth, c. 1996.

Over the years, we’ve only grown closer. We visited each other at college, danced together at concerts, traveled 6 months through South America, been bridesmaids in our friends’ weddings, hiked through national parks and encountered bears, pampered ourselves in Hawaiian resort hotel rooms, and shared too many bottles of wine and hours of trash TV to count.

Problem was, we never lived in the same place. I uprooted from the East coast in 2008, drove cross country to Portland, and haven’t looked back. Mikaela has always lived for Big City Energy – first Brooklyn, then San Fran, and a very brief stint in Amsterdam. We visited each other as often as possible over the past 15 years, and it was always my grand plan to get all my Maine ladies out to Portland. I had succeeded with two so far, but Mik proved to be a more challenging convert.

Then 2020 happened. Life plans upended by COVID, Mikaela moved to Portland [tentatively] and into my house in April 2020. To be clear, this was for-the-time-being. But Portland – even during a pandemic – has its way of growing on you.

Slowly. It grew slowly. Mikaela toyed with putting down roots here, and made some offers on houses that received an ungodly amount of interest – 24 and 29 offers, respectively. But, as we realtors like to preach, things usually happen for a reason. As we turned the corner to summer 2021, life stuff started to fall into place, and Mikaela firmly dug in. A couple offers were made with more conviction, but alas – neither house was meant to be.

What WAS meant to be was the ABSOLUTELY MOST PERFECT CHARMER OF A BUNGALOW that happened to be…[honestly too good to be true]…four blocks from my house. We were stunned when we saw it hit the market. Bonus – it was listed by fellow Living Room agents Tracy Dau and Chris Speth. We revved up for what turned out to be one of the most intense down-to-the-last-minute, submit-your-absolute-highest-and-best-and-then-make-it-even-a-little-stronger, offer scenarios I’ve participated in.

Getting our offer accepted was truthfully biggest challenge – it didn’t really matter what happened after that. Of course, a 1909 bungalow will always come with its quirks and projects, but it had been well loved and cared for. Despite there being a very strong backup offer in place, the sellers were willing to work with us on a few age-related items, which sweetened the situation even more.

I could tear up thinking about how special it has been to have my best friend of 25+ years live with me during a very challenging time, but the waterworks really come on when I realize she is here to stay. Few transactions have felt as special as this one. I am overjoyed to officially welcome Mikaela to Portland (and to our beloved FoPo!) and congratulate her on independently purchasing her first home. Cheers to Mikaela, and cheers to many more hours of wine-sipping and TV-watching in her Living Room!

 

Two older fun-loving dorks, Portland OR, c. 2021.