Party On: A Day In The Life of My (Gulp!) Birthday

Sunday, 29 August 2010 22:20 | Written by Byron

Me and Karol Collymore at The Original Dinerant

B-DAY BOY: Last Friday, August 27, was an especially different day for me. Not just because it was my birthday (as well as at least 20 other friends on Facebook), but because I woke with absolutely no idea what the day would hold.

You see, my partner Juan Martinez wanted to surprise me. And, man oh man, did he ever.

Now, in the past I can usually squeeze a couple of clues from him on what might happen whenever he wants to surprise me. But not this time. Not one bit.

The day started off with a great run, coffee with my mom, sister and aunt, and lunch at PBong's, which is a cleverly transformed Frito Lay truck that now houses a Thai food cart on North Killingsworth Street. It sits in the driveway of a home and the front yard is basically the dining room. So cool. So Portland.

Speaking of Portland, one of the big shockers, later that day, was the hotel that Juan had arranged for us to spend my birthday night. It was The Nines. And. Oh. My. God. was the room spectacular. Well, it really wasn't a room as much as a grand suite on the 14th floor complete with a huge living area, two baths, and the comfiest bed I've ever slept on.

But sleep was far off. Very far off. First there were happy hour drinks in The Nines steakhouse, Urban Farmer. Then we were whisked up a few floors to dinner at Departure. Chef Gregory Gourdet has completely transformed the menu at this rooftop restaurant. Gone are the gimmicks, replaced with the simply complex Asian treats and treasures that the incredibly talented Gourdet is known for including too-die-for twists on pork belly and Indonesian chicken. It doesn't hurt that the view from this restaurant is easily the best in Portland.

After dinner Juan wanted to go for a walk. I assumed it was to work off the big meal we just had. Well, when he suggested we stop by one of my favorite restaurants, The Original Dinerant, for a drink I finally caught on that something else might be up.

As in upstairs on The Original's second floor. That's where I found about 40 of my friends gathered. I was totally surprised. And, really, really, happy to see some many faces in my life that mean the world to me: everyone from Mayor Sam Adams to my old boss at Willamette Week Mark Zusman. I am not going to name them all the rest of the folks here, but I was so glad that you guys made it to the party. We ended the night with bites from a big buttery cake from The Original's pastry department. And to work that off, we danced the night away at the Red Cap Garage.

Thank you, Juan. And thank you, my friends (including all those who wished me well). It was an awesome day.

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