Sneak Peek: Inside McMenamins New Crystal Hotel
Mike McMenamin, Franco D'Amico, Hal Finkelstein and David Shenaut at Crystal Hotel
CRYSTAL STAR: The last time I walked through the halls of McMenamins Crystal Hotel I was in nothing but a skimpy, thread-bare towel. That's because the space was formerly a gay bath house known as Club Portland.
But, now, it's the shiny new SW Stark Street star in the McMenamins crown. And it's just about to open.
Yes, there was a bit of a deja vu feeling as I wandered the halls at a "soft opening" event last night. Especially since, as I time traveled through the space I was the only one walking the corridors of the four-floor, fifty-one guest room space.
But the space is beautiful, and in a weird way, feels a lot like the old bath house. The rooms are still on the small-ish side, but appointed with amazing details including onion dome headboards above every bed. And, when I visited the basement, I was blown away by the tiki-room-looking soaking pool. That's also where I heard someone giving a tour whisper, "this used to be the sex room." Of course, that's when I piped in loudly, "you mean the gay sex room, right?" Which the person replied, "not necessarily." "Huh," I said, "I am pretty sure women didn't spend anytime in this space." Funny, how history tends to re-write itself to fit the crowd it serves.
Speaking of serving, the staff at the new first floor Zeus Cafe includes some major players from the Portland food scene including former El Gaucho manager Franco D'Amico, Wildwood's former front man Hal Finklestein and Beaker & Flask's red-hot bartender David Shenaut. This is definitely a place to watch.
The Crystal Hotel officially opens on May 3 at 7 am. Click here for details.
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Last Updated (Wednesday, 27 April 2011 08:30)
