5
January 29,2003
Coffee anyone?
Design Editor
Coffee is as natural to Portland as
the rain. Among the plethora of cof
fee houses a few stand out above the
rest. Whether it be their superior cof
fee or the ambiance of their atmos
pheres, these coffee shops offer
something special.
Torrefazione Italia
838 NW 23rd Ave.
Portland, OR
1001 SW 5th Ave.
Portland, OR
Torrefazione Italia offers the most
European-like coffee experience in
town. Originating as an Italian coffee
roasting operation in Seattle, the com-
'pany’s founder brought roasting meth
ods from the Old Country to the States
and named his blends after the Italian
cities that inspired them. Many other
coffee houses in the area including The
Pied Cow (3244 SE Belmont St.) and
Common Grounds
(4321
SE
Hawthorne) use Torrefazione’s superi
or beans. Lattes and cappuccinos are
uncommonly thick and rich due to a
unique method of steaming the milk.
Biscotti, hard rolls, and raisin and
fennel bread are available for snack
ing. In warmer weather, outdoor
seating fills up quickly for smoking
and people-watching in both well-
trafficked locations.
Starbucks Coffee
If you still haven’t seen the inside
of any of the thousands of Starbucks
on this planet, consider yourself one
of three things: incredibly sheltered,
incredibly exclusive, or incredibly
frightened of espresso. Starbucks
threw Seattle and the great
Northwest into the spotlight of a cul
ture built on tiny dried beans.
A few great things about
Starbucks: it’s always clean, the
employees know some good jokes,
and the pastries, cookies, and snacks
are certifiably good. Plus, you can
purchase coffee drinks on the spot as
well as shop for beans (whole or
ground), filters, coffee- and espres
so-makers, mugs, and other para
phernalia.
Last and most important, whatev
er you’re buying, whether it’s the
decaf grande non-fat mocha or a reg
ular cup of coffee, the quality is con
sistent from Hawthorne to Hong
ERINN LERTEN Clackamas Print
Many Portlanders flock to Coffee Time in Northwest for the
nice atmosphere, good coffee, and late hours.
Kong,
Rimsky-Koraskoffee House
707 SE 12th Ave.
Portland, OR
Since 1980, Portlanders have
flocked to this unassuming Victorian
that hides behind a mass of vegeta
tion on a nondescript Southeast
Portland street. There’s no sign, so
visitors feel like insiders when they
find it. Inside, things look a little
more businesslike. Signs instruct you
to take a menu and find a table—not
always an easy prospect, but fre
quent customers know not to linger
too long unless business is slow.
Choose mocha fudge cake, an ice
cream sundae or a slice of cheese
cake to go with your cup of coffee—
everything’s good, but the food’s not
necessarily the attraction. It’s con
versation and quirky sophistication
that lures Rimsky’s regulars. Owner
Goody Cable has achieved the per
fect atmosphere—live classical
music and sassy mischief—for post
event socialization.
Coffee Time
712 NW 21st Ave.
Portland, OR
Invariably, you’ll get to know the
person sitting next to you or run into
someone you know during a visit to
Coffee Time. After all, this is a cof
fee shop that thrives on two funda
mental things: coffee and conversa
tion. And while the coffee keeps you
alert the intimate atmosphere
demands fellowship.
Buzzing all day long and well
into the night—on Allen coffee—
gaggles of caffeine addicts can be
spotted outside and inSide the gates
of this java paradise, with or without
their dogs.
Every big city has to have one
and Coffee Time is Portland’s late
night hipster hangout (open till 2:30
a.m.) But timing is everything, peo
ple arrive early and stay late. So be
patient and keep jockeying for that
great booth—this coffee house has
some of the best seats in town.
Cusack takes it to the 'Max'
A&E Editor
“Max,” starring John Cusack and
Noah Taylor, is the unlikely story of
Max Rothman (Cusack), a high-class
art dealer, befriending a young Adolf
Hitler (Taylor). I say it’s an unlikely
story because going into the movie I
didn’t think anybody could have
been friends with Hitler.
Throughout the film, the viewer
becomes acquainted with a young,
awkward Hitler who just wants his
art to be seen. He’s shy and it takes
most of his courage to simply go and
talk to Rothman. The two seem to hit
it off.
•
I felt like the two hours were just
a chance for a big-shot movie pro
ducer to make a film where all of the
preconceived notions people had
about Hitler were splattered in front
of us in an artistic way. The rumors
of Hitler being completely pure, i.e.
no meat, no drugs, no alcohol, no
caffeine, are all shown as being true.
One of the first things he says in the
movie is, when offered a cigarette,
“No thanks. They give you cancer of
the lung.”
The image that is portrayed of
Hitler could be true, but is hard to
believe. A horrible public speaker, he
goes to bars and back alleys to
scream his political views at people,
swearing and spitting all over the
place. During his final speech in the
movie the viewer gets a disturbing
look at the anger-filled, Jew>-hating
Hitler.
So where does Rothman fit into
all of this? The two meet one evening
when Hitler helps deliver some
champagne at Rothman’s art show.
Rothman sees the portfolio under
Hitler’s arm and asks to see it. He
doesn’t see anything he thoroughly
enjoys, but recognizes a fire and pas
sionate anger in Hitler. He then pro
ceeds to take him under his wing and
help him create great art, and maybe
screw a cute girl or two in the
process. The most ironic part of the
friendship? Rothman is Jewish.
Cusack’s role is extremely differ
ent than anything I’ve seen him in,
but the poor guy just can’t get away
from himself. In everything he does,
be it a record store owner or a hit
man, he plays the same character.
Don’t get me wrong, I think Cusack
is very talented and I’m a huge fan.
But the monotone dialogue with a
tiny bit of spark and passion is the
same as in any Cusack film. It’s the
opposite of typecasting. He gets very
different roles, but makes them seem
like they’re the same.
Altogether, I’m not sure how I
feel about the movie. I stayed awake
I Artist: The Mìcrophòrìès j Album: Mount Eerie
Opinion Editor/
Webmaster
With his first album since 200l’s
critically acclaimed “The Glow: Part
II”, Phil Elvrum (sole member of
The Microphones) has brought forth
yet another panoply of sounds and
experiences destined to go almost
entirely unappreciated.
Fans of The Microphones previ
ous albums will recognize Elvmm’s
gentle vocals and driving instrumen
tals, and will be pleased with The
Microphones sixth album, “Mount
Eerie” (K Records).
Starting literally where “The
Glow” left off, with a recording of
Elvrum’s beating heart, “Mount
Eerie” is, quite simply, a masterpiece
of expression, crammed chock full of
metaphor but never overly sappy. It
is storytelling as music.
Each of “Mount Eerie’s” five
titles is actually multiple songs,
recorded chronologically on one tape
as a single track, each song like a
melodic puzzle piece to their respec
tive tracks, which in turn are pieces
of a whole that is indeed so much
more than the sum of its parts.
The beauty of “Mount Eerie” is in
its pseudo-simplicity. While some
how managing to appear effortless,
this work is so complex and layered
it demands to be listened to it in its
entirety. This is definitely not an
album you want to approach casual
ly, skipping from track to track to
find a song to suit your mood. You
could never sing along to it in the
shower. Rather, it is best enjoyed in a
comfortable setting where you can
just sit and enjoy the music for what
it is, or maybe let it play in the back
ground as you relax, surf the web,
and just generally slow down.
Sadly, while “Mount Eerie” may
be virtually operatic in expression
and brilliant in composition, it
remains so entirely unlike most pop
ular music that most casual listeners
probably won’t get it. Those hoping
for the usual pop or indie-rock sound
should seriously consider looking
elsewhere.
“Mount
Eerie”
by
The
Microphones hit the shelves Jan. 21,
and can be found in many
respectable record stores, or online
through K Records’ official website
at http://www.krecs.com.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, Jan. 30:
William Stafford Birthday Party
7 p.m.
Gregory Forum
Bring a poem to share!
Friday, Jan. 31:
Date Auction Concoction
6 p.m. - Social Hour
7 p.m. - Auction
Gregory Forum
Lunch and Learn:
“The Tales of Hoffman" opera
Noon -1 p.m.
CO 127
Monday, Feb. 3:
Will Hornyak - Storytelling
1 - 2 p.m.
Pl 03
Valentine's ©ag
( |<i Special
INTERNET PHOTO
In “Max,” Cusack plays an
upper-class Jewish artist who
befriends a young Hitler.
for the entire thing, but maybe this
was because my chair was broken
and I couldn’t get comfortable. Yes,
the movie was somewhat boring. The
entire time I was just waiting for
exciting things to take place, because
with Hitler as one of the main char
acters I was expecting lots of drama.
However, the film plodded along
slowly until the very end.
“Max” also stars Molly Parker,
Leelee Sobieski (don’t worry, she has
a small role) and Ulrich Thomsen. It
is in theaters now. It ends its week
long run at Cinema 21 in Northwest
Portland on Thursday.
Bcfual