Best Evers: Stephanie Stricklen

Editor�s Note: While we�re in Portland, we wanted to bring some local flavor to the blog by asking writers who live in the area to contribute Hotpot-style city guides: recommendations on where to eat, where to shop, where to hang. Below, locally based writer Geoff Kleinman sits down with Stephanie Stricklen to discuss Stephanie�s Portland Best Evers.

In addition to rating and reviewing businesses on Hotpot, you can give your 10 favorite businesses a Best Ever award. We thought it would be fun to talk to a few prominent Portlandians to see what businesses they're giving their Best Ever awards to and why.

Up next in this ongoing series is Stephanie Stricklen, who hosts a quirky, geeky, fast-paced show called Live @ 7 on KGW Newschannel 8. She's worked at KGW for more than a decade and loves it; she has interviewed amazing people like the Dalai Lama and gotten to do amazing things like fly in an F18 with the Blue Angels and cover the Olympics all over the planet. You'll also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Here are Stephanie�s 10 Best Evers:

Mint Tea
This tea shop is crazy awesome. If you're either looking for a place to take an out of town guest or need a one-of-a-kind gift, stop by. Try the Moroccan mint tea and say hi to Jenna and Abdul.

Cinetopia
No better place to check out a movie on our side of the river in Vancouver; the husband and I go early and I check out Cinetopia's wine room and then order appetizers and settle in inside the Living Room theaters.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters
What can I possibly say about this killer coffee that hasn't been said before? Maybe that I love, love, love it (and I drink decaf)?


Sushi Tsunami
You never really know what you're going to get at a sushi-go-'round joint, except at Sushi Tsunami.  Consistent, quality, pocketbook-friendly delicious sushi.

McMenamins Edgefield
Had many stellar overnight trips here.  From the fun, eclectic bars to the overnight accommodations, this is an all-around win IMHO.

Lauro Mediterranean Kitchen
A (relatively-speaking) old-school standby for me. The food here is always great.

Shigezo
Stumbled across this Japanese bar and grill on a downtown walk. Fell in love with the food, the atmosphere and the fact that every time I've been there more people are speaking Japanese than English.

Powell's City of Books
Books. More books than you have ever seen in your entire life. You're welcome.

New Seasons Market
The folks at New Seasons joke about the friendly service there, but they're not kidding. They'll help you pick that perfect pastry, or deli gem to set your party apart. I spend too much time surfing the cheese counter. If you see me there, please remind me that I am on a perpetual diet and should keep moving on.

Uwajimaya
Any place that boasts veggies that come with a "Caution: May burn skin if handled raw" warning is aces in my book. ACES. I could spend a fortune there sampling wonderful foods not normally available in your local grocery store.

Which businesses will you give your 10 Best Evers to?

Posted by Geoff Kleinman. Geoff is the editor of DrinkSpirits.com, a national blog helping people figure out what to drink, and OnPDX.com, helping people figure out what to do in Portland.