Guide to Eliot Neighborhood
Location
Eliot
is located on the East side of the Willamette River. It is bordered by the
Boise, King, Irvington and Lloyd neighborhoods, and the Willamette River.
Eliot
is in a fantastic location for both commuting, as well as getting to many other
great Portland neighborhoods. Major freeway ramps located near Eliot include
I-84 and I-5. Portland’s Tri Met runs bus schedules, and the MAX light rail
train is less than a mile away from Eliot’s southernmost boundary, at Lloyd
Center Mall. Drive West over the Broadway bridge to get downtown or to the Pearl
District in mere minutes, or head Northeast to Alberta or Beaumont-Wilshire,
Northwest to the Boise and Historic Mississippi Avenue neighborhoods, or
Southeast to get to the Belmont and Hawthorne neighborhoods.
Eliot
Neighborhood Map
Eliot
Google Map
Eliot
can be located on page 596 of The
Thomas Guide - Portland Oregon Street Guide.
Description
Eliot is a diverse community that is
struggling to hold on to its history while fending off too much commercial
urban redevelopment. Many of the residents of Eliot have lived here a long
time, contributing to the sense of neighborhood pride and history of the
area. There is a mix of residential and commercial property in Eliot, and
the residential areas are generally attractive, quiet and livable, while
the commercial areas are being actively redeveloped, bringing an influx of
interest and energy that has both positive and negative aspects for the
community. The residents are proud and protective of their special
neighborhood and will actively fight any undesirable influx of commercial
business that isn't viewed as a benefit to the neighborhood (witnessed
recently when McDonald's tried unsuccessfully to move into the area).
Given Eliot's excellent location to downtown, it will be interesting to
see how the area grows and develops in the future. Some speculate the East
side of the river holds even more potential than the former warehouse area
now known as The Pearl District, because there is more single-family
residential housing available. |
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Homes
Eliot is located close-in on the East side of the
Willamette across the river from the Pearl District. Eliot is an urban
neighborhood with cultural diversity. A recent RMLS
home search in the Eliot area showed homes from sale from as low as $189,900 up
to $550,000. Home styles in this area consist of older Victorian cottages and
other older East Portland styles that have historic charm and character you just
can't find in the newer 'burbs. Here you will still find the early 1900s
sidewalks imprinted with the names of the original craftsmen, with metal curb
rings for tethering horses along the streets.
If you are looking for information on buying or
selling a home in Eliot, including mortgage rates, loan calculators, home
appraisers, school report cards, and crime reports, please see the Portland
Real Estate page.
Hot
Eats
The Eliot neighborhood's favorite coffee house is Gold
Rush Coffee Bar (2601 NE M L King Blvd) on
the corner of Russell and MLK. They serve divine Illy brand coffee, and
yes, they have Wi-Fi!
Check out the new coffee house on 2031 NE MLK, Tiny’s,
for some delicious Stumptown coffee in a fun and eclectic hangout. If you get
the coffee cup with an alien imprinted on it, your drink is free! Tiny's has
Wi-Fi, and even a game room in the back.
The locals know that for a great breakfast, you should try Bridges
Cafe on MLK.
I love to go to the Eliot
e-Mat Cafe which is a combination of laundromat, and internet cafe. I always
get a yummy enormous sub...dirt cheap.
Echo
hasn't been around long, but I've noticed the tables are always full at night, a
good sign for a relatively new restaurant along MLK.
The Russell
Street Bar-B-Que has reopened after a renovation...tasty BBQ ribs with all
the fixins' are sure to please.
For some more exotic Ethiopian Cuisine, try the popular Queen
of Sheba.
Popular bars in the area include "Portland's Best Dive
Bar", Billy
Ray's on MLK--this brick-red bar is identifiable only by the neon
"R" and "Tavern" signs out front.
McMenamin's
White Eagle Saloon is reputedly haunted with ghosts from the old brothel
they used in run back in Portland's early days. Also nearby in the old Albina
area is the Widmer brewery, Gasthaus,
for German fare and your favorite local brewskies.
For an excellent cocktail along with a Nuevo Latino meal in
an elegant setting, try Mint.
Or, if you're just in the mood for excellent cocktails, either indoors or on the
private patio, try Mint's sister bar "820". The "Bella"
cocktail, mixed with blackberry puree, is divine...
Wonder
Ballroom - This beautiful old historic Hibernian lodge has been revamped into
an events hall, with a cafe. The Wonder Cafe and bar is cozy, friendly, and they
serve the best french fries in town! Also, don't forget to check out the Mark
Woolley gallery located behind the Wonder Cafe. Read more about the gallery and
check information on the latest exhibits on our Portland
Arts page!
Focus On...
Toro Bravo
The newest place getting buzz in Eliot is the
amazing Toro Bravo restaurant, located right next door to Wonder Ballroom.
Folks, this is my favorite new restaurant in Portland and that's saying
something, because Portland is a food lover's paradise of great places to
eat. It didn't take long for the word to get out either--Toro Bravo
was recently featured in both Willamette Week and Portland Monthly as one of
Portland's top restaurants. Toro Bravo features Spanish tapas (small plates) which is one of the
reasons I love the place so much--I've always been a person who wants to try one
of everything on the menu, and now I get to do just that. Every single
dish that I have tried is divine and I can't even recommend just a few dishes,
because so far I love them all! Although still young, Toro Bravo is
already very popular, and even on a weeknight you might have to wait for a table
outside or at the bar (note, the Wonder Cafe bar is right next door, so if Toro
Bravo is standing room only, go have a cocktail
and relax while waiting for your dinner at Toro Bravo).
Also located right in my own
backyard of Eliot is another secret gem of a place, Akasu Hair Studio and
Spa. Portland is full of "big box" salon/spas, but that is not
what you'll find here. True to the unique individuality of Portland, and
fitting right into the older neighborhood of Eliot, Akasu is a unique little
gem!
Akasu Hair Studio and Spa
Come relax and
rejuvenate in one of Portland's best spas, and discover one of Northeast
Portland's best kept secrets! Housed in an old sunny Victorian house with warm bamboo floors and a
super-friendly staff, you will feel right at home at Akasu Hair Studio and
Spa. Akasu has quickly become my favorite haunt when I need a little
pampering.
Insider's already know the
secret--Akasu has been steadily building a staff of dedicated professionals who
love the art of making you look and feel your best. Here are a few of my
personal recommendations: If you have a Mt. Hood-sized knot of tension on
your shoulder, then Sara Petersen is the massage therapist for you! When
you trust your body to her skilled hands (of steel), you're guaranteed to feel
better fast. If it's skincare, waxing, or nails you're looking for, then
make an appointment with Heather Goodwin-O'Brien. Heather will give you
lots of TLC, and you'll leave Akasu looking and feeling like a princess.
Offering a wide
range of services including hair cut/color and style, and a selection of spa
treatments including waxing, facials, skin and body treatments, and several
massage modalities from relaxation to sports massage (visit their website
for menu of services). Located about three blocks North of Broadway, West of
MLK, on
Williams Avenue (just look for the cute Victorian).
Eliot
- More Information
If you would like to share your experiences of living or working in Eliot,
please
contact us!

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