The charm of the Eastmoreland and Westmoreland neighborhoods is how great they are for the families that live there.
Willamette Week arts and culture reporter Rachel Saslow, who lives in Eastmoreland, shared some of what makes the place special — and offered her picks for where to visit:
Parks and Nature Areas
The neighborhood is full of spacious backyards, but there are still some notable parks and natural areas to enjoy the outdoors:
Reed College maintains a small forest for its own purpose, but that means neighbors have ready access to nature for hikes.
In April and May, it's a perfect place to visit to catch the flowers in bloom.
Relatively new, it’s “a destination park and playground for parents with young kids because the city invested a ton of money — it's a playground, but it's with all natural materials,” Saslow says.
Restaurants and Bars
East- and Westmoreland restaurants and bars sometimes remain under the radar, but here are spots worth visiting:
It’s well-known for its long lines thanks to generous portions. “If you love sushi, but you're on a budget, this is your spot,” says Saslow. “There's a line that forms out the door. It's so constant that I've kind of stopped seeing it.”
This one is the exciting new restaurant in the neighborhood. It’s the third restaurant from the group behind Montelupo’s, and it's around the corner from the Focacceria, another in that local chain that was quickly adopted by the neighborhood.
Ironic for a city full of people who don’t have a religious affiliation, the Bible Club “is a great church-themed vintage bar,” says Saslow. “In the summertime they put up a tent over the back patio, and they call it the revival, which I always think is just so clever.”
Kay’s a prime gathering spot for neighborhood residents. “I love Kay’s so much — strong pours, rosemary fries, lots of gossip flying all over the bar,” says Saslow. “Blazers games are on.”
Hawthorne has a location, and so do the Morelands. Saslow recommends the free comedy shows and the trivia nights — in addition to the beer.
Shopping and Entertainment
The neighborhood has several beloved local businesses along Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard — for your shopping needs:
“That's just a total treasure trove,” says Saslow.
The neighborhood has a bunch of kids, and naturally, there’s an excellent toy store.
Like many Portland neighborhoods, the Morelands still have their neighborhood theater — in an art deco style with one screen.
