Actor Dustin Tucker on the Good Theater stage in Portland. Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer
As told to Ray Routhier
My perfect day in Portland would unfold with breakfast at Tandem Coffee + Bakery, where a breakfast sandwich with chorizo and an almond milk latte provide the first necessary fuel-up for a day in paradise.
Tandem Coffee + Bakery in Portland, the start of a perfect day. John Ewing/Staff Photographer
As the morning bathes the cobblestones of the Old Port, I venture into some of my favorite eclectic boutiques to poke around for treasures to feed my vintage obsession. Pinecone+Chickadee, Fore & Wharf and Find, just to name a few. Then leisurely amble down Exchange Street as each storefront reveals a unique story, weaving together the intoxicating fabric of this historic district.
The next chapter requires a ferry to Peaks Island. I like walking the island loop. But I love exploring Battery Steele and imagining I’m a Goonie or in “Returning to Oz” or a myriad of classic cult ’80s movies. And finally savoring an ice cream cone from Down Front while waiting for the ferry back to the mainland.
Find, a place to find vintage looks, in Portland. Photo by Aimsel Ponti
Lunchtime beckons at Duckfat, where I down my favorite meatloaf panini and several handfuls of their famous frites. I characteristically make a panicked, split-second choice between their incredible warm, cinnamon-sugar-coated doughnut holes and an unforgettable Duckfat milkshake. It isn’t easy, but I always make the right choice.
Then a visit to Micucci Grocery turns the back of my car into a culinary treasure trove as I fill it with bags of artisanal cheeses, dry pasta and assorted bakery delights. This beloved Italian market is a true Portland landmark.
As the sun dips lower, my journey takes a cultural turn with a visit to Space to check out the current Greta Bank exhibit or maybe luck into a brilliant unknown (to me) indie film. And if that doesn’t make me feel in vogue enough, I have to stop into Moody Lords to browse the racks and stacks of vintage clothing and vinyl gems.
The day crescendos meeting up with a few friends at Lazzari while we share some nibbles (including my favorite pepperoni pizza in the city) and I toss back a Run Wild IPA from Athletic Brewing, or two. I’ve earned it.
Tucker can’t pass up the pasta at Micucci. Photo by Aimsel Ponti
What would your perfect day look like? Send your itinerary, with a little about yourself, to go@pressherald.com.
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