Girls Night Out @ Jimmy Mak's

Last Thursday night, Chick and I had a little girls night out in Portland.

First stop was the Teardrop Cocktail Lounge

They have a super extensive cocktail menu and good looking nibbles. Each cocktail is mixed by hand using fresh local ingredients, spirits of all kinds and an array of bitters and tinctures (I had to look this up). We'll be back when the sun is out and tables are set up outside on the sidewalk.


We then walked around the block to Vino Paradiso and were pleasantly surprised by the relaxed groovy atmosphere. This is not just a wine bar! They have a wonderful happy hour and dinner menu with this super tiny kitchen located behind the bar. We will definitely come back for dinner....the food smelled divine.

Chick and I and the Hammond B3

Finally, we had dinner and listened to some remarkable Jazz at Jimmy Mak's, one of the top 100 places to hear jazz in the country!


Thursday night is a tradition for the Mel Brown B3 Organ Group. Our dinner reservations were for 7:15 and the restaurant is set up much like an old supper club with booths and tables that face the stage.

Here is a clip of the band (2.14)

Mel Brown is an Oregon icon in jazz. A drummer, Mel Brown has been labeled the "Gentleman of Jazz," with a career spanning over 40 years. In recognition of his contributions to the cultural life of Oregon, Mel received the Governor’s Arts Award in 2002.

Mel set out on a quest to become a great drummer in the seventh grade, practicing 19 hours a day, 6 days a week. His professional career began with a stint with Earl Grant. He went on to be a staff drummer for the Motown Music Corporation, recording and touring with groups including the Temptations, the Supremes, and Smokey Robinson. He subsequently spent ten years working with Diana Ross, Suzanne Somers, Connie Francis, Pat Boone, and others.

The jazz artists Mel has played with reads like a "Who’s Who" of jazz, including Gene Harris, George Benson, Teddy Edwards, Joey DeFrancesco, Bill Watrous, Leroy Vinnegar, and many more. For the past six years, Mel has led bands three nights a week--including the Mel Brown B-3 Organ Quartet on Thursdays.

Our dinner was wonderful and then menu, although centered around Greek cusine, offers a bit of everything.

For dinner I had...

Mussels and Chorizo - $22 one pound of Prince Edwards Island mussels, steamed in white wine, and combined with oven-roasted fennel, tomatoes, and Chorizo sausage, served over linguine, with warm bread

Chick had....

Classic Grilled Burger- $12half-pound lean beef burger, seasoned with herbs and spices, topped with honey-cured bacon and your choice of provolone, feta, cheddar, or bleu cheese. Served with your choice of house-cut fries or garden salad

The music was the star of the show and the sax player, Renato Caranto blew some serious saxophone!

Since it was a work night, we only stayed through the first set, but we will be back to hear more music soon.

Enjoy!
Stacy