365 Things To Do In Portland, Oregon

If you're ever in need of a quiet place to sit down and enjoy a nice up of coffee while in Portland, Oregon's Pearl District, try out Caffe Umbria.  It's a nice Italian cafe on NW 12th and Everett in the ground floor of on of the nicest condo towers in Portland, Oregon - The Casey.

Caffe Umbria offers all the coffees and italian sodas and granitas that you'd expect of an Italian cafe.  Also, you'll find some pretty tasty Italian pastries, sandwiches, and panini sandwiches, too.  It's always nice to have a place like this in the neighborhood.  On a busy day, I stop by to grab a coffee and a sandwich and take a few minutes to myself sitting outside.  it's fun to eat lunch and watch the activity of the neighborhood, too.  

This cafe is a friendly place. If you're a local, you'll run into friends and neighbors.  If you're new, the staff will greet you with a smile, and you'll feel at home right away.  It's your regular cup of joe, with an Italian twist!

Time to venture out of the Pearl for a few posts.  There are some amazing finds over on the east side of Portland, Oregon.  One place that will fuel two addictions is Crema, a cool bakery / coffee shop over on SE 27th and Ankeny.  It's owned by a really nice guy named Brent Fortune, who is also an international barista judge.  Lesson - the coffee here is serious business.  They use beans from local roaster, Stumptown Coffee, and their baristas know exactly what they are doing.

When it comes to pastries and baked treats, you can't go wrong here either.  There was a time when i could not go without my ham and cheese croissant in the morning or a cupcake in the afternoon.  The frosting was so good, I was tempted to order a gallon drum of it.  Just for me.  Yes, it's that good.

Crema's space is clean, simple, and modern.  Concrete floors, high ceilings, and lots of glass with views out into the neighborhood.  It's a cozy place to set up shop and catch up on emails (WiFi is free) or to escape the liquid sunshine we sometimes experience in our lovely city.

Crema  coffee+bakery
2728 SE Ankeny Street
Portland, Oregon 97214
503-234-0206

www.cremabakery.com