Things to Do in Montavilla

As the legends tell, a charming community took root around the foot of Mount Tabor only to be overwhelmed by rampaging vandals who named the area after an old "Mt. Ta. Villa." streetcar sign. Expect realtors to start upselling "MoVi" properties any day now.

EAT & DRINK:

Bipartisan Cafe (7901 SE Stark St., 253-1051, bipartisancafe.com) kickstarted Montavilla's rebirth with nationally acclaimed pies and opened up the area for places like the sake-laden Tanuki (8029 SE Stark St., tanukipdx.com) and Roscoe's (8105 SE Stark St., 255-0049, roscoespdx.com), whose unassuming décor masks a daunting tap list.

SHOP:

In addition to in-house production for local couture, Portland Garment Factory (408 SE 79th Ave., 257-2905, portlandgarmentfactory.com) also boasts its own HouseLine apparel. Montavilla Sewing Center (8326 SE Stark St., 254-7317, montavillasewing.com) sells new machines, repairs old ones and shows the curious how to use them. And Branch Birdie's (8021 SE Stark St., 894-9338, branchbirdie.com) broad boutique includes handpicked décor, apparel and gifts.

THINGS TO DO:

Soak or slide at Montavilla Outdoor Pool (8219 NE Glisan St., 823-3675, portlandoregon.gov/parks), or take a swing at the hard- and softball cages at Batting a Thousand (8829 SE Stark St., 257-2255), where the season never ends.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:

Milepost 5 (850 NE 81st Ave., 333-3331, milepost5.net) houses more than 100 artists on a 2-acre campus with three galleries of residents' works and visiting exhibits. The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St., 252-0500, academytheaterpdx.com) has reclaimed its past glory, vintage décor burnished alongside the post-millennial moviegoing luxuries (beer, sushi, child care).

from Finder 2015

Willamette Week