The Seven Virtues Coffeehouse is on the restored corner of NE 60th & Glisan right in the heart of the Center Neighborhood.  Owner Mike and his wife Misa did a wonderful job taking an eyesore and creating a welcoming, warm, light-filled space! Open just over two years, these guys don’t mess around with normal coffee. They use Stumptown and Intelligentsia roasters and never drip/brew their regular cup of Joe. French press only is spoken here…or as I like to say, ‘narry a drop of drip’.

And you know, sometimes it’s just the little things that stand out. For example, when my dad ordered his cup of coffee, they heated the mug up with hot water first. In all my musings about Portland, I haven’t seen one coffee spot do that yet.  The little things matter! I also love how much light comes pouring in—add to that the comfy leather couches and you’ve found a great hang out spot!

Whether it’s breakfast or lunch–Seven Virtues is expanding their menu to include fresh made sandwiches and hand pies.  Breakfast already offers their special tarts which apparently blow out of there pretty quickly in the am!  Pastries are by Nuvrei, donuts by Coco Donuts, bagels are from Kettlemans….(Personally I can’t get past Nuvrei’s lemon poppyseed scones, I think they are the best in town).

Where did they come up with the name? Well, Mike counseled teens and adolescents–working with troubled youth and their families when he lived in San Fran.  Out of that he observed several basic ingredients for healthy relationships that were missing out of the lives he worked alongside. He felt they were important and thus became part of the mantra for his coffeehouse: Kindness, Gratitude, Patience, Honesty, Humility, Compassion & Forgiveness.  In Mikes perspective, these are all things people can choose to do….. or not.

Here’s the skinny:

• All French Press–no drip/brewed coffee
• Serves Cold Brew Method coffee
• Starting the Pour Over Method coffee soon
• Free Wi-Fi
• Lots of parking around back and on the street
• They compost and recycle wherever possible
• Third Thursday’s they have new artists in
• Small space in back for small groups

Phrase on the back wall today: Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it….Mark Twain.  Nice and deep… I’ll leave you with that.

A blustery cold day calls for warm cosy cafes and coffee along with a good book or a good friend.  Today I wandered into Costello’s Travel Caffe at 2222 NE Broadway on the edge of the Irvington Neighborhood. Armed with my camera and my latest book, I had the good fortune of meeting Chris Costello–part owner of this unique spot! Open for almost seven years, Costello’s has created a wonderful niche in Portland and their desire to create an atmosphere of a European Cafe has been accomplished by more just the decor. 

Caffe Umbria Roasters, based out of Seattle, makes a smooth cappuccino and while Costello’s sells a lot of espresso, they also have over 120 types of seasonal scones that are made by momma Patty and sister Leah Costello on the premises. Yowza.  If you ever need 60 scones for an event or a meeting, I’d call ahead and have this dynamic pastry duo take care of it!

Want to do something unusual during the week–check out the schedule on their website for more details:

• Monday Night–Mercy Corp Night—25% of sales go directly to MC ( I LOVE THIS)
• Tuesday Night–foreign language conversation night–rotates between Italian, Spanish, Dutch, French and Mandarin.
• Wednesday Night–Foreign Film night
• Thursday–Live Music
• Friday–Live Music
• June 11-July 11–look out–the big screens will be caught up in all that is World Cup!

When soccer or a foreign film isn’t on the big screen, you’ll find running film of over 80 cities in 30 countries that the Costello family shot and edited themselves. I so enjoy how this family has found their niche and just goes for it. And you can tell that many people from other countries love hanging out in this spot too. Each time I’ve been here, the tables are full and the drone of multiple different languages fills the air. If you close your eyes, it’s very easy to think you aren’t in Kansas any more and I love how that feels.  The other thing that I think is unusual, is that while it’s free wifi M-F, on the weekends it’s a wifi free zone. Why? Because the owners place value on fostering an atmosphere that is more social.  THAT is unusual and I think it’s awesome how purposeful they are about it.

Chris it was delightful to meet you!! I’ll be in again! Ann & Lisa–you both were so fun to meet and talk with!

Here’s the run down:

• M-F check out their on line schedule for happenings
• Serve Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (check out their calzones–their dough and sauces are all made from scratch!)
• They welcome the community and invite small groups i.e. knitters, book clubs etc. to pop on in.
• Focus on community and strive to provide healthy affordable meals
• Family owned!!!
• Find Costello’s on Facebook and Twitter

The April Market Action from the RMLS (Regional Multiple Listing Service) just came out! For more detailed info, click the neighborhood links below for more specific info! If you’d like the stats for your neighborhood and you don’t see it listed below, just to the right of this post is a ‘Market Report’ link–click and request–I’ll send the neighborhood you request your way!

Southeast & Northeast Portland

Alameda Average Sales Price $551k. 22 Active Listings, 3 Closed Sales. April Homes Closed -11% Under Most Recent List Price. 7.33 Months of Inventory.

Beaumont Village Average Sales Price $421k–three month upward trend. 31 Active Listings, 4 Closed Sales. April Homes Closed -3% Under Most Recent List Price. 7.75 Months of Inventory.

Buckman Average Sales Price $433k. 38 Active Listings, 3 Closed sales. Since June of 2009, Homes in Buckman Have Been Closing Between -6 to -8% of Most Recent List Price. No Real Change in This Trend for April ‘10.  12.6 Months of Inventory.

East Moreland Average Sales Price $625k. 44 Active Listings, 2 Closed Sales. Homes Closed at an Average of -13% Under Most Recent List Price. Ouch! At This Rate it Will Take 22 Months to Sell Through the Current Listings.

Grant Park Average Sales Price $585k. Active Listings 33, 5 Closed Sales. Homes Closed at Just Under -2% of Most Recent List Price. 15% Sell Through. 6.6 Months of Inventory.

Hollywood Average Sales Price $512k. 23 Active Listings, 6 Successful Closings. 23% Sold to Active Ratio–NICE! Homes Closed at -5% Under List Price. 3.8 Months of Inventory!

Irvington Average Sales Price $450k. 97 Active Listings, 10 Closed Sales. 10% Sold to Active Ratio. Homes Closed at -5% Under List Price.  10 Months of Inventory.

Ladd’s Addition Average Sales Price $322k. 16 Active Listings, 2 Closed Sales. Homes Closed at 99% of List Price!! 8 Months of Inventory.

Laurelhurst Average Sales Price $455k. 34 Active Listings, 6 Closed Sales. Homes Closed at -5.5% of List Price. 5.5 Months of Inventory.

Northwest & Southwest

Bethany Average Sales Price is $338k. 129 Active Listings and 17 Closings in April. 7.5 Months of Inventory is Keeping Pace With Portland’s Average.

Bonny Slope Average Sales Price is $420k. Active Listings Are at 76, 10 Closed Sales.  Closed Prices Tanked at 87% of Most Recent List Price. What Happened?? Inventory is 7.5 Months. Watching This Neighborhood Closely.

Cedar Mill Average Sales Price $410k. 117 Active Listings, 10 Closings. Properties closed an average of -5% Under List Price and Months of Inventory Stands at 11.

Forest Heights Average Sales Prices are around $580k. 93 Active Listings, 11 Successfully Closed.  Closings Averages -10% Under Most Recent List Price. 8.45 Months of Inventory.

NW Slope Average Sales Price $386k. 175 Combined Active Listings, 15 Closings. Top of the Range is $445k. 12 Months of Inventory vs. Portland’s Average of 7.5 Months.

SW Slope Average Sales Price $550k. 59 Active Listings, 3 Closed. Homes Closed at an Average of -15% of Most Recent List Price. 5% Sell Through and 19 Months of Inventory.  Rough Results for These Two Neighborhoods.