T. Paul's Urban Cafe

July 3, 2010

"The Urban" is definitely one of my all-time favorite eateries. It's on Commercial Street with no view of the river, but the restaurant makes up for that in spades. It's been called "hip" and "trendy," and I suppose it is, but mainly I enjoy the excellent healthy food, friendly owners and staff, pleasant and sometimes-quirky decor, and the unusually upbeat atmosphere. Paul and Theona have gone out of their way to make sure the customes feel the love. The sign on the dappled wall to the right says, "Expect A Miracle." I have to paraphrase their slogan, because I may not get the words right: "Eat Well, Love Much, Laugh Often." That sentiment is expressed throughout. This is a place where people care, and the public has paid the owners back by keeping the place full when many other restaurants are nearly empty. It's unusual that I was able to get this shot. Several tables of diners had just left. Often there is no waiting - there simply seems to be a "flow." If this is due to good Feng Shui, they have done that right, too.

More Weekend Reflections from around the world

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Christmas Eve in Astoria

With bright blue skies, cold air, and wind chill (but no snow or rain), I took a look at how some of the downtown businesses had decorated for Christmas.

Here's the tree inside Wells Fargo Bank.

The Astoria High School Band Boosters were raising funds playing music in the shelter of the Liberty Theatre's entranceway.

Gold baubles decorate a wreath in the office of the Liberty Theatre.

The street light outside of Lucy's Books on 12th Street.

T. Paul's Urban Cafe. By the way, the living trees with lights are a year-around feature I always enjoy.

Celebrate a Finnish Christmas at Finn Ware. (You knew we had to have a Finnish store with so many Finns as founding fathers and mothers.)

I especially like Santa's old-world look and gentle expression at Bellisima Salon.

Outside of Adagio, a horse masquerades as a reindeer.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!