I have an email as old as November 2004, from Sean Bonner, about updating this blog. Mama always told me to be fashionably late to the party, so here I am.

A brief introduction is due. I have lived in the Portland metro area since 1993, except during a brief foray in Corvallis while completing my bachelor’s degree. I took a daily picture of my life in 2007 and 2009. You will often find me roaming SW Portland, between my web internship at Portland Monthly Magazine (where I study gastronomy and content management systems) and Portland State University (where I write for The Vanguard and am working on my Master’s).  The views expressed on this blog do not reflect the views of anyone but myself.

Not to leave you uninformed, below are restaurants where I like to indulge in higher priced pizza when I have money to blow.

Lovely’s Fifty-Fifty
4039 N Mississippi Ave.

The owners previously sported seasonal drinks and food at Lovely Hula Hands. Once that closed shop, they opened up this new wood fired pizza restaurant next door. Obviously, save stomach space for homemade organic ice cream.

Apizza Scholls
4741 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

I love to hate this place, or more like, I hate that I love this place. Each time I go, I wait half an hour outside waiting for them to open, and then sometimes up to an hour inside waiting to sit down. Their pizza dough is all mixed by hand –you know that doesn’t happen anymore right?!– and when they run out of dough for the night, they close. That’s what I wait before they open. I’m not going to be the sucker that waits all night and leaves with an empty stomach. And, yes, that happens.

Ken’s Artisan Pizza
304 SE 28th Ave.

Pro tip: Who knew pizza needed a seasonal menu? Ken’s has a Spring, Winter and shared Summer/Fall menu. The dough is artisan perfection and expansive wine list has bottles ranging from $27 to $150.

Bella Gioia
1134 NW Everett St.

I have never been to Italy, but I think this is what Italian pizza should taste like. I would recommend not partaking in the mixed drinks, as they are not strong enough for the $9 price tag. Of course, wine is a great and fitting alternative. If you don’t prefer pizza, homemade pasta is available as well.