Visit Portland for Rothko Paintings and Good Eats

A retrospective exhibit of the abstract painter's career and two new eateries make the trek south ne

By: Marianne Hale |   April 2012   |  FROM THE PRINT EDITION

Painter Mark Rothko’s huge body of work is on display in Portland

WHERE: Portland Art Museum in Portland, Oregon.

WHY: For the Mark Rothko Retrospective (through 5/27; prices vary; 1219 SW Park Ave.; 503.226.2811; portlandartmuseum.org), which boasts 45 works by the Russian-born and Portland-raised painter, known for his rectangles of saturated color. The show spans the artist’s five-decade career, revealing his roots in figurative and surrealist work.

SIDE TRIP: Follow up the square paintings with a square meal at the recently opened Woodsman Tavern (4537 SE Division St.; 971.373.8264; woodsmantavern.com) for cuisine of the pickled, roasted and cured variety. After dinner, salve a sweet tooth at the new Bakeshop (5351 NE Sandy Blvd.; 503.946.8884; bakeshoppdx.com), which serves doughnuts, cookies, pastries and other treats from award-winning cookbook author Kim Boyce.

GETTING THERE: From Seattle, take I-5 south toward Portland. Take exit 300B toward U.S. Route 26 East and follow signs for Morrison Street/City Center.