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 3, 2012

This article originally appeared in the April 2012 issue of Seattle magazine.
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.