Book excerpt: Best Places Portland is the smartest guide to one of the hottest cities in America. Whether it’s munching on crepes in Northwest Portland or an afternoon exploring the Garden of the Awakening Orchid, you’ll find the best the city has to offer. The Best Places series offers expert opinions, inside information, and honest advice—from the country’s most respected regional travel series. Includes information on walking tours, fine and performing arts, shopping, and nightlife, and contains reviews of new restaurants, hotels, and brewpubs and wine bars. This new edition includes: updated reviews of food and lodging, an expanded Shopping section, eight new sidebars, expanded coverage on the Oregon wine-growing region.