Portlandia, which is shot entirely on location in Portland, has become a cult hit for IFC. The series is written by and stars SNL’s Fred Armisen and Portland native Carrie Brownstein. Though the show has fun with its namesake, it tries not to make fun of Portland. “It’s not meant to make fun of Portland. Most of the time, these two (Fred & Carrie) are the butt of the joke,” director Jonathan Krisel said. “It should feel as celebratory as it is satirical.”
In honor of her favorite city, Brownstein recently shared three of her best Portland finds with People. Check out her picks below:
One of Portland’s most legendary coffee shops, The Red E Cafe is known for their local brews. According to Brownstein, “It’s the kind of place you can drop in and get a a great cup of coffee and relax on a sofa for hours.”
Land serves as an art gallery, which hosts exhibits, and a retail store, selling t-shirts, jewelry, and cards created by local artists. “Land is a really beautiful space that contains a lot of great gift items,” says Brownstein. “Even the shelves were made by a local craftsman.”
Xtabay is a favorite of Portland brides for their selection of glamorous vintage gowns and accessories. “You’ll feel like you’re inside the wardrobe department of Mad Men,” Brownstein adds.
