The Portland Logbook #2

Your Barista’s Favorite Coffee Shop: Another Round

Not just your favorite barista’s coffee shop—mine too.

You know how Portlanders are about their coffee spots. There’s always that one place that feels like it’s been here forever, even if it’s only been around for a few months. Another Round is that kind of place. It’s not just slinging good espresso; it’s turning coffee into something worth obsessing over.

Owner Harry Sultan and his team spend endless hours tweaking, refining, and perfecting drinks that go way beyond your usual cup. The Smoky Orange Latte? Unreal. The Brandy Wine‘s Sangria Co-Ferment Pour Over? Just beautiful. They also use coffee beans from Onyx Coffee Lab, an award-winning roaster known for its meticulous sourcing and bold flavors, which only adds to the experience.

The Smoky Orange Latte is a labor of love. It starts with peeling hundreds of oranges, extracting the oils from the peels by mixing them with sugar to create an oleo saccharum. The candied peels are dehydrated, crushed into a fine dust, and sprinkled on top. Add in their house-smoked hickory vanilla syrup and a finishing touch of Salt Cellar’s volcanic Icelandic sea salt, and you get something that’s unlike anything else in the city.

It’s technically a board game café, but don’t let that scare you off if you’re not into rolling dice, dealing cards, or guessing trivia questions. The drinks here stand on their own. You can taste the time and effort that goes into every cup, which is exactly why it’s where Portland’s best baristas go when they’re off the clock.

I can only hope they bring the same energy to an expanded snack menu someday. Manifesting that now.

Where Should I Eat Next? Ruski’s Tavern

Last week, I asked Heather, the Assistant Manager at Another Round, where I should eat next. Without hesitating, they said, “Ruski’s.” Then quickly added, “Crispy Gai.” Both sounded promising, but Ruski’s was calling me back.

I’ve been to Ruski’s plenty of times, but I needed to return for a fresh take. Ruski’s is the kind of spot that doesn’t need an Instagram account or a line down the block to stay busy. Portland’s industry crowd keeps it alive. They always have. On a cold morning in the West End, the kind where the air smells like wood smoke and last nights snow still piles on the pavement, we grabbed a table by the window. From our seats, we could see the lines outside Occatillo and Zu Bakery—both worth the wait, depending on what you’re after. But some mornings, you don’t need anything smoked, slow-cooked, or laminated. Some mornings, you just need eggs, toast, and a strong cup of coffee.

So, I ordered The Hangover Special—$11.00, two eggs, corned beef hash, toast, and home fries. Except I swapped the home fries for hash browns, because I always do. I like the crunch. The eggs were cooked exactly how I asked, the hash was crisp at the edges, and the coffee was the kind that keeps refilling itself before you even think to ask.

The regulars at Ruski’s don’t glance up when the door swings open—they just keep talking, keep drinking, keep reading the same folded-over newspapers they’ve probably been reading here for years. The bartender works like clockwork, keeping things moving with that no-nonsense, no-fuss efficiency you only get from people who have done this long enough to make it look easy.

Before I left, I did what I came here to do—I asked the waitress where I should eat next. No hesitation. “Go to MashTun.”

So that’s my next stop. And from there? I’ll ask again.

Portland has a little bit of everything this week—live music, art openings, trivia nights, and even a Shrek rave. Whether you’re looking for something low-key or full chaos, here’s what’s happening.

February 12

Olive Oil Tasting @ Friends & Family | 5–7 PM
Sample a curated selection of olive oils in a laid-back setting with good company.

The Cher Show @ Merrill Auditorium | 7 PM (Also on Feb 13)
A musical tribute to the Goddess of Pop. Expect hit songs, stunning costumes, and a whole lot of Cher.

Abe’s Birthday Bash @ Lincoln’s | 7 PM
DJ B. Aull curates a one-of-a-kind music scene to celebrate Abe’s birthday. Expect Jell-O shots and 5$ Drinks.

Marc Chillemi @ Henry’s Public House | 7 PM
Portland’s trumpet king brings jazz night to life with an A-list of local jazz musicians.

Heather Maloney with High Tea @ One Longfellow Square | 8 PM
Singer-songwriter Heather Maloney delivers music inspired by meditation and storytelling.

February 13

S’mores Night @ Congress Square Park | 4–6 PM
Cozy up by the fire and roast marshmallows at this sweet outdoor gathering.

Free Skate Rentals @ Thompson’s Point Rink | 12–9 PM
Hit the rink with free skate rentals all day long.

Beach Party Burlesque Variety Show | 7 PM
A sultry mix of beach vibes and burlesque performances to warm up your winter night.

Computer Programming Tutoring @ Factory 3 | 5–7 PM
A free tutoring session for beginners in coding and computer programming.

Queer Speed Dating @ Smalls | 7 PM
Meet new people and maybe even your next date at this fun and relaxed speed dating event.

The Beer Lovers Event: Beer and Pastry Pairing @ Belleflower Brewing | 6 PM
Pair craft beers with sweet pastries for a unique tasting experience.

Opening Reception: Color Therapy @ Cove Street Arts | 5–7 PM
Celebrate the opening of Color Therapy, an exhibition exploring color and emotion.

Singer-Songwriter Contest @ The Thirsty Pig | 6 PM
Local songwriters compete in an evening of live music and storytelling.

Parks & Rec Trivia @ Oxbow Brewing | 7–9 PM
Test your knowledge of Parks and Recreation at this themed trivia night.

Portland Jazz Orchestra @ One Longfellow Square | 8 PM
Maine’s premier 19-piece jazz ensemble, featuring Falmouth High School’s guest band.

Live Music with Plague Dad @ Bramhall | 8:30 PM
Enjoy the unique sounds of Plague Dad in an intimate bar setting.

February 14

Shrek Rave @ State Theatre | 9 PM
A chaotic, meme-fueled rave inspired by Shrek. Come ready to dance, laugh, and live your swampy best life.

Low-Key Valentine’s Night @ Orange Bike Brewing | 5–8 PM
A laid-back evening with good beer, chill vibes, and zero Valentine’s pressure.

Maine Tattoo Arts Festival @ Thompson’s Point | 2–11 PM (Also Feb 15–16)
Celebrate tattoo culture with live tattooing, art showcases, and some of the best ink artists in the region.

Jazz & Wine Night @ Blue
Sip on wine while enjoying live jazz in a cozy, intimate setting.

Patent Leather Valentines Burlesque @ Geno’s Rock Club | 8 PM
A night of bold, fetish-inspired burlesque performances.

The Red Eye Flight Crew: The Lonely Hearts Club Ball @ Portland House of Music | 9PM
Dance the night away with Gina and The Red Eye Flight Crew at this upbeat Valentine’s bash.

Valentine’s Day at Luke’s Lobster Portland Pier 
Enjoy an exclusive Valentine's Day menu at Luke's Lobster on Portland Pier.

Valentine’s Day at Evo Kitchen + Bar 
Evo Kitchen + Bar offers a special Valentine's Day prix fixe menu, along with surprise specials and limited edition cocktails.

Valentine’s Day @ Oun Lidos | 5-8pm - 10pm-1am
Date night dinner, drinks from 5-8pm and Dancing from 10pm - 1am

February 15

Lunar New Year Celebration @ Westbrook Performing Arts Center | 10 AM–3 PM
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with cultural performances, food, and family-friendly activities.

Canvases & Cocktails @ Angoor Wine Bar | 12–2 PM
Sip wine while painting your next masterpiece in this guided session.

Finisterre + Maine Surfers Union Film Premiere Night  @ Oxbow | 6 PM
Premiere night for Finisterre, featuring surf films and collaborations with Maine Surfers Union.

The Get Up Kids @ Aura | 7 PM
Catch the iconic emo rock band live at Aura for an unforgettable show.

LoveSick: Drag, Dance & Burlesque Valentine’s Bash @ Austin Street Brewery | 7–11 PM
An all-out Valentine’s bash featuring drag queens, burlesque performances, and DJs.

Intro to Laser Cutting @ Factory 3 | 10 AM
Learn the basics of laser cutting in this hands-on workshop.

Bissell Brothers Basecamp @ Thompson’s Point | 11 AM
A celebration of ski season with mountain-inspired brews and the release of First Chair, Last Call.

Galentine’s Day Party @ Italian Heritage Center | 6 PM
Celebrate friendship and love with an evening of laughter, fun, and surprises.

Live Music – Plague Dad & Whitney Walker @ Novel | 7 PM
An evening of indie rock and soulful sounds from Plague Dad and Whitney Walker.

Tom DiMenna Sings Story Songs of the 70s @ One Longfellow Square | 8 PM
A nostalgic night celebrating the storytelling songs of Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot, and Harry Chapin.

Broadway Rave: A Musical Theatre Valentine’s Party @ Portland House of Music | 9 PM
A dance party for musical theatre lovers with singalongs to all your favorite show tunes.

Masquerave: An Alice In Wonderland Rave @ Shipyard Brewing | 9 PM
Step into Wonderland for a high-energy rave with magical decor and house beats from The Hive.

February 16

Greensky Bluegrass Bluegrass w/ Kitchen Dwellers @ State Theatre | 8 PM
Catch this powerhouse bluegrass band live with the Kitchen Dwellers for a night of high-energy jams and soulful tunes.

Soundtrack to a Coup d’État @ SPACE
An experimental multimedia performance combining sound, visuals, and political storytelling.

Live Music Sundays @ Freedom’s Edge Cider | 1 PM
Family-friendly live performances featuring Will and AP. Great cider, great tunes, and a relaxed atmosphere.

SunDaze @ Flask Lounge | 9PM - 1AM
An experimental music experience celebrating originality, abstract soundscapes, and diverse styles.

Until next week,
— Jake