Not first regarding my stay, but wanted to put this at the top of the review, her house is absolutely in a perfect location. A block and a half from Division Street, and three and a half blocks from Hawthorne, it is a quick walk to two of the best food and neighborhood scenes in Portland. It couldn't be better located, a couple two to three minute walk to Stumptown Coffee and Good Coffee (such a nice staff) and some great local restaurants, and just a few minutes more to places like Pok Pok and Division Wines... really, the location could not be more central, and I can't wait to come back for more exploring.
My stay with Tamara could not have been better. I am not over stating this. A more conscientious or attentive host is not out there. She accommodated me coming in late from the airport, for which I cannot thank her enough. Her home feels new, warm, cozy, clean and inviting. She is hyper organized and her well laid out book of local restaurants, coffee shops and bars is a tremendous reference... but I didn't need to spend time remember or writing anything down as throughout my two day stay she kept in contact and was providing me lunch, wine bar and dinner suggestions on the fly. All of her suggestions looked like they would have been fantastic, but I ended up having dinner with friends at Noble Rot with a view of downtown, drinking a Walla Walla red and enjoying an elevated burger (ok, I'm in the wine industry and I'd eaten too much high brow food on the front end of this business trip... I needed to come down). All her suggestions were spot on for my requirements. She is a wine lover, beer lover, great cook and knows many of the owners of the local establishments. When you come here, listen up and take her suggestions.
The room was clean, private and dead quiet and I got a great nights sleep. Her living room is really cute and warm and inviting. The Schlage lock system is set up for easy entry and exit. She even shared with me some of her homemade kombucha and a bit of the curry she was making, and both were perfect (I moonlight as a sous chef... it was that good).
If you're looking to explore the cool new neighborhoods of Portland, and want a warm, personable and attentive hostess... do yourself a favor and consider staying at Tamara's. For a foodie from San Francisco such as myself, I am hoping she will have me back and hope to be back later in the year.