Feeling thankful at Mock Crest Tavern

This past Thanksgiving I found myself on my own for a change. Rather than sit at home by my lonesome, I decided to journey over to North Portland and parade of the Mock Crest Turkey Day feast.  

I was greeted upon arrival by Mock Crest’s clever sandwich board.

As I walked through the door, I was immediately enthralled by the aroma of turkey and dressing wafting through the air. Video lottery machines flashed in the distance while other patrons were glued to the Bills and Cowboys or the Flyers and Blue Jackets. Other patrons were fixed on the Westminster Kennel Show. The fact is, you can watch pretty much anything you want at Mock Crest; all you have to do is ask.

I sidled up to the counter and took a seat. In keeping with the spirt of the day, I ordered a shot of Wild Turkey, which hit the spot rather nicely. I was keeping close attention on both the football game and the dog show when a Ducks fan showed up and asked to watch the last few minutes of the Ducks-Gonzaga game. The game went into overtime with the Bulldogs pulling out a one point win.

The staff was in a particularly good mood, especially given the fact they were working the holiday. Gabe, the manager, was busy entertaining diners while making pudding shots and seeing how high he could pile the whipped creme on top. I think he topped out around 5 inches.

Chef Denise serves up a smile with each Thanksgiving dinner.

Before long, my Thanksgiving dinner was set before me – lovingly prepared by chef Denise herself. And what a feast it was: turkey, dressing, gravy, green beans almandine, a Hawaiian roll, and a small serving of cranberry sauce. I made short work of the meal and asked for second helping of turkey – Wild Turkey, that is.

 

All in all it was a fine afternoon and time well spent. 

Oh, since you are probably wondering, the Westminster Dog Show was won by Thor the Bulldog.

One can never have too much turkey on Thanksgiving. Wild Turkey, that is.

Alexa Wiley – Musical Mistress of the Metaphor

One of the most popular bands to call Mock Crest Tavern home is Alexa Wiley and the Wilderness.

Alexa is leader of the band: singer, songwriter and all around lover of the great outdoors. Alexa is known far and wide for her songwriting skills and her magical use of the metaphor. Hence, the band’s tagline “Metaphorical music that rocks.”  Take a listen here.

Alexa Wiley and the Wilderness perform regularly at Mock Crest Tavern.

Truth be told, Alexa uses the metaphor like Betty Crocker uses flour. Her songs about the environment come from the heart and are rich in meaning. 

For Alexa, the environment is not just a subject of her songs, it is her life. When she’s not busy touring with her band, she is working for the U.S. Forest Service and championing Outdoor School for All, Columbia Riverkeeper, and other outdoor causes.

Alexa champions the environment and the great outdoors in many of her songs.

Her bandmates represent a who’s who of Portland’s music scene, with Bret Malmquist on lead guitar, Dale Turnbull on bass, Sean Oldham on drums, and Steve Dearborn playing most anything that will make a sound. The band’s creations are an eclectic mix of jazz, country, and folk that is otherwise all but impossible to classify. But who needs a label, right? 

Be sure to check the Mock Crest and Yukon Tavern Event Calendars for upcoming dates. You can also purchase her music at her website.

Alexa and her band also appear regularly at our sister pub Yukon Tavern.

Alexa and The Wilderness appear regularly at Mock Crest Tavern and her sister pub Yukon Tavern. They love playing the local tavern scene and especially enjoy the intimacy of each setting. Says bandmate Dale Turnbull, “We love the feeling of having the audience right on our laps.”

I assume he is speaking metaphorically.

Spirited fun awaits at Mock Crest’s annual Scaryoke Party

Karaoke night is fast becoming the most popular party night in Portland. Oh sure, kids have always loved Halloween for the chance to dress up and go door to do in search of treats. But why should the little ones have all the fun?

That’s what Mock Crest asked themselves when they came up with their annual Scaryoke Party. Now in its second year, Scaryoke is what you might say is the spooky version of Karaoke Night. A night filled with laughter, song, and supportive cheering from your friends and other party-goers.

Mark your calendar for NoPo’s favorite Halloween Karaoke Party.

 

Attendees are encouraged to dress up in their best costumes. And while costumes are not mandatory, if you do wear one, you’ll receive a free beverage as a Mock Crest’s treat. (Sorry, folks, a hat is not a costume.) Later during the night, the attendee selected as wearing the best costume will receive a special prize! 

Of course, no party would be complete without food and drink, so Mock Crest will also have plenty of brew and Halloween-themed food specials to help get you in the Halloween spirit.

Now for the scaryoke part…

Grab some friends and grab a mic!

The night is sure to be dominated by neighborhood locals booming their favorite songs from the Mock Crest “stage”. You are also sure to hear such Halloween standards as “Monster Mash,” “Thriller” and “Ghostbusters”. A little spooked about singing in front of others? Don’t be afraid – you can always keep your mask on. Plus, you’ll find the Mock Crest crowd to be very supportive, regardless of your level of talent. Plus, Mock Crest’s friendly bar staff will be at the ready with plenty of liquid courage.

Afraid to sing in public? Fear not: Mock Crest will have plenty of liquid courage on tap.

So grab your friends and join us Thursday night, October 31st for our Annual Halloween Scaryoke Party. The fun starts at 9pm and runs till the witching hour!

 

SIN takes center stage every Tuesday nite at Mock Crest Tavern

The last time I looked, there were some 80 National Days on the Calendar –not counting National Mew Year Day for Cats, which has yet to be recognized by Presidential Proclamation. With everything from White Cane Sugar Day to National Tartan Day (I am not making these up), it seems only fitting there should be at least one day out of the year to recognize the hard-working men and women of Portland’s Service Industry. Or, more specifically, Bartenders, Waiters, Waitresses, and Bar Backs. (Sorry McDonald’s Drive-thru worker, you’re not on the list.) 

Service Industry Night brings out NoPo’s finest. Or so we are told.

So Mock Crest Tavern has done just that and then some, with their very own Service Industry Night (SIN).

The fun starts at 9 PM, when Mock Crest breaks out the karaoke machine. Then, everyone, regardless of their profession, vocation or lack of talent, is invited to grab the mic and belt out their favorite song. 

Revelers enjoying Mock’s famous pudding shots.

Lack the nerve to sing in front of strangers? No worries: Mock Crest has plenty of liquid courage on tap, including a rotating selection of no fewer than 8 craft beers. And you don’t want to pass on the Mock’s famous pudding shots.

Release your inner Justin Timberlake.

Along with the karaoke, you can also partake of a number of food and drink specials. Just show your OLCC card to claim your discount.

Oh – I almost forgot – Happy Leif Erickson Day!

Last Call Trivia is just the answer to a boring Sunday night

It’s another Sunday night in NoPo and you’re asking yourself, what is there to do? Well, if you’re up for exercising the mainframe between your two ears, head over to Mock Crest Tavern for Last Call Trivia.

                              Sunday nights just got a whole lot smarter.

Every Sunday night at 7 PM, teams from the four corners of the Portland area gather to compete in a two-hour contest that combines brains, strategy and beer. Mostly beer.

                Another packed house for Last Call Trivia at Mock Crest Tavern.

Teams of up to 8 members are allowed to compete, and the format is simple: 6 rounds of three questions each, across a wide range of subjects ranging from astronomy, geography and religion, to politics, religion, pop culture and more. With each question, teams can wager how many points they want to risk on their answer. Sound strategy can mean the difference between staying in the running or moving ahead of the pack. Each round also ends with a bonus question worth another point. Last but not least, every Last Call Trivia night features a round with a particular theme. Guess the theme correctly and– bingo – another bonus point!

       Last Call Trivia brings out NoPo’s best and brightest. And prettiest, too.

                         Quizmaster Bill keeps the contest light and lively.
            Please give generously to his Hair Restoration Fund, won’t you?

Having a rough go of things? Don’t despair – the Mock Crest crew is at the ready to provide all the liquid lubrication your brain needs to make it though the night. Be sure to check out the great bar food, too. The kitchen may be small, but the gals can cook up some of the best damn eats in NoPo.

At the end of the night, Quizmaster Bill will award the top two teams bar script good for their next visit to Mock Crest, or either of its sister pubs: Greeley Avenue Bar & Grill or Yukon Tavern. Weeklong bragging rights are just icing on the cake!

   Well, well, it must be true: even a blind pig finds a truffle every now and then.

The first thing you should order this weekend is a wake-up call.

If you are one of those people who like sleeping in late on the weekends, then you obviously have never heard of the Mock Crest Weekend Breakfast Specials. They are definitely worth getting out of bed for – no matter how hard you celebrated the night before.

Weekend Breakfast Specials draw a hungry crowd first thing in the morning.

The Weekend Breakfast specials are lovingly prepared each Saturday & Sunday morning by Denise Morris. Denise has cracked a few eggs in her day – she has been cooking at Mock Crest for the past 11 years. During that time, her specials have become the talk of NoPo – and beyond. 

Chef Denise is an avid Mariners fan and has been known to wear her heart on her sleeve.
Or, in some cases, her back.

During her time in the kitchen, Denise has created some 50+ breakfast items. Some of her classics include Huevos Rancheros; some 6 different varieties of Eggs Benedict; Chicken Fried Steak; and Red, White & Blue French Toast. And if her Biscuits & Gravy have not yet been declared a National Treasure, they soon will be.

The line forms early at Mock Crest every Saturday & Sunday. “Sometimes, there are 5-6 guests lined up at the door waiting for me when I open,” says Denise. “Most of them have become familiar faces.” 

Says Denise, “The thing I love most about cooking is seeing a diner’s eyes light up as I present their plate. Then, on their way out as they tell you, “best meal ever,” well, that’s just icing on the cake.”

Apparently, there is just no accounting for good taste.

You can follow Denise’s Weekend Breakfast Specials on her Facebook page. Many of them can be found on the new Hall of Flame page of the Mock Crest website.

So set your alarm early this weekend and join Denise for breakfast between 9 AM and 2 PM. Your tummy will thank you for it.

Missing Mock Crest Tavern

The time has come to bid a fond farewell to one of my favorite North Portland taverns where I go to relax and enjoy an evening out with friends. I’m moving to a new city now and packing up my suitcase of memories that I’ve made at Mock Crest Tavern.

The Best in Live Music in Portland

I’ve spent many nights at Mock, listening to some of the best live music you’ll find in Portland. I’ve gotten to know a few of the band members and witness their passion for music. Every time I go out to Mock to hear a band I know I’m in for a memorable night.

Delicious Food and Drink

Mock’s pint-sized kitchen is legendary for turning out delicious food. Their daily specials surprise and delight and their weekend breakfasts go far beyond what you’d expect of a small neighborhood tavern.

Likewise, their drink selection is above par. Inventive, delicious, and timely; their drinks are made to satisfy by Mock’s expert bartenders who are devoted to their art.

The Atmosphere

Mock Crest Tavern is just the kind of place I look for when I want to relax after a day at work. It’s a quiet little bar with a laid-back atmosphere when I get there at five and, when the band kicks up at nine, I’m ready for a joyful night of great blues, rock, and Americana music.

I may have to say good-bye to Mock Crest Tavern, but my memories will keep me smiling. Don’t miss out on your chance to make those same kinds of memories every week at Mock Crest Tavern.