Rimsky Korsakoffee House (707 SE 12th Ave.)

I love Portland. One of the reasons I love Portland is Rimsky's. Rimsky's is a house. It has Christmas-y lights on the outside of it year round, but no sign. In fact, if you didn't know it was a coffee/dessert house, you wouldn't dare approach it because that would be like walking up to a stranger's house. Their blog says it is the home of the "casually threatening atmosphere." So true. One of the tables turns ever so slowly as you are sitting at it, but you may only realize it when someone else's dessert is in front of you. Another of the tables rises slowly and then descends slowly - barely noticeable, but it happens. It's just enough movement to make you think you're crazy "Is the table moving?"

Underneath the glass tabletops, guests leave souveniers of their evening out. Tickets, notes, programs to concerts or plays, pretty much anything that will fit under a glass tabletop. Various things hang from the ceiling, too. There is so much going on in this place that it is easy to get overstimulated.

The bathroom is an experience. I don't want to give away any surprises, but suffice it to say that if you go to Rimsky's you MUST use the bathroom. But try not to scream.

The desserts are delectable. This time I had the white chocolate raspberry fool. Heaven. And now I'm going to tell you about my first experience at Rimsky's.

One thing you should know about me first: I don't drink alcohol for many different reasons, but one of the reasons is that I am super sensitive and, um, I can't hold my drink.

My first time at Rimsky's I ordered some type of chocolate fudge cake, which, unbeknownst to me, was covered in rum sauce. My friends and I were discussing a topic that I usually got really upset about, but somehow, I wasn't getting upset. No, I was getting happier, the more cake I ate. My alcohol-savy friend took one bite and said "That is covered in pure rum." It was good. So good that I was slurring my words just a little and stumbling as I walked to the car. And my friends took the car keys from me as I kept saying that I couldn't believe I could get tipsy from dessert. But yes, for me, dessert can do it. I even had a hangover the next day. Headache and all.

One of the reasons I don't drink. Can you imagine what would happen if I had a real drink? Crazy.

If you are visiting Portland, or wondering where you should take a visiting friend or relative, you should always go to Rimsky's for a good dose of Portland atmosphere and character. I wish I had pictures, but my crappy camera phone doesn't work so well in the dark. Plus, photos just don't do it justice. You have to go and experience it for yourself.

**Rimsky's takes cash only. They have a pretty wide selection of desserts, coffee and hot chocolate. Prices range from $5 - $7.