Imbibe - Take In the Ambience
Posted By LaurenTonight I braved the weather to walk to Imbibe on Hawthorne to meet a friend for dinner. Luckily for me, they had hot toddies on the menu. This is a great restaurant to hit in these dark, cold winter nights because they have a more than decent selection of warm drinks.
The temperature transition from the dark, cold winter night through the threshold of Imbibe is sudden and pleasing. The light transition is more subtle. To me, the most remarkable aspect of the Imbibe ambience is the amazing balance between candle light and electric light. There are candles on the tables and out of the corner of my eye I could see lights on the walls and lights above me, but there was no glaring difference in level or color. The transition from one natural source to an artificial one is easy, even against the dark green and red walls. The lights from above are chandeliers. Three mostly matching ones hang over the bar, bronze colored with crystals and draped with Mardi Gras beads. The grand chandelier in the main room is nearly covered in crystal. There is one in the back of the room that looks like a green vase. Across from it is a very modern fixture. Many bulbs are connected by thin black supports. From far away it looks like several disparate and unattached lights hanging in space.
The back wall is a red and yellow diamond pattern that reminded me of a jester’s costume. Hung on the wall is a large circular mirror with a golden flaming sun frame. Most metal decorations in Imbibe are either gold or black colored. Black if it is meant to look more like wrought iron or seem subdued and olden and gold if it is meant to be brilliant in the light. Across from my table a light on the wall looked like spreading gold leaves and glittered with chandelier crystals. I couldn’t take my eyes off of it, except for the distraction of a television playing who knows what. I don’t like it when there are televisions in places where I intend to be social, especially in such a classy looking place as Imbibe. Why have a TV when the design is meant to dazzle with a sense of respect and importance?
Overall, I was charmed by Imbibe, but I wish they would rid the place of things that belong in a sports bar. In addition to the TV, over the entrance near the bar, there is a styrofoam black and white bear. It’s covered in a boa and looks like it might be surfing. Imbibe just couldn’t bear not to have a little Portland kitsch could it? A pity. I swear it isn’t a requirement.
2229 SE Hawthorne St.
(503) 239-4002
www.takeitin.com
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