Photo of author Mattie John Bamman

Mattie John Bamman

Mattie John Bamman is a culinary-travel author and freelance writer focused on the Pacific Northwest, Italy, and the Balkans. Wine, wilderness, and words brought him to Portland, Oregon, where he regularly contributes to Northwest Travel Magazine and serves as editor of the Big Weekend Calendars Portland events calendar.

Latest Posts From Mattie

Portland's 11 Best Old-School Barbershops

Aug 5, 2015

Portland's 11 Best Old-School Barbershops

Old-school barbering is in full effect in Portland, and just like our food scene, our barbershops have created a movement that is spreading across the nation.

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13 Can’t-Miss Portland Events This August

Jul 29, 2015

13 Can’t-Miss Portland Events This August

With July's heat and rumors that Sasquatch shaved off all his fur to keep cool, what can we expect from August (aside from at least one set of Sasquatch fur socks at Saturday Market)?

A Cheese Lover’s Guide to Portland

Jul 20, 2015

A Cheese Lover’s Guide to Portland

Portland chefs use cheese better than MacGyver uses paperclips, so this article is long overdue: time to unleash the most creative uses of cheese in Portland.

Portland’s 15 Best Parks, Ranked

Jul 13, 2015

Portland’s 15 Best Parks, Ranked

Portland's parks aren't just pretty.

The World’s 50 Most Meaningful Cheeses, Ranked

Jul 1, 2015

The World’s 50 Most Meaningful Cheeses, Ranked

Just try and ask a cheesemonger to list the top 50 most meaningful cheeses.

16 Can’t-Miss PDX Events This July

Jul 1, 2015

16 Can’t-Miss PDX Events This July

Dust off your daisy dukes and start inflating the ol’ inner tube: it’s July in Portland.

Portland’s 13 Best New Burgers

Jun 22, 2015

Portland’s 13 Best New Burgers

Just like 10% of Portland’s population, all of the burgers on this list appeared in the city in the last two to four months.

laurelhurst market portland steakhouse

Jun 17, 2015

The 9 Best Steak Joints in Portland

While Portland may be lacking in traditional steakhouses, it’s more than overflowing with great steaks.

The 8 Best Izakaya (Japanese-Style Taverns) in Portland

May 11, 2015

The 8 Best Izakaya (Japanese-Style Taverns) in Portland

Because Japan and America go together like... um, Tom Selleck and that movie where he moves to Japan, it should be no surprise that a slew of that country's sweetest kind of drinking establishment, izakaya, are showing up stateside, especially in booze happy Portland.