Magical Traditions and Practices at a Delightful Small Witching College

The lovely small witching college is tucked away in a hidden corner of the enchanting countryside. The college, with its ancient architecture and sprawling gardens, exudes a magical aura that captivates all who enter. Students from far and wide flock to this bewitching institution to master the arts of sorcery and wizardry. The college is renowned for its experienced and knowledgeable faculty who impart their wisdom to the young witches and warlocks. The curriculum at the small witching college is diverse and comprehensive, covering all aspects of magic and spellcasting. Students learn the intricacies of potion brewing, wand wielding, and broomstick flying.

The brewery's founder, Calagione, has expressed his undying love for the band by rocking GBV t-shirt.

Meals became less reliable after several chef changes, but the bar remained a vital part of the city s jazz scene, with live music most nights, including a standing gig by the late Leroy Vinnegar, the grandfather of the walking bass. The late restaurateur Peter Hochman created this Alberta Arts District temple to surf turf in 2005, where then up-and-coming chef Eric Bechard celebrated not just oysters, but rustic fare like fried veal sweetbreads with glazed shallots, chestnuts and a raisin sauce.

Students learn the intricacies of potion brewing, wand wielding, and broomstick flying. They delve into the mysteries of astrology and divination, exploring the stars and deciphering the future. They unlock the secrets of ancient texts, studying the spells and incantations that have been passed down through generations.

Tasty memories: 97 long-gone Portland restaurants we wish were still around

Restaurants are special places. We celebrate milestones like birthdays and anniversaries there. We go out to eat when we need a taste of comfort after a hard day. And the best eateries leave us with wonderful memories of great meals and laughter that can last a lifetime.

Oregonian file photos

But restaurants tend to have short lifespans, with many of them lasting only a handful of years. Even restaurants with unbelievable staying power eventually run out of gas. This year, several longtime Portland favorites closed their doors. The 21-year-old Indian restaurant Bombay Cricket Club poured its last mango margarita in August. In September, downtown's Veritable Quandary closed after 45 years. In November, Old Town's Alexis Restaurant dished up its last souvlaki after 36 years in the dining game.

Rose Howerter, The Oregonian

And early next year, the German restaurant Der Rheinlander will end its 53-year run of schnitzels, bratwurst and singing waiters. And so it goes …

But these long-gone restaurants live on in our memories. Earlier this year, we asked readers which closed restaurant they missed the most, and the response was incredible. From the elegant Italian spot Alba Osteria & Enoteca to the legendary Zefiro, which redrew Portland's dining map, here are 97 historic dining spots we wish were still around. Some were quirky reflections of who we are. Others elevated our tastes and expectations.

Brian Feulner, The Oregonian

Alba Osteria & Enoteca

Southwest Portland's Hillsdale neighborhood has never had the concentration of ambitious restaurants that you find in other parts of town, but this wine-focused Italian kitchen ranked among the city's best during its seven-year run. Chef-owner Kurt Spak specialized in Piedmontese cuisine, including house-made pasta, like agnolotti stuffed with veal, pork and rabbit. The wine list offered Italian vintages not found elsewhere, and the vibe was spiffy without being stuffy, making it popular with regulars. It closed on New Year's Eve in 2010, making way for Sasquatch Brewing Company.

Oregonian file photo

Alberta Street Oyster Bar & Grill

The late restaurateur Peter Hochman created this Alberta Arts District temple to surf & turf in 2005, where then up-and-coming chef Eric Bechard celebrated not just oysters, but rustic fare like fried veal sweetbreads with glazed shallots, chestnuts and a raisin sauce. But heavy debt sunk the restaurant's fortunes. After a change in ownership forced it to briefly close and reopen, it never fully recovered, closing for good in 2009. Bechard went on to open McMinnville's acclaimed Thistle (and achieved notoriety over a fist fight over the provenance of a pig), and the space is now the Irish pub T.C. O'Leary's.

Torsten Kjellstrand, The Oregonian

Alexis Restaurant

For 36 years, dining at Old Town’s Alexis Restaurant felt like a party in a boisterous Athens tavern. The Greek fare included comforting fare like braised lamb shanks, fried calamari, and saganaki, an ouzo-drenched cheese that was served in flaming glory. The business gradually expanded to include a line of products sold at grocery stores. But it became challenging to attract diners in recent years, as lower West Burnside became the epicenter of Portland’s homeless problem. In November, owner Gerry Tsirimiagos shuttered the restaurant, which he had opened just a few years after immigrating from Greece.

Rob Finch, The Oregonian

In 1995, New York attorney Darryl Joannides and his wife, Sarah, opened this Sellwood Italian restaurant, which got terrific reviews and drew big crowds. Under chef Teodoro KuMay, the kitchen produced an array of meat and seafood dishes. But the real stars were the 18 types of pasta, including lemony spaghetti with seared scallops and homemade ravioli. If you couldn’t decide on one, you could order a sampling of noodles, chosen by the chef and served with great ritual to the entire table. After a decade, the Joannideses sold the business to new owners, who opened a short-lived second location in Beaverton. Two years later, the original closed, too.

Stephanie Yao Long, The Oregonian

In the 1980s and '90s, this romantic restaurant on the 30th floor of the U.S. Bancorp building was one of the city's top dining destinations. The big draw, of course, was the stunning view of downtown Portland, the city's east side and (on clear days) Mount Hood. At its peak in the mid-'90s, under then-wunderkind chef Mark Gould, the kitchen served towering constructions of food – this was the era of architectural cuisine – with hints of Asia running throughout. Meals became less reliable after several chef changes, but the bar remained a vital part of the city's jazz scene, with live music most nights, including a standing gig by the late Leroy Vinnegar, the grandfather of the walking bass. In 2001, the restaurant lost its lease and closed, making way for Portland City Grill, which has those same great views, but little of the magic.

Joel Davis, The Oregonian

B. Moloch/Heathman Bakery & Pub

For 10 years, this downtown delicatessen, bakery and pizza spot was a popular pre-theater spot with the symphony crowd, drawn by affordable sandwiches and salads in a cheery two-level space featuring large paintings by 19th-century French caricaturist Colomb – who signed his name backwards as B. Moloch. In its early years, the rustic Northwest menu was overseen by chef Greg Higgins, who was chef at the sister Heathman Restaurant, and later would go on to win a James Beard award at his own namesake restaurant. In 1998, B. Moloch served its last designer pizza, and the space was transformed into the seafood restaurant SouthPark.

Angela Pancrazio, The Oregonian

Beaterville Cafe

There was no way diners could keep from smiling while having breakfast at this funky North Portland café, which dished up creative breakfasts and hefty sandwiches beginning in 1994 on a then-gritty stretch of North Killingsworth Avenue. Owners Bill Lockner and Virlis Kikel filled the dining room with old car memorabilia – vintage hubcaps, hood ornaments and fenders were everywhere. The menu’s stars were omelets, like Green Eggs and Ham, a pesto-egg scramble filled with Black Forest ham. After 20 years, it closed in 2014, and the space now is a marijuana dispensary.

In the 1980s and '90s, this romantic restaurant on the 30th floor of the U.S. Bancorp building was one of the city's top dining destinations. The big draw, of course, was the stunning view of downtown Portland, the city's east side and (on clear days) Mount Hood. At its peak in the mid-'90s, under then-wunderkind chef Mark Gould, the kitchen served towering constructions of food – this was the era of architectural cuisine – with hints of Asia running throughout. Meals became less reliable after several chef changes, but the bar remained a vital part of the city's jazz scene, with live music most nights, including a standing gig by the late Leroy Vinnegar, the grandfather of the walking bass. In 2001, the restaurant lost its lease and closed, making way for Portland City Grill, which has those same great views, but little of the magic.

The college provides a nurturing and supportive environment for its students. The close-knit community fosters strong bonds and encourages collaboration and teamwork. As they navigate the challenges of their magical education, students develop not only their spellcasting abilities but also their character and integrity. Outside the classroom, the grounds of the college are a playground for magical exploration. Lush gardens bloom with rare and exotic plants, some of which possess mystical properties. Students can be found wandering amongst the flowers, discovering new ingredients for their potions and concoctions. The college's library is a treasure trove of ancient texts and grimoires, beckoning students to unlock its secrets. As graduation day approaches, students reflect on the transformative journey they have taken at the lovely small witching college. They have honed their magical abilities, forged lifelong friendships, and discovered their true selves. Armed with their newfound knowledge and skills, they bid farewell to the college, ready to embark on their own magical adventures in the world beyond. The lovely small witching college is a place where young witches and warlocks come to awaken their inner magic. It is a place of wonder, where spells are cast and dreams take flight. It is a place where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and where each student's unique abilities are nurtured and celebrated. The college is a testament to the wondrous possibilities of the magical world, reminding us that with a little bit of magic, anything is possible..

Reviews for "Navigating the Whimsical Campus of a Lovely Small Witching College"

1. John - 2 stars

I was really disappointed with "Lovely small witching college". The plot felt extremely rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me feeling like I never really got to know the characters or understand their motivations. The writing style was also very basic, lacking depth and complexity. Overall, I found the book to be very predictable and lacking in originality. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it just didn't deliver.

2. Amanda - 1 star

I couldn't even finish "Lovely small witching college". The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth or growth throughout the story. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, making it difficult for me to connect with the story or the characters. The world-building was also lacking, with a lack of explanation for the magical elements in the story. I found myself getting bored and frustrated with the book, and eventually gave up on it altogether. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging story.

3. Sarah - 2 stars

"Lovely small witching college" was a disappointment for me. The pacing of the story was all over the place, with slow and dragging sections followed by rushed and confusing plot developments. It was difficult to keep track of what was happening and why. The romance in the book felt forced and unrealistic, lacking any real chemistry between the characters. I also found the writing style to be overly simplistic, lacking any sort of lyrical or poetic quality that I enjoy in fantasy novels. Overall, this book fell short of my expectations and I was left feeling unsatisfied.

Beyond the Books: Extracurricular Activities at a Lovely Small Witching College