Every time we hear a friend say something regarding pop culture lately (and this is usually our teenage son), it serves to remind us how bloody old we are. We try to keep up on good music. He says we're doing alright, God bless him. We try to stay up on the newest, most exciting offerings in our city. This is an occupational hazard. But when someone drops a "what celebrity is dating who," or anything resembling such, we're at a total loss. Maybe it's because we have our eye on the prize (401K anyone?), or maybe it's because that stuff should breed apathy. In any event we have an increasingly tough time finding common ground with the boy.

Want to know what even the most grunge-hardened teenager enjoys, though? Pampering. Plain and simple, the first time we took him to HairM with us, we thought it'd be a waste (like the time he ate exactly $3 of food at a $45 Salty's brunch), but we bonded so much over the shared experience that we would've got the bill for the Father/Son Shave if we could've. Here's to those couple of year's left in which we can't.

Check out the specials on His and His' (sons) Back-to-School specials this month at HairM. Then forward this to ten friends and cc us at portlandmensguide@gmail.com to win a chance to check it out for yourself.

Lela's Bistro
You never have to walk far in Portland to find Vietnamese food. Most Vietnamese noodle dishes can feel a dime a dozen, but finding a decent Vietnamese style sandwich can be an entirely different story. We quested through the city, and hit up food carts and restaurants alike, and uncovered the coveted Banh Mi treasure.

Fitting cozily in with the rest of the many shops and restaurants on 23rd, Lela's adds flare to the neighborhood as a local Vietnamese sandwich shop. The Bulgogi (Korean-style beef) with Kim Chi is a must eat. Overall, the menu boasts a good variety of options, including a grilled Portobello Sandwich (for those interested in a vegan option). Don't forget to indulge in the much-loved salad rolls or house made Kim Chi.

The bistro brings a creative, familiar feel to its neighborhood. Lela's Bistro should be on your list, whether you are trying a Vietnamese sandwich for the first time, or a self proclaimed Banh Mi aficionado.

RingSide Fish House
The Northwest is synonymous with great seafood. Surrounded by rivers, Portland often forgets about the fantastic wild fish that comes through everyday. Our city has been in need of a fine dining experience capitalizing on our local fish markets.

Sitting in the heart of downtown, Ringside shakes up its branded steak name to gift Portland with a fish house. At the heart of the menu lie traditional fish dishes with a creative flare. Whether you are craving some Ling Cod with Étouffée or some Potato Gnocchi with Halibut, Ringside aims to please. If you are worried about busting the wallet, be sure to at least drop by for their happy hour (reasonable hours, seven days a week). Offering small, affordable plates to be washed down with a full range of beers or fine wines. Say hello to the best bartender in town, Joshua, and tell him PMG sent you.

H50 Bistro & Bar
For those wanting to extend a romantic evening downtown or just find a reason to avoid our construction-induced rush hour, the H50 Bistro Bar offers two great excuses to stay put in the city center.

Overlooking Waterfront Park and just a short walk from most of Portland's downtown attractions, the H50 bistro & bar sits inside the contemporary and hip Hotel Fifty. Two great happy hours (4p.m.–6:30p.m. and 9p.m.–close) beckon both passersby and those on either end of an exciting evening. Innovative plates with friendly prices that range from $3 to $9 cover some serious gastronomic ground—wild mushroom fondue, smoked salmon nori, and halibut ceviche. If that isn't enough, a bit of seasonal flare and a dollar off a well-selected menu of cocktails, beer, and wine rounds off the offerings.

Whether you're craving delicious Crème Brûlée or a night out, it's good to remember that the Hotel Fifty is not just a destination for out-of-town visitors—it's a good reminder that staying home is overrated.

W Series:: The Walkman—the big, bulky status symbol that was a sign of cool and good taste from the late 70s to November 10, 2001. While the iPod usurped Sony's mobile music position for the better part of a decade, the Walkman, or at least a version of it, has now made us reconsider the Cult of Mac.

Sleek, practical, and entirely built into the headphones, Sony's W series has won us over. This is not a device for all occasions though; it's a workout companion that can take a beating—and a rinsing as it's water resistant. Booyah.

Arden Fan:: What's changed around your pad since the recent summer heat? Not the vintage prints, the leather furniture, or the tastefully chosen HI-FI, it's that stupid plastic fan you bought from Costco that your cat can't even stand to look at. Prepare yourself for future high-temperatures or overpowering Indian food with an Arden fan.

In bronze and walnut, this fan actually looks good even when placed in the middle of your flat. Add in three speeds, 50 degree oscillation, and an eight-foot power cord, the Arden fan will be your best buy for future summer heat.

Carzor:: We've all been there – a late morning and a forgotten early meeting due to a) an unexpected sleepover, b) the optimistic statement "just one more drink", or c) a guilty four-hour marathon of Wild Justice. Whatever the reason, leaving the house without a shave can cause problems.

Thankfully, there's the Carzor. The size of a credit card, it's a razor that folds into its own mirror, and it's perfect for catching stray patches of hair along your neckline or a complete shave in your office bathroom. It might not make you prepared for your meeting, but at least you won't look like a bum.