It’s summertime, which means the sun is peeking in and out of the clouds over Portland’s Pearl District and surrounding areas. Summertime brings the people outside, and if you’re looking for a place to sit and enjoy the sunshine while eating a meal or having a drink, look no further than The Ecotrust building in the Pearl District.
Home to HOTLIPS Pizza, Laughing Planet, and Red E Café, the Ecotrust Building provides a courtyard and outer areas for outside seating. All three restaurants share the patio’s nine picnic tables and eight four-seat tables. Far from 9th Avenue traffic, the patio is surrounded by a garden of trees, shrubs, and plants that hide a view of the parking lot.
The building is home to several businesses and organizations, so lunchtime is pretty busy. If you want a guaranteed seat, try dinnertime. No roof hides the sun from your view, so you can soak up the rays while you enjoy your meal and/or a drink. 
The Laughing Planet tables come with large umbrellas if you’re looking for shade.
Smoking is prohibited, as there are eating establishments. Dogs, however, are allowed, and there is plenty of room for your dog to stretch out on the concrete patio.
In case you’ve never visited any of these restaurants, HOTLIPS sells pizza by the slice and also offers whole veggie, vegan, and gluten-free pies. They bottle their own soda as well. Laughing Planet has burritos, vegetarian bowls, kid-friendly options, and local draft microbrews, sold in pints and pitchers. Red E provides a nice place to sit down with a cup of coffee and enjoy a good book.
So if you’re looking for a place to enjoy some sun on a nice day in the Pearl District, check out The Ecotrust building at 721 NW 9th Ave. for a nice, relaxing spot.