3957 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, 97227
I ordered--and could only eat 1/4th of--the scramble with ham, cheese and onion. Ginormous! And excellent. Came with a huge patty of hash browns.
The coffee's on the weak side, but they let you drink it while you wait for a table. It was super busy, as are most brunch places in P-town. I was glad we got there before the rush; we only had to wait 10 minutes.
Not eaten but ogled was the oatmeal brulée: a mound of thick oatmeal topped with fruit and something sugary. Looked interesting & will have to try it sometime.
Was relieved there was nothing too weird on the menu...except perhaps veggie gravy, which my companion had, and he seemed satisfied with it.
Overall: would hit it again, but next time will plan to split something.
Showing posts with label breakfast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breakfast. Show all posts
28 February 2009
29 January 2009
Porcelli's
6500 SW Virginia Ave, Portland, 97239
*This is a Plain Jane favorite!*
Oh. My. God. I would be happy to die here. My stomach will explode just like Mr. Creosote in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life because it is so good I just can't stop.
I first heard about Porcelli's from some fellow food-fiends who took me there for brunch. Brunch at an Italian restaurant? Yes. And it was good. No, it was great. The breakfast menu is on the small side, but they have the important stuff, like eggs benedict and a plain ol' eggs/bacon/potatoes/toast combo.
But that's deceiving, because their potatoes are anything but "plain ol'." I'm not exactly sure what they do to them, but it's freaking amazing. I was expecting the same old rosemary home fries, but instead I got something more like a potato casserole with onions, cheese, paprika, and god-knows-what. Whatever you do, do not substitute hash browns; you will be sorry you missed the house potatoes.
The eggs benedict would have been perfect if I had remembered to order my eggs poached hard (I HATE runny eggs!!), but the English muffin, ham and hollandaise were divine.
On my second visit I had dinner. Since it was my first dinner experience at Porcelli's, I just had to try their fettuccine alfredo with shrimp. I couldn't believe it; it was almost too rich for me! It was a vat of heavy cream and butter and melted parmesan in which swam perfectly-cooked fettuccine noodles and shrimp.
And, oh yes, the Caesar salad was very good: fresh romaine, garlicky dressing, house-made balsamic vinegar croutons, freshly grated parmesan cheese. Drool, drool, drool...
The only thing that makes me sad about Porcelli's: no booths! But to be honest, I was so busy enjoying my food that I barely noticed. The interior is very pleasing: simple yet elegant.
The pricing, well, the breakfast was definitely average, at $8-10 a plate for a good-sized portion. The dinner is a little spendier at $12-15 a plate, but totally worth it. And you do get free bread with your entree. =*)
The verdict: Thank goodness for a decent job and regular martial arts classes; I can afford the bill and the calories.
Update: Have since revisited this fine establishment for dinner. Still give it rave reviews. My companions and I had the wild mushroom ravioli in cream sauce, lobster ravioli in lemon-cream sauce with capers, and a lovely risotto with mushrooms and artichoke hearts in a cream sauce. (Sorry; I don't remember the Italian names of these dishes.) All absolutely divine. Has earned a Plain Jane Favorites award.
On the down side of this last visit: the salads weren't as impressive this time, and the live music was neither welcome nor conducive to a pleasant dining experience. Was not that they were bad; just that they were too loud for the space and wanted attention, which I think is too much to ask for people stuffing their faces with cream sauces and trying to have a conversation.
*This is a Plain Jane favorite!*
Oh. My. God. I would be happy to die here. My stomach will explode just like Mr. Creosote in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life because it is so good I just can't stop.
I first heard about Porcelli's from some fellow food-fiends who took me there for brunch. Brunch at an Italian restaurant? Yes. And it was good. No, it was great. The breakfast menu is on the small side, but they have the important stuff, like eggs benedict and a plain ol' eggs/bacon/potatoes/toast combo.
But that's deceiving, because their potatoes are anything but "plain ol'." I'm not exactly sure what they do to them, but it's freaking amazing. I was expecting the same old rosemary home fries, but instead I got something more like a potato casserole with onions, cheese, paprika, and god-knows-what. Whatever you do, do not substitute hash browns; you will be sorry you missed the house potatoes.
The eggs benedict would have been perfect if I had remembered to order my eggs poached hard (I HATE runny eggs!!), but the English muffin, ham and hollandaise were divine.
On my second visit I had dinner. Since it was my first dinner experience at Porcelli's, I just had to try their fettuccine alfredo with shrimp. I couldn't believe it; it was almost too rich for me! It was a vat of heavy cream and butter and melted parmesan in which swam perfectly-cooked fettuccine noodles and shrimp.
And, oh yes, the Caesar salad was very good: fresh romaine, garlicky dressing, house-made balsamic vinegar croutons, freshly grated parmesan cheese. Drool, drool, drool...
The only thing that makes me sad about Porcelli's: no booths! But to be honest, I was so busy enjoying my food that I barely noticed. The interior is very pleasing: simple yet elegant.
The pricing, well, the breakfast was definitely average, at $8-10 a plate for a good-sized portion. The dinner is a little spendier at $12-15 a plate, but totally worth it. And you do get free bread with your entree. =*)
The verdict: Thank goodness for a decent job and regular martial arts classes; I can afford the bill and the calories.
Update: Have since revisited this fine establishment for dinner. Still give it rave reviews. My companions and I had the wild mushroom ravioli in cream sauce, lobster ravioli in lemon-cream sauce with capers, and a lovely risotto with mushrooms and artichoke hearts in a cream sauce. (Sorry; I don't remember the Italian names of these dishes.) All absolutely divine. Has earned a Plain Jane Favorites award.
On the down side of this last visit: the salads weren't as impressive this time, and the live music was neither welcome nor conducive to a pleasant dining experience. Was not that they were bad; just that they were too loud for the space and wanted attention, which I think is too much to ask for people stuffing their faces with cream sauces and trying to have a conversation.
25 November 2008
Tin Shed
1438 NE Alberta St, Portland, 97211
I brunched here for the first time on Sunday. When I arrived a little before 10am there was already a crowd of people huddled on the sidewalk, drinking coffee out of cups that could've come from my dead grandmother's cupboard and waiting for their names to be called. Good thing that I wasn't starving when I got there, 'cause it took a little more than the standard 30 minutes to be seated.
When it was finally our turn, we got a table on the patio, which at this time of year is enclosed in green plastic and heated. That's cool.
My brunch companion and I didn't see much of our server during the meal, but she was there for the important bits (ordering the food, paying the bill) and her timing was awesome.
Part of what made her job easier was that the coffee is self-serve, even after you get a table. I did not particularly like having to wade through the waiting crowds to refill my own coffee, but I suppose I am just spoiled. I will say that the coffee was decent and the staff did a pretty good job of keeping the pots full despite the fact that it was being drunk at a rapid rate.
What stood out most to me about the Tin Shed was the fact that the menu was loaded with interesting (read "creative and somewhat suspect in my book") items. A good example of this is what I had, which was a twist on the breakfast sandwich: deli ham and swiss between pieces of French bread and served with syrup. It was better than I expected, but didn't blow me away.
My companion had smoked salmon eggs benedict. The taste I got was pretty good, and I was especially excited about the fact that the accompanying potato pancakes were served with sour cream and chives.
Why Tin Shed is popular: the creative menu, the heated patio, the competent wait staff, the funky vibe (helped on as much by the patrons as by the building's unique design).
What I'm no so keen on: no hashbrowns or home fries (only potato pancakes), self-serve coffee, long wait, no booths (at least outside), average food at slightly higher than average prices, and the noise level (too loud for comfortable conversation).
If you're in the neighborhood and looking for something a little different, Tin Shed has its appeal. For me, though, it wasn't worth the wait.
I brunched here for the first time on Sunday. When I arrived a little before 10am there was already a crowd of people huddled on the sidewalk, drinking coffee out of cups that could've come from my dead grandmother's cupboard and waiting for their names to be called. Good thing that I wasn't starving when I got there, 'cause it took a little more than the standard 30 minutes to be seated.
When it was finally our turn, we got a table on the patio, which at this time of year is enclosed in green plastic and heated. That's cool.
My brunch companion and I didn't see much of our server during the meal, but she was there for the important bits (ordering the food, paying the bill) and her timing was awesome.
Part of what made her job easier was that the coffee is self-serve, even after you get a table. I did not particularly like having to wade through the waiting crowds to refill my own coffee, but I suppose I am just spoiled. I will say that the coffee was decent and the staff did a pretty good job of keeping the pots full despite the fact that it was being drunk at a rapid rate.
What stood out most to me about the Tin Shed was the fact that the menu was loaded with interesting (read "creative and somewhat suspect in my book") items. A good example of this is what I had, which was a twist on the breakfast sandwich: deli ham and swiss between pieces of French bread and served with syrup. It was better than I expected, but didn't blow me away.
My companion had smoked salmon eggs benedict. The taste I got was pretty good, and I was especially excited about the fact that the accompanying potato pancakes were served with sour cream and chives.
Why Tin Shed is popular: the creative menu, the heated patio, the competent wait staff, the funky vibe (helped on as much by the patrons as by the building's unique design).
What I'm no so keen on: no hashbrowns or home fries (only potato pancakes), self-serve coffee, long wait, no booths (at least outside), average food at slightly higher than average prices, and the noise level (too loud for comfortable conversation).
If you're in the neighborhood and looking for something a little different, Tin Shed has its appeal. For me, though, it wasn't worth the wait.
02 November 2008
The Cricket Café
3159 SE Belmont, Portland, 97214
*This is a Plain Jane favorite!*
Sunday brunch is a popular tradition in Portland, and quite honestly my favorite meal of the week. The restaurant I keep going back to is The Cricket Café.
What I love about this place is THE FOOD! I've not eaten anything here that's less than amazing, though I particularly recommend the Cricket Skillet if you love dairy like I do. I love that you can get yourself a cup of coffee while you're waiting for a table. I love the tattooed staff, who are friendly and professional but not obsequious. I love the orange juice and the hash browns. And best of all I love the prices: the Cricket Skillet is only $8.25 and it's twice as much as I can eat in one sitting. They also have dog-friendly seating available outside, if the weather's nice.
I will admit that the Cricket has a couple drawbacks. Firstly, it is so popular on a weekend morning that I almost always have to wait at least half an hour for a table (though that's pretty standard for any decent brunch place in the area). Secondly, sometimes I feel slightly claustrophobic amid the small, tightly-packed tables (though so far I have not accidentally elbowed or butt-bumped anyone).
A new complaint from this most recent experience was that the music was just too dang loud and my brunch companions and I had to shout to be heard. (Note to establishments: the music should be set at a volume just BELOW that of the conversation, not above it.) But in general that has not been a problem at the Cricket in the past.
The verdict: Yum, yum, gimme some! This place has been a favorite of mine for years. All thumbs up.
*This is a Plain Jane favorite!*
Sunday brunch is a popular tradition in Portland, and quite honestly my favorite meal of the week. The restaurant I keep going back to is The Cricket Café.
What I love about this place is THE FOOD! I've not eaten anything here that's less than amazing, though I particularly recommend the Cricket Skillet if you love dairy like I do. I love that you can get yourself a cup of coffee while you're waiting for a table. I love the tattooed staff, who are friendly and professional but not obsequious. I love the orange juice and the hash browns. And best of all I love the prices: the Cricket Skillet is only $8.25 and it's twice as much as I can eat in one sitting. They also have dog-friendly seating available outside, if the weather's nice.
I will admit that the Cricket has a couple drawbacks. Firstly, it is so popular on a weekend morning that I almost always have to wait at least half an hour for a table (though that's pretty standard for any decent brunch place in the area). Secondly, sometimes I feel slightly claustrophobic amid the small, tightly-packed tables (though so far I have not accidentally elbowed or butt-bumped anyone).
A new complaint from this most recent experience was that the music was just too dang loud and my brunch companions and I had to shout to be heard. (Note to establishments: the music should be set at a volume just BELOW that of the conversation, not above it.) But in general that has not been a problem at the Cricket in the past.
The verdict: Yum, yum, gimme some! This place has been a favorite of mine for years. All thumbs up.
20 October 2008
The Creamery *CLOSED*
1224 N Killingsworth, Portland, 97217
I was walking to the MAX one morning, and one of The Creamery's employees (or perhaps the owner himself?) was standing out front handing menus to passers-by. I glanced at it, saw they offer a full traditional English breakfast, and put it on my list of places to check out.
This morning I finally got the opportunity to breakfast at this little cafe, and I have two words for you: Grease Bomb.
On the plus side, the grilled tomatoes were cooked just right, the hash browns and baked beans were tasty, the hot chocolate was delicious enough to entice my lactose-semi-intolerant breakfast companion to the very last drop, the staff was eager to please, the music selection was eclectic and pleasing, and all the grease did a good job of lubing up my digestive tract for my morning BM.
On the down side, most everything was overcooked. If the bacon had been any crispier I would've chipped a tooth on it. The fried toast was fried all the way through rather than just crisped on the outside and resembled an enormous, grease-laden crouton. The scrambled eggs bordered on rubbery.
My experience made me sad; I could see how hard everyone was working, how concerned they all were that my companion and I had a pleasant experience. I also like the menu in theory, as it contains the traditional standards for American and English breakfasts that I love.
I think if the cook learns to tone it down a bit, they start making the house coffee a little stronger and they extend their hours to catch the coming-home crowd, this place has the potential to be a convenient hot spot for commuters walking to and from the MAX and buses.
*Note: since the writing of this review, The Creamery has become The Fish & Chip House. I have not tried it out since the name change.
I was walking to the MAX one morning, and one of The Creamery's employees (or perhaps the owner himself?) was standing out front handing menus to passers-by. I glanced at it, saw they offer a full traditional English breakfast, and put it on my list of places to check out.
This morning I finally got the opportunity to breakfast at this little cafe, and I have two words for you: Grease Bomb.
On the plus side, the grilled tomatoes were cooked just right, the hash browns and baked beans were tasty, the hot chocolate was delicious enough to entice my lactose-semi-intolerant breakfast companion to the very last drop, the staff was eager to please, the music selection was eclectic and pleasing, and all the grease did a good job of lubing up my digestive tract for my morning BM.
On the down side, most everything was overcooked. If the bacon had been any crispier I would've chipped a tooth on it. The fried toast was fried all the way through rather than just crisped on the outside and resembled an enormous, grease-laden crouton. The scrambled eggs bordered on rubbery.
My experience made me sad; I could see how hard everyone was working, how concerned they all were that my companion and I had a pleasant experience. I also like the menu in theory, as it contains the traditional standards for American and English breakfasts that I love.
I think if the cook learns to tone it down a bit, they start making the house coffee a little stronger and they extend their hours to catch the coming-home crowd, this place has the potential to be a convenient hot spot for commuters walking to and from the MAX and buses.
*Note: since the writing of this review, The Creamery has become The Fish & Chip House. I have not tried it out since the name change.
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