Today was a new adventure for me in food shopping.
On the red tray is my haul from Coquine , a delightful French-inspired restaurant in SE Portland.
As Coquine is open for take out only. Customers can buy prepared entrees, baked goods and other delicious items from Coquine.
Also, Coquine allows their farmers and other food purveyors to sell direct through their restaurant. The menu is quite extensive with produce, meat, seafood, coffee, tea, eggs and dairy.
It was hard to just order a few things but since I crave vegetables, I opted for a fresh produce bag.
Since I can’t always find locally roasted coffee, I added a pound of Coava Coffee beans to my order. Coava describes their coffee as “northwest coffee roaster notoriously fueled by good folks and Led Zeppelin”. I like their coffee and was happy to find it on the Coquine take out menu. Continue reading “Bounty from Coquine Restaurant in Portland”→
The Original Pancake House, 1931 11th Ave. South Birmingham, Alabama 35205
For years, I have heard about how wonderful the food is at the Original Pancake House in Portland. Even so, I never have set foot in one.
Until I was in Birmingham, Alabama.
That’s right. Rather than go to the one a few miles from my house, I waited until I was on the other side of the country to try one.
My breakfast was scrambled eggs and Canadian bacon. So tasty.
I never get my hopes up when it comes to scrambled eggs in a restaurant knowing they can be cooked from dry to runny.
These eggs were perfection. Scrambled light and fluffy. I wish I had some right now!
My companions had pancakes, over easy eggs, and corned beef hash.
They were pleased with their food also. We all belonged to the “clean plate club”!
The service was excellent too which made it a perfect place to eat.
It Started in Portland
I was curious as to the difference between the two restaurants.
Could both just happen to have the same name?
I looked up the Portland one on the Internet.
“The Original Pancake House was founded in Portland, Oregon in 1953 by Les Highet and Erma Hueneke. Drawing upon their many years of experience in the culinary field, and their extensive working knowledge of authentic national and ethnic pancake recipes they were able to offer without compromise this unique and original menu which has gained national acclaim. The Original Pancake House is a second and third generation family business, which takes great pride in maintaining the high standards that make our food so outstanding. We now have over one hundred franchises from coast to coast, which have won local and national acclaim. Our recipes demand only the very finest of ingredients, such as 93 score butter, pure 36% whipping cream, fresh grade AA eggs, hard wheat unbleached flour, and our own recipe sourdough starter. Our batters and sauces are made fresh in each restaurant’s kitchen.” Original Pancake House
The Birmingham one was listed as part of the chain.
So, now I will have to try the local one and see if it measures up to its satellite in Birmingham. I hope so.
As much as I liked Birmingham, it is a long way to go for breakfast!
“We can make choices. We can create options to maximize our inner peace and serenity, our health, and our sense of self-worth.” Edward T. Creagan, M.D. Mayo Clinic
Yesterday was a perfect Saturday for me. By 8 A.M., I was sweating at a spinning class, back home to housework and then quality time with Ginny before taking her to doggy day care. She loves playing with the other dogs and comes home tired, hungry and happy. I’m such a good dog mother! Continue reading “A Perfect Saturday in NW Portland”→
Recently, Portland has lived up to its reputation as a rainy city! Sunday was no exception. It was the kind of day that makes me want to stay home and read by the fire. However, I know that it is better to get out and do things. Otherwise, the grey sky tends to color my thoughts and feelings. Continue reading “Return to Le Vieux Restaurant”→
Nicoletta’s Table is a wonderful, friendly restaurant where it seems that “everyone knows your name”. I love the seafood, the salads, the coffee, and the wine selection. My favorite lunch lately has been a butternut squash salad with grilled chicken and a glass of Bastianich Adriatico Pinot Gris.
I especially love the friendly staff including a warm Gallic greeting from Patrick (pictured above). A well-known figure in the Lake Oswego food scene, Patrick has a large following and brings a special “je ne sais quoi” to the restaurant. Of course, the owner Shari Newman with her love of Italy and warm personality has created a special neighborhood place that makes everyone feel welcome at the table- in this case, Nicoletta’s Table. The recent expansion is a testament to how popular Nicoletta’s Table has become! Call for reservations. If the restaurant is full, you can always treat yourself to something from the deli or marketplace.
The French Quarter in Lake Oswego! A newcomer to Lake Oswego and making a big splash is NOLA Doughnuts with their light, killer beignets and chicory coffee. Add the jazz, cheerful, friendly staff and NOLA embodies the spirit of New Orleans. You just want to stay all day! I was captivated by the ambiance as I enjoyed two beignets with oodles of powdered sugar and a cafe au lait. The funny thing is that I planned to eat one beignet and take the others home. Silly me! In addition to their beignets, there are gourmet doughnuts, fritters and bites—all of which are light and so tasty!
My week would not be complete without a stop at St. Honore’s Bakery on Millennium Plaza for delicious cereal bread, cafe au lait and the occasional croissant. Sam and her team work hard to deliver incredibly delicious savory and sweet baked goods as well as salads, soups and sandwiches. When traveling, I order a Jambon Parisien to take on the plane. I am the envy of the other passengers when I unwrap this crusty baguette with Black Forest ham, Emmental cheese, lettuce and a cornichon. When home, after a long day, I head to St. Honore to relax and recharge. If the weather is nice, I join the others sitting outside enjoying the sunshine and a view of the lake. People watching is also fun. Sunday mornings are especially fun for a visit to St. Honore as the bicycle riders, families with kids and tourists converge for a bit of French heaven!
I had been living in Lake Oswego a few weeks when a worker at my house told me that I had to go to Chuck’s Place. I was so glad to learn that there was a local coffee shop within walking distance. Later that day I strolled a few blocks down to Chuck’s Place. That was when I met Lisa Ryan one of the owners. Lisa welcomed me warmly to Lake Oswego with a big smile. She insisted on treating me to coffee and a huge, delicious chocolate chip cookie. I still remember how special she made me feel. Later, meeting her husband Chuck, I realized and appreciated what wonderful caring people they are and what a wonderful spot they have created for coffee and community in Lake Oswego. Everyone knows Chuck’s Place! It is a friendly hangout for biking clubs, young mothers with children in tow, business people gathering for meetings and writers balancing solitude with stimulation to keep the Muse awake. I have had many business meetings there as well as coffee with friends. Everyone loves Chuck’s Place. The atmosphere, great coffee and delicious cookies make this a special place to linger.
