John Street Cafe (Grade A)

* Date November 2010
* Address  8338 North Lombard, Portland Oregon
* Phone Number 503-247-1066
* Hours:  Wed-Fri 7AM to 2:30PM; Sat 7:30 to NOON; Sunday 7:30AM to 2:30PM
* Comments of Decor:  very nice open space with REAL ART WORK on the walls!
* The Food Was:  Outstanding all around, not a giant menu, but everything is will prepared and nicely presented -- and of special note is the pancake with the figs in it -- I forget the name they gave it but it is the BEST pancake I've had. Go there an try it.. you will be glad you did.
* You Ought to Try The pancake with the figs in it
* The Service Was -- friendly and a bit laid back --not exactly professional but not annoyingly so
* * Of special note the art on the walls is appreciated
* We will go back? It is a little out of the way--but certainly if we are in the neighborhood during the limited hours they are open we would certainly stop
* Link

Besaw's Cafe (Grade B+)

* Date:  October 2010
* Address 2301 NW Savier Street, Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number  503-228-2619
* Hours:  Monday 7 am to 3PM;  Tuesday to Friday 7AM to 10 PM;  Sat AM to 10 PM;  Sunday 8AM to 3PM
* Comments on Decor:  crowded, indoor and outdoor seating--but it it is cool out the outdoor heaters don't do a good job. Pleasant..like going into an old but nicely renovated  'couch stop' eatery-- a place where you might expect to find rooms for rent upstairs and hearty fare served to the traveling public.. It feels like a fixture--and I am told it is one of the older eateries 
* The Food Was; just fine--in a city with so may outstanding breakfast places being JUST FINE is an accomplishment in itself. They have a nice variety to choose form on the menu--and the coffee was really good. 
* You Ought to Try -- no stand outs --good our bad -- all around satisfying
* The Service Was-- a little slow, but totally professional,
* * Of special note --a piece of Portland History so that makes it special
* We will go back? I bet we will
* Link

The Blue Pig (Grade B-)

* Date September 2010
* Address  5026 SE Division, Portland Oregon
* Phone Number 231-2775
* Hours M-F 8 to 3 & Sat & Sun 8-4

* Comments of Decor Nice open feel, not overcrowded. Enter one room and see the kitchen in action --to the next room where there are tables and chair --one wall is a bench seat --with tables that can be scooted along to make them tables for 2, or 4, or 6, etc. Colorful art adorns the walls --all  of it is for sale--it is done by local artists and we were told it changes regularly.  Lots of condiments on the table.

* The Food Was A LOT!  The servings are really big --we split our breakfast and nearly couldn't eat what was served as half size portions. We had make it you self scrambles and they were excellent--the potatoes were perfectly done--crispy but not overcooked.  We also split-at the table--a side order of their 'NY Cheese-Cake Pancakes with Blueberries" WoW --They Are Nice...but here is the down side--and it is not small downside in this town of coffee hounds--the coffee was weak and cold.   You can't have breakfast without good coffee, no matter how good the food is. 
* You Ought to Try --If you like pancakes you will be real happy with the NY Cheese Cake Blueberry Pancakes. Otherwise order something that includes the breakfast potatoes, you will be happy you did.
* The Service Was Very Nice, informal and efficient--just the way we like it
* * Of special note -- beware the tepid coffee
* We will go back?  We probably will but if the coffee is not improved that will be the end of our visits
* Link

Detour Cafe ( B+)

* Date  September 2010
* Address 30 35 SE Division, Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number  503 - 234-7499
* Hours 8 AM to 4 PM

* Comments of Decor  --small place, comfortable, counter at front window for singles, a few booths for two and a few tables for four --  the tables are all a bit small. Inviting Colors, serve your own coffee, very nice selection of  reading material on back wall.
* The Food Was --very good, fresh nicely prepared, served on square white dishes.
* You Ought to Try --THE DON EGG SANDWICH -- Two eggs, scrambled and baked, with portabella mushrooms, onions and feta. This is topped with Italian sausage, avocado, tomato and basil.  This is a very nice sandwich.   Or the Frittata -- and the skillet -- you get to choose the ingredients from a nice list of goodies --also The French Toast is tasty--made with cardamom bread, dipped in custard and toasted.
 * The Service Was Very Nice
* * Of special note  -- this is a sweet place with much better than average food, we are delighted to have fond it
* We will go back? We certainly will
* Link

Heathman (Sunday BRUNCH) - grade D munis

-- Review of SUNDAY BRUNCH --
* Date August 2010
* Address 1001 SW Broadway, Portland Oregon
* Phone Number 800-551-0011
* Hours - call to find out
* Comments of Decor -- casual elegance-- white table cloths, visible kitchen - big windows on the street
* The Food Was -- a big disappointment  --The crab cakes were bad-- they made with very OLD, mushy fish--with lots of filler -- no crab to be found.  The eggs were poached nicely--but the awful crabcakes dominated the plate. The child's bunny pancake was cute -- but it was a small single pancake that left our 7 year old hungry.  The omelet was so-so -- and we probably could have gotten a similar one at Denny's for a third the price.  The toast was cold.  Yes we got separate little jars of jam and fresh butter -- nice touch -- but not sufficient to make this an interesting meal. 
* You Ought to Try -- going somewhere else
* The Service Was -- nice
* Of special note -- for 3 people --two adults and a child-- we paid $50 for a substandard meal.
* We will go back? nope
* Link

The City State Diner

* Date of  last visit -- July 2010
* Address  128 NE 28th St, Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number (503) 517-0347
* Hours 8AM to 10 PM Daily

* Comments of Decor --simple, light open, almost diner like --nothing fancy and nothing annoying
* The Food Was  -- dry-- overcooked not too flavorful


* You Ought to Try -- dinner instead of breakfast --
* The Service Was  -- very friendly -- make you want to like the place
* Of special note -- we went there for dinner a week or two ago--and we like the dinner very much-- so we went back for breakfast--The coffee was good, but the consensus in our group was breakfast was only so-so. But we liked the folks so much we will probably go back at least one more time and see if the have an upward trending on the learning curve -- and we would go back for dinner, which was much better than the breakfast 
* We will go back?  -- for dinner for sure -- maybe we will give them another try for breakfast.
* Link

Sweetness Bakery & Cafe ( Grade B)

* Date July 2010
* Address  3524 SE 52nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number: (503) 788-2177
* Hours  Opens at 7AM daily and closes after lunch --around 3 to 4PM

* Comments of Decor - really fun-- with all vintage mismatched kitchen tables and chairs (I love that)--and a bakery counter where you place your order. At first it looks like just a nice - funky bakery--but, oh, look they have a breakfast and a lunch menu too.   
* The Food Was -- very good -- the baked goods were all delicious, the Curry Scramble came with nicly roasted potato slices and fresh fruit and a muffin. They could have but enough curry into the scramble so it could live up to ist dname.  It was tast --but where was the curry?  EXCELLENT COFFEE!
* You Ought to Try the coffe is as good as it gets.. and the bakery items were delicious.  The Scramble was fine--but could have been amped up a little more
* The Service Was -- very friendly
* * Of special note  -- the bakery goods --just stop and pick some up if you are in the area and don't have time to stop for a meal
* We will go back? sure will
* Link

Kornblatts (Grade C)

* Date July 2010
* Address  628 NW 23rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97210-3209
* Phone (503) 242-0055
* Hours Open Mon-Thu 7am-8pm; Fri-Sat 7:30am-9pm; Sun 7:30am-8pm

* Comments of Decor -- Deli counter on one side and dark wood paneling all around, chairs and tables and bench seating along the wall. There is a TV playing sporting events over the top of the Deli Counter--so no one has to miss what ever game they are addicted to
* The Food Was  --OK overall. We had Vegetable Hash and we split an order of Cheese Blintz.  The Hash was good but it was also a little greasy-- It should be hard to make vegetables greasy --but hey, they did it.  The Blintz were the best we've had in Portland.. But, keep in mind we haven;t had many good blintz's in Portland.  The coffee was lacking--and we had to ask for a little pitcher of cream for the coffee. What they originally gave us was a saucer full of those little white plastic cups with 'coffee lightener' in them. The print on the caps of the cups was too small to read--but I doubt that 'lightener' would be as good as milk.
* You Ought to Try -- the Blintz
* The Service Was friendly. wait staff told us a very strange story about the Matzoh Brei-- she said people get very emotional about this dish-- they are looking for what their mom/or grandma made / and when the dish they serve does not resemble what they remember from their childhood they can become irate.  But then other people swoon over the dish--evidently becasue it does conjure up fond memories. Our waitress opined that it should be taken off the menu because it causes so much turmoil.
* * Of special note They have a split plate charge -- I hate that.   
* We will go back? I would not go out of my way to go there-but if I were in the neighborhood wanting breakfast I wouldn't turn my back on the place either

* Link

La Provence Bakery & Bistro, (Grade B+)

* Date:  July 2010
* Address: 15964 Boones Ferry Road Lake Oswego, OR 97035-4361


 * Phone Number:  - (503) 635-4533

* Hours You had better call --

* Comments of Decor  -- The place has a sweet old cottage-look. When you enter you immediately encounter the bakery -- filled with temptations.  Go to the left, or go to the right and you'll find tables.  On the walls are white-boards with 'specials'. The tables could be a little further apart--but it is not terribly cramped.
* The Food Was -- very good all round -- to start off right we got coffee --it was excellent and strong and it came with real cream in a pitcher. Plus we asked for water and got nice big glasses of ice water.
We ordered the Brie Sausage Scramble (which is presented as and tastes like an omelet). It came with a nice slice of Brie on top--and was filled with fresh vegetables and flavorful chicken sausage. It was served on top of a delicious bread--the flavors combined were clear and present. But a scramble it was not.
Also ordered was the Meurette Benedict (containing Poached Eggs on a Croissant with caramelized onions, mushrooms and bacon) We were told it was outstanding.
Also the table shared an order of Oregon Berry Crepes--which was interesting. The crepes were not thin. They looked like pancakes but they had a strong egg flavor, which was perfect. And there was real whipped cream on top.
* You Ought to Try  ...the menu is rather small--but if what we had is a measure we would recommend exploring the menu. Not that we wouldn't recommend what we had--it was all very good--but the nemu looks like it would be worth exploring.
* The Service Was a little slow but friendly
* * Of special note  ...they also serve lunch
* We will go back? sure--we wan to go deeper into this menu--there may well be gold to be found
* Link

Bob's Red Mill Breakfast & Lunch Cafe (Grade D)

* Date: June 2010
* Address: 13521 SE Pheasant Court, Milwaukee, Oregon 97222
* Phone Number: 503-607-6455
* Hours: Monday - Friday Opens at 6AM; Sat opens at 7 AM

* Comments of Decor: this is a big red barn of a place with a working water wheel out front--you enter via a store with shelves packed full of grains and flour and a wonderful array of enticements. The room is BIG and open and inviting. There is counter to order food in the back: and you can choose to eat downstairs, upstairs (on a balcony overlooking the store) or outside (lovely setting!).  You get a number to place on your table and food is delivered to your table. There is a tour of the mill available on M_F between 10:00 - 11:00.  It is a worker's owned operation.  All very appealing.  
* The Food Was: not so good. We had the veggie omelet--and the veggies were steamed and not sauteed before they got into the omelet --so they were s little soggy and rather tasteless.  They claimed to have 3 eggs in the omelet--but they would have had to be very very small eggs if there really were three.  The same with the side potatoes, there was nothing interesting about them at all.  Best thing on the plate was there toast --home baked bread-- fresh and yummy.  We also got a Buttermilk Waffle on the side--it looked like and tasted like an Eggo frozen waffle.   The coffee was weak--and not worth a second cup
* You Ought to Try --walking around the place is fun- The fresh baked bread looked inviting and the toast with breakfast was good. So their fresh baked bread is probably worth a try. 
* The Service Was -- well-- they took our order and brought the food the to table -- but there was hardly any interaction with anyone worth making comment about
* Of special note -- we got some Steel Cut Oatmeal (a package) for about 1/4 the price of steel cut oatmeal in the local supermarket. W haven't tried but yet. But the prices on their flour's and grains were might good . Also, "Dave's Killer Bread" Factory store is across the street...and it is always a happy thing to stop and get a loaf of Dave's Bread.
* We will go back? -- not for breakfast .. but maybe we might try lunch (a fresh sandwich? ) when we go back for more steel cut oatmeal.  It is had to be hopeful when breakfast was so abysmal (not bad--but so not nearly as good as can be found elsewhere) but the grains they have are a magnet
* Link

FLAVOUR, Food Cart (B+)

* Date April 2010

* Address: Food Cart at the corner of NE Mississippi and Fremont

* Phone Number 503-282-YUMM

* Hours changes seasonally -- see photo for fall hours

* Comments of Decor --what decor?

* The Food Was OUTSTANDING -- de-lisshhh

* You Ought to Try --anything and everything

* The Service Was -quick and friendly

* * Of special note -- not such good parking opportunities --but park down the block and walk--you will be glad you did
* We will go back?  For certain.

sez: says oh-oh-oh this is good. hurry over for a treat!

Gretchen's Kitchen (Grade D)

* Date: March 2010
* Address:  940 SE Morrison St., Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number: (503) 234-4086
* Hours
* Comments of Decor: Small place, with two front doors, one side is the kitchen with a deli-counter, and 3 tables that seat two. The other side is a coffee shop with a few booths, and a few more tables, and if you ask you can be served food from Gretchen's.  Nice and clean and really friendly
* The Food Was --ah oh way too greasy
* You Ought to Try --the coffee..and not the eggs cooked in sausage grease
* The Service Was Wonderful, Gretchen is a delight

* Of special note -- lots of people love this place, and we wanted to.. but all of us felt pretty bad after being overdosed on greasy eggs, sausage, bacon and potatoes cooked in the grease from the meat.
* We will go back? We might try it for lunch

Coffee Tiny's (Grade C+)

* Date: March 2010
* Address: 1412 SE 12th, Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number: 503-239-5859
* Hours opens at 6AM

* Comments on Decor - nice painting on the wall -- like a gallery -- bet they change the pictures from time to time. Paintings are for sale.  I wonder if they always have such nice art work. Open space, not at all crowded--plenty of room to move about.  Simple seating..not great but functional. Order at the counter --they will call you when your food is ready. Easy going place. Lots of folks sitting around with their laptops (yes it is a Wi-Fi Spot). 

* The Food Was -- they have a limited breakfast menu - various sandwiches with eggs.  Bread / bagels were super FRESH--sandwiches were nicely prepared.  Coffee was great...Stumptown, I believe--made with a French Press.

* You Ought to Try  -- the coffee for sure --and all their breakfast sandwiches were good --would have to say they were better than average --not exciting, or fabulous but down right good.

* The Service Was --behind the counter and friendly
* We will go back? good chance

Cameo Cafe

* Date: March 2010

* Address  8111 N E Sandy Blvd., Portland Oregon
* Phone Number  503-284-0401
* Hours  6:30 to 3:00 every day - breakfast served all day

Cameo Cafe

* Comments on Decor - WOW This place beats every where else, hands-down, in the STRANGE DECOR contest.  It gives meaning to the word unique.  This is where country kitchen meets the land of Shabby Chic tea pots and figurines, meets 1980s Asia,  then mix in an old fashioned photo galley of various Miss Americas, a pinch of the psychedelic1960s, a bow to mid-century modern,  then add lots of crystal chandeliers that have strange little things hanging from the bottoms of these light fixtures...and you've created the Cameo Cafe. It doesn't stop inside ...outside, at the front door, there is a chicken coop (hidden under a blanket for insulation)  And  all of that is just a start. You walk into a new world when you enter here. You can't help but notice it is unusual when you enter but as you sit and study the place, the details begin to overwhelm you -- but it is fun--and it is squeaky clean

* The Food Was -- ok --we had a Eggs Benedict and a half acre of blueberry pancakes --and a half acre is BIG.  The eggs were fine--but not special --and the pancake was bland. Not bad--but not particularly good either.  The coffee was not up to Portland standards

* You Ought to Try -- to go to see the decor if you are in that part of town-but don't go out of your way to do it.

* The Service Was -- ok

* Of special note -- did we mention the decor?

* We will go back? not likely

Bumblekiss

Bumblekiss

* Date  Feb 2010

* Address 3517 NE 46th Ave., Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number  503-282-6313
* Hours 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM all day

* Comments of Decor --this is sort'a like a little playhouse in someone's oversize garage -- It is all done in bright colors with a nod toward an Atomic Cafe Style--but it is a nod that doesn't hit the mark. There certainly was no place that looked like this back in the Eames Era.  Bumblekiss is located just off Fremont-and you could easily miss it--even though it has been painted in a BRIGHT ORANGE color that hollers at you to notice it.  There is not much space inside--and the chairs are not inviting.  It has a mish-mash of decor: some black & white photography; some old bright-blue, molded plastic squares, strung together to make a faux room divider, pieces of mirrors cut in circles pasted all over one wall.  Standing on the tables are little home made collage's with sayings on them.  All around the decor is just off center.  But who cares, we are not there for the art work

* The Food Was --really very good. We all were delighted to find the option of a nicely priced 'choose it yourself' scramble.  Most every breakfast spot in the city offers up nice scrambles--each trying to find just the right mix to standout from the others. And while many are good--none are so good as to beat letting us say exactly which things we want in the mix.  And when we got our food we were delighted--the eggs were done to perfection. The ingredients were all fresh and if it is part of your order they actually DO caramelize the onions. Plus the jam for the toast was home made.  This place is a winner!

* You Ought to Try - the Blue Corn Pancakes! These are fabulous--full of pine nuts and flavor

* The Service Was -nice nice nice

* Of special note -- you may have to work a little to find the place--but it is worth it.  And while their decorating skills may be lacking they certainly make up for it is the quality of the food.

* We will go back? Yes --it is way out of our way but we could easily be convinced to make the trek to this special little place.

Cafe du Berry

* Date  July 2009
* Address 6439 SW Macadam Ave, Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number  503244-5551
* Hours M-F 7am to 3pm  -- Sat and Sun 8am to 3

* Comments of Decor --tiny, cramped, outdoor seating next to a busy road with a screen between you and the cars -- we arrived around 10am and the outdoor tables had not been cleaned yet when we sat down on the less than inviting plastic chairs  --but wait- as off putting as this is --the food is !!!
* The Food Was ... superb -- everything from the just right, nice and strong coffee to the ultra-fresh veggies in the omelet, and the Veggie Fritta could make you drool  -- the quality of the food and its preparation is top notch all the way around
* You Ought to Try the French Toast...it is probably the very best we have had anywhere in town --it is like custard with a touch of lemon
* The Service Was -- service?  well-- a guy showed up and took our order an dropped off out food and never came back. We had to wonder inside to find someone to give us our check--which came to a little more than most breakfasts --bit the food was a little-more-better than most restaurants too.

* Of special note -- it would be easy to miss this place--it is such a little hole-in-the-wall on a busy street, and the decor, service does not cause you to think it would be anywhere you would want to go--but really--hold on to your hat and gt the french toast, you'll be glad you did.
* We will go back? - yes--no questions about it --the French Toast calls to us in our dreams--I only wonder why we have not been back sooner!

Byway Cafe

* Date July 2009
* Address 1212 NW Glisan Street, Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number 503-221-0011
* Hours: Opens 7:00 Weekdays and 7:30 Weekends --closes mid day

* Comments of Decor--old style coffee shop with a neon sign out front. Not very big and a little bit of a crowded feeling --booths along the wall --tables--and do I remember a counter with stools? The place is decorated with 'Collector's Plates' from around the world..every wall --to the ceiling --provides displays spade for the plates.  We asked the server about them and we were told that loyal patrons bring them in--and add to the collection--so they are sort of an organic growth, representing the lover an travels of loyal followers.
* The Food Was -- fine--we like their scrambles, they are fresh and the eggs are cooked just right - but we had mixed responses to the Amaretto French Toast-tow of us said they liked it--two others called it so-so.
* You Ought to Try --the Amaretto French Toast and tell us what you think--some one needs to break the tie!
* The Service Was -- here and gone -- took our orders, dropped off the food and that was that

* Of special note the decor is homey and it has a comfy nostalgic feel, plus it is part of the City's History. -- That makes is special  but I would only go it there was no wait involved.

* We will go back? If we were in the neighborhood--but I wouldn't go out of my way to go back

Doug Fir Lounge

* Date  July 2009
* Address 830 E Burnside, Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number  503-231-9663
* Hours: Breakfast served 7AM to 3PM Daily

* Comments of Decor --this building is soooo cool, all big logs and open space, booths and windows, clean and friendly -- a somewhat larger place than most breakfast joints but it is still a real 'feel good' northwest sort of space
* The Food Was-- good all round and so was the coffee
* You Ought to Try --we had Eggs Florentine that were fixed just right  with excellent hollandaise sauce. The French Toast is made with a Croissant (nice touch and it worked just fine). Sytoricon Scramble was particularly fresh --and one in our party was very happy with the English Muffin he got!  We didn't taste it but he seem to think it was really special
* The Service Was -- alert and friendly

* Of special note - I read that this place won a national contest -- being selected as one of the top 10 restaurants in the country  where food is secondary to the performances. That is not how it was worded--but that is the essence of the commendation.
* We will go back?  certainly

GREEK CUSINA

* Date  - July 2009
* Address 404 SW Washington, Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number 503-224-2288
* Hours closed

* Comments of Decor -- booths, empty in the morning, server wearing a very strange purple octopus hat.
* The Food Was  - not so good--we all felt sick to our stomach that afternoon.  We should have know when they could NOT get a hot cut of coffee to the table and SUGGESTED we go across the street and get a cup of coffee to-go from the coffee shop to have with our breakfast. We all ordered the- HALIBUT SCRAMBLE with Lemon Sauce -- which sounded interesting.  It came with undercooked potatoes.  

* You Ought to Try --to avoid this place for breakfast
* The Service Was -- slow, we were pretty much alone in the place and it took a long tiome for anyone to notice we were there. The servers hat was over the top weird....but the fella was nice enough, and eventually brought our foo. He said he had worked here for 20+ years and was quite loyal to the place.
* Of special note -- It seems to have been driven out of business by the fire marshalls. These is some controversy about it--but it isn't there now.
* We will go back? --nope

La Sorelle Cafe (CLOSING FEB 2010)

* Date Feb 2010

* Address: on Foster at 89th
* Hours closing the end of Feb

* Comments of Decor --open friendly and sparkling clean
* The Food Was -- delicious, fresh, well presented and tasty
* You Ought to Try --to go before they close down--it is a nice place with good food
* The Service Was --super nice woman who owns the place, sad to close, but boy oh boy she got the wrong neighborhood --had she opened closer in we believe she would have been a success.
* Of special note will have a going out of business party on Feb 26--all are invited to drop by.

Old Wives Tale

* Date: Feb 2010

* Address 1300  East Burnside, Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number  503-238-0470
* Hours: Open 8AM and breakfast is served all day

* Comments of Decor:  nice and spacious, feels like an old fashion restaurant-diner with booths and tables-not so much hip-Portland as practical get the job done sort of place.  There is also a super bonus for families--a big separate play area of children--with cool toys and a glass front so you can see what's up--but providing a place for the kids to romp about while adults get to eat on peace.

* The Food Was -- well--so so.  The menu is creative and everything sounds great, it is certainly not the standard fare.  But then the food shows up and sometimes, while it is good, it is not always as inspired as the menu makes it sound.  For instance the Sesame Yams sound fabulous but in reality they are rather bland.  We also had the Verde Omelet--and the sauce on the omelet--made with coriander--was great --and the omelet was cooked properly. But there wasn't enough sauce so it was sort of a disappointment. I'd rather have had the sauce on something where it flavored the entire meal--what we got was just enough to make you want more. Coffee was real good.

* You Ought to Try: The Baked Pancake is wonderful--and it is served with REAL 100% Maple Syrup.  It is well worth a visit just to partake in this delight.  
* The Service Was: Friendly and efficient
* Of special note: If you have young children you--and they--will most like appreciate the play area
* We will go back?  Good chance we would go again, just to get the baked pancake and maybe to try some of the other creative items on the menu. I'd certainly go if I had small children in tow.

EVERETT STREET BISTRO

* Date of our Visit(s) -  July 30, 2008
* Address  1140 NW Everett, Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number -- 503-467-4990
Is Breakfast Served on Weekdays? Yes - 8 am to 3pm
* Link: Everett Street Bistro

UPDATE -- ALERT!! -- Somethings gone wrong at Everett Street.  Our last visit was a BIG disappointment.  We ordered the Wild Mushroom Scramble with Leeks and Chèvre. What we got was a half empty plate. The potatoes looked and tasted like the hash browns you get in a little paper bag at McDonalds. There were maybe 8 bites of eggs and one very dry piece of toast.  When we asked The Server what was up--she smiled sarcastically and said they were reducing the size of their servings--and that she would report our concern.  We can no longer give this, once wonderful, restaurant a strong recommend.  We hope this was just a fluke ... but buyer beware--and we will not be back if this happens again.    

* Comments of Decor -- stylish Pearl Place, with tall ceilings, lots of tile. It is on the smallish side so the tables are kind of close together.
* The Food Was --This place is soooo good it is hard to praise it enough.   It is a dream eatery.  The menu offerings could be called more sophisticated then some places: it is a little bit French-i-fied.  It left us all wanting more, both because it was delicious, and because the serving size is a little bit little.  If you quest after a perfect potato your search is over. The coffee was so good you could just sniff it and be happy. A couple menu favorites are the Chorizo and Egg Scramble and the Spinach and Parm Scramble. But we bet you can't find anything that isn't good at this place!  
* You Ought to Try -- everything --but you'll need to bring lots of dollars with you to do that.  It is a little bit more expensive than some other places.
*The Service Was -- fine --they kept the coffee cups full.
* Of special note - you can pick up goodies at the counter on the way out -- Plus we've gone here for dinner too...and, good news keeps on coming--the food is just as good at night.
* We will go back?  As often as possible

Holman's Restaurant

* Date of Last Visit: June 2009
* Address: 15 SE 28th Avenue, Portland, Oregon
* Phone: 503-231-1093
* Hours --no idea what their official hours are -- but they serve breakfast every day

* Comments of Decor --well this is a BAR and grill --> (note that, it is more BAR than grill) and it is funky.  But, secreted away in the back is a lovely patio..and YES you can have breakfast there. And it is a delightful outdoor space! That means it is fun on a nice warm day...but on a cool day, well it looks a bit dark and vaguely dingy indoors. I guess that might be nice if you feel like hiding from the world--or if you've got a hangover and don't want to encounter the sunlight.  And you will probably never have to wait - because not so many people seem to go there--or maybe they just don't know breakfast is available there. And Fun-o-meter alert--you get to spin the wheel of fortune when you are ready to leave--if you win, your meal is free!
* The Food Was -- Standard breakfast fare .. noting to get wound-up for--but better than a chain diner
* You Ought to Try -- the coffee was very good --but if you are having breakfast you would probably have coffee without our making it a suggestion.
* The Service Was --fun-- we had a great waitress-- a fast-talking, playful joker. Now some people might have considered her cheeky--but we like that sort of banter. So good for her..we left her a big tip
* Of special note--there were people drinking in the bar at 10:00 am--friendly they were too, they wanted to chat..that was OK but some people might not like to talk to drunken strangers that early in the day
* We will go back? sure..on a warm summer day when all the other local places are filled to capacity, we know where to go to get a fine meal, in a lovely setting --and we might win at the wheel of fortune next time too.

PETITE PROVENCE (Grade A)

* Date: Feb 2009 and Sept 2009 and other dates in between again Nov 2010
* Address:  4834 SE Division
* Phone:  503-233-1121
* Hours: Open 7 days a week at 7am for Breakfast
* Link:   Petite Provence

* Comments of Decor:  this is a bakery and a restaurant. It leans heavily toward French fare and a Paris sort of feeling is in the room.  It is an all around wonderful place.  The entrance is odd--up a ramp and through a curtain. There is limited indoor seating for those waiting for a table.  One side is the bakery.  The other side there are lots of tables packed into the room.  You can count on bumping around through the chairs to get to your table.
* The Food Was--and always is... spectacular.  They just don't offer anything that isn't fresh and delicious. You just can't pick out a favorite because there are too many good things. You might have to wonder why we go anywhere else.
* You Ought to Try -- anything --and then get some more goodies at the bakery to take home
* The Service Was --always friendly and knowledgeable about the food

* Of special note --oh my, that Bakery does call --the place is a little more expensive than some breakfast joints--but not much more--and there is plenty of bang for your buck here..you get wonderful food.  Also,  I've heard that they have a second place on NE Alberta. We've not been there but it is probably equally wonderful.
* We will go back? as often as possible
UPDATE: The service at our last visit was a little wild--the waiter must have been new and/or he was just having a bad day--but so what .... the food, the coffee -- the everything is so good here that it is just a delight to think about the place. 

Stepping Stone Cafe

* Date  June 2009
* Address:  2390 NW Quimby, Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number:  503-222-1132
* Hours: Open week days at 6:00 am and at 7:30 on week ends, serves breakfast all day
* Link:  Stepping Stone Cafe

* Comments of Decor: Small --tight quarters, flying dolls zoom around the room when the front door opens and closes (they are attached to strings that run from pulleys on the door that operate wires that are strung across the ceiling)..no waiting area to speak of inside
* The Food Was --no so very good the day we went, one person in our group wrote in our record book "the feta, artichoke omelet is not good at all".  Another person wrote: "the inside of the omelet should have been cooked"  We are guessing this was just a bad day for the cook--or they had a bad cook that day.. but be warned --at the very least, our experience says they may not be so hot on quality control here.
* You Ought to Try:  The coffee was great
* The Service Was -- casual
* Of special note --those flying dolls on the ceiling
* We will go back? -- well, there are a lot of places that ARE really good in this town-- and the meal we got was not so great ..but we might do anything--so I won't say never...but it probably isn't real likely.

Broder

* Date of Last Visit: May 2009
* Address:  2508 SE Clinton St., Portland, Oregon
* Phone:  503-736-3333
* Hours: Daily 9:00am to 2:00pm
* Link:  Broder

* Comments of Decor--typical Portland
* The Food Was -- Swedish -- and thus something different from the typical Portland Breakfast: 'round' pancakes, lots of fluff-air--light and delightful pancakes  --the eggs were baked--but we thought they were too salty
* You Ought to Try --something Swedish
* The Service --got the job done without any problems
* Of special note --did we mention it is Swedish
* We will go back? that is hard to say-- we were not thrilled by this place but we all agreed it was good.  We probably ought to give it another go round.

UTOPIA CAFE

* Date of Visit(s):  July 9, 2008
* Address:  3308 SE Belmont, Portland Oregon

* Phone Number:  503-235-7607

Open for Breakfast on Weekdays?  Yes, from 7AM to 2 PM


* Comments on Decor -- a little tight, not much room to wait inside, but there is stuff to read sitting around...

* The Food Was --uneventful--just sort of uninspired plus the potatoes were greasy, and presentation was obviously not a consideration when the cook threw the food on the plate.
* You Ought to Try - - the Brioche French Toast deserves a positive mention
* The Service Was -- short staffed, but competent
* We will go back? not likely --too many better choices available.

THE TIN SHED

* Date:  July 16, 2008 / repeat October 7, 2009
* Name:  THE TIN SHED
* Address:  1438 NE Alberta, Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number:  503-208-6966
* Hours:  open weekdays for breakfast - you'll need to call to check exact times
* Link  Tin Shed 

* Comments about Decor-- nice serve yourself coffee while you wait --indoor and outdoor seating--not real comfy and a little crowded --but nobody was hurt getting in and out of the place.
* The Food Was --exceptionally good overall, and the presentation was downright pretty.
* You Ought to Try --the biscuits are yummy but then so are the Potato Pancakes. Most everything they serve has merit.  Of note from the menu are: The Goat Boy Scramble --with marinated Portobello mushrooms and feta cheese; The Pesto Veggie Scramble got a big thumbs up; The How Latin is a sure bet to give you a little thrill with its extra dash of spice.   The only let down was the Sweet Potato French Toast, it sounded like a good idea but turned out to be boring.
* The Service Was -- generally friendly, efficient, sometimes a little overwhelmed by so very many customers, be sure you tell the server what you want the first time around--s/he probably won't be back to your table after dropping off the food.
* Of special note --you generally will have to wait for a table and you can get cold waiting outside on a wintry day
* We will go back? oh yes--indeed we will go back

THE DAILY MARKET AND CAFE

* Date of our visit(s)  September 3, 2008
* Address  5250 NE Halsey Blvd
* Phone Number  503-546-1833
* Hours -- M - F 7am to 4pm and & Sat - Sun 8am to 4pm

* Link: Daily Market and Cafe
* General Feels and Decor:  picnic tables on one side and a limited offering market on the other, order at the counter, a casual feel in a light-bright setting
* The Food Was -- tasty -- liked their breakfast sammish -- the scrambles needed a bit more zing (lucky thing, bottled hot sauce was available)  and potatoes and biscuits were nicely done
* You Ought to Try -- no stand out item on our visit
* The Service Was  -- there was no table service
* Of special note
* We will go back? If  we are in the neighborhood

Bar Carlo

* Date of  last visit: May 2009
* Address: 6433 SE Foster Blvd; Portland Oregon

* Phone: 503-771-1664

* Hours: open weekdays 7:30 am - 10 pm (closed Tuesday); Sat & Sun 8 - 10
* Link:  Bar Carlo

* Comments of Decor -- It is in a slightly odd shaped building so it is an odd shaped room.  Nice tall ceilings and big windows, with tables nicely spaced --not crowded.  The table tops are covered in copper; there is a grand piano in the room and a pool room is attached via an open door at one end.  The morning we were there we saw people with children enjoying breakfast, reading the paper while their little children walked around visiting tables. It was really quite nice--and had the feel of an authentic community gathering place.
* The Food Was --superior--of note in our group was the Spinach Scramble, comments were that they were "dynamite' and 'the best eggs ever' --and since we go out a lot that suggests they must have been mighty good.  Also we gave rave reviews to the 'nice layered' french toast and the pesto scramble.  Coffee was also on the mark.
* You Ought to Try -- the eggs
* The Service Was --efficient and friendly

* Of special note: we were wowed by the eggs
* We will go back?  sure thing

Kenny & Zukes Delicatessen

* Date of last Visit:  May 2009
* Address  1038 SW Stark Street
* Phone  503-222-3354
* Hours seem complicated to me --so call and ask

* Comments of Decor -- wide open spaces -- wood table
* The Food Was --not inspiring--we got a "Sandwich Big Shot" (eggs and Pastrami) tasty but dry:  Blintz was ok (great berries) but the cheese was not really as smooth as a blintz's cheese ought to be; The Lox and Eggs were a bit too salty; and the Crepes were not very tasty either.  On the other hand we got some take-home stuff from the bakery--and it was good.
* You Ought to Try -- well we can't really recommend anything from the breakfast menu--there are plenty of things we didn't try--so maybe you should try one of those things...and the deli counter was ok
* The Service Was --our favorite part of the resturant --we liked the waiter.
* Of special note: hummm, we wil have to think about it

* We will go back? probably not for breakfast--but maybe for some other meal

The Original Pancake House

* Date: To Many Visits to Know last visit Jan 2010

* Address: 8601 SW 24th Ave, Portland Oregon (I though it was on Barber Blvd)
* Phone Number: 503-246-9007
* Hours Wednesday to Sunday 7am to 3pm

* Comments of Decor --1950s are alive and well in this favorite -- small wooden booths, tight quarters all around, photos from way-back then-- knotty pine paneling -- a real time capsule -- and always crowded.  There is a waiting area to sit in, but it is not unusual to find people waiting outside too.
* The Food Was --outstanding --outstanding and outstanding--plus you get a lot of it!
* You Ought to Try --anything on the menu, we've yet to be disappointed -- a surprise fav is  the Manderian Orange pancakes.   The sour dough flapjacks really do taste like sour dough!
* The Service Was-- efficient.
* Of special note -- plan to wait--it is a rare day when there isn't a line. BRING CASH. They do NOT take credit cards.  And, if you want to split a plate it costs a lot to do it here, $3 I think.  The serving portions are really big, so there is too much for one person to eat..but it seems too much to pay to split a plate.  Every time we go we get caught up on making a decision about splitting a plate or not..oh me oh my..decisions must be made.
* We will go back? yep, no stopp'n us, we love this place, but we only go when we are really hungy
* GRADE: A

Arleta Library Breakfast Cafe

* Date of Last Visit: January 2010

* Address: 5513 SE 72nd, Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number 503-774-4470
* Hours:  Tues to Fri 8:30 to  2:30 and weekends 9am to 3pm

* Comments of Decor -- funky Portland, small space, not many tables, only a small amount of room inside to wait, and we had to wait on a Wednesday morning at 10am, so we would guess waiting may be common, have some nice fresh baked goods to take-out

* The Food Was -- mixed, if you like strong coffee you'll be happy here. We thought it was super (it is made with a French Press) but it did have grounds in the bottom of the cup.  If you prefer a medium roast you might not be so happy.  The Florentine Scramble (a 3-egg scramble with spicy greens, basil, ricotta, parmesan, and breadcrumbs; served with Library Fries and toast -- which is pictured here, in a half portion: We generally split dishes, so our photos are often of half servings)  was full of veggies and had just the right amount of Parmesan cheese, tasty but not overpowering.  Opinions were mixed about the potatoes--ranging from calling them "nice" to, "not my cup of tea."  They have a rather strong herb-mix-crust--and are cut large. One person in our party just does not like breakfast potatoes cut that big, another wasn't fond of the herb-mix. It was agreed they are not bad..but no one considered them exceptional. The larger disappointment was the Pane Dolce (french toast made with brioche--a full portion is pictured) --the bread was way too dry.

* You Ought to Try -- we came away with no strong recommendation--but it was certainly good enought to go back for another go-round.
* The Service Was -- pleasant
* Of special note --this restaurant does a cool thing it partners with Your Backyard Farmer--and they get fresh food, delivered daily, from local growers. They can tall you more about it, but is is a great idea, supporting local agriculture and providing the very freshest food available. Kudos to them for this.
* Will we go back? Good Chance
* Link

WILD ABANDON

Date of our Visit(s) -- August 5, 2008
* Address  2411 SE Belmont
* Phone Number -- 503-232-4458
Open For Breakfast on Weekdays? Yes, hours 7 am to 2 pm (except closed Tuesday)
* Link:  Wild Abandon

* Comments of Decor -- entering the front door you might think you've arrived at a rather seedy bar--but  keep walking and you'll find yourself on a deck in the back.  All the furnishings outside and the dishes are an unusual array of mismatched. Emerging from the dankness of the interior you almost feel like you are entering a garden. It is all fenced in so it is private and it is really quite comfortable. It is especially nice on a warm day. We would have to guess that eating inside might not have the charm that eating out back provides. And on a cold day the deck might not be so very comfortable.
* The Food Was -- not memorable, our party noted: "its a 4 out of 5 sort of place"; "Fine Fare Grade B"; "Ginger's Scramble B+"; "Mediterranean Scramble OK"; Good Coffee ....
* You Ought to Try --senior moment:  we don't remember...
* The Service Was -- not very attentive--but we were outside and the server was inside--and maybe they forgot we were there.
* Of special note -- a memorable environment but we need to go back to check the food
* We will go back? --looks like we need to

BIJOU CAFE

Date of our visit(s) --  August 13, 2008
* Address -- 132 SW 3rd Ave
* Phone Number 503-222-3187
* Hours  Monday - Friday 7AM to 2PM, Sat & Sunday 8AM to 2PM

* Comments of Decor -- tall ceilings, open inviting space, good size place, lots of tables with blue and white checked table clothes, not cramped, some room to sit and wait for a table...

* The Food Was --  not so wonderful the day we were there...but we all got egg dishes....and the pancakes that the people at the next table had looked mighty good.  The veggie omelet that we ordered was suppose to have cheese in it but we couldn't locate any cheese at all.  It felt like a place that was trying to impress you with accoutrement (organic catsup on the table) but if you got past the surface (ie. the organic label) the content was not there to be impressed by (i.e. catsup was really watery).  But--the pancakes on the next table did look really good--so maybe we just ordered the wrong thing. On the other hand if you have to search for something good on the menu that is a bit of a downer. 
* You Ought to Try --something other than the Veggie Omelet or the Organic catsup.
* The Service Was -- superior, very friendly.
* Of special note - good coffee, and, curiously, one of only a handful of Portland breakfast places listed in Frommers.  How did that happen with so many extraordinary breakfast places to choose from.
* We will go back? might and might not --we will look for comments from others to see if anyone wants to be an advocate for the place.

BRIDGE'S CAFE

* Date:  January 2009 and October 14,2009
* Address:  2716 NE MLK Jr. Blvd
* Phone:503-288-4169
* Hours: 7am to 2 pm week days; 8am to 3pm weekends
* Link:  Bridges Cafe

* Comments of Decor --forgettable, wood benches not too comfortable
* The Food Was --really mixed-- wonderful to get poached eggs (you can't find them everywhere), and nice Eggs Benedict --but the corn muffins were really desert-dry the first time we were there and then the English Muffin that came with the Eggs Florentine was stiff and hard to cut (even with a knife) on our second visit.  We got a Fiesta Scramble and that was tasty--but the plate held way more potatoes than scramble--and a pretty slim serving of veggies. 
* You Ought to Try -- get a poached egg
* The Service Was --slow by friendly
* Of special note -- did we mention that they actually serve poached eggs here
* We will go back? --we have--not sure about the future

Jade Lounge

* Date January 9, 2010
* Address  2342 SE Ankeny St, Portland, Oregon 97214
* Phone Number  503-236-4998
* Hours Breakfast on Weekends Only 9:00 to 2:00

* Comments of Decor -- hip 50's lots of green, mixed with shabby-chic-primitive --small place
* The Food Was -- great--we had a Veg Scramble with melted brie and there were real, fresh vegetables and actual bites of brie --nothing skimpy about the servings. Home made hazelnut bread or nine grain bread is standard fare, Another in our party had the Veg Frittata, she gave it a rave review. And the bacon was cooked right--not burnt, not uncooked,
* You Ought to Try -- the bacon for sure, if you are a bacon eater -- but everything we had was worth recommending
* The Service Was --well--pretty slow but certainly friendly, in that Portland-Hip, pierced and tattooed.  But, maybe someone should tell them that when a party has a young child you ought to bring the child's food as soon as possible--as opposed to the last dish served.  All our little guy (2 years old) wanted was a Bagel..easy enough to get to the table quickly--but he didn't get it till after everyone else was served --and that took a long time to happen.  We were happy enough sitting and talking--but life would have been easier if that Bagel had made an earlier appearance.
* Of special note -- the line at the Breakfast place around the corner (The Screen Door--which is also a great place) If only all those people knew they could walk a half block and get a comparably good breakfast!
* We will go back? Maybe. certainly the food was good enough --but we don't generally go out to breakfast on the weekends--we are more week-day breakfast diners.

JOHNNY B's

* Date:  December 2008
* Address: 1212 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, Oregon
* Phone: 503-233-1848
* Hours: Breakfast served daily and all night on weekends --call for exact hours

* Comments of Decor -kinda trying for the 50's style--but not quite hitting the mark. An attempt at an old-style dinner --but really not authentic.  But you gotta appreciate that the benches out front are wearing shoes.
* The Food Was -- in abundance--you get lots of food for your money, but it seemed to us that it was all pretty starchy.
* You Ought to Try --the blueberry pancakes stood out
* The Service Was -- hummm, standard, there was no one else in the place and we had a nice long wait. We didn't mind much because we like to talk. The long wait probably is not the norm--but it happened that way the day we were there, so maybe it is just the way they do business.
* Of special note --shoes on the benches and blueberry pancakes
* We will go back? --not likely -unless we are looking for breakfast in the middle of the night on a week end

BERTIE LOU'S

* Date August 27, 2008
* Address -- 8051 SE 17th Ave
* Phone Number  -- 503239-1177
* Hours  M-F 7 am  to 2pm and Sat & Sun 7:30 to 2:00pm

* Comments of Decor --cultural ephemera with a down home feel, mostly comfy but a little bit cramped -- one of us called it 'really charming' anther said it was 'cute'
* The Food Was --just right spicy is the Santa Fe Omelet --and the biscuit was ok too
* You Ought to Try --we all had the Santa Fe Omelet --so we know that is good
* The Service Was -- smooth
* Of special note -- why did we all order the same thing?
* Will we go back?  Sure

JAM ON HAWTHORNE

* Date:  We've been here too many time to count
* Address: 2239 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number:  503-234-4790
* Hours: opens at 7:30 daily, breakfast served all day

* Comments of Decor: booths and tables, generally interesting art on the walls, small place so the seating is a little tight

* The Food Was --and always is really good. I Love their oatmeal.  But then there is always a special listed on the board to tempt you. And you can't beat their Lemon Pancakes.  Their scrambles plentiful (big enough to share) but, funny thing, sometimes their coffee isn't very hot. Never have figured out why. But it has never stopped us from returning to this perennial favorite
* You Ought to Try -- the oatmeal
* The Service:  never a problem here.
* Of special note:  often you have to wait
* We will go back? we keep doing that

ZELL'S

* Date:  multiple visits 2008 & 2009
* Address: 1300 SE Morrison St
* Phone:  503-239-0196
* Hours: open daily for breakfast, serves breakfast all day
* Link:  Zell's Menu

* Comments of Decor - spacious, bar on one wall, windows on two walls and kitchen in the back. Small bench area at the front to wait inside; sidewalk chalk available for kids (and anyone else so inclined) to decorate the sidewalk while you wait...fun in the summer--and too cold to consider in the winter.
* The Food Was -- very good, nice little muffins served at every table while you wait. Perfecto coffee.
* You Ought to Try --the German pancakes
* The Service Was -- slow but it gets the job done
* Of special note -- often a long wait on the weekends, so we generally go on week days
* We will go back?--sure

GATEWAY BREAKFAST HOUSE

* Date: March 11, 2009
* Address: 11411 NE Halsey St
* Phone:  503-256-6280
* Hours: Open 7 days a week and serves breakfast all day
* Link:  Gateway Breakfast House Menu

* Comments of Decor: old style diner-cafe, not updated in years, snazzy, silly, even off-color sayings-jokes on the walls and menu.  The sort of place you'd expect to find --not right at the off ramp--but a little ways off the main highway when you are on a road trip.
* The Food Was -- huge portions--way too much for a person to eat..even a lot if you share a plate-- the Taco Omelet was rather strange--a grease filled over-dose of cholesterol.  The Veggie Omelet got better marks 
* You Ought to Try: to share a plate--the servings here are gargantuan
* The Service Was -- jut fine thank you
* Of special note -- this seems to be a local hang out--it provides a fun people watching opportunity
* We will go back? no we won't

BREAD & INK

* Date: April 29, 2009
* Address: 3610 SE Hawthorne, Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number: 503- 2394756
* Hours: Breakfast is Served 7 day a Week

* Comments of Decor -- charming, big windows, spacious feeling, tables and chairs nicely spaced, table clothes on table--the feeling of a place this is 'a-cut-above' the average without falling into the pit of pretension, just simple tastefully appointments.
* The Food Was:  Superior all around -- high marks were give for the Breakfast Enchilada and the Brioche French Toast, and somebody in our party really liked the Apple onion combination in an omelet
* You Ought to Try - the Cinnamon Brioche
* The Service Was: relaxed but efficient

* Of special note: relaxed feeling on a week day morning...may not be true on a busy week end--you'd have to ask someone else about that --we don't go out to breakfast on week-ends, there are too many people to contend with--and a benefit of geezer-hood, is flexible hours.
* We will go back?  Sure thing!

CADILLAC CAFE

* Date:  March 2009
* Address 1801 NE Broadway
* Phone: 503-287-4750
* Hours:  breakfast served 7 days a week- call to confirm hours
* Link:  Cadillac Cafe menu


* Comments of Decor:  the word elegant pops up repeatedly in the description we jotted down about this restaurant --we will need to go back to get more detailed information about why because I sure don't remember 
* The Food Was --according to our notes Tuscan Omelet subtle flavor and very good Custard French Toast.  Nicely presented ... great service, omelet 'thin and delicate with delicious Greek sausage'
* You Ought to Try -- well -- I wish I could remember exactly what stood out--but our notes makes it sound like your pretty safe with any order
* The Service Was -- 'great'
* Of special note:  ditto what you ought to try
* We will go back?  We certainly better.  And when we do we will update this report

BEATERVILLE CAFE

* Date:  December 2008
* Address:  2201 N Killingsworth, Portland, Oregon
* Phone Number: 503-735-4652
* Hours: 7 am to 2 pm Daily
* Link: Beaterville Cafe

* Comments of Decor:  fun old car motif --ie old 'beaters'.  Nice Nash Rambler and lots of hubcaps, from way back when a hubcap was a thing of beauty.  Anyone remember when there was such a thing as a hubcap thief?  Does that happen any more?
* The Food Was -- everything we had was very good indeed, and, much to our liking was the Tornado Egg Scramble. It has a nice kick to it.
* You Ought to Try --the Tornado Egg Scramble if you like food that got a little bit of spice
* The Service Was -- must have been fine because we didn't make any negative comments in our little book
* Of special note - the decor--it is neat--and there is good food here too
* We will go back? -sure thing

PARADOX CAFE

* Date of our visits:  Nov 26, 2008 --and many many times since then
* Address: 3439 SE Belmont Ave
* Phone Number:  505-232-7508
* Hours:  Breakfast served all day --opens daily at 8AM

* Link:  Paradox Cafe

* Comments of Decor -- humm--what do you call this-- two rooms combined-- an island on one side where dishes and materials are stored--half of the island is surrounded by a counter with stools.  Then there are a few tables scattered about.  The second room has a refrigerator case, always stocked with a few nice looking desserts. It is mostly vegetarian--but I think there might be some meat snuck in on the side here and there.
* The Food Was --wonderful and wonderful again. We go here a lot now for various meals --bit almost every time we get something that is made with corn: corn pancakes, or what they call corn tamales (that is fried corn bread with peppers and such in them and covered with guacamole, sour cream and home made salsa.  Lots of whole grain things and vegge combos and all of it real good.
* You Ought to Try ..  the corn pancakes
* The Service ...  Is causal, and friendly but always slow--don't go here if you are in a big hurry.  The meal is cooked after you order it and it seems there is never more than one cook working.  So if there is a crowd you will have to wait your turn, but it is worth it.
* Of special note -- the theater across the street has wonderful productions. Go over and get a flyer on what is playing.
* We will go back?  we have and will continue to visit this favorite.

JIM & PATTY'S

* Date:  November 19, 2008
* Address 4951 NE Fremont, Portland Oregon
* Phone Number:  503-284-2121
* Hours: Serves Breakfast 7 days a week

* Link:  Jim and Patty's 

* Comments of Decor: Modern Style Bakery-Deli. Order at the counter and see if you can find a place to sit.  A lot of people seem to be getting take out. The seating is community style, featuring couches and group tables. There are a few smaller tables--but don't count on one being available.
* The Food Was--wowzers--the breakfast sandwiches here are top of the line.  Fresh baked breads and plenty of  interesting combos to top those delicious biscuits --and the coffee cakes might make you drool. 
* You Ought to Try -- all the sandwiches we tried were wonderful -as were the take home bakery items.
* The Service Was -- you order at the counter so service isn't it --but the people working there were delightful.  One of our party was talking about how much he liked cafe con leche-- and they made him one for free. That is the sort of thing that makes you love a place.
* Of special note --get to take home marvelous bakery goods to have later in the day.
* We will go back?  yes --we would be silly not to.

CLINTON CORNER CAFE

* Date:  November 12, 2008
* Address:  2633 SE 21st St., Portland Oregon
* Phone Number: 503-230-8035
* Hours: breakfast served every day --call for hours
* Link: Clinton Corner Cafe

* Comments of Decor -- small space but it wasn't crowded
* The Food Was -- well--there wasn't much to choose from and no one had much to say one way or the other about this place.   Our notes say: 'portions were small";  "Ok but nothing special"
* You Ought to Try -- if we ever go back we will let you know
* The Service Was -- available
* Of special note -- not crowded at all--but maybe that should tell us something.  We tried to have dinner here one time a long while back..and of the half dozen things on the menu they only had about half of them available.  Of course we came in with a party of about 10 people and I'd guess they are not used to that size group looking for dinner.
* We will go back?  --if we are in the neighborhood maybe we would try it again