Little Red Bike Cafe (CLOSED...for now) :(

My sister heard about this place from someone who said it was their favorite breakfast place other than The Tin Shed. I figured they must have good taste, so we decided to find it and try it out. I was delighted to find out that it is located just off of Interstate in North PDX, because it is so close to Vancouver. Maybe I can get some of my local Couverites, who think Portland is "so far" to go here.

It is a little more quaint than I was expecting. It is actually more of a coffee shop that happens to serve breakfast. Their main breakfast choices are sandwiches, but they are scrumptious. You can always order items a la carte if you're not into sandwiches, but I highly recommend you give one a try. I always say you can tell when someone starts a business to make money and when they start a business because they love good food. These people love good food. One hint is that they pair things that you would never think of putting together like a fig spread on eggs, and the experience is exquisite. Like in the movie Ratatouille, "you can't just hork it down..."

Ok, last but not least, the coffee. Locally roasted, (check) smooth and velvety experience to the taste buds, (check) crafted with artful brilliance, (check). Loved it. And get this, the owner of the Courier Coffee Roaster, delivers fresh coffee beans in jars to people's door step by bicycle. If you live in the area, you should definitely check him out.

Littleredbikecafe.com

4823 North Lombard St. (between Fiske and Jordan)

Portland, Oregon 97203

Kenny & Zukes (Downtown)

I loved the look of this restaurant when I passed by. It just seemed like the type of place you'd see in a movie where you see the bustling downtown scene and then the camera pans in on two people sitting at a table by the window talking and eating like they're the only two people in the world. I always want to be one of those people so I had to try it out. Luckily my acupuncturist is close by so I took the opportunity to get there very early for my appointment and stop in for some breakfast. We were ushered in, upon arriving and promptly seated. There were no window seats available, unfortunately, but we had a nice quiet table. Maybe it would've ruined the thought of it by realizing no one was filming me and nobody cared that I was sitting there. I suppose the good thing is that it was reality in my life and in the movies they are only acting and maybe they go home wishing that was actually their real lives.

But I digress, quite substantially actually. It was a week day when we went, but the place is very spacious with plenty of tables so I can't imagine there being too long of a wait on weekends.

I ordered my usual, eggs potatoes and toast, so boring I know. I usually get some meat too. I must have been feeling cheap this day and at a place that specializes in salamis and pastramis, I don't know what I was thinking. I enjoyed what I ordered and felt their portions were what a normal person should eat. Their prices start around $8 and up.

This is a Jewish deli so they have some fun choices that you aren't going to see on the average breakfast menu like pastrami and eggs, lox and latkes. They also make their own bagels and bialys. The coffee was great, I think it was Stumptown but I can't remember (slacker). I think they could definitely handle larger groups here but it is also a great place for a date. Their lunches and dinners look scrumptious. If you're an unabashed carnivore like me, this place will make your mouth water.

www.kennyandzukes.com

Kenny & Zuke's Delicatessen
1038 SW Stark St
Portland, OR 97205
503.222.DELI (3354)

Kenny & Zuke's SandwichWorks
2376 NW Thurman
Portland, OR 97210
503.954.1737