City State Diner Coffee

Ok this is going to be a short post but I had to get this one on here. I had never heard of this place. I'm surprised how many places I just come across on accident, that end up being new favorites. My husband and I walked by City State when we were looking for the restaurant I had just bought a Groupon to, but had never been to. I was hoping this was the restaurant, it wasn't, but I made a mental note that they served breakfast. We came back the next day, which was Sunday.

I loved the little place upon walking in the door. We were seated immediately, I love that. It is definitely a favorite to many others besides myself, as it stayed busy the whole time we were there, but there didn't ever seem to be be people waiting. Although we were seated in the back so maybe I just missed the line. I actually didn't have any coffee here believe it or not. I didn't recognize the name of their coffee vendor, hopefully that meant it was local. My sister had a mocha and loved it, and she is a hard to please mocha drinker. My husband and I split the hazelnut french toast breakfast, four slices of challah bread, two eggs and a choice of meat. Those of you who have read this blog for any amount of time know that is my perfect breakfast, and is very hard to find, another reason they are a new favorite!

They serve breakfast all day, everyday and they open at 8AM. This is a great place for you solo breakfasters that just want to read your paper and not be bothered with conversation that early in the morning. City State is located on a quaint street, just off of burnside with a few cute little shops nearby. If you end up getting something savory for breakfast, save room for a scrumptious fresh donut just down the street at Staccato Gelato. Yum!

128 NE 28th

Portland, OR 97232

Neighborhood: Northeast Portland

(503) 517-0347citystatediner.com

Brasserie Montmartre

What a great place! My sister and I were walking by the Brasserie on one of Portland's beautiful sunny Autumn days. I noticed in their window, that they had a brunch menu and decided I had to come check them out. The day we went was an equally lovely day. It is wise to note that they don't serve brunch until 11am Mon-Sat and 10am Sundays.

It is a bit dark inside, to set the mood. So if you're the type that needs a bright cheerful place in the morning, this place would probably send you back to bed. There was hardly anybody here when we came, which I can only guess is because they haven't been open very long. They have just reopened since renovating after the building was condemned a few years ago. They've done a great job renovating. The interior is very French modern/eclectic with a little mysteriousness.

We enjoyed our breakfast with a little live piano music, always nice. Our waiter was very attentive and conversational, I like that. Their menu is not extensive, but it has a little of everything you're used to on a breakfast menu, even a little lox with your bagel if you're so inclined. Their portions are neither huge nor small. I could have easily shared a breakfast with my sister but ate a whole breakfast myself. They serve Illy coffee, which is good coffee, but I always wonder why people don't buy coffee local when there are such great roasters right here in Portland? That's fresh coffee! Oh well, at least it tasted good. There is plenty of seating here for big groups, which is hard to find at most breakfast places, that are worth going to, that is...

When I asked our waiter if he could tell me where they buy most of their food, he was very interested in getting me the information. I thought that was a great sign. He didn't have a ton of information, but he told me what he knew. It showed that they are making an effort. If you end up coming here be sure to ask them the story of the brick wall, it's interesting.

www.brasserieportland.com/

626 SW Park Avenue • Portland, Or 97205 • 503 . 236 . 3036

Sub Rosa (A Friendly Neighborhood Joint)

This was another birthday breakfast find. My husband was actually going to take me to Broder Cafe, which used to be Henry's Cafe. Broder's didn't open until 9am and we were there at 8:30am so we just walked around and found this little cafe, kitty corner to Broder. We actually came here once a few years ago when it was a little italian restaurant. I thought it was so sweet. I loved the little old town feel to the neighborhood. I'm so glad that it is a breakfast place now. They are typically a lunch/dinner restaurant serving salads, pizza and pasta and just recently started serving brunch, Sat-Sun from 8:30am-1pm. Their name says it well, it is definitely a friendly neighborhood joint. As we were sitting enjoying our lovely brunch, we watched a hip young couple getting ready to go for a run with their dog. A few ladies walked by the window at different times with their yoga mats, ready for their weekend workout. An older man had his dog tied up outside enjoying the glimpse of sunshine while he read his paper and drank his coffee at a table behind us and a lovely women walked by with her fluffy white dog all decked out in (I'm assuming) her little pink sweater.

I loved that their menus were lovingly used and

had coffee stains all over them. Perfect! I also loved that they listed the sources of their food and founders. How great is that. Shouldn't we all want to know where the food we are about to put in our bodies, is from and who is preparing it. Brilliant. It gave me an idea, along with watching Food Inc. (which every American should watch) to start asking where each restaurant gets their food and let them know that I will be posting their sources or that they would not reveal their sources. Would that interest any of you breakfast lovers out there?

I actually ordered the veggie sausage eggs benedict. I splurged, and I'm so glad I did. I would have never guessed the sausage was vegetarian, it had great flavor. Everything was so delish. My husband had the breakfast burrito which was also full of flavor and filling. The prices start around $9+ for most items, though you can get the basic eggs, potatoes and toast for $7. The coffee is Nossa Familia, which Petite Provence also serves. I'm pretty sure they are a Fair trade, local company. They were not busy at all, probably due to the fact that they just recently started serving brunch. It is a pretty small space, but they might be able to accommodate a somewhat larger group by moving tables together. Charming!

• 2601 SE Clinton St
  Portland, OR 97202
• 503-233-1955
• Hours
  • Sun, Tues, Wed, Thur 5 - 9
  • Fri, Sat 5 - 10
  • Now Serving Brunch Sat & Sun 8:30 - 1
  • subrosa.textdriven.com

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

Everett Street Bistro (CLOSED)

I forgot to take a picture of the food here, but it was very similar to my pictures from "Gower St. Bistro" since they are essentially the same owners. I loved this little cafe. Very light and open with windows on all sides. They serve Stumptown coffee I believe. You'd think I'd remember that, but alas I take too long to post these and forget everything, but I'm not supposed to tell you that. The prices are a little on the higher side which is fitting for the setting.

There are mostly bistro tables here seating 4-5 people. They do have tables against the back wall that could probably be pushed together for a large group but I would call ahead. We went here during the week and there were not very many people, so I don't know what the crowds are like on the weekends.

This would be a great place to take a date, very classy. It is also located right in downtown near shopping, hotels etc.

Update: I have been informed that Everett St. serves Sleepy Monk Coffee out of Cannon Beach, thanks Lacey.

1140 NW Everett Street
Portland, Oregon 97209

Phone: 503.467.4990

Breakfast
8:00am - 11:30am

Breakfast Menu & Lunch Menu (Brunch)
Monday - Thursday 11:30am to 3:00pm
Friday - Sunday 11:30am - 5:00pm

Dinner
Tuesday - Thursday 5pm - 9pm
Friday - Sunday 5pm - 10pm

info@everettstreetbistro.com

John Street Cafe

Stumptown coffee is served here, ok, so go. No really, this is the quintessential corner cafe. Nondescript, cozy, and most importantly great food and great coffee. I had heard about this little cafe from a few different people. I finally got a chance to go check it out. I had never been into this part of Portland, didn't realize it existed, but it's worth going out there just for the breakfast, and maybe a little stroll down the streets that make you feel like you've gone back in time to a little neighborhood town.

John Street Cafe is not a very big restaurant so a party of four is probably the biggest party I would bring here. I'm sure they would do there best to accommodate more but you'll probably take up half the restaurant. The coffee refills were a little lacking but it was pretty busy the morning we went. We were greeted promptly when we came in and offered some coffee while we waited for a table. My husband and I split an omelet as we usually do and we both left satisfied. The pancakes looked like they could have fed all four of us. The atmosphere was a little noisy but that's to be expected in such a small room filled with people. There were plenty of people waiting when we left so I would get here early.

8338 N Lombard St
Portland, OR 97203-3727
(503) 247-1066