Easy Street Cafe

   This great little corner cafe is literally inside a music store.  When we were seated and I started looking at their menu, I thought "yes, these people get it."  I first looked for their coffee vendor and like a good Seattle cafe, their coffee was from a local roaster and NOT Starbucks, thank you very much!  I actually wrote it down but of course that piece of paper is long gone.  What matters is that it was good and only $1.  Seriously.  

So what makes a breakfast place "get it?"  Well for one, they had an extensive menu with choices for veg heads as well as meat lovers and not just your token, "we'll throw these in so we don't get complaints about not having options," but they have a great selection of everything.  Also, they have a section for lighter appetites so if you're not the trucker appetite type, you don't have to feel bad about wasting food or paying for it, for that matter.

They had my favorite combo of french toast with eggs and a side of meat (the Lil' Kim) for a reasonable price.  I can't tell you how hard it is to find that combo on a menu.  They had my vote right away.  My husband had the Beck omelet.  He loved the veggie bacon.  He was pleased except that there was a little too much sour cream.

All the staff look like rock stars, fitting.  Our server was very sweet and attentive.  If I lived in the neighborhood I would be there every weekend.  It's just that kind of place.

Welcome to the best little record store, coffee bar, and diner in West Seattle! The cafe is open from 7am to 3pm every day. 4559 California Avenue SW (206) 938-EASY 

easystreetonline.com

Gower St. Bistro

Update 7/4/09: A kind reader informed me that Gower St. bistro is closed... but they they have a sister restaurant in Portland, www.everettstreetbistro.com

My husband and I spent our 5 year anniversary at this Bed and Breakfast at Cannon Beach. The restaurant is separate from the hotel so anyone can eat there. It is walking distance from the beach. Such a cute place. Very small, just perfect for a morning breakfast with your special someone before you go for a stroll on the beach.

The food was delicious. The server was very nice and social. It's one of those cafe's where you feel like you're in a romantic movie just eating there. Does anyone ever feel that way or is it just me...

The prices are moderate to high but it's worth it. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. The dinner smelled yummy and all the people looked so content and sophisticated with their wine glasses and big plates of pasta, as we walked to an overly priced seafood restaurant and sat next to a large party with overindulged, loud children and wished we had just eaten at our cute little B&B. We will definitely try it next time.

I would also recommend the hotel. They are very friendly and the rooms are small but romantic. It's almost like going back in time but with a modern flare. Very fun little place.

Please let me know if you visit, I would love to hear what you think. Let them know who sent you. :)

Clinton Corner Cafe

This was my pick for Valentine's Day morning.  I had never heard of it or even seen it, which was perfect!  I actually found them on mrbreakfast.com, which, I must say, does not give very much information and certainly doesn't give any pictures :)  

It is a very cute, eclectic little cafe.  I loved their red door and french music.  Our 

 waitresses were very nice and attentive.  Well ok, we were the first and only customers for a little bit.  We were a little confused about their having the front door propped wide open when it was snowing outside, but they agreed nicely to shut it for us. 

Their menu is pretty limited but has options for carni's and veggies.  We split the smoked salmon scramble.  The scramble wasn't anything to write home about, but it wasn't bad.  They serve Stumptown coffee, so they've got that on their side.  Prices were moderate.  Seating is definitely limited to small parties.  They have their own baker and had some scrumptious looking desserts.

It is a cute little corner cafe in the neighborhood.  There are some fun shops and cafe's nearby to check out.  

www.clintoncornercafe.net

2633 SE 21st Ave Portland, OR 97202 - (503) 230-8035

Cadillac Cafe

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I have been putting off visiting Cadillac Cafe for some time now.  Inevitably when I tell people that I have a breakfast blog, I get asked the question, "have you tried Cadillac Cafe?"  I think, just the fact that so many people know about the place, makes it less appealing.  I did finally end up going and it wasn't so bad.  It does sort of strike me as a bit "chain-ish" though.

I only went because my friend Stephanie started working there.   I told her I was going to put her on my blog, so if you go, sit at the bar and tell Stephanie hi for me.

The food was very good.  The coffee is Kobos.  It is one my husbands favorite breakfast places now.  It's in his top five places.  We had the french toast with hazelnuts.  

It is a very busy restaurant, another reason I've avoided it, so if you're not big on waiting, I'd try to hit it early.  They do have a bar section that is easier to get a seat in.  Honestly, I wouldn't even try to get a big party in here, unless you get reservations and I don't know if they take them.  Prices are moderate to high.  Cadillac Cafe is a fancier type, so you might feel a little out of place in your sweats, if you care.

portland.citysearch.com

1801 NE Broadway
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 287-4750

Petite Provence Boulangerie & Patisserie

                                                                             

I think I have eaten here about seven times in the last two months.  This is definitely in my top five places to go for breakfast now.  For one, their lattes are beautiful (if the right person makes it) and they have great coffee.  First criterium met.  Second they have a great menu, fresh new breakfast items for the meat lover and vegetarian alike, not to mention an amazing array of bakery yummies.  And third, I love the atmosphere here.  I just feel like I'm going to step out onto the streets of Paris when I leave (which leaves me a little disappointed when I actually do leave, but it's getting better down there).

     This is a great place for a romantic breakfast with your special someone or with some friends or family or just to go yourself and watch the cute little bundled up munchkins walk in with their hip urban parents as they make a b-line for the kids cookie window.  

     They can accomodate fairly large groups by putting tables together, though it can get a bit crowded.  We have never had to wait yet for a table, which I'm sure is  soon to change, but we'll enjoy it for now.  The staff here are very friendly and the service is prompt.  You have to try one of their espresso drinks if you go, just for the beauty of it.                                    

1824 NE Alberta St Portland, OR 97211 - (503) 284-6564

4834 SE Division St Portland, OR 97206 - (503) 233-1121

Francis Restaurant

My husband and I found this quiet corner breakfast nook quite on accident.  We were heading to our default breakfast fave, Helsers, and decided to drive down the road a bit because he thought he had remembered seeing a sign that said serving breakfast.  Sure enough, a new place to try out!  Of course I was delighted, I love to find new places to add to my blog for all of you fellow breakfast lovers.  Unfortunately the excitement is usually distracted by the time I get home and it ends up at the bottom of my "computer to do" list.

Francis' is a great place to go if you are looking for a little more class in your breakfast experience.  Sometimes you roll out of bed and you just want to go someplace where you could practically wear your pajamas and nobody would really notice (i.e.Tin Shed, Gravy etc.) But sometimes, like on a date or to celebrate a birthday or what have you, you want to dress up and this is where you should go.  

Our server at Francis' was very cheery and pleasant.  Their menu  boasts of unique ingredients you wouldn't expect on your breakfast plate, such as sautéed grape leaves with garlic and kalamata olives, garnishing a goat cheese omelet with pear tomatoes.  They do not serve potatoes with their breakfasts as is the usual fare but a side of fruit instead.  They do offer potato dishes on the menu and I'm sure you could probably substitute instead of fruit if you wanted.  I prefer potatoes, but it was a fresh change.  

There is something here for everyone whether you just like your eggs and toast or you like to try new creations and unique food pairings or whether you are a more vegetarian/vegan breakfaster.  Most importantly they serve Stumptown coffee, though our waitress said they are thinking of switching to another vendor, who isn't even local!  Why in the world, when we have some of the best coffee right here in our back yard?  So if you eat here, urge them to stay local!

Francis is open for breakfast and lunch.  Their lunch menu looks scrumptious.  Take a look for yourself at www.francisrestaurant.com

This is probably not the place for a very large party.  They may be able to accommodate but I would definitely call ahead.  If you do end up trying them out don't forget to tell them you found them at portlandbreakfast.blogspot.com.

2338 NE Alberta St. 
Portland, Oregon 97212

503-288-8299

Sip & Kranz (Now Cloud Seven Cafe)

I just found this great little, well not so little, coffee shop in the Pearl district. If you have kids this is the place for you. If you don't have kids, like me, this is a great place to meet your friends that do. I have the hardest time figuring out where to get together with my friends who have small children so that we can catch up and the kids have something to do; problem solved. Sip & Kranz not only has a separate play area for the kids inside, but there is also a fountain (chlorinated) just outside their doors if you want to enjoy the sunshine while sipping your coffee, or your beer or wine in the evenings, while the kiddos play in the water.

They also offer a limited menu of breakfast items. One of which was recommended to me, their famous oatmeal made with steamed milk.

They actually made me some for free, just so

I could take a picture of it and I was full. I

was so bummed that

I didn't come with an appetite. The gal who made it was more than happy to be "forced" to eat it herself. I'll definitely be going back to try it. I'll have to pay this time but hey I don't mind

supporting a great business.

And how can I forget, they serve Stumptown. Need I say anything else...