breakfast

Methodist Hospital – Looke Family Pavilion, Houston, 10/13 -15/26

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mural in lobby that used to be on the outside of the hospital

Recently I had some medical issues to attend to and traveled to Houston Methodist for their specialty doctors.  The care was first rate but this is a restaurant blog so many of my well-wisher-calls first asked about my health and next if I was writing up my in-patient dining meals.  I’m not sure how it happened but I landed in one of the “premium in-patient units” in the Looke Family Pavilion.  The rooms are more like hotel suites with ammenties and views but most importantly they also have a separate kitchen catering for this floor.  I know this isn’t fair because you can’t decide you want to go try the food after my write-up but it seemed like a fun addition to the blog and if you perchance find youself needing a hospital stay in Houston I’d definitely ask for the 21st floor.  Frankie only made minimal appearances but was with me in spirit.   When you first check in the room they leave a menu with you for all 3 daily meals and you call the kitchen when you know what you want and when you want it delivered.  Works well except once when I got held up getting back to the room and the tray was held who knows where for an hour.  Overall the food was mixed but some was quite good.  They have a twice a day tea cart that my husband and sister enjoyed as I was not eating then.  As a last footnote, I am doing much better and would strongly recommend the doctors here over the food. Continue reading →

Brioux Falls Coffee Shop, Sioux Falls, 9/26/26

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interior – 150 E 4th Pl, Ste 202, The Steel District, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Brioux Falls Coffee Shop was in The Steel District overlooking Falls Park on the skywalk between our hotel – Canopy by Hilton – and the parking garage as well as various shops and businsses.   A convenience store with grab and go options as well as freshly made sandwiches and coffee drinks, we thought we’d give it a try as we headed to the airport.  Everyday when we walked by, going to the parking garage, it was crowded with people.  The small shop did not have tables in it but there were several on the bridge where you could sit and watch all the action on the ground level.  We also saw numerous folks get coffee and snacks to go with them.  Even in the morning hours they were happy to make one of their hot sandwiches for us, but their main traffic seemed to be for drinks.  Their regular Americano coffee was good and hot as was the turkey sandwich.  This is quite the tourist area with all the recent development in the area you may find yourself walking by.  It’s a fine place to get a drink and a snack. Continue reading →

Phillips Avenue Diner, Sioux Falls, 9/25/26

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exterior – 121 South Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Phillips Avenue Diner was an Airstream trailer that combined with some buildings to become a restaurant.  From their website I learned that the trailer used to be the Market Diner in 1996 and the owners wanted to expand so moved it downtown.  Open every day for breakfast and lunch they stay open till 8pm Tues through Sat for dinner.   It offers a very “diner” experience with lots of stainless steel, elevated and floor level booths and counter stools.   Tile on the floor and vintage music in the background, vintage photos on the walls and lots of windows finish out the interior.  They’ve got the fountain options but we were there for a breakfast before another day of sight-seeing.   Service was friendly and efficient.  One interesting quirk was they served packages of peanut butter in addition to the jelly options.  The food was good and I’d go again if in the area. Continue reading →

12th St. Fryn’ Pan, Sioux Falls, 2/24/26

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exterior – 1720 W 12th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

The Fryn’ Pan Family Restaurant on 12th street began as an offshoot of Country Kitchen in the 1970s and now has 7 locations in the Dakota’s and Minnesota.  It is locally owned and operated and open 24 hours a day with free wifi.   They also offer a senior discount, have a kid’s menu and a large salad bar from 11am to 11pm.  When we entered the large place the salad bar was to our right and a bakery counter was in front of us as we waited to be seated.   There also was a large free parking lot, music in the background, carpet on the floor, art on the walls and a combination of booth and table options.  Service was efficient and outstanding.  It’s the kind of place that when  you order coffee they bring your first cup and leave an insulated pot on the table for refills.  Friendly servers knew and chatted with some regular customers, but it still felt a little sterile.  It is quite inexpensive with generous plating so if you’re traveling and need a quick, fill-up and one pops up near you, it’s an acceptable option. Continue reading →

Ogden’s North Street Diner, Madison, WI., 9/12/26

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exterior – 560 North St, Madison, WI 53704

Ogden’s North Street Diner doesn’t have a website just a Facebook and Instagram pages.  The Facebook page mostly addresses closing and opening variations – like what we encountered the day we were there.  We were there shortly after opening and very much enjoyed our breakfast but it was quickly growing too warm in the place due to an AC malfunction.  The open door also allowed a large supply of some kind of stinging insect to invade and make dining less comfortable.  The medium sized place was packed, with larger parties having to wait for a table.  Small, close set tables, windows facing the street, an open ceiling and framed maps and mirrors made up the interior decorations.  Parking was as you can find it on the adjacent streets. Service was fun, friendly and helpful and the food was quite good.  I would definitely go again, when the AC is working, and hope you’ll also give it a try.  There were a lot of good sounding things on the menu but we both went with one of the daily specials and both were outstanding. Continue reading →

Maybe Lately’s, Viroqua, WI., 9/11/26

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exterior – 117 N Main St, Viroqua, WI 54665

Maybe Lately’s is a small place in the little town of Viroqua, in the Driftless region.  Known for their creative dishes for breakfast and lunch, they also have Detroit style pizza on Monday nights.  We were there for breakfast and they had a few tables in the front entry room, a couple high-tops along the wall to the kitchen and a large patio out the side door.  Music in the kitchen bled into the dining area and the decorations were an eclectic mix, including a “shrine” to Dolly Parton, which apparently was there before her recent passing.  There was a lot of hype for their cinnamon rolls but unfortunately they are only available on Sat and Sun.  Our server, Davielle, was very friendly and helpful, pointing out that the sides menu offers a lot of smaller portions in case we wanted to try more things.  The food was not only creative and made with high quality ingredients but also very tasty.  I’d be a regular if I lived closer. Continue reading →

Grateful Bread Bakery, Pacific City, OR., 7/9 &10/26

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building – 34805 Brooten Rd, Pacific City, OR 97135-8033

The Grateful Bread started in 1991 and new ownership took over in 2023.  They had an independent building with a to-go window as well as 2 dining rooms inside.  Also inside, they did a constant business of those picking  up bakery items to go.  The best I understood was that they started as a bakery of breads and pastries but expanded into plates for breakfast and lunch.  The name was a play on the Grateful Dead Band – with the staff wearing tie-dyed shirts or ones that said “everybody must get sconed”.   They do a lot of community support with unsold bread and pastries being donated to the local food bank.  While we were in eating several new items appeared in the front cases.  A couple twists on the place was that all their eggs were served only scrambled and they offered a discount if you paid in cash.  People lined up to be the first in and I can see why when we came later one day and had to wait 45 minutes for a table.  Service was very slow that day so we knew to be the line the next time we came and service moved at a better pace then.  The entry room had chairs for waiting and windows on one wall.   The second room was surrounded by window with a more modern feel.  Both had lots of art on the walls and the bathrooms had lots of lyrics from songs on the wall.  The food was served in generous portions and pretty tasty, although it did need added sauce of some kind.  It’s worth a trip when you’re in the area. Continue reading →

Next Door Cafe, New Richmond, WI., 6/24/26

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exterior – 206 S Knowles Ave, New Richmond, WI 54017

Next Door Cafe is open 7 days a week from 6am to 3pm and serves breakfast and lunch the entire time.  It’s a fairly long large place with a combination of booth and table arrangements all set with utensils in bags along with a variety of condiments.  Oil cloths cover the tables and a variety of decorations decorate the walls.   Free parking is on the street that it sits on.  Service is friendly and efficient and many of the diners appeared to be regulars.  It’s a large menu with a daily special in addition, so I can see why you’d go often if you are in the area.  The food is good and portions are generous.  Let me know what you think when you go!  I know I’ll be there again. Continue reading →

The Olney Place, Penn Yan, NY., 6/18/26

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building – 823 E Lake Rd, Penn Yan, NY 14527, Penn Yan, NY 14527-9559

The Olney Place is on Keuka Lake and not only has a great deli but a small seasonal market for items you might need while staying around the lake (open May to October).  Seth Olney purchased the property in 2006 that had served as Froggy’s General Store since the 1930s.   He tore down the old structure and build a new place.  There is plenty of seating indoors as well as the bar area that overlooks the lake.  Outside tables are also available and they offer dockside pickup for boats that come by.   The market sold various food stuffs and souvenirs but mostly you remember the colorful murals that cover the walls and even the bathrooms.  Opening early every day you could make this a breakfast stop or even an early dinner.  Their sandwiches were good but they’re known for cinnamon rolls which sell out early.  They also are worth the trip.  Friendly staff are welcoming and helpful.  I’d go again. Continue reading →

Vern’s Bakery, Hammondsport, NY., 6/17/26

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entrance – 49 Shethar Street, Hammondsport, NY 14840

Vern’s Bakery is a couple doors away from the Park Inn.  Opening in 2022, the owner Vern was on site and happy to chat.  He makes all the options fresh with the selection varying by day and when they’re out they’re closed.  They sell breakfast sandwiches  as well as sweet pastries and coffee.  They are known for their cinnamon rolls so you know what I got.  Vern is a retired pastry chef and tries to highlight seasonal products but admitted he uses frozen berries in his pastries as they have more flavor and are consitently available.  He did have fresh rhubarb in one.  There are tables inside if you want to eat there but also to-go options.  All the pastries are the same price $7, I think.  The coffee prices are posted but not the pastry’s.  He is a cash only establishment.  Both items we tried were excellent and the coffee was good and hot.  I would easily recommend this place to you. Continue reading →

Maude and the Bear breakfast, Staunton, VA., 4/16-18/26

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house – 1106 N. Augusta St., Staunton, VA 24401

Maude and the Bear is in a 1926 Montgomery Ward kit house and run by Chef Ian Boden and a marvelous team.   They offer a 5 course tasting menu in the main dining rooms but hold out until you can get one of the 4 seats for the Kitchen Table (posted a couple days ago) , where you’ll enjoy 12-20 courses in a blind tasting.  The place has a full bar which also serves food, so I’ve included the menu from the regular tasting as well as the bar here.  Staunton is a small town but it had a surprising number of fun attractions a few minutes from the place and if you want to venture futher, there’s the Blue Ridge Parkway to ride.  You only can get their 3-course breakfast if you stay there (except on Sunday when there’s more).  Our first breakfast was prepared and served by Chef Boden and our second one was by Chef de Cuisine Matthew Beck.  Both were wonderful and creative compared to what you get at most B & Bs.  Boden’s wife Leslie decorated the 3 guest rooms and equips them with lots of ammenities, snacks and beverages.  The Boden’s are delightful hosts and I know you’d enjoy this as a weekend getaway, I sure did. Continue reading →

Brother’s Cafe 3:16, Paso Robles, CA., 3/15/26

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front – 1487 Creston Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446

Brother’s Cafe 3:16 was a good sized place with indoor and outdoor dining, 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch.  Located in a shopping center, there’s plenty of of free parking.  Bright and clean there were seats at the counter facing the window to the kitchen as well as two sizes of bare wood tables. Red artificial blooms were striking decorations.  Service was efficient, friendly and helpful.  Portions were generous and the food was good.  There was a large percentage of Mexican favorites but also plenty of standard breakfast foods.  I would easily go again and suggest it as a dining option when in Paso Robles. Continue reading →

Ellen’s Southern Kitchen, Dallas, 12/30/25

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building from the parking lot – 1211 N Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75218

Ellen’s is a large place in Casa Linda Plaza.  It supposedly has more locations but the downtown one has been closed some time now.  This location opened in July 2023 and originally was open for dinner but now they are open daily for lunch and breakfast, 7am till 3pm.  It took about 2 years to open the location and I’m not sure how they stay in business as we were the only customers the morning we visited.  The restaurant company was founded in 2012 with this location being its third and bills itself as serving Southern comfort food.  The elaborate buidling takes up the corner in the shopping center with a lot of parking available.   Inside is a full bar and walls decorated with photos.  Seating is in booths, benchs, tables and hi-tops by the bar.  Music is in the background of the bright space made so by lighting and lots of windows.  The butcher block tables are good sized and service was helpful, friendly and efficient.  The food however was mediocre, I’m sorry to say.  We got some of the servers recommended plates but most of the food was still on the table when we left.  I suspect something on the menu could have been better but not sure what that would be.  Let me know if you go and find something good. Continue reading →

Legend Deli, Charleston, 12/6/25

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exterior – 41 George St, Charleston, SC 29401-1464

Legend Deli is in downtown Charleston making sandwiches from local ingredients.  Near Charleston College they opened in Spring 2023 by Chaz Wendel and Chef Tyler Hunt, formerly sous chef at Husk.  They serve a selection of custom sandwiches and salads.  Opening early they also offer breakfast sandwiches, but go for the lunch ones.  Their breads come from Normandy Farm Artisan Bakery in West Ashley and their produce from Limehouse.  There are a few tables in the space but a lot of the business was to-go.  Howerver we were on our way to the airport so stopped to fuel up before that.  Inside on one wall is a giant mural with references to lots of Charleston landmarks and the bathroom was full of carticatures with sandwiches.  A fun and friendly place with great sandwiches, it’s one I’d highly recommend to you. Continue reading →

The Inn at Little Washington breakfast, Washington, VA., 11/14/25

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seating – Middle and Main Streets, Washington, VA 22747

With the rooms at The Inn at Little Washington a basic breakfast is included.  They also offer a la carte selections for an additional charge or you can chose a package that includes those selections too.  The basic breakfast includes a flight of seasonal juices, yougurt, fruit and granola, breads and coffee of tea.  Cocktails are available for an extra charge as are special coffee drinks.  Overall, breakfast was dull but if it comes with your room you might as well.  That said I wouldn’t advise paying for the extra selections as they weren’t that tasty. Continue reading →

Sunflower Caffé, Sonoma, CA., 11/8/25

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entrance – 421 1st St W, Sonoma, CA 95476-6608

Sunflower Caffé was in the historic Sonoma Plaza, in the old home of Salvador Vallejo.  They are open daily for breakfast and lunch.  In addition to food they offer a good selection of wine, beer, cider and coffee drinks.  It’s a small place with a few indoor tables and the bulk of the tables are on the patio in back.  They do have heaters for cooler days and umbrellas for sunny ones.  The food is local, when possible, and organic.  We were there when they opened so we were able to get an indoor table and the service was fast, friendly and efficient.  The place was very popular with a line starting about 30 minutes after opening, but people came and went frequently.   The food was okay and did seem to use great ingredients but the flavor profile was mostly mild.  It’s on the pricey side but then it is California.  For us it was convenient, open and worked with our flight schedule, but depending on business I don’t think I’d wait an hour to get in.  However when you’re there it will make you a quick breakfast. Continue reading →

Château du Sureau (breakfast), Oakhurst, CA., 10/2025

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building – 48688 Victoria Ln, Oakhurst, CA 93644-9215

Château du Sureau is a nine acre resort in the Sierra Nevada foothills, a short ride from Yosemite National Park.  I know this is a restaurant blog but sometimes it feels right to give you a little information on where you can stay when you’re in pursuit of dining opportunities.  Also with your stay at this Relais & Châteaux property you get a complimentary breakfast, so that basically fits the criteria.   It’s the perfect place to stay if you want to try Elderberry House for fine dining or The Cellar for casual fare prepared in the same kitchen, as they are both a short walk from Château du Sureau.  There are 10 guest rooms as well as Villa du Sureau, a 2,000 sq. ft. manor.  Each of the Château’s rooms are named for an and herb or flower native to the south of France.  There are no TVs or front desk but there are lots of antiques, tapestries and art.  The rooms were large and service was good.  Breakfast was prepared fresh in a small kitchen in the house and while not outstanding it was a really lovely place to start your day, have a short drive to the entrance of Yosemite and end the day on property with a fun meal. Continue reading →

Twin Farms breakfast (update), Barnard, VT., 10/22-24/25

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place – 452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, VT 05031

The breakfast at Twin Farms was served in both of the main house’s dining rooms.  You can compare to last year’s breakfast by clicking here.  The patio room has windows looking outside and was generally a cooler room due to the wall of window but both usually had fires in the fireplaces.  The breakfast menu didn’t change but each day they added one special and varied the potoato preparation.  Service starts with beverages and your daily bread to munch on while you wait for food.  Alcoholic cocktails were available but I never saw anyone getting one.  Lots of teas, coffee and various fruit juices.   They did take good care when cooking the eggs and I never had an overcooked one.  All the bread offerings were good.  As a guest you are offered breakfast the day you check out which is a nice send off.  Hope you’ll let me know what you think if you go.  It’s a lot to eat and drink! Continue reading →

Twin Farms dinnner a la carte menu (update), Barnard, VT., 10/21/25

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main house – 452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, VT 05031

We first visited Twin Farms in Nov. of 2024, right before Thanksgiving.  It was pretty empty and so we wanted to try it again when it was busier, which we did.  We stayed in a huge room in the main house so it was a quick walk to dinner.  Over the 3 nights we tried the a la carte and tasting menus in the main house dining room and had one meal at Twiggs which is a separate dining venue across a short bridge, but also on the property.  It’s an all-inclusive Relais & Chateaux and we also wanted to compare it to The Point a similar resort that we just visited which you can read about by clicking here.  If you want to read last year’s write up of the a la carte dinner you can click here.    Twin Farms is a bigger place with room for more guests,  It’s bars are staffed with bartenders rather than self serve and tables are all individual rather than any communal settings.  They both have snacks with cocktail hour but I found that even with more people the folks didn’t interact as much.  Our room at Twin Farms was much bigger with 2 fireplaces and lots of service but you do get a key, where you did not at The Point.  The dinner menu has much more flexibility at Twin Farms because you have a menu and not a set meal.  Is this a positive, I don’t know.  During the day they offer some classes that are of no additional charge as well as have hiking trails, axe throwing, croquet and archery.  Stave jigsaw puzzles are everywhere.  We enjoyed our stay and took advantage of having a bartender to order some ‘fancy’ cocktails.  The food varies, but it’s all good and the Executive Chef Nathan Rich came out to visit numerous times. Continue reading →

The Point (part 2), Saranac Lake, NY., 10/7/25

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main house – 222 Beaverwood Rd, Saranac Lake, NY 12983-3029

We stayed at The Point for 3 days and so this is part 2 of the chronicle of the food we had. (If you missed part 1, click here). I didn’t photograph the passed snacks that were part of the cocktail hour proceeding dinner each night and snacks/foods were available to be sent to your room if you had a craving for something.  Various guests attend the dinners in the Great Hall, all of which require coat and tie for men, while some arrange to have dinner in alternate locations.  All of the staff couldn’t have been nicer and more accommodating.  They wanted you to have a good time and we did.  The question is, is it worth the price?  I can’t answer that but I will say that a number of the people we met there had been multiple times.  It’s hard to get to – we flew into Albany and it was a 2.5 hours drive from there.  They are happy for you to check in in time for lunch which one of the other guests told me they always spend the night somewhere nearby and then drive in early so they can enjoy a full day of activities and eating. In the winter they have ice fishing, skating and cross country skiing.  In summer they have fishing, boating, water skiing and tube rides.  There are plenty of nooks where they’ll set up a picnic lunch and dining in your room is always an option.  The selection of liquors was good and the wines adequate with a separate list available if you want to buy an upgraded option.   It’s a beautiful property that is well maintained with amenities galore so if an all inclusive place if for you, you should check this one out. Continue reading →

The Point (part 1), Saranac Lake, NY., 10/5/25

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Entrance – 222 Beaverwood Rd, Saranac Lake, NY 12983-3029

The Point was the first named Relais & Châteaux in North America, some 39 years ago.   It was built by William A. Rockefeller II (John D’s grandnephew) in 1929 as a retreat in the Adirondacks.  It is 75 acres of waterfront property on the Saranac Lake.  There are 11 guest rooms, 4 in the main lodge and several log houses including one over the large boat house.  All the rooms have stone wood-burning fireplaces and include 3 meals a day, cocktail hour, morning coffee and pastries, snacks and unlimited beverages including wines, spirits, beers, espresso and on and on.  Wed and Sat are black tie dinners whereas other dinners in the Great Hall require coat and tie for men with similar fancy dress for women.  It’s a beautiful property that is well maintained with a staff ready to make your stay the best it can be.  In the large modern kitchen was Executive Chef D’Anthony who was on site every day to prepare the meals.  He is from Texas so he got points for that too.   The pastry chef  (sorry I forgot her name) was also in the kitchen and she did a fabulous job on the morning pastries that come to your room with coffee.  We enjoyed the set menus for meals but also appreciate their flexibility if you want something different.  The food was all nicely done and beautifully presented.  Part of the experience was getting to chat with other like minded people over dinner and cocktails which was very well done.  I decided to break my write up into 2 parts as there were a number of meals to report on.  Bottom line is that if it works in your budget you should go.  It’s a fabulous property and a lovely experience. Continue reading →

Harbor House (breakfast), Elk, CA., 9/11 & 12/25

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exterior- 5600 CA-1, Elk, CA 95432

At Harbor House Inn breakfast is included with your room.  If you stay in the lodge you can eat in the dining room that looks out at the coast line.  If you are in one of the cottages they will bring it to your place.  The policy after Covid was to eat in your room when staying in the old redwood lodge and now  it’s much nicer to be at a proper table with coffee refills and the view.  They’ve added more options to the breakfast choices and we tried some of them.  Here I’ve pictured some of the new items as well as including past photos of our in-room breakfast trays (in case you stay in a cottage).  Your breakfast includes beverage including changing fresh fruit juice.  You also get some of their milk bread (which is quite toasty and thickly sliced), butter, jam and a seasonal pastry with your entree choice.   It is a lovely breakfast that is just one more reason you should stay there when you go.    I must say Frankie mostly doesn’t eat breakfast so I only got her posing with some decorations. Continue reading →

Manypenny Bistro, Bayfield, WI., 8/29/25

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building – 201 Manypenny Ave., Bayfield, WI., 54814

Manypenny Bistro is a family run place that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner along with offering take out options.  It touts itself as serving classics as well as inventive combinations, and indeed it does.   Lots of pizza options and burgers for later in the day but we were there for breakfast.  In addition to the good sized menu they had daily specials.  One room is filled with tables and streaming with sunlight from all the windows in a corner building.  The second room has the bar and high-topped tables for dining.   The menu sounds inviting and I hope to get back to try some of their dinner options, like whitefish livers which are rare to find and exquisite when done well.  At breakfast they also offered special of raspberry fritter French toast which also sounds fun to try.  The service was attentive and efficient and the portions were large and good.  We were not ordering adventuous options so I look forward to getting back and trying more things.  Let me know if you get there first and what you try. Continue reading →

Stephanie Inn (update), Cannon Beach, OR., August 19 & 20, 2025

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exterior – 2740 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110-3164

We returned to the Stephanie Inn for another 4 nights like last year.  You can read last year’s posts by clicking here and here or searching for Stephanie Inn.  The building is pretty much the same as are some of the staff and that’s just fine by me.  Really friendly folks work in the dining room and hotel.  This year we had an ocean view the whole time and I highly recommend that as there’s lots to watch for relaxing entertainment but all the rooms offer easy access to the beach and water.  The tasting menu in the dining room is 5 courses with an amuse bouche and the only choice being the main course.  I did see some substitutions for dietary restrictions,  Wine pairings are offered on two levels and there is a good menu of by the bottle or glass wines.  Cocktails are available but there is no bar to go to.   The view with dinner is of the mountains and nearby homes but one night we also were treated to some elk that wandered through.  White tableclothes and muted music are the set up for this lovely dining experience.  Executive Chef Jeff Slemaker was on hand most nights but we did not see Executive Chef Aaron Bedard.  The food is fresh, much coming from their own farm (Public Coast Farm), and the seafood is mostly local.  The menu changes plenty from night to night so we did not mind coming again and again.  It’s a great vacation spot that I highly recommend you try.  I’ve already made reservations to go again next year.  Hope to see yo there! Continue reading →

Milkweed Inn (update), Wetmore, Michigan, 7/18-20/25

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main lodge – 15.5 Rd, Wetmore, MI 49895

You can read the previous write up of Milkweed Inn from 2022 here.   It was recently featured in Art Culinaire Magazine so we thought it was time to re-visit and check out any changes.  First and foremost the food and hospitality were equally superb and I think this year’s group of guests was even more fun than the last.  Chef Regan is transitioning from Iliana to Lane but that seems to only have focused their culinary talents.  The hunting lodge in the Hiawatha Forest now offers 4 interior bedrooms to stay in, some glamping tents and the Air Stream is now a Mercedes Sprinter Camper Van.  It is definitely off-the-grid and a totally laid back weekend of eating, drinking and chatting with like minded foodies.  Regan is still an expert forager as well as gardener and incorporates that into the meals in addition to hunting donations from neighbors.   There is also a sauna which you sign up for in pairs and lots of friendly dogs, pigs and soon to be horses on the property.  Reservations are through the website <www.milkweedinn.com> and often are made a year in advance.  One tip we took advantage of is to watch for vacancies that pop up to re-sell.  Since retiring we have that flexibility and can skirt the long wait.  Last visit the weather was uncomfortably warm which was not at all usual.  This time it was nice and cool with a good breeze.  Chef Regan and her partner Eve are absolutely delightful and will make every effort to ensure you have a memorable visit.   If you are seriously into food and enjoy very casual surroundings this is an experience you should sign up for.  Chef can make some adaptations to the menu for the dozen people in attendance, but check first if you can’t eat some things.  There was no printed menu, so all descriptions are what I could jot down. Continue reading →

Dutch Door Donuts, Carmel, CA., 7/11/25

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entrance – Carmel Plaza, 205c, Carmel, CA 93921

Dutch Door Donuts  is on the middle level of the 3 story Carmel Plaza.  They are a small place with seating at a counter, tables or you can find seats around the shopping center.  Named for the Dutch doors you see on so many of the Carmel shops, it wanted to honor the charm of the city.  Each yeast donut is cut and shaped by hand and fried after you order it.  They are light and airy inside with a fabulous crisp to the exterior.  There were a number of containers with the toppings and the hot donut goes in and then is placed in a box ready for pick up.  After we placed  and paid for our order we snagged a counter seat to watch the action.  They offered a good range of options that apparently change with the seasons.  They offer a selection of of coffee drinks as well as water and a few soft drinks to go with your hot donuts.  It’s a fun place to sit and have a snack but more importantly the donuts are delicious.  Don’t miss this one when in Carmel. Continue reading →

Oasis Cafe, Stillwater, Minnesota, 6/28/25

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building – 806 Main St. S., Stillwater, MN., 55082

The Oasis Cafe opened in 1957 as The Highway Man. It opened as a service station, diner, and  bait shop.   Originally it was open 24 hours a day but when Craig and Deb Beemer bought the restaurant in 2008 they moved the daily hours to 8am to 8pm.  In 2018 they expanded the restaurant to include the “Bait Shop Bar”, which is now the middle of 3 rooms carved into the hillside.  We were lucky to get stools at the counter in the original room, which has also been refurbished by the Beemers and that’s where the open kitchen is too.  There was a line to get in and I’m pretty sure there always is but it moves quickly.   A combination of seating types are available with counter, booth, table and patio available.  Our server Sarah was opinionated and helpful with ordering, when so many options looked appealing.  She was a delight and so friendly, as were all that we interacted with there.  Actually they try and make your visit fun for example, they have a variety of coffee mugs and like to joke with people about which mug they get. A Packers fan will most likely be given a mug with something about Vikings. If a couple is getting amorous they might place a lit candle on the table to add to the ambiance unless they stay in their seats too long and then it might be suggested it’s time to move on.  The amazing efficiency and friendliness in all the staff we met as well as the good and generous  portions of food made it a dining experience I look forward to to having again.  Hope you’ll find time to visit too! Continue reading →

Mike’s All Day Breakfast, Kennebunk, ME., 6/18/25

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building – 55 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043-7300

Mike’s All Day Breakfast is a large place that is open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch.  Their menu features American classics served in several different rooms.  The service seemed slow to seat us – there was a  line of folks with a number of empty tables inside, but once they got around to it we all got seated and service was efficient and friendly.   The good-sized menu was supplemented by chalkboards with coffee drink options and a couple Benedict specials as well as reminding all they serve Mimosas.  The regular coffee they poured was fine by me but they didn’t serve water unless you asked.  The simple tables were surrounded by windows and walls decorated with fun signs.  A dedicated parking lot was large and there were benches on the front porch for waiting.  The porch for eating has been enclosed and is one of the many seating options.  I thought the food was generous and good and would easily go again when in the area. Continue reading →

Palace Diner, Biddeford, ME., 6/17/25

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exterior – 18 Franklin St, Biddeford, ME 04005-2502

The Palace Diner was re-opened by Greg Mitchell and Chad Conley in 2014, the sixth proprietors of the property.  They picked a Pollard Company car built in Lowell, Massachesetts in 1927.  It has been in Biddeford, Maine its entire life and is one of only 2 Pollard cars remaining in America.   The red and black car has windows on 3 sides on the top half of the walls.  Outside the yellow letters spell out their name on the red bottom portion of the car with a “Ladies Invited” sign next to it.   Inside green tile is below the windows and a well worn formica counter divides the diners from the stainless steel and wood walls and fixtures.   A large pass through window looks into the kitchen that was added in the 1980s.   They are open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch.  They do not take reservations and we were lucky to be seated immediately.  The diner next to me said he waited in line 20 minutes for a one of the 15 seats at the counter.    It is a cash only place with a few parking spots out front but a large city lot adjacent to it.   The place had real atmosphere with welcoming staff and great food.  Make sure and check it out when you are in the area. Continue reading →

Captain Freeman Inn, Brewster, MA., 6/25

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house – 15 Breakwater Rd, Brewster, MA 02631

The Captain Freeman Inn is a bed and breakfast in a restored Sea Captain’s mansion near Breakwater Beach.  It has 10 rooms and is run by a delightful young couple with experience in the hospitality industry.   You can’t go there for breakfast unless you stay there but I wanted to share what we had with my readers as Cape Cod has many options for dinner but few in the same town.  I found this to be a good location to get to many places of interest, beaches, and restaurants.  The breakfasts were were mostly made by Jason while wife Laurie brought out the food and beverages.  You eat on the screened in patio overlooking the pool and some of the gardens.  The breakfasts were enough to keep you satisfied all day while also being tasty and composed of local products when possible.  Laurie is also helps with baking.  This is a place I’d recommend when visiting Cape Cod. Continue reading →

Shell Lake Lunchbox, Shell Lake, WI., 5/24/25

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building – 36 W. 5th Ave., Shell Lake, WI., 54871

Shell Lake Lunchbox was a small family-run restaurant serving breakfast and lunch daily adding dinner on Friday, in the heart of the tiny town of Shell Lake.  It’s a casual place with a combination of tables, booths and counter seats inside as well as a few outdoor tables for dining.  Music was in the background and as the name would indicate, lunchboxes filled the walls as decorations.  The menu offered a variety of choices, supplemented by daily specials.  Appropriately for Wisc, they also offer drinks, beer or wine to accompany your meal.  Food was fine, quick and reasonable and service was friendly and efficient.  I’d call our meal “nothing to write home about”, but perfectly acceptable even though it’s pretty bland. Continue reading →

Duran Central Pharmacy, Albuquerque, 3/29/25

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exterior – 1815 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Duran’s Central Pharmacy founded in 1942 is on historic Rt. 66.  The family-owned and operated store has everything from drugs to gifts to a New Mexican Diner.  The soda fountain in the place was converted into a diner in the late 1960s and is famous for its red and green chile as well as its many house-made items.  Very popular, we lined up with many on Sat. morning to get the first round of seats at the small restaurant within the pharmacy.  It looked like they also had a patio for outdoor seating.  A tile floor, lower lighting, metal tables and no music set the atmosphere.  There are low stools at the counter if you choose not to sit at a table.  It felt like a place you’d eat regularly if you lived in town.  You should go by and grab a plate of New Mexican food when you’re in town. Continue reading →

Barelas Coffee House, Albuquerque, 3/28/25

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exterior – 1502 4th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

Barelas Coffee House is in the Barelas neighborhood which Route 66 passes through.  It has been serving New Mexican food for 40+ years, starting in 1978 in a somewhat run-down part of town.  Revitalization has since changed that and now the guests include people like Presidents Clinton and Obama to governors and other notables.  It’s a large winding place(as it’s been added onto) with a very small parking lot.  Street parking is available but a sign on the door cautions you about using a fast food’s parking lot across the street where you’ll be towed.  Having incorporated some adjacent buildings they were able to open a central patio for additional seating.  As you enter you pass the check-out window piled with more snacks and candies and wait at the sign to be seated.  From there you’re quickly seated and your order taken.  They only serve breakfast and lunch, with most dishes created from family recipes of the Gonzales (owner) family.  Mike Gonzales with his brother opened the place while studying at UNM, on the advice of his father who owned a nearby grocery store.   Some of the rooms looked like they hadn’t been modernized but it all adds to the ambiance.  Light green walls with lots of plants in our ‘sunroom’ and no music in the background.  Service was friendly and super efficient and the food was solid versions of New Mexico specialties.  Visit and enjoy some history. Continue reading →

The New Frontier, Turtle Lake, WI., 1/5/25

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sign outside – 440 US-8, Turtle Lake, WI 54889

The New Frontier  is a casual dining spot in a free-standing building on the highway.  They serve breakfast and lunch and in addition to their large menu have posted specials on a whiteboard, including lots of pies and cakes.  The simple interior is mostly Coke-related items with Formica tables and red chairs on a black and white floor.  The dining areas are 2 rooms on either side of the kitchen and service area.  Service was efficient and friendly and delivered by a well run staff.  The place was clean and well lit with generous and reasonable portions of food.  I will probably go back and try more things in the future and hope you will too and let me know what you tried.  I couldn’t find much history about the place but it is a winner. Continue reading →

Los Vaqueros Cafe & Grill, Kyle, TX, 12/28/24

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building – 804 W Center St, Kyle, TX 78640

Los Vaqueros Cafe and Grill serves Tex-Mex food in an old house with a large patio for additional seating.  They serve breakfast all day but the large menu offers tons of options.  The servers were friendly but spoke limited English.  A pair of longtime Kyle residents opened the place in 2017 in the space formerly occupied by El Pueblito.  It was modeled after a bar and grill that one of the couples owns in Sequin, TX.  Los Vaqueros means “the cowboys” and these 2 couples certainly had courage with only one of them having background in restaurant ownership.  They make much in-house and also sell some long-cooked items to go.  They are open every day with reasonable prices and acceptable Tex-Mex.  We enjoyed a breakfast there with family and you will too.

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The Root Cafe, Little Rock, AR., 12/12/24

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building – 1500 Main St, Little Rock, AR 72202

The Root Cafe sources as much as possible from small farms and producers in Arkansas.  They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner at different times during the day Tues – Sun.  Opened in June 2011 in the SoMa district of downtown Little Rock by Jack and Corri Sundell, it was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.  A second location in Breckenridge Village opened in 2022.  The Sundell’s philosophy is to create a more sustainable food system for Arkansas and have even used that principle in the design of the building, landscape and public events they sponsor.  It’s a small interior but lots of patios are enclosed in plastic to provide climate control.  A large mural of vegetables is on the wall of the building next to the parking lot.  Inside the decorations are funky and historic with lots of photos to look at.  There is a counter at the entrance where you place your order and a self-serve beverage area in front of it.  After you order and pay you receive a token to place on your table and they bring out your food.  Each token seemed to describe one of the farms they trade with.  The food was well thought out and I like their philosophy but nothing we had sang with flavor. Continue reading →

Twin Farms (breakfast), Barnard, VT., 11/21 + 23/24

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Frankie looked out at the patio – 452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, VT 05031

Breakfast at Twin Farms was in the main house’s dining area.  The porch addition was used the 2 days we went to breakfast.  It had been re-done last year whereas the barn-looking dining room was re-done in 1993.  This porch room had windows on 2 sides that looked out on the patio and grounds.  A fireplace was at one end and the stone tables were set with heavy stuffed chairs.  Fresh flowers were always on the tables.  After you select your order the staff brought a pastry of the day for you to snack on while you await your food.  Coffee, juice and alcoholic drinks were available in this lowered ceiling room with art on the walls. Continue reading →

The Swag, Waynesville, NC., 11/6/24

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building – 2300 Swag Rd, Waynesville, NC 28785

The Swag has several areas to eat dinner.  The first night we were on the covered open air porch.  The lighting was low and the breeze was quite nippy.  We asked to eat inside the next night as a number of the guests did and so we sat in the great room.  There is also dining in a smaller windowed room adjacent to the porch which is enclosed and we had breakfast in there both days.  The main room has a large fireplace with a bear skin over it and a stuffed bear climbing on one of the rafters.  A large chandelier made of antlers as well as small table lights make it much easier for photos in there.  Some deer mounts are also in the room which has a jigsaw puzzle set up during the day and feeds into the bar area.  My understanding is that you can reserve a dinner here and not be staying in one of the 18 rooms, suites and villas.  However, be warned that it’s not a driveway you want to navigate in the dark.  Most of the rooms have their own fireplace and they stock the room with wood.  I know you would enjoy a trip here. Continue reading →

The Swag (breakfast, lunch), Waynesville, NC., 11/6-7/24

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side view of main lodge – 2300 Swag Rd, Waynesville, NC 28785

At Swag you pick your dinner and lunch selections at the beginning of the day.  Breakfast is ordered when you go.  There are also snacks during the cocktail hour before dinner, which is at 7:00, snacks in your room, cookies in the afternoon and ice cream in the freezer outside all day.  You won’t go hungry.  They have changing Experts in Residence and these folks are there to visit or dine with you and bring expertise in everything from nature, wildlife, plants, photography, to painting.  Some lead hikes and others on the staff offer classes in wine, cooking, cocktails, etc. – all included in your stay. When you arrive you stop at the welcome house where they greet you with a beverage, for us champagne, and give you details about your upcoming stay.  They park your car and take your bags to your room while you are driven to your cabin.  Everyone is super friendly and willing to help.  The Chef hosts a picnic lunch twice a week and other days lunches can be packed as a picnic.  The food is not cutting edge but made with good ingredients and care for a nice finished product. Continue reading →

The Swag, Waynesville, NC., 11/5/24

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main Swag house – 2300 Swag Rd, Waynesville, NC 28785

The Swag Resort is almost a mile above sea level at the summit of the Great Smoky Mountains.  They offer a variety of private cabins or rooms in the main lodge to stay in with all meals included in your stay.  Built in the 1970s by Dan and Deener Matthews, it was a potato farm when they bought the spot at the top of the bald mountain.  No road accessed the property as the farmers had hiked to harvest the potatoes that were rolled down the hill.  They fell in love with the view of all the mountains from the hilltop and simply hiked up and camped there when they first bought the property.  They began to buy old log buildings and after building a road began to use these reclaimed logs to craft the buildings on their property.  It was a private residence until the 1982 World’s Fair came to Knoxville and the organizers asked if they could use the place as a hotel.  Guests liked it so much that they wanted to come back and thus the inn was created.  It’s called the Swag as that’s the name of the dip between the mountain ranges.  In 2018 the Matthews sold the property to Annie and David Colquitt, who spent their honeymoon on the property.  It joined Relais & Châteaux in 2020.  We were able to stay a couple nights and the next 3 posts will cover our meals there.  It’s a beautiful place and the staff are superb so visit if you can. Continue reading →

The Morning Fork, Sacramento, 11/2/24

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building – 1111 21st Street, Sacramento, CA 95811

The Morning Fork is the product of husband and wife team, Chef Keith Swiryn and “self-proclaimed Waitress Extraordinaire” Jennifer Swiryn.   They are both from Sacramento with lots of years in the restaurant industry.  Their dream was to open a breakfast lunch spot and in 2019 this retro diner style place is just the thing, in the place where The Lucky Café had been.  They are open daily from 8am – 2pm.    It’s a long place with a counter and stools running the length of it.  Booths line the other wall and picnic tables are outside for waiting as they are known to have a line especially on weekends.  Art is on the walls and there’s a stiking piece made from forks on the back wall by the kitchen.  Music is in the background, the lighting is bright and the service is helpful, friendly and efficient.  The server helped me craft the plate I wanted.  The food is fine so if you need breakfast or early lunch in this area put this on your radar. Continue reading →

Day June Luncheonette, Windham, NY., 10/25/24

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building –387 NY-296, East Windham, NY 12439

Day June Lunchonette is a small local restaurant serving American classics for breakfast and lunch.  The present owners, Ely and Danielle Franco, have been the owners for about a year and a half, but it’s been a restaurant space for some time.  The name is a take on lunch in French dejeuner.  Inside are a variety of table sizes and an L-shaped counter with stools.   Windows to the street, a new wood floor and art on the walls are complimented by music in the background.  Breakfast is served all day and service was super friendly.  The menu isn’t huge but is well chosen to highlight foods you want to try.  If I get back to the area, I certainly would go again and hope you will to when you visit the Catskills. Continue reading →

Peggy’s Sweet and Savory, Amenia, NY, 10/24/24

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building – 3312 NY-343, Amenia, NY 12501

Peggy’s Sweet and Savory was a bakery cafe that started as Back in the Kitchen in 2010.  Peggy cooked and everyone seemed to call it Peggy’s so the name was changed in 2021, especially since she wanted to further explore the sweeter side of cooking. There were about 13 seats in this small ground-floor cafe. The bathroom was on the second floor, which was otherwise unoccupied.   The third floor houses a local artist.  In the restaurant, the kitchen radio provided the background music and the menu was on a chalkboard.  You order and pay at the counter and they bring it out to you.  Most of the business seemed to be to go. Windows provided plenty of light and the walls were filled with photos of local townspeople and Peggy’s family photos.  An old wood floor and other decorations gave it a wonderfully cozy feel. The servers were friendly and helpful.  The food was simple and well-made.  Stop in when you’re in the area, you won’t be disappointed. Continue reading →

Troutbeck (breakfast), Amenia, NY., 10/23/24

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lodge – 515 Leedsville Rd, Amenia, NY 12501

Breakfast is offered in the same room as dinner at the Troutbeck.  In the morning the room is much brighter and music was in the background.   The room has a dark wood floor, art on the walls and small tables to accompany the bench seating around the perimeter.  Breakfast is not included in your stay and overall was a bit pricey for what you got.  Dinner is what you want to get here but you can’t challenge the convenience of eating on the property.  The food and service were both fine but it might be better to get a pastry from their pantry or head to town for coffee and whatever.  It’s a short meal so I’ve included a couple photos of the other rooms in the lodge where you can relax and enjoy your $5 drip coffee. Continue reading →

The Lodge at Glendorn, Bradford, PA., (breakfast & lunch),10/24

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gates – 1000 Glendorn Drive, Bradford, PA., 16701

There are only about 10 tables in the main dining room and another half dozen on the porch.  Breakfast meals, which are included with your room, were divided between both room but lunch seemed mainly served on the porch.  There is also an option to have your food delivered to your room or to somewhere on the property.  They really aim to please and will customize your experience as you’d like it to be.  Reservations must be made for meals and only people staying on the property can partake of them.  It’s lightly dressy for dinner with the lights dimmed and such but very casual at the earlier meals and with all the windows, sunlight fills both dining rooms.  Being there in a cooler time of year fires were going in the fireplaces. Service was super friendly and delivered by young and enthusiastic people.  In between meals there are several walks outlined in the material and graded for difficulty and mileage.  Golf carts are free for the asking and available to use on paved and graveled paths, of which there are miles.  Even though it was a really popular time of year to be at the place we rarely saw anyone else on the various paths.  Within the buildings there is a lot of art and sculptures are located on the grounds.   If you need a snack there is a popcorn machine, self serve ice cream bar as well as chocolate chip cookies.  I hope you’ll get an opportunity to enjoy a bit of time here. Continue reading →

The Lodge at Glendorn, Bradford, PA., 10/17/24

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lodge – 1000 Glendorn Drive, Bradford, PA., 16701

The Lodge at Glendorn dates back to 1927 when C.G. Bondieu purchased 1,250 acres as a retreat for his growing family.  He built a “Big House” and some cottages in the American Arts and Crafts style.  They continued to add buildings to the property over the next 80 years, opening it to the public in 1995.  One of the families that frequented it, fell in love with it and bought it when it was auctioned off in 2009, after most of the family no longer resided in the area.  Cliff Forrest and family then made Glendorn their home and set about preserving the history and natural surroundings while doing restorations, improvements and expanding to 1,500 acres.  Today, many of the furnishings and artworks were original to the home when the Dorn’s owned it.  We were lucky to snag a room at this Relais & Châteaux for 2 nights during Fall leaves.   Breakfast is included with your stay and I’ll cover that and lunch in a separate post.  Dinner is in a 4-course tasting format where you choose between multiple options.  You can also choose to have just 3 courses, pick more than one from each category, or add additional at a la carte prices.  They will customize it however you want.  Prior to dinner, they served snacks in another room with a bar, pool table and roaring fire.  I’ll talk more about the place in the upcoming posts but it is a beautiful spot and the staff could not be more welcoming or helpful.  The food is locally based and good but marvelously enhanced by the stunning yet cozy 2 story dining room.  If you can get there I know you will enjoy your visit. Continue reading →

Kennedy’s Cafe, Somerset, WI., 10/5/24

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exterior – 260 Main Street, Somerset, WI., 54025

Kennedy’s Cafe was a small town cafe on the main street of Somerset.  Mike Kappers and his family bought it from the Parnell family in 2018 and renamed it for his then second-grade daughter.  The small building has been a cafe for years.  The first floor had a few stool seats at a counter, a few booths (with red-topped tables) and a couple of center wood-topped tables.  There was additional seating upstairs but I didn’t visit, nor did I visit the basement where the men’s bathroom was – the ladies was on the ground floor.  No music was in the background but the place was packed so conversation filled the air.  It had lots of lights as well as windows to the street and the walls were covered with some photos and tons of funny-saying signs.  Service was super friendly but a bit slow (probably due to the crowd).  A cozy little place that serves only breakfast and lunch.  It was fun to visit but the food was mostly bland. Continue reading →

Home Kitchen Cafe, Rockland, ME., 9/28/24

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building – 650 Main St, Rockland, ME 04841

Home Kitchen Cafe opened in early 2009 in a former gas station location.  In 2013 they renovated to expand the kitchen and add a second floor deck.  Offering breakfast and lunch all day they want you to “remember, when you’re hungry, come home.”  They have their own bakery but also try and make most dishes in-house and use local ingredients.  There are parking places around the building but also street parking.  Benches outside served as a waiting area and the line moved quickly.  Inside there were tables in one part and the other part was just a lower L-shaped counter seating and a cabinet with items for sale.  There was music in the background and service was friendly and efficient.  If you need breakfast or lunch in the area this would be a fine place to get it, but come hungry. Continue reading →

The Stephanie Inn breakfast, Cannon Beach, OR., 8/14-17/24

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dining room – 2740 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110

When you stay at the Stephanie Inn breakfast is included.  It alone is worth staying there for.  It’s in the same room as dinner and on the kitchen side they set up the hot buffet with a variation on eggs, potatoes, meats and hot cereal.  In front of that they have fruits, granola, Greek yogurt and sauces.  On the other side of the room they have muffins, bagels, toast, scones along with butter and jams.  After you’re seated they take your drink order and then you serve yourself as you choose.  A menu in your napkin details what is on the buffet and also items you can have cooked to order.   Their fruits were all fabulous, being well ripened and full of flavor.  The scone flavor changed daily and they were all very good with a nice crisp exterior.  The muffins also varied daily and some I liked better than others but all were fine.  The toast was the same bread they serve at night.  We also tried several of their order options as well as crafting our own order one morning.  The coffee was French press and they offered fresh juices but I never tried any of them.   The menu also  offered alcoholic drinks but I didn’t try those either.  It was all wonderful and gave a fantastic start to the day.  Plus they serve from 8 – 10:30, so it works whatever time zone you’re coming from. Continue reading →

Not Justa Cafe, New Richmond, WI., 7/27/24

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building – 50 N. Knowles Ave. New Richmond, WI., 54017

Not Justa Cafe has 4 locations with a variety of owners, two of which also include Not Justa Bar and/or catering service.  According to our server they all vary slightly on the menus and ambiance.  The New Richmond location serves breakfast and lunch everyday with a small counter area and it does offer drinks.    It was a large place spread over several rooms and offered daily specials as well as being open to customizing your order.  Country music was in the background and they had a variety of tables, counter stools and booths for seating.  At the entry where you wait to be seated was a round glass case of dessert options and items for sale.  In the seating areas kitschy signs decorated the walls and carpet was on the floor.  There were uncovered window to the outside and plenty of parking our front.  Service was terrific, friendly and efficient and the food was mostly good. Continue reading →

Denny’s Diner, Wisconsin Dells, 7/21/24

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exterior – 2 W Munroe Ave, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Denny’s Diner has been owned by the Van Schoyck family since 1980.  Named for Molly Van Schoyck’s husband Denny, it serves breakfast and lunch every day 6:30 am to 2:00 pm.  Filled with toys and collectables they are noteworthy for their daily baked cinnamon rolls.  Most importantly they are not in anyway affiliated with the national Denny’s chain restaurant.  Seating is in a number of booths next to the windows to the street and tables that can be re-arranged to accomodate groups of many sizes.  There is also seating at the counter.  After you’ve looked over the large menu you can entertain yourself with the 50s-60s music in the background as well as watching a toy train go round overhead or visit Superman in the old phone booth.  It’s a visual feast of items.  My advice is go for a drink and cinnamon roll of any variation and skip the rest of the food.  Please note that it is cash or check only. Continue reading →

Courtyard Cafe, Wisconsin Dells, 7/20/24

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street entrance – 434 Broadway Ave, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

The Courtyard Cafe has had the current owners for 3 months.   The Lohr’s bring with them 30 years of  local restaurant experience and you’ll find their parents, kids and sibling all there helping. They serve breakfast and lunch in a large high ceiling room next to the Wizard Quest courtyard.  At one entrance they also have an ice cream counter and advertise specialty coffee drinks.  Beer and wine are available as were a few cocktails.  We sat at the counter but there were numerous tables of many sizes in the dining room.  We were there in a transition time so both the breakfast and lunch menus were in play.  Currently you cannot get served in the patio but you can pick up to go and eat there.  It was refreshing to see a less cluttered interior and anticipate straightforward food.  I would recommend this place, especially the onion strings or anything with the jalapeno popper spread.

Set-Up

courtyard entrance

interior

interior

interior

Frankie pointed out their hours

specials menu

menu

breakfast menu

breakfast menu

lunch menu

lunch menu

 

Food

I had to start with an order of the Mini Donuts that are billed to be “just like at the fair.”   They came out with the cinnamon sugar on them and it was a generous serving.  They were not hot but still plenty soft and tasty.

mini donuts

 

As an appetizer we shared an order of the Haystack Onion Rings which are served wtih housemade ranch dressing on the side.  They were hot and crisp with well cooked onions inside.  The coating adhered nicely to the onion.  They were delicious with or without the dressing.

onion strings

 

The Ultimate Turkey Club contained turkey, bacon, lettuce, cheddar and mayo on white toast.  Some of the toast pieces were overly toasted and the bacon could have been crisper.  Removing the middle piece of bread helped but it’s still a mildly flavored sandwich.  Pickle slices were a mild dill.

Ultimate Turkey Club

 

The Grilled Ham and Cheese was made with cheddar and smoky salty ham.  I made it ‘Gregg’ style by adding their famous jalapeno popper spread for $2.  This was a key to making this one sing.  The server suggested it was his favorite way to eat it and it did add a good amount of spice as well as creaminess to the interior.  It was a generous mound of thin sliced ham and well melted cheese on perfectly toasted bread.  It was very good.

Grilled Ham and Cheese

side view

Irma’s Place (update), Clear Lake, 6/22/24

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building – 955 US-63, Clear Lake, WI 54005

We visited Irma’s Place in January of this year and nothing has really changed in the physical space but they are now open every day except Wed for breakfast and lunch.   There’s plenty of parking in the lot in front and a side covered patio was there for outdoor dining but the sign said no service was available on the patio.  I noticed some of the art and photographs on the wall were for sale and they offered some cold coffee beverages, probably because it’s summer.  There were still baked goods to order or for sale.  Service was friendly and efficient with lots of refills on coffee.  It’s a place I’ll gladly visit again but now have a little more insight on what to order.  Their Mexican influenced options are well prepared. Continue reading →

The Pebble Bed & Breakfast, Halifax, June 2024

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house – 1839 Armview Terrace, Halifax, NS B3H 4H3, Canada

Halifax is a lovely city in Canada with beautiful coastlines and cooler temperatures for the summer.  I’ve enjoyed sharing our restaurants with you but also wanted to give you the name of a fabulous B & B where you could stay on your visit.  The Pebble is in a residential neighborhood and has 3- 4 rooms run by Elizabeth O’Carroll, a super friendly Irish host.  The name of the place comes from a pebble that was a token of love taken from the River Feale in Ireland, given to O’Carroll and later made into a pendant by a jeweler.   It reminded me of a similar story of a small rock we took from the place where we got engaged and later was turned into a pendant that I still have.  The rooms were nice sized and well supplied.  Breakfast was made by Elizabeth or her husband David.  I know this is a blog on restaurants but in order to eat at other places you’ll need a place to stay and if we happen to find some place that’s wonderful, I want to share it with my readers. H ope if you go you’ll tell them Frankie sent you (and no I get no commission).  Here are some photos of the place and a couple of our breakfasts. Continue reading →

Inn at Kenmore Hall, Richmond, MA., June 2024

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front – 1385 State Road, Richmond, MA 01254

The Inn at Kenmore Hall is a luxurious inn dating from 1792 in the wonderful landscape of the Berkshire Hills.  Lovingly restored by owners Frank Muytjens and Scott Edward Cole it is a fabulous place to stay in this area filled with pieces of history.  Normally this is a blog for restaurants but I include this inn as with your stay you get to enjoy a fantastic breakfast each morning you’re there.  There is a handsome dining room but what we really loved was the screened porch which looks out onto the lush grounds and garden with the birds chirping while we were pampered with fabulous freshly made food.  There was a daily menu with several choices and we got to try a number of things along with fresh juice and coffee.  The only way you get to try these options is to stay there.  I know it’s a little stretch from the usual restaurant posts but sometimes I am privileged to find a little hidden gem and I wanted to share that with my readers.  I’m including some photos of the rooms in this stunningly restored historic home and a few images from our breakfasts.  Check out their website, <https://www.theinnatkenmorehall.com&gt; and you might want to include it in your vacation plans.

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Cafe Mutton, Hudson, NY, 5/31/24

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front of building – 757 Columbia St, Hudson, NY 12534

Cafe Mutton was created by chef/owner Shaina Loew-Banayan and was mostly a brunch spot with hours of 10 to 3 Wed to Sun.  But on Friday they change and open for dinner from 5 to 9 and they now take reservations.  Opening around May 2021 it was named as one of the 10 Best New Restaurants by Bon Appetit and by New York Times in the “50 places in America we’re most excited about now.”  It was in a corner building with lots of windows to the street on two sides.  Small bare wood tables filled the room that had the kitchen on one end and music in the background.  The wine list was small but fairly well done with a special offered on one bottle.  The staff is friendly and the vibe was low key and casual.  The menu for dinner changes weekly, often with the menu posted on their Facebook page.  Chef tries to focus on local products, especially the cuts of meat not traditionally coveted.  The combinations were interesting but success was mixed.  I loved the choices but a depth of flavor was not evident in some of the dishes we tried, however many did have nice temperature variations.  I would however, go for brunch if I had the chance. Continue reading →

Sandy Shores, Ashland, WI., 5/24/24

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back entrance – 2524 Lake Shore Dr W, Ashland, WI 54806

Sandy Shores Cafe took over the building that used to house the Lake Shore Cafe and although the new owner, Sandy Marsland and her partner Bob Truchon have made changes you’ll easily recognize it.  Even some of the staff are still working there, which is a good thing when you know how welcome Priscilla makes all the guests feel.   A coworker suggested that Marsland could name a restaurant Sandy Shores should she ever open one and in July 2021 she and Truchon did just that.  They’ve tried to keep the prices low and portions generous but it’s a difficult challenge, however whatever they’re doing it seems to be working by the  number of folks patronizing the place.  They’ve kept the menu similar to before and offer daily specials which they publicize on their Facebook page.  They have a combination of seating options with counter stools, free standing tables and booths.   Along the window wall is a direct view of Lake Superior.  It’s comfortable with lots of parking available around the outside of the building.  The food is good, simple and plentiful and along with the great service you can bet I’ll be back.  Hope you try it if you are in the area.

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Country Skillet, Cumberland, WI., 5/18/24

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building – 1233 2nd Ave., Cumberland, WI., 54829

Country Skillet is a medium sized place that serves all day breakfast and lunch everyday except Wed (when it’s closed) and offers dinner on Thursday and Friday till 8 pm.  They do have daily specials and lots of baked goods.  The main room has a few tables but mostly has counter seating and the service area.  A second room had more tables and the corridor to the bathrooms.  New owners took over in 2023 and have worked to update the place, food and staff.  They did pretty well in my opinion.  Service was a bit slow but it was pretty crowded and only one server seemed to be taking orders, delivering food and cleaning tables – so with that in mind service was good.  She was very pleasant and efficient.   The walls have lots of signs with cute sayings and one TV was above the bar but it was muted.  The food was good enough that I look forward to going back and trying more options and maybe a baked item.  Let me know what you think if you get there. Continue reading →

The Sparrow Bakery Northwest, Bend, OR., 5/2/24

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exterior – 2748 NW Crossing Dr #110, Bend, OR 97701

The Sparrow Bakery opened in 2006 on Scott Street  then moved to the present location in Bend in 2014 where they had more seating room.  They now have a second location in Portland.  It’s a large place with high ceilings and lots of windows.  Merchandise is on a long table guiding you to the counter where you order.  They call out your name when your order is ready to come pick up.  A separate station had napkins and flatware.  They sell bakery items, coffee, breads and sandwiches and next door was another spot where you could just get to go items.  We got some Americana coffees and tried a few of their baked items.  The coffee was average.  Their baked goods had a similarity of dough.  None seemed as flakey as I expected but the Ocean Roll was worth going for.  It’s unique and delicious. Continue reading →

Goober’s Diner, Wilmington, DE., 4/6/24

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exterior – 1203 N Lincoln St, Wilmington, DE 19806

Goober’s Diner was a classic retro stainless steel diner on 2 levels that seats 80 people.  It arrived on flatbed trucks from Atlanta after being assembled there and then broken apart for shipping.  The construction took about 2 years and it opened in late 2020.  It was put in place next to Goober’s Garage where owner Vance Kershner keeps his car collection.  Co-owner Tom Hannum has many years of restaurant experience so you can stop in for a meal and then roam around a huge collection of classic cars.   They created some outdoor seating in the parking lot in front of both so parking is as you can find it on the street.  Inside you’ll find stools at a counter, red booths, some free-standing tables and lots of red tiles and light fixtures.  They have an elevator as well as stairs to the second floor so I also snapped a photo up there.  Lots of stainless steel and the curved ceiling give it an old diner feel.  Two bakery cases were at the entry as this diner has a pastry chef.  Open daily, they serve all-day breakfast as well as lunch and dinner (Wed-Sat) but only after 11:00 am.  The food was fine and the service was fast but I think I liked roaming through the cars as much as breakfast. Continue reading →

Kozy Korner, Wilmington, DE., 4/5/24

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exterior – 906 N Union St, Wilmington, DE 19805

Kozy Korner was opened in 1922 by John Vouras who passed it on to his son Nicholas in 1964.  He ran the business for 20 more years and then the building it was in was torn down to make way for a high-rise hotel.  In 1992 Nicholas restarted the business with his son John in a new location where it is today.  The restaurant has won the “Best Breakfast in Delaware” hosted by Delaware Today Media at least 6 times and been recognized by the Food Network as the top Delaware Diner.  On their 100th anniversary, they were featured on the Cosmos Philly News.  It’s a small place with booths and small round tables.  As you enter the cooking area was on your right and a bench for waiting was on the left.  Large pink and green linoleum tiles were on the floor and the dividers between the booths seemed to be leftovers from the Covid pandemic.   The menu includes breakfast and lunch items and was cash only.  Service was friendly and efficient and the food was tasty.  Another piece of history you shouldn’t miss in this area that abounds with historic offerings. Continue reading →

Angelo’s Luncheonette, Wilmington, DE., 4/4/24

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exterior – 1722 N Scott St, Wilmington, DE 19806

Angelo’s Luncheonette was started by the Muzzi family in 1967.  August Muzzi, who started there at age  17 still works the grill at the old-school luncheonette that is in a 1894 building.  He doesn’t like change and not much has changed at this cute cozy place.   His son, daugther and son-in-law all work in the place named for August’s father Angelo.  The Biden family are regular patrons and an election poster from his days in the Senate hangs next to a letter to Muzzi from Biden.  Someone in the family was a huge Elvis fan as there are a ton of memorabilia and photos decorating the place.  The small place had counter stools in front of the cooking and prep areas and a few small booths on the opposite wall.  They serve only breakfast and lunch and are cash only (they do have a debit machine on-site).  The staff were all very friendly and helpful and the food was quite good.  It’s a funky one-of-a-kind place that I hope all will get to visit while it’s still in business. Continue reading →

The Dogwood at Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN, 3/24/24

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grounds – 1471 W Millers Cove Rd, Walland, TN 37886

The day you check out you still get breakfast if you want, as check out is not till noon.  They also offered to let us come for lunch or pack one to go which we declined.  However, when picking up our car they had 2 box lunches for us.  I failed to photograph the contents but the rental car person was more than happy to make use of them.  I did  get a photo of the content menu for your interest.  The Farm offers lots of activities included hiking guided or self-done, fly fishing, clay target shooting, horseback rides, wine/liquor tastings, a range of spa and wellness treatments/classes, farm animals tour, farm tour, cooking classes.  All provided for an additional fee and added gratuity and tax.   The staff are all exceptionally nice and happy to help and the facility and grounds are immaculately maintained.  There is also a gift shop and a bar (noon-10pm) in the Main House, but make sure to bring your platinum credit card – just kidding a gold one would probably do. Continue reading →

The Dogwood at Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN, 3/23/24

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grounds – 1471 W Millers Cove Rd, Walland, TN 37886

The Dogwood Restaurant was in the Main House at Blackberry Farm.  On the 4200 acres are livestock, crops, fishing area and on and on.  It’s always fun to see the animals grazing but the crops were pretty dormant yet.  The cooler temperatures moved all of the people indoors for eating today vs. yesterday.  The staff seemed to work in pairs and everybody is happy and pleasant.  They seemed to be willing to customize a fair amount on your order which was nice but overall the larger portions at the Dogwood are less exciting flavor experiences.  If you had to choose where to have dinner, this would be the place for less adventurous people and all the children, as persons under 10 are not allowed in The Barn. Continue reading →

The Dogwood at Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN, 3/22/24

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main house – 1471 W Millers Cove Rd, Walland, TN 37886

When you stay at Blackberry Farm 3 meals a day are included in your room charge.  Dinner can be at The Barn with reservations otherwise meals are served at The Dogwood restaurant in the Main House. Room service or carry out meals are also available for a fee.  At the Dogwood you just show up between the hours given you at check-in and they will take you to a table in one of several room.  First you pass through the bar area then there is a large dining room, another smaller dining room beyond and outdoor tables.  The tables are various sizes and some have banquettes as part of the setup.  There are no table clothes but plenty of extra pillows it you need them.  Art was on the walls and no music was in the background.  Lots of windows to the outside made everywhere a brightly lit table.  Each table was always set with salt and pepper grinders and at breakfast butter and dark jam.  Flatware was in the napkin at lunch and on the tabletop at breakfast.  A large fireplace was at one end of the room that was also open in the room on the other side.   At breakfast the Chef’s Selection, griddle cakes and sweet roll change daily but otherwise it stays the same.  On weekends they offer different items.  At lunch there were some repeats but lots of new items each day.  We didn’t have dinner but a separate dessert menu is available at lunch and dinner.  The bar is also available for drinks and both meals we had had separate drink menus. Continue reading →

Delta Diner (update), Delta, WI., 2/17/24

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exterior – 14385 County Highway H, Delta, WI 54856

The Delta Diner has been visited by Frankie several times and today she found some new items on the menu to try.  Our last visit was about burgers and before that, the Tap Shack but today was the main Diner where they serve breakfast and lunch all day.  Owner Todd Bucher was back at the front grill and it was fun to visit with him as well as see all the merchandise options now available – so you can take a little Diner with you.  Frankie particularly liked the coffee bar where the new blends being roasted on-site are all available for you to try.  You simply take your mug up there and pour which you want and I will say there was quite a bit of difference in the flavor profiles.  Seating is either in one of the booths or at the counter and you can designate your preference when you sign in.  I’m usually ‘first available’ which is probably the counter.  There you get to chat with other guests as well as watch the cooking action.  It’s also a good opportunity to see other dishes and decide what to order for your next visit.  It is out in nowhere but if you find yourself anywhere nearby you should visit.  Check their website <deltadiner.com> for their hours as these change with the seasons and staffing.  Just a heads – up, they’ll have live music this summer at the Tap Shack which may not have breakfast items but it does have beer and some fun grilled items. Continue reading →

John O’Groats Restaurant, Los Angeles, 2/8/24

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exterior – 10516 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

John O’Groats Restaurant was opened in 1982 by Angelica and Robert Jacoby, with he as cook and she as waitress for a 20-seat counter place.  They served only breakfast and lunch so they could still have dinner at home with their 2 sons.  After 2 years they moved to a different location while son Paul Tyler was studying restaurant administration. He joined the business after college worked his way up to managing partner by 1994 and created some of the dishes served there today. Under Paul’s leadership, the restaurant expanded in 1995 and again in 2000 adding more square footage.  Paul was there the day we visited and greeted many customers by name.  His brother Carl has also rejoined the team.  You can feel the vibe of a family-run place with so many repeat customers and super friendly staff.  While Robert has passed on Angelica and Paul’s family are often on-site.  The place is spread over a number of rooms with one still offering counter service.   Blue checkered cloths cover the tables set with flowers and music in the background.   The food used quality ingredients that were prepared with care.  I hope I get to go back for another great meal there and that you also have the opportunity. Continue reading →

République, Los Angeles, 2/7/24

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front – 624 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

République was in a historic building that dates to 1929 and built by Charlie Chaplin.  Later it became La Brea Bakery and Campanile Restaurant.  République is owned by Chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke who have tried to build on this history and offer a casual cafe, bar and a formal dining area in the rear.  In 2023 Chef Margarita won a James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef for her work at the restaurant.  The couple have worked with a number of well known restaurants and now have 16 Wildflour Bakeries in the Philippines.  They open mornings for breakfast entrees and counter service and offer French-style dinners Tues through Sat.  It was a large airy space spread over multiple rooms with an open kitchen and an open bakery area on each side of one of the rooms.  As you entered there were several counters of baked goods but no greeter so it was a tad confusing, but we found menus and then after asking learned that you placed your order at the counter, got a number and they’d bring the food to your table.   A server located us and brought our coffee pot and a container of water.  There were tables with utensils and napkins which I grabbed but I’m not sure if the server was supposed to bring those too.  The menu had a number of creative items and the baked goods looked inviting.  The food was good but I don’t think we got the best of what they do,  It was quite popular so they’re doing something right.  Give it a try and be sure to get the Morning’s Bread, the baguette was first-rate. Continue reading →

Irma’s Place, Clear Lake, WI., 1/3/24

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exterior – 955 US Hwy 63, Clear Lake, WI., 54005

Irma’s Place opened in Oct. 2023.   The owners are two sisters, Stacy and Sasha Rondeau who named the place after their grandmother Irma.   They serve breakfast and lunch Tues through Sunday.   The day we were there, several groups were eating together at the medium-sized place.  Exposed duct work, wood walls, high ceilings, and a combination of booths and tables made up the building that was decorated with memorabilia on a high shelf and art for sale on the main walls.  It’s right on the highway so a perfect stop on our way to our house up north.  It’s simple food but I’ll be back to try some of the breakfast options and maybe more of their freshly made baked goods.  The friendly server was also efficient and explained the darkened parts of the menu were the most popular. Continue reading →

Sunrise Grill, Boone, NC, 12/13/23

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exterior – 1675 NC-105, Boone, NC 28607

Sunrise Grill was in the same building as the office for Sunrise Mountain mini golf.  It’s a family owned and run breakfast and lunch spot.  You enter the large building and find the coffee bar and some of the larger tables as well as benches for waiting. Through a door was the dining room made up of 3 rows of booths and smaller rooms on either side of that main room with more tables.  The server area was at one end with an area selling souvenir merchandise.   Art (for sale) and photos decorated the walls as well as a fun chalk mural on one end, also signs for the pancake of the day special.  Galvanized metal was the upper portion of the wood walls and older linoleum was on the floor.  It was a pleasant room with plenty of light and really friendly servers.  Open at 7 am every day except Tuesday they add lunch service after 10:30 and have daily specials.  The food and service were good enough that I’d go again. Continue reading →

Red Brick Cafe, Barronett, WI., 11/11/23

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building – 2974 US Highway 63, Barronett, WI

This small place was right on the highway in an old building that has been pleasantly updated inside.  Owner Deb Lehmann has had it 16 years and took it on after having her fill of low-pay-for-too-much work factory jobs.  She had no restaurant experience but it sure doesn’t show now.  The cozy spot was decorated with lots of newer wood paneling on the walls, old narrow gauge wood flooring, light wood tables and lots of bears from her collection.  Three stools are at a low counter and the tables by the windows are booth-style seating.  Fresh cookies, muffins and pies are listed on a whiteboard and there was one breakfast special combination.  Then there are the homemade caramel and cinnamon rolls that she makes herself every couple of days.  These are not to be missed.  Service was super friendly and welcoming and when we inquired about the building Deb came out from the kitchen to talk and answer questions.  They are open from 7 till 2 daily except for Tues and Thurs but she suggests you check the Facebook page for temporary closures due to staffing difficulties.  It’s a place I heartily recommend you try – no tweezer food here just good solid honest food served with a warmth we could all use these days.  Give it a try – I’ll be back! Continue reading →

Western Cafe, Bozeman, 10/26/23

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exterior – 443 E Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715

The Western Cafe specializes in American home cooking, serving breakfast and lunch.  It is in a building that dates to the 1870s and the place feels like it’s been there a while.  There’s most always a line to wait for seating when you enter.  A long counter with classic swivel stools is one side of the 2 rooms, with tables filling the rest of it and the smaller second room.   Behind the counter is the pie container with fresh pies of the day and beside is the bin for their housemade cinnamon rolls. Parking is on the street, country music played in the background and the wood walls are covered with art, memorabilia and kitsch.  They aim for an “old west” ambiance and they capture it.    The line moved quickly and we snagged two seats at the counter for a fun and tasty meal.  It’s not world-class food or cutting edge, but instead good solid and generous meals that I’d partake of regularly if it was in my town. Continue reading →

Goldy’s, Boise, 10/21/23

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exterior – 108 S Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID 83702

Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro opened in 1999 in downtown Boise.   It offers made-to-order breakfast using as many local ingredients as possible and lots of options for customizing your order.  With only 56 seats and taking no reservations, there is most always a line, but it moves quickly.  We got there early and were seated immediately.  There was a second floor with more metal tables and downstairs was a small semi circular bar with seating.  A tile floor was opposite the high ceiling on the first level where you could also see into part of the kitchen.  Lots of articles decorated the walls along with an interesting light fixture.  Parking is on the street and music is played in the background.  It served quality foods that were basically well prepared.  I would recommend it for breakfast or lunch. Continue reading →

Olive et Gourmando, Montreal, 9/23/23

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exterior – 351 Saint-Paul St W, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2A7, Canada

Olive and Gourmando is open daily from 9 to 5 for dine in or take out.  They are a bakery and a restaurant with breakfast available all day but lunch items only after 11.   It’s hugely popular with benches outside for waiting.  Inside the medium sized place  is a wood floor, exposed ducts, decorated chalkboards on the walls, and small tightly packed wood tables.  The music in the background is almost drowned out by the hum of conversation.  Some counter seating is available by the windows and the baked goods are in a display case by the register/sign-in area.  Lots of plants and decorations finish out the decor.  If you’re in need of breakfast or lunch I’d go get in line when you’re in town. Continue reading →

R Place Cafe, Cable, 8/30/23

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building – 41080 US-63, Cable.WI., 54821

R Place Cafe is a small place on the highway in northern Wisconsin.  They serve a variety of breakfast options till 1:00 and dinner on Wed and Friday from 4-6.  They are closed on Monday and Tuesday.   It’s a small family-run place with mom cooking in the kitchen and daughter waiting tables.  There’s a variety of tables and a few seats at the counter.  They bake their own bread as well as biscuits.  We’d driven by many times and never stopped but this day we did and we weren’t sorry.  The menu is on a chalkboard on the wall and there’s lots of brick-a-brack on the walls and surfaces to look at while you wait for your food.  Our server was super friendly and the food was good, honest items made with care.  I will go again and hope I’ll see you there. Continue reading →

Elk Store, Elk, CA., 8/24/23

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building – 6101 CA-1, Elk, CA., 95432

The Elk Store is not just a deli but also a grocery and a general store, selling lots of specialty and locally made goods.  The old building has a good selection of meats, cheeses and breads some ready made into sandwiches which they will heat for you.  Filled with charm and a creaky old floor it is fun to browse around while you’re waiting for your order to be filled.  Near the cash register the 2 menu boards hang overhead and the counter on the opposite side holds the ingredients and heating area.  Other parts of the store have fresh produce, wines, dry goods, beans, teas and a surprising selection of things.  The people were all very friendly and I’d go if you’re in the area.  Such a unique little place and the sandwiches have good ingredients. Continue reading →

Pickles Deli of Whidbey Island, Clinton, WA., 8/19/23

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exterior – Kens Korner Shopping Plaza, 11042 WA-525 STE 122, Clinton, WA 98236

Pickles Deli is in a strip shopping center and open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Sunday.   You can order in or call ahead and get your order to go.  The space has a high ceiling and a variety of pickle decorations as well as souvenirs for sale.  Lots of tables of different sizes in addition to a few outside are available.  In the entry room the walls are hung with bead-art pictures for sale and music is in the background.  The counter was busy filling to-go orders when we arrived and so it took a minute to get our order taken but it gave me time to look around and admire the beautiful cash register as well as the many containers of pickles.  They had a 3D hanging sign of a girl riding a pickle that was like the flat one on the wall outside the building. The people were friendly and the order came out pretty quick.  After you pay at the counter they bring the food out to your table.  The sandwiches were well stuffed with nice flavor so add this to your list when you visit Whidbey Island.  My main criticism of the place involves the assembly of the sandwich.  It was not evenly done, which is tough if you want to split one but it also changes the balance of the flavors. Continue reading →

Langley Kitchen, Langley, WA., 8/17/23

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building – 138 Second Street, Langley, WA 98260

Owner Jim Goodall opened Langley Kitchen in November 2020 after running a restaurant in Seattle.  He thought Langley needed more baked goods, especially cookies and set up shop there during the pandemic.  He was ready for portable food with the inside having no tables just the kitchen and items for sale.  You line up and order at the counter, then they call your name out a back window where there is a lovely patio to eat on.  The metal tables are surrounded by red Japanese maple trees with overhead heaters for when needed.  They offer a variety of salads, baked goods and sandwiches for both breakfast and lunch.  Their logo features an owl with a quiver holding a spoon and fork, rather than arrows.  We tried 2 of their sandwiches a bar cookie and it was all delicious.  This place should be on your list if you’re on Whidbey Island. Continue reading →

Stationæry , Carmel by the Sea, 8/12/23

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patio – 5th Ave between Dolores and, San Carlos St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921

Stationæry is a medium-sized (11 indoor tables) place operated by Anthony and Alissa Carnazzo.  They offer brunch, dinner, coffee and wines in a casual setting.  Also available are tables on the patio that opens to other stores and a couple stools at the tile counter.  A bench seat lines the wall set with small wood tables.  Many windows add lots of natural light and plants provide the decorations with music in the background which was sometimes hard to hear due to the crowd noise.  It was very busy and walk-ins had a long wait.  We had reservations luckily and the attentive and friendly staff moved the meal along nicely.  One note to service is that there are no refills on coffee – this was just house pour not a specialty cup.  The food primarily is sourced from nearby farms and ranches and varies with what’s in season.  It was good food, especially the roll which could have been a meal in itself.  I encourage you to try it but have a reservation. Continue reading →

Fitzgerald’s, “The Fitz” (update), Eagle River, MI., 7/31/23

~ hsnixon ~ 6 Comments

exterior – 5033 Front St, Eagle River, MI 49950

We were at the Fitzgerald about a year ago (as well as in 2019) but this time we stayed on the second level in the newly re-done large rooms.  The view and sounds of Lake Superior are fabulous and with so many hot places, the cool breeze here was refreshing.  The staff are super friendly and there’s plenty of parking out front.  The restaurant does get full, so reservations are a must.  Guests at the hotel have first grab at reservations and I found out they hold the window tables for guests.  This visit the fires in Canada were making a haze on the horizon but last time we were at the windows and the sun is so bright I believe I prefer the inner tables.  It’s a small place though, so there aren’t any tables without a great view.  Another thing I learned is to come early as they have limited quantities of some items and the later in the evening the more they’ve run out of.  Unfortunately, they were out of ribs again when we arrived and no ends were available.  They did look large and meaty from what I saw on earlier tables.  Service is friendly and helpful but their wine list is small, especially compared to the array of whisky that is available.  It’s a fun lovely place but the food is mixed.  Some of the desserts looked and sounded good but those were all gone by the time we finished. Continue reading →

Yolk (update), Manzanita, OR., 7/14/23

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exterior (when closed) – 503 Laneda Ave, Manzanita, OR 97130

Yolk serves breakfast and lunch in Manzanita, on the coast of Oregon.  We visited there about a year ago and had fond memories so we were looking forward to dining there and interestingly found out it had been sold in the last couple of days.  The past owners were still there when we went, helping the new owners with the transition, particularly cooking.  Even so, a little snafu with the ordering process made it take longer to get the bill and impossible to check on our order.  It is still a bright and tasteful interior with music in the background, a patio, a full bar and lots of windows to the outside streaming in the sunshine.  The food is good but they don’t take reservations, so get there early or be prepared to wait.  It’ll be worth the wait. Continue reading →

The DeBruce (breakfast), Livingston Manor, 6/2 &3/23

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dining room – 982 Debruce Rd, Livingston Manor, NY

When you stay at the DeBruce breakfast is included the next morning.  The sun-filled dining room opened at 9:00am and the menu changed slightly the 2 days we were there.  We tried some of the same things and new items the second day.  The menu says you are allowed to pick two items per person but I did hear some people customizing there order.  This may have worked as the place was not full or maybe they are flexible.  It never hurts to ask.  Also included was coffee, tea, orange juice and apple juice.  The service was not nearly as good in the morning as in the evening.  For example, I asked for a coffee refill and the server complied but never offered my husband any.  The service was also slower and that was probably due to fewer people working in the kitchen.  The food was more mixed at breakfast and it sometimes made me wish they offered a simple omelet.   But all that said, it satisfied and readied me for the day ahead. Continue reading →

Nick’s Family Restaurant, Spooner, WI, 5/17/23

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exterior

Nick’s Family Restaurant is a large place, with seats for 120, and famous for its ‘pizzaburger.’  It has been in business for over 50 years and with it being locally owned and family run by the Tyler family since 1979.  Windows to the street are on many sides with booths next to them.  In the middle of the rooms are tables of various sizes.  The first thing you see when you enter is the display case filled with pies and the check-out counter where you pay.  They have a large menu that is supplemented with daily specials for lunch and dinner and serve breakfast all-day.  Closed on Tuesday, they are open 6 am to 8 pm daily and are even open earlier during the week.  They serve wine and beer but no full bar.  Service was amazing considering how few were working there and how many people continued to arrive.  The food was mixed but edible.  It looks like a no-frills place and that’s the food it serves too.  Nothing wrong just not calling you back to eat there again. Continue reading →

Di Anoia’s Eatery, Pittsburgh, 5/4/23

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exterior – 2549 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Di Anoia’s is an Italian restaurant run by Chef/Owner Dave Anoia from Lebanon, PA. that opened in 2016 in the Strip District with his wife, Aimee DiAndrea (get how they came up with the name?).  They accept reservations 6 weeks in advance but do have a waiting list that actually works.  The bar and patio are for walk-ins.  It’s a large bustling place serving all ages on closely spaced faux marble tables with red-checked napkins.  Windows to the outside are on 2 walls and one looks like it used to be a garage door.  They are open for all three meals except for no breakfast on Sunday and closed all day Monday.  It’s a deli/cafe by day and a full-service restaurant at night.  You enter into the bar/cafe area where there is a pastry case and a full bar.  The dining room is to you right.  Service was helpful and friendly and the noise level is loud. Continue reading →

Groceria Merante, Pittsburgh, 5/4/23

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entrance –3454 Bates St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Groceria Merante is an Italian grocery store selling supplies and sandwiches.  It started in the late 1950s and moved to its present location in 1979.   The family had seven children and some of them still take part in this family run business.  We were on our way to visit Falling Water, the Frank Lloyd Wright designed home about an hour and a half from Pittsburgh.  We wanted something we could keep in the car and eat before going in and this was perfect.  The little corner store had wonderful products and a deli counter in back.  Some sandwiches were ready made and in the cooler.  At check out she gave me napkins and mayo for our meal.  The sandwiches were well stuffed but did want the mayo for extra moistness.  If you need Italian supplies I highly recommend this place and if you want a sandwich to go it’s a fine choice.  There is no place to eat at the store. Continue reading →

Katalina’s, Columbus, 4/27/23

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building – 1105 Pennsylvania Ave, Columbus, OH 

Katalina’s is “The Little Cafe with Lots of Local Goodness.”   Housed in a 100-year old gas station it is covered in grafitti art and serves breakfast, lunch and brunch.  The small corner building has a couple inside tables and some stools at a counter but most of the seating is outside on the pet-friendly patio.  (Someone actually had their leash-trained cat sitting on the planter box next to their table).  There are a couple of parking spaces right next to the building and a lot behind it.  Music was piped out onto the patio which is where we sat after ordering at the counter inside.  The menu hangs on a chalkboard above but they also have printed ones.  The food was brought to the table when ready.  I was intrigued by a number of things on their menu but the counter person said they are famous for their Pancake Balls which are trademarked and their breakfast tacos, so we got those two things.  Super friendly staff and a funky feel make this a place I suggest you try.  Who could resist a pancake ball? Continue reading →

Coat Check Coffee, Indianapolis, 4/20/23

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments

building – 401 E Michigan St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Coat Check Coffee is open daily in the historic Athenaeum building.    They offer pastries and bialy sandwiches in addition to coffee beverages.  There are tables in the lobby next to the counter as well as by the first-floor entrance.  They are located in what was the coat check area of the old theater.  It is a small counter but they are fairly quick.  We tried one of their sandwiches and some of their pastries.  It was mostly a younger crowd but with a variety of seating options.  I also saw groups with their computers possibly having a meeting at the one large table.  It is run by the Small Victories hospitality group that operates several other coffee shops in the area.  If you are nearby, stop by for a coffee and an almond croissant. Continue reading →

Pettigru Place Bed & Breakfast, Greenville, March 2022

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house – 302 Pettigru Street, Greenville, SC., 29601

Pettigru Place Bed and Breakfast is in the historic district of downtown Greenville.  The tree-lined street is mostly businesses and other B & Bs in the older large homes.  The Federal-style home has 6 guest rooms that come with breakfast every day.  They alternate between sweet and savory days but are 2 or 3 courses with very generous portions.  They were so lovely I thought I’d include them in this blog.  Here are 3 mornings’ indulgences.  Sorry, Frankie didn’t make an appearance – she likes to sleep in. Continue reading →

Riverstreet Family Restaurant, Spooner, WI., 2/22/23

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exterior – 519 River St, Spooner, WI 54801

Riverstreet Family Restaurant is a fairly large place divided into 2 rooms by a partial wall.  The good-sized tables are mostly in one room with the other having the bar facing the service area and opening to the kitchen,  Plenty of parking surrounds the building and music from the kitchen radio bleeds into the dining areas.  The interior is a combination of wood, brick, shingles, metal and windows to the outside covered with blinds.  A couple of deer head mounts and various signs complete the eclectic interior.  The large menu features breakfast all day, a lot of burger variations and is supplemented by daily specials.  The portions are large and the staff quite efficient and helpful as well as knowledgable of the names and situations of many of the regular customers.  Coffee comes as a pot on the table and overall the food was good but regular.  In other words, I would go again but not go out of my way to get there. Continue reading →

Circa 1886, Charleston, 2/7 & 10/23

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building – Wentworth Mansion, 149 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401

Circa 1886 is the restaurant in the carriage house of the historic Wentworth Mansion.  Guests of the mansion are entitled to one entrée of their choosing for breakfast, however they also serve dinner.  We were scheduled to have dinner there but let it go when an opening became available at another place we wanted to try – so many good places to eat in Charleston.  We did stay at the Wentworth so we had breakfast there twice but skipped the other 2 days due to planned lunches.  After passing through the lovely patio the door opens into the cozy bar room.  The main dining room is a small but elegant space with double clothed large tables, well spaced and a few large booths along one wall.  Service was great and friendly and the food was good.  The pastries were a real surprise, being house-made, probably by Ashley Cardona the pastry chef.  It would have been easy to fill up on them.  I suspect dinner there would be very nice. Continue reading →

Don Chabe Steak, Dallas, 12/9/22

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building – 3933 Main St., Dallas, TX  75226

Don Chabe opened in August of 2022 in the location that formerly had Mac’s Bar-B-Que.   It’s primarily a Mexican steakhouse but they also have breakfast items and salads.  Fronted by Oscar Rodriguez, the owners also have street taco and sandwich spots and thus some of that is also available.  There are plenty of tables and a dedicated parking lot and the bones of the place still scream Mac’s but they’ve painted the ceiling with fun designs and installed bright tiles around the baseboard.  The lights are bright and music is in the background as well as a large TV screen on one wall that was muted when we were there.  They were not crowded but our server said they have not put out much advertising as they are still working out the menu.  English was not the first language of our server but we were able to get by.  They do now have beer($4) and take credit cards. Continue reading →

Kitchen Little at The Mystic River Marina, Mystic, CT., 11/7/22

~ hsnixon ~ 4 Comments

building –36 Quarry Rd., Mystic, CT., 06355

Kitchen Little is at the Mystic River Marina and serves breakfast all day except Tues. when they’re closed.  They also offer lunch options but close at 1:00 pm.  It is a medium-sized indoor room, on the second level,  with windows overlooking the marina and outdoor tables wrapping around the perimeter.  They are very popular so be prepared to wait for service – there was only one server with a helper the day we visited.  Food comes quickly once your order is taken but meanwhile, the server kept our coffee cups filled and the view was fun as some boats were being moved to dry dock in anticipation of the winter months.  The back wall is blank as the kitchen is behind it but another wall had a large window looking into the marina shop below.  The paper placemats on the table had ads for local businesses as well as an overhead photo of the marina and the restaurant’s location.  The food was fine but not exceptional but the service was friendly and I’d go again for the view. Continue reading →

Hero’s Welcome General Store, North Hero, VT, 10/19/22

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entrance – 3537 US 2, North Hero, VT., 05474

Hero’s Welcome General Store serves sandwiches on wonderful housemade rolls along with having a huge country store of Vermont products.  Other buildings house the bakery and marina – where you can gas up or rent a canoe/kayak.  The main building is over 100 years old and packed with items from wine, cooking supplies, toys, clothing to interesting gift items.  There really was a wide array of items which were fun to browse while you waited for your sandwich to be made.  There were about 3 tables at the front of the place where you could sit and eat with the register and order counter directly to your right as you enter.  We read about it also in the Washington Post article about the Champlain Islands of Vermont.  The sandwich was wonderful and the browsing was good. Continue reading →

Wally’s Place Bagel & Deli, South Hero, VT, 10/19/22

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building – 260 US 2, South Hero, VT., 05486

Wally’s Place was named for owner Matt Bartle’s grandfather Wally Nieblin, who was a great supporter of the local food shelf/pantry.  It was established to provide a healthy and delicious alternative to current breakfast and lunch restaurant trends.  They bake their own breads and pastries and use locally sourced ingredients.  They are located in a shopping center just off the main highway between Burlington and Montpelier, VT in the small town of South Hero.  When you enter there are a number of counters that hold pastries, breads and refrigerated items.  The menus for breakfast and lunch are hanging above and the coffee bar is at one end of the counters.  Behind the cases is the kitchen that bakes all the bread.  The staff was super friendly and willing to customize.  There are tables inside to eat at but many got items to go.  Everything we tried there was first rate and I’d go back often if I could. Continue reading →

Handy’s Lunch, Burlington, 10/18/22

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building – 74 Maple St., Burlington, VT., 05401

Earl and Flora Handy opened Handy’s Lunch in 1945, serving breakfast and lunch and selling groceries.  While on vacation in 1958 their son Robert replaced grocery sales with a horseshoe counter which is still there today.  The senior Handy’s were not pleased and Robert became the proprietor until his passing in 1996 when grandson Earl took over.  That third generation still runs the place today, which was featured in the 2017 Cooking Channel’s Cheap Eats program.   It is truly a family operation with Earl’s mom working there until she passed away.   Whether his twins will take over when Earl is done is in question but until then it’s a wonderful place to go, eat and visit with newly made friends.  They are open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch and Earl Handy was working in the place when we stopped by.  Parking is on the street wherever you can find a legal place.  Put this place on your list. Continue reading →

Landmark Restaurant at Old Rittenhouse Inn, Bayfield, WI., 10/1/22

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exterior – 303 Rittenhouse Ave., Bayfield, WI., 54814

The Landmark Restaurant is in the Queen Anne Victorian home called the Rittenhouse Inn in Bayfield, Wisconsin.  Located on a hill, overlooking Lake Superior it provides a wonderful view of the water and quaint town.  The well-maintained brownstone also houses a bed and breakfast inn, there and in other buildings off-site.  Three rooms on the main floor make up the dining area, kitchen, and the beginning of the cherry staircase that leads to 12 guest rooms upstairs.  The 1890 house was purchased in 1973 by Mary and Jerry Phillips who began running the B & B.  It was expanded in 1985 to add more guestrooms upstairs.   Out back is a dedicated parking lot.  The menu is small and one special was featured the night we were there, but you do have the option of making it a 5 course tasting and choosing from the soup, salad, sorbet, entree, and dessert options, some of which have an upcharge.  Each small room has a different color scheme, with lots of windows to the outside, a fireplace, and various decorations.  The tables come in an assortment of shapes but most are large and are covered with white tablecloths.  They do not have a bar but your server can make cocktails.  The wine list is limited but there are some ‘special’ bottles in the cabinet out front you can additionally choose from.  Service was friendly and fairly efficient. Continue reading →

Crooked Lake Ice Cream Company, Hammondsport, NY, 9/23 &24/22

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exterior – 35 Shether St., Hammondsport, NY, 14840

Crooked Lake Ice Cream Company is a restaurant that pays tribute to Glenn Curtiss, a bicycle racer and aircraft developer.  A number of their dishes are named for him, striving to evoke the same creativity as his inventions,  and the walls are filled with mementos of his fame and success.  The restaurant has been in Hammondsport over 30 years and is open every day except Tuesday.  They have a long counter with stools as well as tables in two rooms, separated by a low wall and a few stools facing the windows to the street.  They had a makeover about 5 years ago but at least they kept lots of their older decorations however, the place feels new and fresh.  Service was very friendly and helpful and once your order is placed it came out quickly.  They do get a crowd and you pay at the front where people are also getting coffee/muffins to go, so there can be some wait there.  The food was fresh, with quality ingredients and good flavors.  Next trip, though, I’ll have to try their ice cream. Continue reading →

Donna’s Restaurant, Corning, NY, 9/22/22

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exterior – 58 East Market Street, Corning, NY, 14830

Donna’s Restaurant is a small place in the old downtown of Corning.  Inside you’ll find a fabulous display of Corning Pyrex through the ages and colors mixed in with cat objects, which is owner Donna Robbins’ other passion.  They are open Monday through Saturday for breakfast and lunch with daily specials posted on their Facebook page.  The restaurant opened in its current location in Nov. 2018 after being evicted from their home of 34 years on a corner down the street.  When the building owner decided to re-purpose the building they gave Robbins about a month to vacate and Robbins promised her loyal patrons she would find a new spot.  Robbins had started working at the spot 15 years prior when it was Bacalles Soda Bar and then the Kozy Korner until 1985 when she was able to buy the place and name it after herself.  We grabbed a couple of the stools at the counter but they also have tables.  Everyone was super friendly and the food was good. Continue reading →

Penny Cluse Cafe, Burlington, 10/20 & 21/22

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building – 169 Cherry St., Burlington, Vermont, 05401

Penny Cluse has been owned and run by husband and wife team Charles Reeves and Holly Cluse for about 25 years.  At the beginning of Oct. they told their staff that they would close by the end of the year – thus I am pushing this article ahead of others in case you have a chance to get there.  It’s a really popular place; our first visit we had to wait about an hour for a table.  It’s in a corner building with the main dining room slightly above street level with a smaller dining area up one more level.  The kitchen is below and you can look in the windows as you walk by on the street.  The couple opened the restaurant in a former Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop in 1998.  He was a culinary arts graduate who always wanted a breakfast and lunch place and thus created this fine place named for his wife’s first dog, Penny. It has since become a Burlington ‘go-to’ spot and has hosted many famous people including Joe Biden, Janet Yellen, Suzanne Vega, and Jake Gyllenhaal to name a few.  The couple does not plan to sell the restaurant or the concept cause it wouldn’t be the same without their presence.  They also owned Lucky Next Door which hasn’t reopened since the pandemic.  The menu offers interesting options and a few daily specials are also available.  Not much time left, so get there if you can. Continue reading →

Milkweed Inn, Wetmore, Michigan, 8/5-7/22

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lodge building – 15.5 Rd, Wetmore, MI 49895

Milkweed is a small bed and breakfast in the Hiawatha National Forest in the UP of Michigan.  Totally remote, they will pick you up at the nearest convenience store or you can bravely follow them on a 45-minute trek on unpaved roads through the woods.  Chef Iliana Regan, a Michelin-starred chef in Chicago, grew up on a farm and wanted to re-create that environment for small groups, in an off-the-grid culinary experience.  She is joined in this effort by her wife Anna Regan, who provides the sommelier portion of the fine dining experience.  Numerous friends and neighbors support the duo in providing a dreamy vacation during the summer months in a hunting lodge they purchased.  Reservations are in advance through the website (www.milkweedinn.com), where you also reserve lodging that is either glamping tents, a small AirStream or 3 bedrooms in the main house.  Your reservation starts Friday evening with dinner, then continues Sat. with snacks, breakfast, lunch and a huge tasting menu in the evening.  It concludes with breakfast Sunday morning before you start the trek back through the woods. Continue reading →

Arnie’s Cafe, Warrenton, OR., 7/31/22

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entrance – 269 S. Main, Warrenton, OR., 97146

Arnie’s Cafe is really popular and they don’t even have a webpage.  They have been a part of the Warrenton community for decades and recently owners Crystal and Michael Green (took over in Sept 2014) decided they needed more space and moved to their current location.  It started out as The Sea Breeze and in the late 50s became the Donut Hole and subsequently the Ponderosa.  At the front of the current location is a coffee grinder, that belonged to Mike’s grandmother,  whose wheel has become the logo with Arnie’s written across it. In the move, they brought over lots of kitschy signs that line the walls.  At the hostess station, they have a list for seating.  A coffee bar is at the front end but didn’t seem to get much use yet.  Their plans include a liquor license and expanding their baked goods selection. There were about 7 stools in front of the kitchen window that was in the back of the place.  They have a good-sized parking lot out front and windows looking out to it and the lovely hanging plant baskets,  all along one side. They serve lunch and breakfast with large portions and friendly service. Continue reading →

Yolk Restaurant, Manzanita, OR., 7/30/22

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exterior – 503 Laneda Ave., Manzanita, OR., 97130

Yolk is a small place serving breakfast (all day) and lunch (beginning at 11:00) in the little town of Manzanita.  They have been in business since 2018 and strive to have your dining experience provide a level of flavor and service that reflects their zest for life. It was a very popular place but takes no reservations so show up early if you don’t want to wait.  Inside there was seating at small tables or a few seats were at the kitchen counter.  There were also stools on two sides of the large bar but they were only for those over 21.  On the patio, there were several additional tables.  The hostess at the entry had a list.  Music was in the background and the vibe was casual and fun with a concrete floor, metal siding on the bar, windows to the outdoors, tile front on the kitchen counter and lots of wood and mirrors.  The service was super friendly and would offer advice as well as joke around.  In addition to the menu, there were daily specials.  It was a good place. Continue reading →

The Pines Café, Ironwood, MI, 7/22/22

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building – 120 S. Suffolk St., Ironwood, MI, 49938

The Pines Café had been running successfully for about 20 years and underwent a complete renovation in August 2019. Then the wife of the upstairs tenant poured lighter fluid on her husband’s bed and set the place on fire.  Fortunately, no one was hurt and she was sentenced to 11-50 years in prison.  The owners Susan Craumann and Janice Miskovich chose to not shutter the place and instead to rebuild.  A year later, in August 2020 it re-opened.  That’s why you feel the disconnect when the cute front of the place doesn’t match the clean, almost sterile interior.  On the main street of the old town, it is a good-sized place with booths along one wall opposite a long counter and tables in the middle.  They serve breakfast and lunch till 3 every day and have tried to decorate the place with woodsy bric-a-brac.  There are windows to the street and the lighting is turned up.  The only music is what bleeds into the room from the kitchen radio.  Service is friendly and efficient, portions are generous and the food is good.  They take no credit cards, have only a Facebook page, and no website.  It’s worth stopping by. Continue reading →

Franny’s Cup and Saucer, Point Arena, CA., 7/8/22

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building – 213 Main St., Point Arena, CA, 95468

Franny’s Cup and Saucer is a tiny shop on the main street of Point Arena.  There is no seating inside or out but don’t drive by because it’s filled with wonderful bakery treats.  It was opened in April 2006 by Franny and her mom who is an experienced, professional baker.  Franny bakes too but she also has picked out some trinkets to sell and fill out their small space.  They have sweet and savory baked goods as well as coffee and tea, but all items are to go.  They are open Wed – Sun and accept only cash or check.  If you are in the area, definitely go by.  We sampled a salted caramel pecan brownie and an oatmeal anzac cookie.   The cookie was huge, crisp, thick and filled with oatmeal, raisins and lots of other flavors.  The brownie was very fudgy and moist with nicely roasted pecans on top and inside.  The texture was great as was the flavor.  Can’t wait to go back and try more items. Continue reading →

Café Aquatica, Jenner, CA., 7/8/22

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building – 10439 Hwy. 1, Jenner, CA, 95450

Café Aquatica is a small place with a counter where one might eat but mostly it’s deck and garden seating outside, all overlooking the water and folks launching canoes.  They serve breakfast and lunch foods in a “coastal American cuisine.”  Featuring lots of local seafood and organic ingredients.  The menu evolves with the owner’s interests.  Currently, the most popular items on the menu are crab rolls, clam chowder and crab and eggs. They have some seasonal specials and coffee.  You order at the inside counter and they give you a buzzer which tells you your food is ready to pick up at another window.    We had a cup of their Pour Over coffee and a crab roll.  It is on a toasted brioche roll filled with Dungeness crab, aioli, celery and arugula which comes with a side of pickles.  The crab was freshly picked on a soft tasty bun with just the right amount of sauce.  A winner.  The pickles were well seasoned and tasty.  It made a fun lunch in a pretty setting. Continue reading →

Modern Diner, Pawtucket, RI, 5/26/22

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exterior – 364 East Ave., Pawtucket, RI

The Modern Diner was chosen to be the first diner in the nation to be accepted on the National Register for Historic Places.  It is a Sterling Streamliner, manufactured in the late 1930’s and early 40’s and one of 2 still in operation.  They serve breakfast and lunch daily with a ton of specials posted on the walls.    There is a counter with stools and a number of booths for 1 – 4 people.  A back room was added but sitting in the front gives you the real feel of the place.  The curved ceiling and shiny surfaces have the diner feel you’d miss in the addition.  The once silver roof is now red and marked with a “Modern Diner” sign that really makes you want to go in the place.  They do have a parking lot next to it.  Service was friendly and efficient.  I would go again if I’m in the area, not as much for the food as for the ambiance. Continue reading →

Pete’s Restaurant, Knoxville, 4/13/22

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building – 540 Union Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902

Pete’s Restaurant has been around since 1986 in downtown Knoxville. Owners Pete and Rita Natour serve quality home-cooked food and customer service at breakfast and lunch.  It’s a long place with lots of windows to the street.  The wall is filled with booth seating and a row of small tables is opposite.  The tables are covered with an oilcloth and set with silver wrapped in a paper napkin.  There are also some counter seats in front of the kitchen. Service was totally efficient and friendly.  Pete was in front helping with everything, including cooking, but not too busy to have a friendly word.  It was pleasant place to sit and while the food was fresh and prepared to order it was very ordinary. Continue reading →

King’s Sandwich Shop, Durham, 3/30/22

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exterior – 701 Foster St, Durham, NC 27701

King’s Sandwich Shop is a family-run business that is an icon in Durham, symbolizing the simplicity of days gone by.  The original shop opened shortly after WWII, but closed in 2007 needing major rehabilitation.  It was bought by the McDermott family in 2009 and re-opened in 2010.  The corner building has limited parking out front but street parking is available.  They serve burgers, hot dogs, lots of other sandwiches,  breakfast, vegetarian hot dogs and fries along with milkshakes at at walk up counter with another window to pick up your food.  They have picnic tables and bathrooms around the side to eat at if you want to stay on site.  Many seemed to take the food to-go.  It is only open for lunch.  The place was a real throw-back and this time the food was good too.  The shake was amazing. A fun stop on your tour of the area. Continue reading →

Mosswood Market, Cafe and Bakery, Boonville, CA., 3/14/22

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building – 14111 CA-128, Boonville, CA 95415

Mosswood Market is a Cafe and Bakery selling bakery treats, coffee drinks and lunch fare in downtown Boonville.  It is small with some outdoor tables and lots of to-go business.  The sandwiches and wraps are made to order, as are the coffee drinks but the bakery items come straight from the counter to you.  You order at the counter and there is a separate place to pick up flatware and napkins, then they bring the hot food to you.  Music was in the background and many windows to the street provide lots of light for this daytime place.  The market is next door and you can walk through to it – it has the bathroom.  The Cafe’s interior was decorated with photos of cats in Morocco so Frankie and I loved that. Continue reading →

Harbor House Inn, Elk, CA., 3/12 &13/22

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exterior – 5600 CA-1, Elk, CA 95432

The Harbor House Inn most importantly houses a fine 2 star Michelin restaurant but it was built in 1916 by the Goodyear Lumber Company as a place to entertain and showcase their redwood empire.  It is a lovely place to stay when, especially when you have reservations for dinner there.  I think a 2 night booking is mandated and they have rooms on two levels in the main house and several independent units on the property.  All come with breakfast in the morning, delivered to your room.  There is also an option to have dinner delivered to your room.  I wanted to share our delicious breakfast trays and a few photos of the grounds and wonderful staff. Continue reading →

Rollerville Café, Point Arena, CA., 3/12/22

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building – 22900 Shoreline Hwy, Point Arena, CA 95468

Rollerville Café is a classic café serving lunch and breakfast in Point Arena, CA.   It opened in 2007 and is adjacent to a Lighthouse Pointe Resort that both claim to be the last stop before going to Hawaii and for fueling up to tour the nearby lighthouse attraction.  The interior is small but there is a patio with additional seating outside.  Some of the well spaced tables have fun salt & pepper sets as decorations.  There was faint music in the background – possible a radio in the kitchen and plenty of light in the room from all the windows.  There were daily specials for breakfast and lunch but serving time seemed to be divided by 11:00 am or noon on the weekend.  Service was friendly and efficient. It’s worth a visit. Continue reading →

Clary’s Cafe, Savannah, 3/4/22

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exterior

Clary’s Cafe is a good sized place on a street corner with outdoor tables as well as 2 rooms for dining inside.  They even have a parking lot.  They serve breakfast and lunch all day.  It started as a drug store in the 1930’s  and later added a soda shop and now is a traditional diner.  It moved to its present location in the 1940s.  Featured in the book and film version of the novel “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”,  it was transformed back into Clary’s drugstore.   Today inside you’ll find brick walls, an old wood floor, faux marble tables, music in the background and a stained glass window of Savannah’s Bird Girl.  A hostess greets you outside and directs you to the old pharmacy room that only has tables or the room with a counter that used to be the soda shop.  It is pet-friendly.  Service was efficient and really friendly and the food was good. Continue reading →

Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen, Chicago, 2/24/22

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exterior

Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen is a huge place with a cafeteria style serving line.  It is a traditional Jewish deli that has been open for more than 75 years.  Going through the line you could tell that many of the customers are regulars that know the servers.  In fact during the pandemic, July 2020, when people were not dining-in, Manny’s alerted people on social media that they were struggling and needed support.  Supporters lined up around the block to order to go and keep the place in business.  They offer the usual meats but also salads and various hot dishes, with a couple specials every day.  They also have a bread and pastry shop which you walk through as you exit. It seems to have survived and is worth a visit if you are in the area. Continue reading →

Kasama, Chicago, 2/23/22

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exterior

Kasama is a bakery and modern Filipino restaurant located in the East Ukrainian Village neighborhood of Chicago.  They serve breakfast and lunch but started an evening tasting menu last fall.  It is a small place and you place your order at the front, where they also have the pastry counter.  Small tables line the wall on either side with bench seating along the wall and bar stools are on the opposite side in one room.  The other room has the open kitchen.  After you place your order you are assigned a table and they bring the food out to you.  Music is in the background, the tables are small and the wall behind the bench is windows to the street.  They seemed to also do a healthy to-go business.  Everyone was really friendly and the food was great.  I’d love to go back for the evening tasting. Continue reading →

Blue Heaven, Key West, 1/29/22

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entrance

Blue Heaven is a well known destination in Key West serving breakfast, lunch and dinner – all al fresco.  The very casual spot does not take reservations but has a good sized bar across the street with chairs, tables, music stage and ping-pong table.  Roosters roam through the tables and lots of funky decorations give the place lots of character.  We got there pretty early and still had to wait 45 minutes – a fairly accurate estimate by the greeter –  but it was pleasant across the street and the drinks were actually a $1 cheaper.  They had a stage like the main dining area does but it was not active.  There is a window into the bakery that you could look into going to the bathrooms and also one to the gift shop.  An assortment of umbrellas and canopies help to provide shade in the dining area.  Some canned music was in the background before the band got started. Continue reading →

Town Topic Hamburgers, Kansas City, 12/11/21

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exterior

Town Topic Hamburgers opened in 1937 at the same location it is today.  Claude Sparks began selling burgers for 5¢ each and 75 years later Town Topic is now part of Kansas City’s history. They are open 24 hours a day(hours may now vary during Covid), 7 days a week and still cook the burgers the same way – with grilled onions and a steamed bun.  They now have added 2 more locations but with more limited hours than the original at 2021 Broadway in downtown.  There are just 12 stools (3 look out to the street and the others face the counter) in the small space, so lots of food is to-go.  Music is in the background and there is a parking lot next door.  The griddle is on one end of the counter and a cooler filled with pies sits in front of you.  They have hand dipped shakes and lots of breakfast items but they out source their pies.  The people were all super friendly and service was quick and efficient.  The breakfast was good and I’d love to be able to try their burger. Continue reading →

Story Hill BKC, Milwaukee, 12/3/21

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exterior

Story Hill BKC (Bottle, Kitchen, Cocktail/Cup) is a medium sized wine and spirit shop that also serves upper-midwest inspired cuisine in brunch, lunch and dinner formats.   Lunch is a smaller menu but gave us a good idea of what they are capable of producing – and it’s a good pronouncement for those who are around Milwaukee.  There is a small parking lot behind and lots of street parking around this corner spot.  Music is in the background and lots of windows let in much natural light.  On one side of the room is the retail shop with wine, spirits and beers for sale.  You can also purchase a wine to drink with your meal there for a small corkage fee.  The bare blond wood table was nice sized and set with a cloth napkin.  Two daily specials were listed on the menu.  Service was friendly and very helpful. Continue reading →

Blue’s Egg, Milwaukee, 12/2/21

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building

Blues Egg is where the EGG stands for Everyone’s Good Graces.  Opening in 2010 it serves breakfast and lunch with the same attention to dishes that go into fine dining.  They offer standards and a few daily specials.  Known for their fresh hashbrowns that are cooked in butter and offered stuffed with various ingredients.  It’s a large place that can serve 4,000 eggs, 400 pounds of bacon and 700 pounds of hash browns in a busy week.  Inside there is a long bar with stools and a mix of high top and regular height tables.  Music is in the background and a good sized parking lot offers free parking out front. They have a full bar and friendly efficient service. Continue reading →

The Silver Skillet, Atlanta, 11/11/21

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exterior

The Silver Skillet has been in business since 1956 has been featured in many movies, television shows, magazines and newspapers.  Their homemade lemon ice-box pie was voted one the “5 Best Pies in the the USA” by Life Magazine.   It is a 50’s style diner that serves breakfast all day and is considered an Atlanta landmark.   Inside you’ll find lines of booth seating with a few stools at the counter that look into the kitchen.  Windows to the street are on two sides and memorabilia and items for sale decorate the other walls.  Country music is in the background, acoustic tile makes up the ceiling and old linoleum serves as the floor.   Lots of parking is around the building and inside you are greeted by friendly, helpful staff.  The menu breaks no food barriers but it is well done using quality ingredients.  I was skeptical to go there but it was well worth the visit and if it was closer, I’d go back. Continue reading →

Little’s Food Store, Atlanta, 11/9/21

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building

Little’s Food Store is in the Cabbagetown section of Atlanta and has a grill as well as a small shop for basics.  Right now they are not offering inside dining but there is an open lot next to it that is set with 8 picnic tables.   Located on a really narrow steet, it is a neighborhood staple and when they thought about shutting down due to the costs to fix their kitchen the neighborhood fundraised the money needed.  They also have a 15 year old cat that sits outside and when it needed vet care the community once again rallied.  It opened in 2010 and been serving burgers and selling grocery essentials since that time.  Development in the neighborhood and surrounding areas have brought in more restaurant customers than shoppers and so their shelves have less fresh produce and their hours have them open later and longer.  Their menu has burgers, dogs and sandwiches as well as sides but they do offer breakfast sandwiches.  The place is funky and food was well made using quality ingredients.  Parking is as you can find it. Continue reading →

Al’s Breakfast, Minneapolis, 10/10/21

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exterior

Al’s Breakfast started in 1950 and has 14 seats at a counter.  They are in the Dinkytown neighborhood and don’t except credit cards.   They don’t have a freezer, microwave or deep fryer because they think meals taste best prepared without them and they don’t have room.  We found the line outside when we arrived and it moved fairly well.  As customers leave someone comes out and invites the number inside that they can now serve.  If your whole party is not there when you reach the door you will be move to the back of the line.  It’s all done in a very pleasant way.  Open everyday, they close at 1:00pm.  It is reported to be the most narrow restaurant in Minneapolis with a width of 10 feet.  It is built in a former alleyway.  Prior to Covid they let waiters line up inside behind stools when it was cold, now only vaccinated are allowed inside.  The food is worth the wait and hassle.  Behind the counter are boxes of yellow cards which are meals already paid for. Continue reading →

Rose and Fern, Traverse City, 10/2/21

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exterior

Rose and Fern is a small cafe where all food is pre-ordered on their website <roseandferncafe.com> and then you can either pick it up or have it delivered.  There are a couple outdoor tables and chairs but most seemed to take their food elsewhere.  It’s definitely a neighborhood cafe with families gathered outside eating and chatting.  Unfortunately after 3 years they have lost their lease and are hunting for a new location, as they must move by year’s end.  They offer a range of breakfast sandwiches made with quality ingredients and they are good.  They also have coffee, whose beans are roasted in house.  It would be worth tracking down if you’re in the area.   They are super friendly and our sandwich was a great way to start the day. Continue reading →

S2S Sugar 2 Salt, Traverse City, 10/1/21

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exterior

S 2 S or now Sugar 2 Salt started out as Sunrise to Sunset but when the owners came together they realized it was more sugar to salt as they wanted to serve breakfast.  The menu changes with the seasons and availability.  It is located in the complex that long ago housed a mental health hospital.  They have indoor as well as a large outdoor dining area.  Inside much of the room is taken up by a bar, the front of which is a case for pastries.   A large window to the kitchen serves as a pass through also, where you can see the single chef making and assembling the plates.   It is casual and laid back with lots of signs on the walls and herbs hanging overhead.  The white walls reflect all the sun that comes in the front windows to make it quite well lit.  With a concrete floor it looked like it could get noisy if it was full.  The staff was friendly and helpful. Continue reading →

Bubbie’s Bagels, Traverse City, 9/30/21

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exterior

Bubbie’s Bagels opened in Feb. 2020  by Sam Brickman who named it for his grandmother who got him interested in cooking even though she never made bagels.  They use an old school technique making the bagels with a sourdough base and fermenting for 2 days before boiling them.  This allows them to a wonderful texture and chew. They have several kinds of bagels and cream cheese to make your sandwich or there are optional fillings of egg, tuna or lox.  You can buy one or quantities.  Masks are required and the number of people in the shop is limited, but it is one of a kind.  The bagels do have a marvelous texture and taste but there was too much cream cheese for me.  If I ever go again I’d have it plain. Continue reading →

Swan Street Diner, Buffalo, 9/2/21

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exterior

The Swan Street Diner is an example of one of the early Sterling Company diner cars made by a Mass. company from 1936 to 1942.  Swan Street is No. 397 from  1937, featuring mahogany trim, barrel vaulted ceiling and walls of porcelain enamel.  This one was originally in Newark, NY as a diner and assembled onsite from pieces.  Since then it has had 3 owners and in 2013 Larkin Development Group purchased it, took it to Akron, Ohio and then to Buffalo for full restoration.  The interior enamel panels, bar stools and wood trim are original and the rest was fabricated onsite, trying to hold to the original design.  The Larkin Soap Company made china among other things and Swan Street was able to purchase some of the last plates and mugs made in Buffalo for the Diner.  They offer breakfast and lunch and have a couple specials.  The food is high quality and it’s a beautifully restored diner with a few original parts.  Great, friendly service. Continue reading →

Harbor Cafe, Stonington, ME., 8/30/21

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exterior

The Harbor Cafe is in a large white house on on the main street of Stonington, Maine. There were a couple rooms but mostly one was in use and it was lined with booths on the side and a couple tables in the middle. Art was for sale on the walls and maps were laminated on the table tops. The booths were divided with plexiglas but masks were not required for the vaccinated. It felt like a very local spot with people ordering ‘the usual.’  In addition to the menu they offered a ham and cheese omelette which we both chose. You could chose your bread product, cheese and potato preparation. We both took cheddar and the skillet then deep fried potatoes. I had an English muffin and my husband had white toast. The potatoes were crisp and really good and the omelette was filled with chunks of ham. The egg exterior was fluffy and good. Unlike the menu indicated (one refill only) they refilled your coffee numerous times. It was a good solid way to start a day of travel. Continue reading →

Chugiak Cafe, Chugiak, AK., 8/1/21

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drive through line

Chugiak Cafe is about 20 miles outside of Anchorage and worth the drive.  It started about 7 years ago (by my best information) in what was an old WWII barracks.  After about 3 years owner Trig Bjorklund had to expand to 2 more rooms to accommodate guests.  Then Covid 19 hit and they changed the system to drive-through only.  Tables outdoors are now set up, each set with a box of napkins, utensils and other needs and the front door is open if you want to eat inside.  However there is no staff to clean up after you or take orders, just put your trash in the convenient cans or take your food to another location.  To expedite the process a person is out front to take your order and hand it in to the kitchen who will then give it to the pick-up window.  The system works well and there are beautiful flowers and fun decorations for you to look at as you drive through the line.  Inside is a treasure trove of a lifetime’s memorabilia that is not to be missed.  Particularly the 1910 coffee roaster that roasts their coffee in small batches.  But the best part is the honest, wonderful food. Continue reading →

The White Spot, Anchorage, 7/30/21

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exterior
109 W. 4th Ave., 907-279-3954

The White Spot is in downtown Anchorage and even though the street out front was closed for repair the place was still packed with customers eating in and picking up to go orders. There are several tables but the best seats are at the counter overlooking the small kitchen show.  They are known for the halibut sandwich but you’ll find lots of house made, fresh options here.  The current owners have had the place five and a half years but it obviously goes way back.  An interim owner was an Italian lady that brought the place to notoriety according to the current owner.  The cook, Frank, was an amazing show to watch as he freshly breaded mushrooms, onion and the famed halibut for the sandwich all while grilling whatever.  The staff were all super friendly and it was such a fun tasty spot to have on our agenda, I recommend you try it when you’re in the area.  They are only open for lunch and breakfast (for which I could find no menu). Continue reading →

Colony Kitchen/ Noisy Goose Cafe, Palmer, AK., 7/30/21

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exterior

The Colony Kitchen started in 1985 in downtown Palmer as the Frontier Café and moved to the present location in 1989 and became the Colony Kitchen but is more often referred to as the Noisy Goose Cafe.  The name is representative of the casual and conversational nature of the guests and staff.  Portions of the home-style cuisine are large and service is efficient.  The food is well prepared but on the bland side for me but nevertheless, even with Covid the place was incredibly busy.  Large groups, couples and families from all walks of life found it the place to go.  The walls are covered with stuffed birds, antlers, photos of animals and signs.  Several wooden bears are also placed around as well as a stuffed real bear and faint music is in the background.  Many windows add to the light level inside.  Outside there is a wrap around deck and a combination of booths and tables fill the inside. A scrambler option was offered as a daily special. Continue reading →

Nelscott Breakfast House, Lincoln City, OR., 6/26/21

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exterior

Nelscott Breakfast House alternately called Nelscott Café is a small coastal cafe offering breakfast and lunch items. Located in Lincoln City, their patio welcomes dogs too and there are special items available just for our canine companions.  It’s in a strip of shops along the highway in what looks like a house and was started around 2009 by a couple with the names Nelson and Scott, but it has changed hands a number of times.  Inside you find a number of tables and stairs to another level of seating as well as a door to the patio.  Plenty were also getting food to-go.  A pass through window to the kitchen lets you get a small peek at the action, windows are all around, music is in the background and happy people are everywhere.  Service was outstanding – they promptly took our order and food was out quickly, which was great as we were on our way to the airport. The menu has a good selection of sweet or savory dishes but there are also specials, which were noted out front.  I would go back if I am ever anywhere close.    Continue reading →

Delta Diner (update), Delta, WI, 5/3/21

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exterior with coffee shop showing

Almost 2 years ago we visited the Delta Diner and that was an update on their new addition of a Chicken Shack and Tin Tap House to the left as you look at the Diner. Five years ago we looked at a lot of the food and some of my consistent favorites to order there, like the Deli sandwich.  But today we visited on a Burger Monday and that’s what they serve all day every Monday.  There are a number of ways to have your fresh meat patty prepared or you can enjoy the vegetarian option of a black bean burger.  All are served on soft, fresh griddle toasted buns.  After a long year of Covid closures and curbside service the Diner is finally open for limited inside seating.  New additions of partitions are between booths and stenciled with a drawing of the Diner.  They are incredibly tasteful and fit right in.  No plastic partitions and the staff are all properly masked and vaccinated. The counter stools are limited and space is left open between customers.   There are plenty of picnic tables with beautiful settings if you want to order and carry your food outside. Continue reading →

D’Andrews Bakery & Cafe, Nashville, 4/17/21

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exterior

D’Andrews Bakery and Cafe in downtown Nashville was opened by David Andrews after studying his craft in NYC. It offers pastries, breads, coffees and sandwiches.  Everything in the restaurant is house made, even the meats are roasted and seasoned there and the mayo, etc is also made there.  Pastries are in the counter, and they will heat them for you.  There is a patio out front and some tables inside for dining.  Lots of folks got items to go.  Masks are required to enter and the line forms by the pastry counter.  It is well lit and you can watch Andrews making hot items on the stove behind.  Staff was friendly and helpful and the food was fantastic. Continue reading →

Breakfast Republic, San Diego, 3/25/21

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Liberty Station

Breakfast Republic is part of a chain of places in southern California.  They serve innovative breakfast combinations surrounded by tons of fun, almost kitsch decorations.  We visited the location in Liberty Station built in the Spanish Colonial Revival style which was the site of the Naval Training Center in 1923.  The chain supports composting of uneaten foods and recycling.  This location had 2 good sized heated patios to dine on.  They are open daily from 7 to 3.  Service was friendly, masked and efficient.  While the food sounded great in the menu I would rate it acceptable + with generous portions. Continue reading →

Stanley, New Orleans, 3/20/21

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exterior

Stanley is on a corner in Jackson Square by St. Louis Cathedral.  In a tribute to Tennessee Williams their location is near the restaurant Stella that closed in 2014.  They feature all day breakfast/brunch as well as sandwiches and desserts in a casual location.  They are open Thursday to Monday from 8 am to 4 pm.  Outside is a lot of outdoor seating and some well distanced seats inside the place.  It is really popular so be prepared for a wait in popular times.  Service was efficient and friendly.  No reservations are accepted. Continue reading →

Harbor House Inn, Elk, CA., 8/13 & 14/20

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Harbor House Inn

The property where the Harbor House Inn is today was used as a place for the families brought in to work in the lumber industry in the late 1800’s. Goodyear Redwood Company bought the lumber mill and land in 1916 and hired Louis Christian Mullgardt to build a home that would showcase the beauty of the redwoods. Elk Redwood Company bought it in 1932 and from then it changed hands a number of times. In 2005 Jin and Eva Lu purchased the Inn and then closed it in 2013 when they did a 5 year renovation project. They have 6 traditional rooms in the main house and 5 standalone cottages that are on the grounds. We were lucky to stay in the Redwood Room of the main building. Normally I don’t post hotels on this blog but last post here was of the restaurant in the inn and I wanted you to also see the breakfasts that come with the rooms.

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Kate’s Greek & American, Everett, WA./ 11/8/19

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IMG_2744
exterior

Kate’s Greek & American restaurant is a medium sized colorful place on a busy street near lots of shops.  Booths are on two long sides of the space with tables in the middle.  The chairs are mostly different as are the table cloths.  Windows to the street are on one end and the kitchen and prep area are opposite that.  Above there were 2 large boards with the specials on them.  Lots of art is on the walls and much of it was for sale.  They serve only breakfast and lunch, both all day.  The server was really friendly and offered good advice when ordering. Continue reading →

The Brick House Cafe, Cable, 7/21/18

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building
building

The Brick House is in an old brick house that has a small interior dining space and order counter.  There were also a number of tables on a patio outside and a couple small metal ones on the porch of the house.  A couple of rocking chairs are also on the porch and would be a nice place to enjoy your morning coffee and maybe a muffin.  We were there during the breakfast hour but they also serve lunch and then close at 3:00.  There were lots of flowers around the house and inside, probably because it was summer time.  Inside the walls are filled with placques and pictures and the wall over the coffee machine is primarily about Diners, Drive-ins and Dives visit to the place.  No music is in the background but there was a constant stream of people coming and going.  Natural light comes in through the many windows, but air conditioning is there if it gets hotter.   Continue reading →

The Robin’s Nest, Hayward, 5/12/18

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exterior
exterior

Robin’s Nest is about 15 minutes outside of Hayward and a fairly large place spread over several rooms, all with windows to the outside.  It and the kitchen take up most of the room on the first floor of what looks to be an old house.  It has been in business with the same family for 16 years and serves breakfast and lunch.  They had monthly specials when we were there that included a southern fried pork tenderloin served with eggs, potato and toast, and the pancake of the month which was cinnamon raisin.  Tables are nicely spaced and draped with an oil cloth cover.  There is plenty of parking and service is friendly and efficient.  In the back room they had several shelves with products to sell – books, jam, syrup, etc.   Continue reading →

Barbec’s Restaurant, Dallas, 9/27/16

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img_9782
building

Note:  Restaurant now closed

Barbec’s has been around as long as I can remember. Located in an old Howard Johnson’s building it serves large, cheap portions of southern style food.  The service is efficient but sometimes you’ll have to ask for something rather than a waitress noticing and asking. They seem to be best known for their beer biscuits which are better at breakfast than at lunch, when they’ve been out of the oven for awhile. They offer a large menu and well priced specials for breakfast and lunch, but it is a cash only business. With the lunch specials there is a huge choice of sides to go with your entree, of which you’ll see a preponderance of chicken fried steak. Continue reading →

John’s Cafe, 9/16 & 10/8/16, Dallas,

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img_2888
Exterior

John’s Cafe dates back to the early 1970’s when it was further north on Greenville. Various lease and sign issues forced them to move slightly northeast for a couple years but then they found a new location on lower Greenville.  It is the same breakfast and lunch place with slightly more seating.  There is a lunch special everyday but John Spyropoulos seems to be mostly popular for his breakfast special, $6.99 for your choice of 2 eggs, choice of bacon, ham or sausage and hash browns and toast or biscuits.  He makes a number of tasty omelets, the Gyro being a favorite. Continue reading →

Mis Cazuelas, Dallas, 6/28/16 & 8/2/16

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building
building

Mis Cazuelas is a really small place of about 5 tables and a counter. There is another larger version further down the street but this cozy location is way better food even though it offers a more limited menu (not everything on the large menu is available at this smaller, original location). Their lunch food is fine but it’s the breakfast (served anytime) that’s my favorite there. It is a cash only place and little English is spoken, but you can get by with pointing at the menu. The kitchen is behind the bar seats and the constant patting that is the background sound is the lady making fresh corn and flour tortillas, as well as the thicker ones for gorditas. It feels a  lot like eating in your grandmother’s kitchen. Continue reading →

Ed’s Coffee Shop, Los Angeles, 7/29/15

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Exterior
Exterior

A small place you’d walk right by but don’t. It has endless options of combinations and the efficient and friendly service delivers it to your table fast and hot. Everything was very tasty and honest.

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