Welcome to the blog abut the book, Breakfast in Bridgetown!
The second edition of the book is here, and it has been expanded and updated to include more than 125 restaurants. It also includes descriptions of food carts, ethnic breakfasts, and out-of-town spots.
And now, there's an iPhone app to go with it! Wherever you are, you'll know what breakfasts are nearby, and you'll have links to driving directions, street-views, phone numbers, websites, and a brief description plus other info from the book. Get a signed copy of the book for just $15 ($1.95 off the cover price) from this site, and you can get the iPhone app for $1.99 right here.Well, it’s been a while since I did this! I’ve been way too busy working for the NW Association of Book Publishers and Embark Adventures, and working on a book called Peaceful Places in Portland. And going to New Orleans to write for the Memphis Flyer. And trying to go hiking on occasion. Somebody needs to teach me to cut back.
Anyway, I did hit a nice new brunch, so here’s a little description.
RIP, Johnny B's
My thanks to reader Jeff for reminding me of this, but Johnny B’s has closed. That’s the little place on 12th and Hawthorne, the old Winchell’s Donuts place across from Burgerville and Cartopia. Sad thing. But they were literally a mom-and-pop, and it’s a tough business.
Anyway, as is the case when a place closes, two things happen: first, I put it on the Updates Since the Book Came Out Page, and then I offer the chapter on that place here on the blog — the idea being to entertain, mourn, and let you see how I write in the book.
And so, off we go into “Breakfast Memories.”
Mom & Pop
Dad’s cookin’ and Mom’s servin’!
1212 SE Hawthorne Blvd. (SE/Inner) ~ 503-233-1848
Weekdays 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., weekends 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
$7–$10 (all major cards)
It doesn’t get any more mom-and-pop than Johnny B’s. Dad cooks it and Mom brings it out. On Saturdays their kids work. The family photo is on the menu. One time I showed up and a sign on the door said it was closed because they were feeling under the weather.
Couldn’t be more excited. I love EaT, I love that cuisine, and I love the news, reported by Eater PDX, that they’re coming to the Pearl … which just happens to be where I live. Bring it, EaT!
And according to the story, brunch is in the works. As I just blurted out on Twitter, Oh hell yes!
They give credit to the Oregonian for figuring it all out:
According to the O‘s scoop collector Michael Russell, Powell and Hogan, known for their N. Williams oyster bar, are set to open the Parish, which will offer an upscale take on EaT’s familiar flavors, pairing dishes like jambalaya and picked okra with classic New Orleans cocktails. (Brunch service, with dishes like rabbit hash, is also in the works.)
Read it all here. Oregonian story is here.
Mitt fel!
Near as I can tell, that’s Swedish for mea culpa.
When I went to Broder a couple years ago, in researching my book, I was somehow not blown away by the food. I thought it was a nice place, with a friendly vibe, that was obviously popular, but I didn’t walk out saying, “Damn, that was good!” In private, I’ve been using the word “novelty” to describe the place. In fact, I said in the book that I wasn’t “blown away” by the food.
Well, after a four-course New Years Day brunch with Portland Food Adventures, one of the books I left with the staff was inscribed, “To Broder — now I’m blown away!”
I want to be clear about this: I was dead wrong about Broder, and I don’t know what I was thinking. It is very, very good. And Portland Food Adventures are a blast!
So, here’s the lovely place on SE Clinton:
And here is Chris greeting the soon-to-be happy folks. The deal was that you paid $60 for the brunch and you also got my book and $45 worth of gift certificates to other brunch places. His next outing is six courses at Gilt Club on February 29.
As part of the deal, we also got Aquavit Bloody Marys poured with House Spirits Vodka. I don’t drink, but I hear they were really good.
First up, a Swedish Breakfast Bord with homemade brown bread and rye crisp, wonderful meats, smoked trout, potato salad, a fantastic a cinnamon cardamon roll, and wedges of orange and grapefruit.
More than one person said that would have been a nice breakfast right there.
But no! Next up: Abelskivers (Danish pancakes) with lemon curd and lingonberry.
Now we’d really had a satisfying breakfast.
Men ingen! (I think that’s Swedish for “but no!”)
Next we got some cultural education on two fronts. First we found out there’s an actual Swedish person on staff there, and he taught us that “Happy New Year” in Swedish is is gott nytt ar. And then for some Portland culture: Dude has the Swedish Chef from the Muppets tattooed on his arm!
The next course was only the most amazing Smoked Trout Hash you’d ever want to eat, topped with a baked egg and diced beets.
Seriously, at that point I was done. Could have walked right out and been more than happy. But the next thing I know, I was staring at … that’s right, Swedish Metaballs with sherried cream sauce and lingonberries.
I was bloated. It was like Broder was kicking my ass to make a point: “Not blown away by the food? Take this!” The only thing I could have handled at this point was another sweet to cleanse my palate. And yes, I know we already had Danish pancakes, but hey, I’m an addict. And this was a Swedish cream (kind of a panna cotta) with blueberry compote, lemon curd, and a chocolate cookie.
Put all this together, and you have a very happy Breakfast Guy.
So Broder, you win. I was wrong. I’ll rewrite that chapter in my book. And I’ll think seriously about hitting a Portland Food Adventure in the future, as well.
Gott nytt ar, everybody!
It’s not about breakfast, but pie is good, and charity is good, so National Pie Day with Baker and Spice and Neighborhood House has to be good!
Maybe you know this, but I’m not just “the breakfast guy.” In fact, I’ve written several books, including the very popular 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Portland. I also write travel articles, food articles, occasional recovery-related ramblings, the whole deal.
For example, right now I’m working on a new book called Peaceful Places in Portland, which is coming out this Fall.
Well, I’ve decided to start keeping all this stuff in one place, PaulGerald.com. I invite you to come over there and check it out. I’ll keep posting here, but more and more I’ll be trying to steer folks that way.
I’d love to know what you think of the site.
Thanks!
Paul
Looks like this is the last post from my Lovely Assistant, Elisa. I’m cutting costs in this department; financially speaking, I’m trading her in for a podcast, but that sounds harsh, doesn’t it?
It’s been a pleasure having her around, and I thank her for helping out. She’s going out with a bang, you might say, as she tells me this was definitely her favorite meal. And in fact I can’t wait to check it out myself.
- The Breakfast Guy
6446 SW Capital Highway – 503-384-2327 — verdecocinamarket.com.
Tuesday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday thru Saturday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Verde Cocina is a Pacific Northwest farm-to-fork food company that places great value on family, friends and food. The idea began from the need to make healthy food accessible and delicious. The creators of this delicious establishment started out making fresh, packaged foods for health programs like OHSU and other retailers. They still do that as well as cater small events, set up shop at Portland Farmers Markets, and have now quietly opened a new café in Hillsdale.
Chef Noe Garnica is from Guanajuato, Mexico where he grew up farming and practicing sustainable living with his large family. His wife, Anna, is from California where she grew up surrounded by agriculture in her rural town. Together they have strived to offer the richness of the Northwest with Mexican flair and flavor. And they have succeeded!
There are restaurants with a certain feel to them, then there are themed restaurants, and then there’s Trader Vic’s.
From 50 yards away, Trader Vic’s screams at you: “IndoFreakingNesia! Or Hawaii! Or some damn island place with brown people! And masks! Do you understand?????”
UPDATED December 28: Still seats available, and the time is switched to 10 a.m.!
I am teaming up with Portland Food Adventures for our first-ever Brunch Adventure.
On New Years Day, we’re taking over Broder for a four-course meal with Aquavit Bloody Marys from House Spirits. Your price covers the meal, the drinks, your tip, a signed copy of Breakfast in Bridgetown, and gift certificates from some of my favorite breakfast destinations. What a deal!
For more info, click here.
Hi, remember me? Breakfast Guy? Goes to breakfast, writes about it? Well, no blame if you forgot, as I got out of the habit for a bit there. Good thing I have a Lovely Assistant who keeps going out to eat for me! This time she’s off to Liberty Glass, which I had never heard of until I got her email. Like I said, out of the habit ….
Liberty Glass
938 North Cook Street – (503) 517-9931 — Brunch weekends 10 to 2.
So you’re walking down Mississippi on a Saturday or Sunday morning and you’re starving, but all you find are lines and wait lists that mean you won’t be eating for at least another hour. What do you do? Keep walking.
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