“Portage Bay Cafe - our favorite so far”

I’ve let my “Over Easy” breakfast spot reviews fall by the wayside, so here’s another for all the Seattlites out there...

I discovered Portage Bay Cafe (PBC) on my first morning ever as a Seattle resident and I’ve been addicted ever since. I know I won’t do a good enough job describing it here, you’ll just have to see for yourself. But here are some of the high points.

The wait may be long, but that’s often the sign of greatness, and PBC is no exception. If you’re an early riser (or junior is) the wait is less than 15 minutes before 9 am. And while you wait, busy waitresses multi-task at the coffee bar filling double lattes and drips into hefty mugs, and they trust you to tell your server so you won’t have to get your wallet out twice. Once you’re seated, coffee is topped off, orders taken, and food delivered by the time your little one finishes his O cereal appetizer.

Food is generous and hot, and features local and organic produce. Pancakes and french toast come with an open invitation to the breakfast bar, a decent spread of fresh and previously frozen fruit and whipped cream. My favorites are the pancetta cake and saffron sauce Benedict, and the once a year pumpkin-filled french toast. Veggie likes the cinnamon twister french toast, and his only complaint is the scrambles tend to have dry eggs. But most of the time we go with the specials - they’re often the most interesting mix of local and delightful ingredients.

Tables in the banquet room are geared for large groups and families, with paper-topped tables and jars of crayons. The waiting area has a bin of toys, too. The staff is friendly and happy. And best of all it’s dependable - I have yet to have a bad experience at PBC. So for that, we compare nearly every other breakfast spot to Portage Bay.

A Bonus: about a month ago we dropped in at PBC just before 9am on our way to drop relatives at the airport. But the 25 minute wait was going to make us late for their flight. Luckily we’ve somehow become regulars, so the guy with the list just shuffled us right in to a table. Past 20 or so hungry, waiting, would-be diners. Just. Like. That. Now is that service, or what? Become a regular and you’ll get the rockstar treatment too ;)