Breakfast #8: Senor Moose

While driving around early one morning looking for a breakfast place, Pacifica and I stumbled upon Ballard's Senor Moose cafe. Though it was closed, we were intrigued by the name, and decided to add it to our list must-visit restaurants. In September, our visit to the Moose became a reality--and once again we were joined by our friends Liora and Howard for the monthly panacake jack and jill breakfast. This time, I even got to wear the crown I got for my birthday back in August (thanks Elizabeth!)

We arrived at the Moose promtly at 8:00, and the cafe was open, right on time. We hustled in doors and one of two window tables, with the girls deciding to get seats right next their respective dad's. The lovely scent of mixed spices, fat and eggs rolled through the air, and the waiter soon arrived with a set of menus for our party. I soon realized that choosing breakfast would be difficult...so many delicious sounding dishes! Carne de Puerco en Chile Verde or Hongos Ala Mexican? Enchiladas Rojas en Salse de Guajillo Chile, or Enchiladas Suzia?
Such choices! I had to drink a cup of coffee before I could decide.

Howard quickly noted the absence of pancakes on the menu, and the news was not taken well by our girls. However, we pointed out the fried plantaines, which the girls thought sounded great, so we wound up ordering a round, which arrived covered deliciously in cinnamon and sugar. They looked so wonderful we ordered another, and a side of scrambled eggs each for Pacifica and Liora. I think Howard took the Tortitas de Pap con Queso, a dish from Nayarit, which translates to three fried cakes of potato and cheese, topped with roasted poblano chiles and cream, s erved with green salsa, all for the low price of $8.95. I went with the similarly priced Michoacan dish of Sopas de Tinga, two masa cakes filled with shredded chicken (la tinga) topped with cream, and served with black beans (mmm, see photo below).

The food was, in a word, amazing. It was also filling, but we nevertheless ate everything on the plates except for some trace elements of scrambled egg and a black bean or two. I think that two orders of the plantains was a bit much for four people. The downside from our view was the absence of pancakes and a more robust kids menu. However, I am not letting that keep me from trying out the rest of the menu...I can't wait for our next trip down to the Moose.

Breakfast #7: Back to the Rooster's Den

In August, we returned to Rooster's on Phinney Ridge with a group of guest pancake and jack diners. Chris, Sylvia, Theo, Mai, and Issei were all keen on joining Pacifica and I, so we decided to take them to the most to the best restaurant within walking distance of Woodland Park Zoo.

Upon arrival, the first thing that I noticed was the proliferation of rooster drawings. Much like Beth's, Rooster's is now turning to patron crayon art for its wallpaper. Unlike Beth's, Rooster's customers are likely sober, which has an interesting impact on the art--the chickens on the walls at Rooster's are depicted as engaging in typical rooster behavior--strutting about a chicken run, munching on a worm, crowing at sunrise. In contrast, a typical chicken portrayed in Beth's gallery would probably be engaged in something illegal, immoral, or borderline... Interestingly, the quality of the art is about the same at both places.

With a table of seven, we put an obvious strain on Rooster's infrastructure, but there were enough boosters to go around, and the service came with a smile. This time, our food came out piping hot--albeit in two sets (apparently, there are not enough burners in the back to make seven seperate b'fast dishes). Writing this after some months have passed, I can't recall what I had, though I think it was some sort of Mediterranean scramble. Yummy.

All in all, the seven of us were well satisfied. The kids went to town on the whipped butter and syrup, soaking thier plates and filling their tummies with sugar and saturated fat. Afterwards, we walked down to Woodland Park, on the northern tip of the zoo, and played until it was time to bring Chris, Theo, and Sylvia to the airport, and for our kids to head home for a nap.