Breakfast #9, 10, 11: Back to Basics

The past three months have been plenty busy for us (moving to a new house, school search, kendo practice...), but we kept up the Pancake Jack and Jill tradition.  The past few breakfasts have taken us back to some of our old favorites, kept us in touch with family and friends, and along the way we've introduced a new frequent diner, Issei.  Despite weighing in at only 28 pounds, he can still pack away the 'cakes with the best of them, and (unlike his sister) does not get too distracted by the globs of butter--he heads for the 'cakes.

In November we entertained my parents, and took them down to Patty's Egg Nest, the place where our tradition began, and conveniently located within walking distance of where we lived then, and where we live now.  Patty's was able to seat our party of six without any fuss, and the kids were all smiles as they started drawing on the placemats and we sipped on simple coffee, bottomless coffee, the kind that makes me think of high school nights at Perkins and Country Kitchen up in Bemidji.  I tried out the Swedish pancakes, which were light, eggy, and even better than they looked.  I can't recall what all the other had, but the kids were excited by the whipped cream-smiley faces on their shortstacks.  Pacifica ate the whipped cream, and one piece of fruit, then got into the butter, and started mooching whipped cream from Issei.  I think Pacifica had one bite of the pancake, while Issei made a generous dent in his.  The plastic toys were cute and kept the kids entertained at the busstop as we waited for a bus to take us down to the Ballard farmers market...all in all, another nice trip to the 'Nest.

In December, both Pacifica and Issei got dolled up to try out Portage Bay Cafe in the University District, and we were joined by Liora and Howard.  My old commuter bus drove right by this Portage Bay every morning, and I'd been hearing how great it is, so decided to check it out.  The first thing that was bad was our seating--we were seated in a high-foot-traffic zone near the door, and Issei's high chair was plop in the middle of the thoroughfare.  This despite there being plenty of other seats deeper in the cafe, and plenty of smaller parties starting to shuffle in through the door.  The kids each got a bag of crayons and something to write on, and then some juice I did not want to pay for was delivered ("do you want juice?" the waitress asks the 2-3-and 4 yer old..."Yes!" they reply...duh) but soon the table was crowded out and then things began to tip, crayons began to break and fall under the feet of the passing staff and customers, and it all generally caused great commotion and consternation for myself and Howard.  Next came the 'cakes, and we needed to get up and serve ourselves from the buffet of toppings, which turned into a big old hassle, with kids calling out what they wanted to us harried dads "more strawberries! no, not blueberries! put it back!! Ug, I wanted MORE strawberries!" ...When we dads finally got around to eating, I recall Howard being a bit disappointed with his meal. Mine was fine, but I was pretty happy to just get out of there.  And then the bill came, two juices, two kids meals, and mine, and I felt like it really was not work $50, even with the two green crayons that Issei snuck out in his pockets. 

We started the decade at what I am beginning to sense is the best Pancake house in Seattle...the Pancake House.  Georgia and Joe joined us early on a bright morning.  One great thing about the Pancake House is its neon sign, which has a chubby chef flipping neon pink cakes into the sky, and the heated hall where you can sit and sip coffee and wait for a table (rather than standing out in the parking lot).  Luckily we always get in early, before the church rush, and so we had no trouble getting a seat.  Our seats were a little cramped, but when the waitress brought out some apple pancake samples we forgot all about it--sweet baked apple slices encased in an egg-rich cake batter, nicely flavored with butter, sugar, and cinnamon.  How can you go wrong with that?  I went for the bacon pancakes, which were simple 'cakes loaded with chopped up bits of bacon.  The savory was nice, but I think I should have gone for a full baked apple pancake instead.  Issei went for kids blueberry, while Pacifica went for what she always gets, the chocolate chip short stack.  Issei and I cleared our plates before Pacifica finished one of hers, and we decided to bring the leftovers home to Mai. There are still at least 12 different pancakes there for me to try, so will we be back? You bet.