Portage Bay Cafe

while the food was tasty and the service friendly – the atmosphere is a total bust. we were seated in a back, way back room that gave me the distinct impression that i had been magically placed in the conference room of a holiday inn somewhere in a suburb midwestern town. we ate on a long folding table!? it was drafty. the food wasn’t amazing, but it was good and, given the cow-herding vibe of the place, i was actually surprised when our food came out warm [though not hot].
i would go back only if i were able to go on a non-weekend, non-holiday morning.

They advertise on buses.

I reiterate my disdain.

I had heard a lot of people talk about this place when I lived in the U District, but had never actually gone until today. The restaurant was crowded, with two groups of people waiting for tables in front of us and another group behind us, but we only had to wait a few minutes before getting a table.

I didn’t know what to expect from the restaurant before I arrived. I was surprised to learn that the menu was full of organically grown food and a description of the restaurant talked about the Slow Food movement. Normally I wouldn’t support these hippie causes, but we were already seated and I didn’t want to leave.

I skipped past several entrees featuring Amsterdam gouda cheese. I had just come back from Amnsterdam and I don’t think they even make cheese there anyway. Instead I chose the omlette special which was served with red potatoes and wheat toast. It was remarkably good especially considering that the food lacked many of the pesticides and hormones that give real food its refreshing, full taste.

There were still several people waiting for tables when we finished our meal so I tried to hurry out as soon as possible to let others have a seat. It would have been nice to enjoy a little more time guilt free before leaving.

Slick, fast-talking people who want to seat me at a counter by the bathroom because they have a long wait, where other people are milling about waiting for their table, ruin a place for me. I like spots with welcoming attitudes, and people who use first names only after they see you a few times (not in that patronizing, non-genuine sort of way)and really enjoy the fact that you’re in their restaurant. This guy who was working the front of the Portage Bay restaurant ought to be given a lesson in welcoming customer service. By not even saying “hey the wait is about 30 minutes, do you prefer to wait, or to sit over here at this counter and get some food a bit earlier?” By herding my friend and I over to the counter and then saying, “can you do a big Portage Bay favor and scoot down a seat (even closer to the bathroom door)”, made me say screw it and leave. I admit, I was a bit hungry and cranky, but at the same time I love my Sunday brunches, and I want to feel warm and fuzzy and welcome in a restaurant…..and I certainly didn’t. So we made it back to my favorite El Greco, and filled up on delicious omlettes, pumpkin pancakes, bacon, and damn good friendly service.

Maybe I’ll make it back someday and give it a second try? Maybe not…...

Tried it this morning, food was pretty good but cold. I’ll try back when it isn’t so busy.

UPDATE, Second Visit:

Courtney and I just got back from our second visit to the Portage Bay Café. We were quite disappointed with our first visit, but decided to give it a second chance. Sadly, it wasn’t any better, in fact it may have been worse. I ordered the “eat it and beat it,” three eggs any style, potatoes, and whole-wheat toast. Courtney had a scramble.

I asked for my eggs poached, they came poached hard. That is to say the yolks looked like golf balls, no runs at all. To be fair, I did not specify exactly how I wanted my eggs poached. The potatoes were terrible. They looked outstanding, but were totally raw inside and had a faint dirt flavor. I still have a little bit “pasted” to my throat.

Courtney didn’t fair any better. Her scramble was rubbery. The eggs were clearly cooked too slowly without enough heat. The cheese sprinkled on top was the pre-shredded kind that’s covered in mystery powder to keep it from sticking. It wasn’t melted at all. Her potatoes were equally revolting.

I wouldn’t have been so unsatisfied with this place had it not been so highly recommended. I just don’t see how it has such a good rap. Sure they have the whole organic shtick, but come on, if the food sucks who cares if it is natural? I’ll take The Dish with its generic margarine and white eggs over the Portage Bay Café any day.