Mississippi Marketplace, Portland OR

Brunch Philly: Summer Travel Edition



Like Philadelphia, Portland Oregon is a city known for good food. And also like Philly, much of that food can be found at food trucks. You really cannot go wrong when choosing a truck at the Mississippi Marketplace (corner of N. Mississippi at Skidmore).




The Ruby Dragon Café and Teahouse offers a delicious vegetarian menu, with an emphasis on raw foods. I order the Tiger’s Paw Quinoa Pancakes ($4 for one, which was filing enough for me! Or $7 for two).
Made with ground quinoa and ginger, these gluten free pancakes have a delicious, slightly nutty, flavor. I add berries and dark chocolate chips (.50 each), and while I wish there were just a few more berries in my pancake, the ones in there were juicy and plump. Served with the perfect amount of real maple syrup, I wish I could figure out how to replicate this recipe! It tastes so much better than one might imagine.


A Brunchmate orders the Grandmaster Scramble. A blend of various Ethiopian spices, tempeh (or you can substitute tofu), yams, bell peppers, spinach, onion, garlic, cashews, and veganaise, this dish is a flavor explosion! The sweetness of the yams compliment the curry spices—as described on the menu, this dish truly is the “Bruce Lee of scrambles.”


We also decide to split 2 herbal life raw truffles ($1.50 not pictured). Made with dates, spices, coconut, and cocoa these were not overly sweet or deserty. Unlike most anything you’d order from the Sugar Cube:





The Sugar Cube’s owner is super friendly and offers suggestions on what to order. Temping items on the menu include the Amy Whinehouse Cupcake (with boozy yellow cake, $3), Bruleed Passionfruit Panna Cotta ($6), and Black Cow Float ($5). We decide to go with the Triple Threat Ice Cream Sandwich ($5).
Two espresso, pecan, and triple chocolate chunk cookies surround a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream. Everything is covered in an incredibly delicious salted caramel sauce. This decadent dessert is best shared!


Sushi Tree’s Specialty Mega rolls are no joke. These rolls come so big that it was actually hard to fit this into my mouth! Not something you’d want to be eating when trying to impress anyone…



I order the “This B Stuffed” roll ($8), filled with asparagus, sprouts, green leaf lettuce, sunflower seeds, smoked tofu, red cabbage, cucumber and avocado and rolled in sesame fried panko breadcrumbs. I would have never thought to put sunflower seeds in my sushi, but the crunchy flavor of the seeds totally makes this roll. It’s a subtle lingering flavor that you do not even taste until you are almost finished.

I cannot remember the last time I had a real California roll. It is possible that I’ve only ever had one once, which would mean I was 10. I remember that roll because it was the first time I ever had sushi. I cannot fairly compare Sushi Tree’s vegetarian version of the California roll to the original, but made with soy crab salad, avocado, green leaf, and cucumber this is one tasty roll.






I wish I had room to try every item on the menu at Sushi-Tree! Philadelphia sushi-makers take note: vegetarian sushi can be so much more than your current offerings!









A brunchmate orders a Chickpea Sandwich ($6.50) from the The Garden State Cart . One bite of this sandwich and I was suddenly wishing that I had ordered one as well (despite how delicious everything else is). Wow. Crisp fried garbanzo cake, lettuce, lemon aioli, and roasted butternut squash served on a ciabatta roll. Little piece of heaven for even the biggest carnivore!









I am very glad that gave into my last minute craving for juice, and ordered from Dogfeather’s Organic Coffee and Fresh Juice.




Other people claim to offer fresh juice, but after drinking from Dogfeathers, you may begin to doubt them. I had an orange-strawberry juice that was so refreshing and delicious that words cannot do it justice. This picture cannot do it justice either:



If you happen to enjoy a cold alcoholic beverage with your food truck fair, Prost!, a German pub adjacent to the trucks, allows you to bring your food into their beer garden (or indoors on a colder day). Rather than compete with each other, the restaurant and food trucks have created an atmosphere where patrons can enjoy the best of both worlds.

If you go:

• Mississippi Market Place 4233 N. Mississippi at N. Skidmore, Portland OR
• Phone: Some trucks have one
• Hours vary by Truck.
• Mississippi Marketplace

Off The Waffle, Eugene OR

Brunch Philly: Summer Travel Edition

If you are ever in Eugene Oregon, a trip to “Off The Waffle” will be well worth the line. I was introduced to the place by a brunchmate who declared: "I really don’t like waffles but I love this place!"

When my brunchmates & I arrive the line to order is long still but inside. By the time we receive our waffles, it is out the door and wrapped around the building.

Off The Waffle was started by three brothers who spent time living in Belgium, perfecting their yeast-based Liège Waffles. Crispy, with tiny sweet spots of imported Belgian pearled sugar that caramelizes in the batter, I’ve discovered that their waffles go best with a “savory” or “in-between” topping.



I order the Ole Banana Split ($5.75 without substitutions) but substitute the ice cream for a locally made mango sorbetto and add strawberries. Something is lost in translation, because I get strawberries but no bananas. The waffle is incredible—topped with fresh real whipped cream, slivered almonds, a dark chocolate sauce, fresh berries, and the cold tart sorbetto. However, the sweetness is just too much. It overwhelms the waffle rather than compliment it. That said, it is a very tasty treat.





One brunchmate orders the BMB ($5.75), bacon, basil, maple syrup and Havarti cheese. Everyone decides this is one of best, if not the best combination, that Off The Waffle makes.





Another brunchmate orders the Habib ($5.50 without additions), raw pistachios, chévre goat cheese and ground cardamom. She adds bacon to this combination. The cardamom nicely complements the chévre and the crunch of pistachios really pulls everything together.




On a second visit, much later in the day, there is no line at all. I try the Shmooli ($5.50) pear, smoked gouda, applesauce, crushed walnuts, and ground coriander (sorry, no picture!). This combination works much better than the first, each ingredient compliments the other in an outstanding flavor combination!

No matter what combination you choose, even if you decide to have one plain ($2.75) you really cannot go wrong.

Oh, and if you’re broke, Off The Waffle is open to bartering for their waffles…


If you go:

• 2540 Willamette St
  Eugene, OR 97405
• Phone: (541) 515-6926
• Hours: Sun-Thur: 7am-7pm, Fri & Sat: 7am-11pm
• They accept credit cards.
• Off The Waffle

Cafe Chocolate of Lititz, Lititz PA

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of brunching at the Café Chocolate in Lititz, Pa.

About an hour and a half outside of Philly, Lititz makes for a great day in the country. The town itself is quaint, with delightfully kitschy shops galore.
Lititz is home to Wilbur’s Chocolate Factory and Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery. It’s well worth the drive on a beautiful day.

Despite it’s name, the Café Chocolate offers a full menu of other delights, with lots of vegetarian-friendly options. I am tempted to order the Mulligatawny Soup (with organic quinoa & veggies) but the day is just a tad too warm. Instead I opt for the House Salad.



Super fresh mixed baby greens, perfectly ripe grapefruit slices, artichoke hearts, and crushed walnuts, served with a perfectly tart chocolate raspberry balsamic vinaigrette, this salad is a not a bad deal for $3.95.






I also order a Chocolate Strawberry Lush ($4.95). Clearly the drink to order, about 4 or 5 locals stop in and order it to go while I am enjoying my meal. Similar to a frozen hot chocolate, this drink combines cocoa, strawberries and ice.




Café Chocolate also offers some fantastic looking desserts. I can’t help but order a slice of the Key Lime Tart, which comes in an organic chocolate cookie crust, and beautifully plated with dark chocolate sauce. Not too sweet, not too sour, this tart is delicious but extremely rich.



Totally full, I relax for a bit in my comfortable sofa-chair and take a look around. There is a shelf full of books to read, if you want to settle in for awhile. There is also a soda-fountain style bar, where a couple has just adorably ordered one drink to share. As I leave, I notice they also have a patio area if you want to eat outside. As well as a shelf full of cute little gift items.

Next time I’m here I am going to have to try the Breakfast Panini – toasted peanut butter & banana panini with dark chocolate ($5.95). Or perhaps some Sunshine Crepes – filled with fresh strawberries, kiwi, pineapples, grapes, bananas, with pure local maple syrup & dark chocolate, dollops of organic fresh whipped cream ($9.95).
Or maybe I’ll go savory with a Portabella Mushroom Burger – Meatless burger served on a wheat bolillo roll, with vine ripened tomato, Vermont cheddar cheese, and jalapeño mayonnaise ($7.95).

Oh yeah, they also sell some super good chocolates too…


If you go:

• 40 East Main Street
  Lititz, PA 17543-1947
  
• Phone: (717) 626-0123
• They accept credit cards.
• Cafe Chocolate of Lititz

Brunch Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad

The Avocado Tomato Salad is perfect for warm weather since it involves no cooking. Serve as a side with eggs or scrambled tofu, add to your favorite sandwich, or just eat it as is!





Ingredients:

1 avocado, sliced into small pieces

1/2 cup of grape tomatoes, sliced in half

dash of sea salt

dash of Trader Joe's Lemon Pepper

dash of Pino's Press Limone Oreganato Olive Oil (or other nice olive oil)

1 splash of balsamic vinegar


Directions:
Toss all of the ingredients together and enjoy!


While you could substitute with plain pepper and olive oil, Trader Joe's Lemon Pepper and Pino's Press Limone Oreganato Olive Oil are two of my all time favorite ingredients.

The Lemon Pepper consists of black peppercorns, sea salt, onion, lemon rind, garlic and lemon oil. I use it in everything from soups to mashed potatoes!



The oil has a lovely Meyer lemon smell, and very subtle olive flavor. If you are local to the Philadelphia area, you can find it at Di Bruno Brothers (1730 Chestnut Street).

Brunch Recipe: Tofurkey Spinach Sandwich

In the spirit of the New Year, I’ve decided to expand the scope of Brunch Philly. In addition to writing reviews of local brunch spots, I will be sharing some of my favorite recipes.


Tofurkey Spinach Sandwich

Sliced onion ciabatta bread

2 slices of Cranberry & Stuffing Tofurky Deli Slices

1 handful of fresh spinach leaves

1 slice of cheese (I like Rice Vegan Pepper Jack)

As much Vegenaise (or mayo) as you desire

As much cranberry sauce as you desire



Spread Vegenaise and cranberry sauce on bread, add spinach, Tofurkey, and cheese.

Heat in oven @ 325°F until cheese melts (about 5 minutes).

Serve with side of chips or salad.

Mixto, Philadelphia PA (Review from 3/28/09)

Located just off the corner of 12th and Pine, it is not always easy to find parking in Mixto's neighborhood. On a recent Sunday morning, a brunchmate arrives a few minutes after we are seated because of parking trouble. She lets the hotstess know she is meeting people, and the response is: “Oh I don't know. You can take a look around.” The service overall is so-so, but the food is good enough to make up the difference.

Half-tempted to order the Croissant French Toast, I choose a savory dish for once: Sopa de Tomate ($4) and Ensalada de Espinaca ($7.50).


The soup tastes very fresh and is nicely seasoned. It comes with chunks of perfectly ripe avocados in it. At first I'm wary about avocado in my soup, but it is divine. The soup is dairy-free but the richness of the avocados creates a lovely cream flavor. The soup is garnished with two plantain chips.





The salad is delicious and the mango salad dressing is bursting with flavor and not too sweet.





I order a small fresh-squeezed orange juice ($2.95). The juice reminds me of childhood hand-squeezed oj, made with a bright plastic juicer. It is for pulp-lovers only though; my brunchmates looked on in horror at the massive amounts of pulp.






One brunchmate orders the Orange Spiced Scrambled Eggs ($7.00) which are served with chorizo, peppers, onions, and arepas (corn meal patties). The subtle flavors beg the question: “Do I taste the orange because I really can taste it in the eggs, or do I taste it because it's supposed to be there?”




Another brunchmate orders something else.







Because I did not write down the name, and later could not find it on the menu, I put off publishing this review for almost a year.





Whatever it was, she is pleased because: “The hot sauce is actually hot.”






Saving just enough room to split a dessert, we order a flourless cake (whose name has also slipped my mind). It is so delicious, that I forget to take a picture until we've almost entirely devoured it.




Perhaps the best part of this dessert is that the moist, airy layers of “cake” are made with hazelnuts and are completely flourless.

If Mixto's service would step things up a tad, this would be a slam-dunk Sunday brunch.

If you go:

Sunday Brunch starting at 8AM

• 1141 Pine St, Philadelphia
  
• Phone: (215) 592-0363
• They accept credit cards.
  
• Mixtophilly.com

Cafe Apamate, Philadelphia PA

Some Sundays there is almost an hour wait for brunch at Cafe Apamate. Other Sundays, you can just walk right in. On my most recent visit the place is almost empty, but even if you have to wait it's totally worth it.

If clouds tasted like pancakes they would taste like the ones at Cafe Apamate. I have never had one fluffier. The Panquecas con Fruta ($7.95) is served with berries and whipped cream so fresh that it melts before I finish eating it!


The only slight change I would make to this dish: it comes with maple syrup already poured. While the syrup is very good, I end up having too much soaked in at the beginning and not enough by the end. Next time I will know to ask for it on the side.

My brunchmate orders the amazing Tostas con Pisto ($6.95): A mixture of veggies served over toasted bread and topped with a poached egg. The veggies and egg soak into the crispy bread to create a texture explosion. The meal is balanced by a delicious salad of mixed greens. The salad has strawberry slices in it that compliment the acidic vinaigrette-dressing beautifully.



Having tried them here before, I am looking forward to our order of Churros Clásicos ($6), served with a decadent dark chocolate dipping sauce these churrous are crispy and sweet. Unfortunately, the churros machine breaks down so we left without dessert. Other than that, this is a perfect brunch: great food, excellent service, reasonable prices, in a cozy atmosphere.

If you go:

• 1620 South St
  Philadelphia, PA 19146
• Phone: (215) 790-1620


• Cash only.
• Brunch Served Sundays, 11AM-2:30PM
• Cafe Apamate