Portage Bay Cafe
Seattle, WA 98105-6436
Phone: (206) 547-8230
- Price:
- $
- Cross Street:
- 42nd Street
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 7:30am-3pm, Sat-Sun 8am-3pm
Editorial Review for Portage Bay Cafe – by Anna Roth
The Scene
Bleary-eyed UW students and neighborhood locals line up on the sidewalk during weekend brunch, sipping mugs of tea while waiting for their tables. Inside, the light, spacious room pays homage to Portage Bay's history: an old-fashioned crew boat hangs from the high ceiling, and old area photos grace the walls. The harried-but-talented waitstaff has service down to a science.
The Food
During brunch, a sweet order gets you a trip to the breakfast bar--a long line of bowls of all-you-can-eat fresh fruit, whipped cream and maple syrup for toppings. The sinfully delicious bananas Foster French toast is a favorite--three giant-size slabs of challah smothered in a rum/brown sugar sauce with sauteed bananas. Savory choices include a long list of mainly organic omelets, migas and scrambles accompanied by crisp baked red potatoes. Lunch consists of a seasonally-changing list of salads, sandwiches and burgers.
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Insider Tips
Know Before You GoThe portions are mammoth--share and pay the minimal split-plate charge or be prepared to take a doggy bag.
ParkingPark for free in the lot behind the University Inn, but make sure you register with the cafe to avoid the tow truck.
What to DrinkThere's no alcohol served, but they do offer fresh squeezed juices, Mighty Leaf tea and organic, free-trade coffee.
The ExtrasOn nice mornings, an outside patio offers alfresco brunch.
CateringAsk about healthy, organic catering options. The space is also available for rent in the evenings.
User Reviews for Portage Bay Cafe
04/27/2008 Posted by pearljam888
I went for breakfast on the weekend. I understand it's a busy time, so I was okay when they told me it would be a 30-40 minute wait for our table for 2. I stood there and tried to be patient as I watched the host seat table after table of people who arrived AFTER my friend and I arrived. I finally asked how much longer it would be and he looked down at his list (which I could see, as well) and it was obvious that he was seating the people he knew, before us. He told me we were next (bullsh*t, because I could see the 5 names BELOW mine already crossed off). After an hour and 35 minutes, my friend and I were seated about 3 inches away from another table. Nice. The food was good but overpriced and not worth the RIDICULOUS wait. I have never been treated so poorly at a restaurant before. I've been ignored before, but never so blatantly lied to. Would never recommend this place to anyone because the service was so SH*TTY.
Pros: None.
Cons: Snotty staff, tiny parking lot, LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG wait.
04/01/2008 Posted by Tiffany3482
I went at a busy time on a Saturday morning because my friends insisted it was the world's best breakfast. It became obvious that this place was all hype. We were told our wait would be 35-40 minutes it ended up being more like an hour and 15 minutes, the hostess was rude, the waitress was rude, and we were treated like they were doing us a favor by serving us... Customer service needs work BIG TIME! I understand the craziness of busy resturant, I've worked in one before, but if the hostess can't take the stress, without snapping at customers, she needs to get a new job. one of our friends was pregnant and no one offered her a seat while we waited. The food was nothing to write home about, all 5 of us got different things and nothing impressed any of us, none of us even came close to finishing our meals, and we were all bummed out. We went away feeling like we had wasted 2 1/2 hours of our Saturday.
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