Diving for Breakfast

As the fair weather forest hikes diminish in number, the urban cement trail begins to takes its place. Picturesque vistas of rolling green hills and snow-capped mountains are replaced by the mini-scenic cuisines of neighborhood eateries and oppidan architecture. Walking along the trail of red and yellow falling leaves gathering on the streets of the Alphabet District we arrived at the Stepping Stone Cafe. This tiny neighborhood restaurant would warrant the term "dive", not in a slanderous way but in the friendly, comfortable manner of good eats, reasonable prices and manly proportions.

Wiping the Formica tabletop with his damp white towel, our boyish waiter quickly offered to bring us drinks. Portland Roasting coffee made a rapid appearance as we perused our menus, chuckling at the slogan "you eat here because we let you".  A handsome, well-inked and pony-tailed gentleman patiently waited for us to respond to his "yo! whatcha want today?" With an array of all day breakfast selections we tested his endurance for chatty women of a certain age being their usual indecisive selves. The outcome was banana nut french toast topped with fresh banana slices, chopped walnuts and a dusting of powdered sugar and a three-egg Smothered Badass omelette split for two diners.

Looking around the establishment, we noted curious ceiling hangings such as tea bags amid a cluster of plastic holly and berries that curiously moved up and down at random. Following the fishline along the acoustic tiles to the wall we realized it was tied to the front door, which when opened, lengthened the line and  caused the the "hanger dang-ers" to rise and fall. No end to dining amusement. Locals were hunched over their coffees, reading the local rag and solving the world's problems. The counter sitters rested on naugahyde-padded pedestal seats, elbows placed comfortably on the chrome-rimmed Formica top where trays of various hot sauces awaited use.

The quiet presentation of our orders produced a round of admiring "oh my's" and offers to sample each dish. The split order omelette was plenty for three or four hungry ladies or one famished man. Drenched in pale chicken fried steak gravy, the omelette supported a slab of steak and a hidden treasure of jalapeño peppers. A side of rye toast iced with blackberry jam completed the scene. The banana nut bread french toast offered an innovative twist to the ordinary white bread fare, slanting three thick slices of dark, sweet banana bread lightly dipped in egg batter and generously topped with an entire banana sliced and casually tumbling over the plate. A fine dusting of powdered sugar, more for looks than taste, finished this display.  A continual refilling of coffee and water kept the conversation flowing and the breakfast feast disappearing until clean plates were discretely removed by yet another friendly waiter.

Japanese maple in autumn color

Playing with the door upon exiting we enjoyed one last look at the dancing ceiling ornaments. The Stepping Stone Cafe made us feel like one of the locals who regularly dine there and we made plans to share this dive with our friends and family. Drive or bus to N.W. 25th and Quimby for a funky meal of homey food and friendly service. If nothing else just order coffee and enjoy reading the menu!

N.W. Lovejoy allée