TwinCitiesBreakfast.com

Citizen Cafe

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

I suppose Ill lose a couple style points for kicking a breakfast spot when its down or rather, altogether out. But sweet Jesus was Sweet Loraines a bad breakfast joint; even as a hole-in-the-wall greasy spoon they didnt do greasy right. So its replacement the new Citizen Café didnt really have to do much to be an improvement. But as it is, from all appearances the Powderhorn Community has scored big.

I can count on one hand the number of casual, inexpensive breakfast cafes in this town that can tell you where their eggs and meat came from other than, uh . . . the back of a Sysco truck (?) or how long ago they squeezed the oranges for the o.j. and which Wisconsin creamery the cheese came from. The Citizen Café staff can, and his means quality, fresh ingredients in the dishes whether its the very solid house made granola ($5.00), create-your-own scrambles ($6.00+), very excellent pulled-pork, potato, beet and blue cheese hash (!) ($7.00), cheddar-chive biscuits and white sausage gravy ($5.00) or the fried egg and awesome sage sausage on ciabatta sandwich ($6.00).

My gut reaction pun noted is that the portions are a bit small. But for what is being served and for the price its right on. Besides, I have to remind myself that being stuffed into submission by piles of cheap food something those other places rely on will only get me so far, like to the couch for a 10am nap.

Im not sure if theres supposed to be meaning behind the name of the Citizen Cafe, but this spot looks a lot like what the people need.

Capitol View Cafe

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

There are a few choice spots around town to get south-of-the-border breakfast fare (and no, breakfast burritos dont count). Marias has Columbian influence, Victors does Cuban, La Polbanita and Chiapas both have Mexican that does the trick.

And then theres Capitol View Café, a neighborhood diner with a mixed menu of traditional American, Cajun and Mexican fare. The three-page breakfast has quite the range: several omelets, chorizo con huevos, a Cajun benedict, biscuits and gravy, Belgium waffles with fruit, and breakfast quesadillas and thats just a small sampling. No doubt they arent worried about being 100% authentic, but its a fun and eclectic that ventures into the atypical. And it works.

So does the service: its prompt and genuine, with honed skills of finding the coffee cup in need of a refill of their (above-average) coffee. In all, this charming spot with a spiced-up menu has breakfast flavor worth a visit.

Maggies

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Whenever visiting a new breakfast spot, were always careful to check if corned-beef hash is on the menu. If it is, the inevitable question of whether it is real hash gets asked. The exchange is some variation of this:

Matt (aka the corned-beef hash addict): Is your hash from a can, or made from scratch?
Server: Ah . . . let me go check.
Matt (to the rest of the table): If they have to ask, its from a can.
Server (comes back from the kitchen): Its from a can, but its the good kind. I really like it.
Matt: Oh. Ill have the eggs benedict.

And so went the conversation at Maggies. Lets take a step back for a moment though: the small crew here at TwinCitiesBreakfast are not food snobs not really even foodies. But there really is no reason for serving corned-beef hash from a can. Well, maybe if youre camping out of your van at Float Rite Park for Ozzfest -- but not at a restaurant in Wayzata.

Cooked corned beef will last a few days in the refrigerator and (if you must) a couple months in the freezer. It isnt that hard to chop up some onions and potatoes (man, use frozen cubed ones if you must) and fry them up with some thawed beef. Better yet, if youre a place like Maggies, and youve served roast beef the night before and while its not corned beef it will be so much better than whatever that was in that can.

As for the rest of the food, its average and predictable, as is the décor and setting. It does have a little Minnesota charm to it though, which mostly emanates from the customers retired couples and their neighbors that have been going to Maggies for years. Im sure they swear by the corned-beef hash, but they probably think the shredded iceberg lettuce served with the Mexican omelet is good too.

Main Cafe

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

The main thoroughfare of old Stillwater long ago completed its makeover from a stagnant river town remnant to a charming weekend destination for those with tastes for vintage sterling silver flatware and mini-yachts. From the fancy cookware store, numerous antique markets, chocolate shop and a half dozen art & jewelry spots, its all changed. All except for the Main Cafe, that is.

The diner, with its scrubby booths and wall-painting of an old logging scene, is just like it seems it would have been back in 1978. The regulars, certainly, have been coming here for at least that long. The menu most likely hasnt changed too much in that time either. It got all the standards, with not much variation or excitement.

It is a good spot to chat it up and get a history lesson from the locals, but other than that, dont expect much of interest.

Firefly Coffee Bistro

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

The Firefly Bistro is one of those modest coffee shops that also happens to serve breakfast think Butter, Coffee News Café, or Harvest Moon Coffee Shop. In fact, on first glance, it looks like a spot that only offers pastries along with their coffee drinks, though upon request, theyll happily hand you a full menu of items to start your morning.

The main focus is pressed panini sandwiches an easy item for them to whip up and get out to the tables quickly. Theres nothing too exciting about a sandwich for breakfast, though the creations theyve come up do keep it interesting: spinach, prosciutto & egg ($6.95), tomato, basil, fresh mozzarella & egg ($7.95), blue cheese, bacon & egg ($6.95) and turkey, brie & egg ($7.95) are a few of the nine panini choices. They also serve a couple quiches, French toast, a breakfast burrito and enough other items to be impressed with the output of their tiny kitchen. Most of the dishes come with a side of fresh fruit usually some variation of apples, mangos, bananas and/or pineapple chunks that compliments the meal nicely.

The food is definitely good relative to what are working with, but not enough to go out of the way for. The friendly and personal service, on the other hand, makes this the spot a standout that that will keep you returning if you live in the neighborhood. In that case you can count on the owner greeting you by name as you walk through the door which is just as refreshing as the coffee they serve.