Portland’s Best Coffee Spots: Try Morning Star Cafe!

The first time I drove by The Morning Star Cafe, I was in my car and unable to stop, park and join the line out the front door but right then and there I added them to my list. Since walking in last week and meeting co-owner Jennifer, I’ve been back three times. Yes, you could say that I like it. It also helps that it’s a mile from my house and right on the morning bridge loop walk–if you side step just a couple of blocks into downtown Portland!

In the restaurant biz now for four years, Jennifer and hubby JD have settled into be a downtown favorite breakfast, lunch and dinner spot. While they’ll be the first ones to admit that owning and running a small biz is hard work, these two are in their element. Super personable, greeting every customer as they walk in, calling them by name along with the ’see you later’ when they leave…adds a pretty cool vibe to any coffee/foodie spot.

They use illy roasters and my cappuccino ala Justin was fab. But I couldn’t stop there. No, I had to go ahead and order the eggs Florentine (with parm and caramelized onions…It was so good, I ordered it again two days later).  Poor Justin just might think I was either a stalker or protein deficient. While neither are true–it’s really great to have a great spot close to where I live. And no, they haven’t seen the last of me yet…

Some of the things that make this spot a standout:

• Jennifer & JD work really hard to make as much as possible from scratch!
• Sauces & Dressings are all made there with the freshest of prouduce
• Use local meat and produce as much as possible &  organic wherever possible
• Eggs are always cage free.
• WIFI
• Lots of tables plus outside seating
• Happy Hour 3-6pm & check ahead on their hours for holiday weekends.
• Best breakfast bets: Morning Star Bowl, Lunch–Big Cheese & the Fillipe
• In my experience, generous portions!
• Find them on Facebook
• 500 SW 3rd St., Portland Oregon

North Star Coffeehouse in Kenton–#23 on The Weekly Grind!

Yesterday I got to combine a great meeting with Jesse Beason (from Proud Ground) with the North- Star Coffeehouse in Kenton.  (The story about Proud Ground and how they build affordable housing is another tale for another day–but stay tuned on that one.)

Pam Haines (part owner with Kathy Chellis) was so fun to meet and talk with. Seriously, when you’ve been an ER nurse for 30 years as she has, coffee-housing is pretty much anything but brain surgery.  Pam and Kathy love being “present in the neighborhood”…serving customers and hearing peoples life stories.  And they really are involved in the neighborhood, it’s not lip service. For both Katrina and on behalf of Mercy Corps/Haiti, NorthStar put on a neighborhood benefit which included closed streets, seven bands and all kinds of food with all profits going to those devastated areas. NorthStar are involved in school auctions, donate to Outside-In…..these two women really do revel in being connected and engaged. Easy to say, meaningful when actions back it up. 

That lovely chocolate vanilla latte pictured above was made by Denise and along with a slew of yummy treat options–there is always something to pair your coffee with here.  Pam has proudly served Stumptown coffee since day 1 seven years ago and continue to use and promote local companies for their sweets.  Ruth’s Cheesecake & Specialties, Black Sheep Bakery (vegan), Ammi’s Goodies (gluten and dairy free), LaProvance, Sunrise Bakery & Good Neighbor Pizzeria.  Something for everyone!

• 7540 N Interstate Avenue, Portland (parking behind and across the street)
• Free WiFi
• Organic coffee roast options from Stumptown
• Recycle all coffee grounds & plastics
• North Star received a green grant & installed solar fans–love that!
• Word has it, Pat makes a mean Spanish coffee!
• Find them on Facebook

While meeting friends for happy hour at Breken Kitchen, I sneaked in a bit ahead of time to meet with Jessica the owner and find out more about this very cool, urban and spacious foodie place right on the edge of Nob Hill/NW Industrial area! 

Allie created a wonderful cappuccino for me via Caffe Umbria coffee roasters and soon I was sucked into the rest of the menu as well.  Jessica has created a wonderfully open and spacious spot–lot of tables, big garage-style roll-doors….big windows.  In the middle is a wonderfully over-sized pine table that can easily seat 10 and it’s the kind that just invites you to share something yummy family style.

Back to the menu…..Jessica is a busy mom, so Breken (‘Break’ in Danish) is open for breakfast, lunch and happy hour. When I asked her what they are most known for–she told me that her tuna melt is getting quite the reputation. It’s Italian tuna packed in olive oil sandwiched on Grand Central Bakery’s Big Country bread.  Jessica also makes her own granola and has a wonderful children’s menu.

Starting every Friday in August, she’ll be starting $2 chicken tamales or panucho’s….and after tasting her chicken lasagna–I’ll be back!  Check out the menu (scroll down) and tell Jessica I sent you! Twitter info is below!

• Free Wifi
• Great meeting spot–Love the over-sized pine table!
• Child friendly–yummy menu and play space
• Full breakfast, lunch & happy hour!!
• Find Breken Kitchen on Twitter