Going out to breakfast is always one of my favorite things: the early morning sun, the smell of coffee brewing and eggs cooking on a hot grill. Bintliff’s American Caf?, a favorite among Portlanders, has now become dear to my heart.
As a picky eater, I’ve become conscious of what kind of restaurant catches my attention. As I walked down to Bintliff’s, I saw a line of customers coming out the door. I took this as a good sign. Luckily, the wait was a quick 15 minutes, which was music to my hungry stomach.
The exterior was well kept and its tall white columns invited the customers to a cozy breakfast. The interior was a lot like an old state house from the turn of the century. Hardwood mahogany buttressing and railings to the second level lined the interior and gave a warm feeling to the room. Wafting through the air was the splendid smell of sugar and French toast.
This aroma grew as we were shown to a quaint little table in a corner out on the first floor patio. The patio feels like a garden, with antiques strategically placed to continue the decor of the rest of the establishment.
This morning we decided to sample a little from each section of the menu. In most cases this would cost an arm and a leg, but not here! With an unbelievable order of Belgian waffles with fresh fruit ($8.95), Apple Cinnamon Raisin French Toast ($7.95), Eggs Benedict ($7.95), Homefries ($1.50), and an order of Corned Beef Hash ($4.95), we had our work cut out for us.
All of the food was prepared as if it came from a five-star restaurant on New York’s Fifth Avenue – a little slice of the big city right here in Portland. The waffles were lavishly decorated on a huge plate with the fruit and a massive helping of whipped cream. I was in heaven! The French toast was lightly dusted with powdered sugar. New to me was the Eggs Benedict. This too was something I could wake up to everyday especially if it came with delicious sourdough bread.
This was probably the most memorable meal I have had so far and look forward to eating there again. For a quiet, relaxing breakfast, Bintliff’s is the place to go. Bintliff’s is open daily 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., serving brunch. Other items on the menu include omelets, muffins, granola, and all kinds of eggs prepared any way you like them.
Location: 98 Portland Street across from the Post Office
Atmosphere: Relaxing
Total Cost: $38.25
Rating: 5 sunny-side up eggs