TwinCitiesBreakfast.com

Main Cafe

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

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, wall-painting of an old logging scene and no-nonsense (but friendly!) servers, 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. Its 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. (credit cards not accepted)

Checkered Apron Cafe

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Since it closed Ive had high hopes that there would be a downtown spot to replace Hamlins old diner feel, no-frills breakfast standards and chatty servers. With an owner that looks like she could have just changed her attire and walked down the street to open the Checkered Apron, and with advertising of home-style cooking, the place looked like it may be up for the challenge. And looking over the breakfast menu, I was happy to see house-made corned beef hash and biscuits and gravy.

My first experience with the spot, though, left much to be desired. It took a full minute for anyone to come out of the back room to greet me. It was so dead I had to check the sign to make sure they were open. Once he decided to show up, the server was personable, and he did fill up my cup of so-so joe once or twice. But he never did ask how my food was. If he had, I would have told him the corned beef hash was just okay, and that the last bite of my toast tasted moldy not stale, but very much like mold.

On my way out I did tell him, and he reassured me the bread is baked fresh daily. Ill take him for his word, and as soon as I can get the taste out of my mouth I may try another visit before deciding on a rating for the place.

Capitol View Cafe

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

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 listing 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 menu 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

Fri, 22 Feb 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 made from scratch, or from a can?"
Server: Ah . . . let me go check."
Matt (to the rest of the table): If they have to ask, its from a can.
Server (back from 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.

Firefly Coffee Bistro

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

The Firefly Coffee 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 (fresh-made) pastries along with their coffee drinks, though upon request, theyll happily hand you a full menu of items to start your morning.

Their main focus is pressed panini sandwiches an easy item to whip up and get out to the tables quickly. While theres nothing too exciting about a sandwich for breakfast, 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. The bistro 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 the Firefly 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.

[one of two locations]