Cafe Marron, Spokane

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Everyone defines the perfect breakfast a little differently. And that definition evolves--as I've learned from my sister's unhappy pregnancy-related taste changes--as days pass. In that stomach-rumbling blissfully-ignorant time before I learned I dare not eat wheat, my perfect breakfast was Denny's cheap Sunshine slam: hash browns, pancakes and eggs. Learning that I am insulin resistant and need to keep gluten out and fructose at a minimum changed everything.

I have learned to embrace and pursue the savory with all my happy might. And I've come to appreciate any place that can put a fresh twist on my limited breakfast options. How many ways can you present eggs and meat on a plate?

Well, some places do it simply but with such incredible flavor (Frank's) that you melt with love. Other places do it creatively, with flare and unexpected tastes (Peso's) that compel you to return again and again. The reviews I'd read for Cafe Marron suggested it might be a great breakfast bet, so I had to find out for myself.

My sister navigated the residential Spokane streets with ease and found parking right across the street from our destination. The restaurant is nestled in a gorgeously green and flowery neighborhood. Although the interior seating area feels a bit dark, the patio dining is inviting and cheerily sun-drenched even beneath the huge fabric overhang that shades most of the exterior tables. My sister was most pleased to find ample room left between the tables as she is subject to feeling crowded by others' noisy conversations. The breeze and the environment were almost too pleasant to part from even after we'd finished our meals. Around us huge planters supported colorful veggies and flowers.

The service was friendly and knowledgeable.

So how is the food? Cafe Marron delivers a satisfying breakfast, and it does so with fresh, local ingredients combined to great effect. My duck eggs and chorizo scramble was most enjoyable. The bacon? It was crisp nearly to the point of being too dry, but still wonderfully tasty. My sister found it too crisp. She and I, on bacon, will never agree.

We did agree, however, that Cafe Marron was a wonderful place to linger over good food and that we will definitely return for more leisurely breakfasts.

~L

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Edited 10/16/08 to add:

Sister and I returned to Cafe Marron this week accompanied by our mother and her delightful ENFJ husband. Mother opted for an appetizer of toast followed by her favorite breakfast: oatmeal. Mandy once again chose ham and eggs. BIL opted for quiche Lorraine. In a whimsical morning mood, I ordered from the lunch menu instead and received the most tender, flavorful, lovely bunless Kobe beef burger adorned with a slice of cheddar and four half-slices of bacon. This shared plate space with a scrumptious crouton-less Caesar salad and some tomato slices. Absolutely delicious down to the very last bite.

Sister was less pleased with her potatoes this time around, pronouncing them less than done, but she still loves the unsweetened ham. BIL quite enjoyed his quiche.

The interior decor was charming--colourful walls scrawled with pretty designs and golden lettering, marble tables (though we were at a table with a vinyl cover--yikes!) and plentiful sun streaming through the huge retractable windows that form the restaurant's front wall. If you're inclined to be sun-sensitive or squinty, you might want to choose a table a few feet back from the bank of windows.

Much much love for this restaurant. There will be many happy returns.