Portage Bay Cafe, Farm-to-table restaurant in University District, Seattle, US.
Portage Bay Cafe is a restaurant on Roosevelt Way in Seattle's University District that serves breakfast and lunch made with locally sourced ingredients from the Pacific Northwest. The menu rotates with the seasons, so what is on offer depends on what is available from nearby farms at any given time.
The cafe opened with the goal of sourcing food directly from regional farms, at a time when this approach was not common in Seattle's dining scene. Over the years it helped make farm-to-table eating a recognizable idea in the city.
The cafe has a topping bar where diners add fresh fruit, nuts, and whipped cream to their pancakes or French toast themselves. This hands-on element makes breakfast feel more personal and interactive than in a typical restaurant.
The restaurant is in a busy part of the University District, and street parking can be hard to find during peak hours. Going earlier in the morning tends to mean a shorter wait and a calmer visit.
Despite its reputation for breakfast, the cafe also works with local fishermen and meat producers, so the sourcing goes well beyond fruits and vegetables. Many visitors are surprised by how far the network of local suppliers extends.
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