Delaney's Diner with Addie

It was Marnie that suggested that we go to Delaney's Diner when I realized Addie was free for breakfast this morning.  I readily concurred because I LOVE it and have been there several times - usually with Chuck.  When Delaney's first opened Chuck went to it many, many times and brought lots of people to try it. So I was happy to go.

Addie is home alone all day today.  Reagan is at camp and Maggie at daycare and of course, Marnie and Erik are working, so she was a very willing companion to go with me.  She had never been and tried in the past but it was too crowded - but today - at 9:30 on a Wednesday there was plenty of space.

As we sat down and were greeted by the very welcoming waitress, I asked Addie how she would describe it>  She said:"It's an old fashioned diner but modern."  And that is exactly right.  There is a wood floor, formica tables, red chairs, and graphic art on the walls.  It has a very new and clean vibe to it and I appreciate that there was adequate space between the tables so that you didn't feel like your neighbors could overhear your conversation.




She ordered French toast with Challah bread and I ordered Roy Lees breakfast casserole. I had it before and loved it - it is a casserole with eggs, sausage, mushrooms, cheddar cheese and croutons. The waitress said she thought they had one more left - so there was some suspense waiting to find out but the news was good and the food was delicious.

I also got coffee which was good and they kept filling my cup and even offered a cup to go.  I love hash browns and these were good but not great - there was a funny aftertaste to them.  Addie said that her breakfast had her favorite butter and her favorite fluffy French toast.

It is a real gift for me to get to eat out with Addie and learn a little bit about her life.  She is fourteen and going into 10th grade this fall.  Right now, she is focussed on getting a tan this summer and we talked a lot about our family.  She is a wonderful companion.

Afterwards I was pleased that they had - not mints - but cinnamon candy to cleanse the palate.  We left and stopped at Audrey's so that Addie could see the new kittens.  And then she went home to sit by the pool and work on that tan.

In conclusion - this is a restaurant I would really recommend for breakfast - it is exactly what Addie said - old fashioned good food served by a very friendly and warm staff. 

Gena's Resturant with Trixie

Trixie and I normally go out for lunch but we decided to do breakfast for this blog.  She suggested Gena's in Westerville and it turns out that I had already been here.  I went one time with Marnie and Maggie on a Sunday following church.  It was very busy that day.  And true to my senior memory, I could not remember much about the meal at that time.

On this morning it was not busy at all.  We had a very nice table and a friendly waitress.  Gena's ambiance is not particularly interesting - wooden tables and a few pictures on the wall.  They advertise themselves - highlighting it on the menu - as the "Home of the Greatest American Pecan Roll."











Not surprisingly, we ordered one to share.  Trixie ordered an "Egglette" Sandwich which is a mini omelet served on an English Muffin.  She said it was like a breakfast burrito and called it "adequate."

















She did not have the English muffin.I ordered a cheese and mushroom omelet - which was three eggs and included home fries.  I would describe my omelet as "thin" - like a crepe - with flat sliced potatoes.  I do like hashbrowns as my guilty pleasure - which is to say fried and greasy.  These were not that.

The pecan roll was for sure the best part.  It was moist, gooey and with plenty of pecans.  I liked it but I would not say it was the best in America.  The advertising was pretty over the top.

So, Gena's restaurant was convenient in a shopping mall with good parking and a good pecan roll.  And very good service. Unfortunately, For the rest of it - pretty mediocre.

The best part was the conversation with Trixie - we never run out of things to talk about. That's why I am doing this blog - even a mediocre meal can be a good time.


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Galena Diner with Pat

Pat Hibbard recommended the Galena Diner to me and we went there on a beautiful Friday morning.
I had never been there before, although Chuck and I used to sometimes go to Galena to check out the fishing - but more about that later.

When we got to the restaurant we found a nice table by the window.  The restaurant has wood floors, formica tables and chairs.  It is clearly popular with the men in the area as most of the tables were occupied by groups of ( old?) men.  There was a room sort of below us with a table full of very noisy men and we were glad to be seated where we were.

The menu had a lot of different selections including:   lemon ricotta pancakes, chicken and waffles and corned beef hash.

  I ordered a bacon spinach scramble with mushrooms, onions, green peppers, spinach, tomatoes, shredded cheese and home fries.  The homefries were more like chopped potatoes but I really loved the egg dish. 

Pat got a veggie omelet with onions, mushrooms, tomatoe, spinach, green peppers, banana peppers.  She thought it was delicious too.

I also got coffee and it was very good.  And I liked the cute mug!

We had a very engaging waitress and enjoyed the warmth and friendliness of the diner - especially after the large group of talkative men left.

Afterwards we went and walked on the Hoover Mudflats Boardwalk behind the restaurant.  That is where I had been several times with Chuck.  He had tried fishing there once, but had more fun doing what Pat and I did after breakfast - walking and just l taking it all in -

the fishermen, the water, the wildlife.  I looked it up and found out that it is .38 miles so it is just a nice morning stroll in a  peaceful and serene place.

So the Breakfast included not only delicious food, but a wonderful walk with a dear friend.  A perfect way to start the day.  I recommend Both - the Galena Diner and a walk on the boardwalk.

Tommy's Diner with Kim

Kim Veatch invited me to come with her to Tommy's Diner which is a favorite for her especially when she is working at the furniture bank.  So, we made our way down there and found it was an old fashioned family owned diner.  It has a classic look with black and white tile floors, red booths and lots of pictures on the wall. 

These are Columbus people and you can tell by the pictures of the Buckeyes and other celebrities.

We both ordered the special which was French toast stuffed with cream cheese and strawberries. It was truly decadent, delicious, over the top and well worth the money.  We both loved it.  We also had coffee which was good but not great.

Tommy's is an established restaurant started in 1989 by Tom Pappas and his wife Kathy.  It has a warm and friendly atmosphere and we believe we saw both Tom and his wife working.  I would absolutely recommend this for a good breakfast.

Afterwards Kim and I drove downtown and walked along the river.  It was a beautiful day to not only get exercise but explore the beauty of Columbus.

After having returned recently from both New York City and Washington I have a new appreciation for the art and history that is present in a city if only we take the time to see it.  Here isa sculture called "Celebration of Life"  depicting the baby Arthur Boke Junior who was found on a doorstep by Sarah Sullivant.  She raised him and he was the first African American resident of Franklinton.  It is in front of the new Veteran's Building.





So, it was a beautiful breakfast and a wonderful way to start eh morning with Kim.

Jimmy V's with Audrey and Melanie

This was out after church brunch that the three of us engage in regularly.  Sunday we went to the 10 AM service at First Community Church in Grandview and decided to drive up 5th Ave in search of a restaurant.  We came to Jimmy V's and were delighted to find it was open at 11 AM.

We have eaten here several times and often outside, but this Sunday we opted for dining in the restaurant and were delighted to find ourselves the only diners.  Audrey ordered Orange Juice which came in a generous glass but it was frothy and a weird color.  However, she thought it tasted fine.

  The breakfast menu had some very different offerings and we three each had a different meal:  I had Jimmy V's omelet which included gyro meat, feta cheese, tomatoes, onions, olives and a side of taziki sauce.

 Melanie had Jimmy's traditional breakfast : 3 scrambled eggs blended with ajvar (delicious red pepper relish)

 Audrey had the San Antonio Skillet with house  made sausage over hash browns with scrambled eggs on top.
Audrey could not finish - loved the sauce and said there was "way more chicken" than she needed.

The waitress was outstanding.  I complimented the coffee and she shared that she makes it extra strong which is why I like it.  Both Audrey and Melanie are gluten free and they received gluten free buns and Melanie's sausage was cooked to match the bun size.  The meals were all very good and definitely out of the norm.  Melanie was pleased that her eggs were not too spicy but very tasty.  My Greek eggs were delicious and I loved the taziki sauce on the side.

Our conversation was - not surprisingly - about church.  We go to that service to receive communion and that was a highlight for me.  There was a wonderful reading by Thomas Merton in the bulletin that I really appreciated.  We sang "Lord of the Dance" with an organ accompaniment and I would have preferred a piano.  I know that is nit picky - but it matters to me.  The sermon disappointed me a little because it did not seem to match the overall theme of the service.  However, Audrey keeps telling me to lower my expectations.

We really like this restaurant.  It has terrazo tile floors, borwn booths, a wooden table and it was very comfortable for three.  It had a pokemon stop for Audrey.  We agreed there was a nostalgic feel to the decor and pictures and I especially appreciated eating beneath this picture of Marlon Brando.

As we left there were people eating outside but we were very happy with our choice of inside eating since it was getting pretty warm out.  Overall, I would absolutely recommend Jimmy V's for a different and very delicious breakfast.

Mozarts with Audrey

It is Friday morning and our usual time to celebrate the end of Audrey's week.  This time we picked Mozarts which I didn't even know had a breakfast!  That's the fun of doing this blog.

It was a beautiful morning and we were invited to sit on the patio and watch the car whiz by on High Street.  It has wrought iron tables and chairs beneath a striped awning.  We enjoyed it but I have also taken some pictures of inside where often (not this morning) there is live piano music and this wonderful representation of Mozart himself playing.

As it turns out the breakfast menu is limited.  Mostly quiches and that is what we ordered. I got the traditional quiche lorraine and Audrey chose a smoked turkey

The coffee was good and there was a big serving of orange juice which Audrey appreciates.  We thought the waitress was really good and very attentive.  The quiche was somewhat of a disappointment - barely warm enough and both of us thought it was almost stale.








Our conversation on this morning was primarily about Grandparents camp which is coming next weekend.  It is my last time to lead it - since Maggie will be eligible in the next year and I would like to just be a grandma for a change.  Audrey will be coming to help out and - I hope - to take my place.  So, I ended up explaining everything that was going to happen in the next weekend.  It is chock a block with activities for both the grandparents and grandchildren.

As we left we stopped by the pastry counter and I bought a chocolate truffle ($4.50) and shared it Friday afternoon with Kacey and Alyse as we were playing games.  They pronounced it "Delicious"

So, coffee, orange juice, pastries, service was excellent.  The quiches - not so much. I would recommend Mozarts inside, for lunch and listening to the music.