Portage Bay Cafe, a breakfast spot off Roosevelt, offers delicious organic food and a quaint, warm atmosphere to enjoy it in. The allure of local veggies and fruit applied carefully to recipes that don’t cut corners, keeps those willing to foot the bill coming in.

A free parking lot and outside seating greet hungry patrons as they slide into the restaurant. On most weekdays one can be seated without having to wait; however, the weekends are another story.

During the week, the restaurant is full, and large white rectangular plates with baby red potatoes and various main dishes cover the wooden tables.

The atmosphere is bright and busy; the servers hustle around the restaurant as friends and families sit over coffee, the pricier apple raspberry lemonade ($2.95) or even morning mimosas ($4.95).

Blackberries, strawberries, homemade whipped cream and various other treats line the toppings bar in bowls that give the restaurant another touch of homeliness. Patrons interact with each other as they pile fruit and syrup atop pancakes, waffles and french toast.

Items on the breakfast menu vary from $6.95-$14.95. Sweet morning munchies such as the Double Drunk French Toast ($11.95) cooked from local Great Harvest Bread Company bread, topped with blueberry-Jim Beam compote, Clear Creek loganberry liquor-laced vanilla custard and fresh whipped cream, could satisfy any sweet tooth.

The Swedish Pancakes ($9.95), made from thin organic egg and vanilla batter are thicker than most, and the plate comes with a trip to the toppings bar.

A Wild Salmon Omelette with salmon from Northwest waters has organic green onions, tomato and avocado salsa. The Spanish Manchego cheese really sets this dish apart from other restaurants’ omelets. The tomatoes melt in your mouth and when paired with organic red potatoes, you feel as if you have been transported to the kitchen table of an award-winning chef. You can taste the care that is put into each meal. Whole wheat bread from Great Harvest Bread Company is also included.

As for the service, however, this same precision is more difficult to discern. Food arrives quickly, but it is easy to feel neglected among a sea of other tables. Drink glasses empty and remain empty until the meal is finished, and the server is not exceptionally welcoming by any means.

The food completely makes up for the service that may be stretched too thin, so if you are willing to wait and enjoy a long breakfast — 1.5-2 hours with three other friends on this morning — then this is truly a place to enjoy and share.