Toulouse Petit - Breakfast Happy Hour

We caught word of $5 breakfasts in Lower Queen Anne, so Lisa and I went to go see for ourselves.  No, it wasn’t at Peso’s, but right next door in fact, at Toulouse Petit, the fairly-new, Creole-inspired restaurant owned by Brian Hutmacher, waiter turned restaurateur.

The rod ironwork, empty wall shelves and handcrafted tables make for a beautiful yet slightly mysterious atmosphere.  But the food doesn’t leave anything to wonder about.  It’s crisp, balanced and yes, for a limited time, cheap!

For only $5 you can get almost anything any their extensive breakfast menu (“USDA Prime Rib Eye Steak and Eggs” or eggs Benedict with “Louisiana Blue Crab with Fine Herbs,” are the only exceptions, but even those are only $10 and $9 respectively).  They have a number of other eggs Benedict combinations, as well as classics like pancakes, biscuits and gravy and egg sandwiches, all with a unique New Orleans twist to them.  This is definitely a great opportunity to try out their distinctive menu on the cheap.

Myself, I’m very particular about my breakfast potatoes.  Yes, almost everyone serves them, but not everyone takes the time to perfect them.  I want them to be crisp, but not deep-fried and oily, and seasoned, but not so much they’re challenging the main dish.  Toulouse Petit’s breakfast chef must think like me, because the potatoes were perfect.  Their eggs are similarly served, without any hint of heavy cooking oil, and are paired well with each of their Breakfast Plates.

Overall, Toulouse Petit, with their light, balanced flavors and unique offerings, is a great diversion from your typical greasy spoon fair.  But if you want to try them out at $5 a plate, you better hurry.  This ‘Breakfast Happy Hour’ special only goes on till the end of January, and is only Monday through Friday, from 9am to 11am.

Toulouse Petit is located at 601 Queen Anne Ave. N., in the green stucco building on the northwest corner of Queen Anne Ave. N. and Mercer.  Metered street parking is all around. For more information, reach them at (206) 432-9069.

- Dan

Po Dog Owner - Laura Olson

Gourmet hot dogs have a new home, and it’s on Capitol Hill at Po Dog Hot Dogs.
Tucked away on East Union Street, one and one-half blocks from Broadway, Po Dog held its grand opening today, welcoming patrons from near and far as they came out to try Po’s distinctive dogs.
When Dan, the kids and I stopped in around 2 o’clock, Po Dog’s owner Laura Olson was all smiles, serving up the hungry customers that filled the slender, cement-block walled venue.
And what was she serving them?
I myself ordered the Wasabi Egg-roll Dog, a hot dog rolled up and deep fried in egg-roll wrapping.  Served with wasabi aioli, the only thing missing from this meal was miso soup (:
Dan had the Texas Dog, a dog covered in Mesquite BBQ sauce, Tillimook cheddar cheese and homemade crispy onion strings.   Needless to say, it was gone in a flash.
The kids, who initially balked at any of Po’s creative creations, were served up a surprise – Hot Dog Sliders!  Though not on the menu (yet?), Laura’s team knew the kids would love the mini hot dogs, and they were right.  It was nice to see that Po’s can please even the littlest eaters too.
So whatever kind of hot dog you’re hankering for, odds are you’ll find it there.
Want a meatless option?  They have the Veggie Dog.
How about something wtih crème cheese?  Try the Seattle Dog.
Hungry for ‘breakfast’?  Try the Morning Glory Dog with scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese.
And for the eater who wants to throw coronaries to the wind, try the Deep Fried Danger Dog – pepper bacon wrapped and deep fried with onions and chili sauce.  Your heart will hate you, but your belly will tell it to shut the hell up.
So go now before you loose your nerve and miss out on some of the tastiest dogs ever to be dished up.

- Lisa