Why: Biscuits Cafe has expanded to Salmon Creek, bringing American breakfast specialties to an area that already abounds with lunch and dinner choices. Breakfast can be ordered at anytime until closing at 2:30 p.m. every day. Brian and Debra McKinney also own the franchise location in Orchards.
Atmosphere: The upscale, trendy decor includes a stained concrete floor and an absence of soft textiles, save the upholstered booths. The restaurant’s modern palette is burgundy and gold trimmed in black. Solid-colored dishes add an accent.
What I tried: I stopped in for breakfast and decided on the One Pancake Combo, which comes with ham, bacon or sausage. I paired my pancake with bacon. I also sampled the Biscuits & Gravy and a scrambled egg. To drink, I had coffee. Biscuits Cafe serves Eden Way organic coffee, a 100 percent arabica blend.
The three parts of my breakfast arrived on separate plates, preventing any unintentional intermingling of food.
The scrambled egg was fully cooked and void of any runny spots, which is not always the case at restaurants. A light, buttery flavor infused each bite of the appetizing dish.
The pancake was pleasantly fluffy, though somewhat thick, with a perfectly golden finish. The three meaty bacon slices were slightly chewy with just a bit of crunch.
I especially enjoyed the Biscuits & Gravy. The perfect amount of gravy was poured over the biscuit — enough to linger to the very last bite. The biscuit kept its form without becoming soggy. The gravy’s strong sausage flavor was amplified and balanced by its seasonings.
Highlights beyond what I tried: The Corned Beef Hash is made from scratch, and the Almond Crusted French Toast is a popular choice among diners who are already familiar with the Biscuits menu. Lunch options include beef, chicken and fish burgers, sandwiches, soup, salads and a few other standards such as Fish & Chips and a Quesadilla.
Other observations: The wait staff is friendly and attentive. My coffee was kept hot, and dishes were promptly removed after I finished eating. My waitress was knowledgeable about menu items and the restaurant in general.
Cost: Both breakfast and lunch menu items are all less than $12, with many meals near $10. Seniors and kids items are around $6.
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Telephone: 360-253-8539.
Where: 1319 N.E. 134th St., Suite 101, Vancouver.
On the Web: http://biscuitscafe.com.
Health score: Biscuits Cafe has received a preopening inspection and is scheduled for a routine inspection in the near future. For information, call Clark County Public Health, 360-397-8428.
