Confessions Of A Breadboard Addict | Page 6 Of 7 | The Breadboard
Featured in the Movie “Wild” and home of the Oscar-worthy “Mountain Man” breakfast!
I can’t believe the movie “Wild” didn’t win the Oscar for best picture. I haven’t actually seen the movie, but from what I gather, It sounds like it is the only movie of the year that featured Ashland and it centered around a woman overcoming all odds to finally enjoy a Turkey Burger while taking in an amazing view of majestic Grizzly Peak. That movie had everything: heartache, romance, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, breath-taking scenery, redemption and the thrill of triumph and the ensuing amazing rewards that go along with ultimate achievement against all odds. I guess the only drawback, and I’m sure this was where the Academy was coming from, was that the Turkey Burger is only item featured from an extensive and fully satisfying menu offered by the Breadboard. The movie could have done more to delve into the breadth and scope of the wholesome, hearty and mouthwatering breakfast options… What about the Omlettes, the pancake offerings, the Eggs Benedict, the Huevos Rancheros, homemade muffins, the gluten free options… I mean, the list goes on and on – the choices are almost endless and the satisfaction of the diners is legendary and it was barely even touched on. Sometimes, Hollywood has a great concept but it just doesn’t hit the mark when it comes to execution, unlike, say, the Oscar-worthy “Mountain Man” at the Breadboard, which is the perfect combination of homemade country gravy, sausage, eggs, cheese, homemade buttermilk biscuit and perfectly seasoned home fried potatoes. Oh well, I’m not much for sequels, but in this case, perhaps there is a real opportunity for a “Wild 2.”
Now Serving Gluten Free Pancakes
It seems like everyone in Ashland is looking forward to spring. I guess the main reason is that once spring comes, then they only have to wait for summer to be over then fall comes and then the Breadboard starts serving Pumpkin Pancakes again. Everyone really misses the Pumpkin Pancakes even though you can get a delicious Eggs Benedict everyday all year long. Still, there’s nothing like Pumpkin Pancakes when you just really need ’em, I mean, everyone gets that. But then, I was at the Breadboard eating an amazing Monte Cristo Sandwich that was a special for the day and everyone was talking about the plight of people who are gluten intolerant and everyone agreed that life would be unbearable without pancakes and then it was announced that the Breadboard was going to start serving GLUTEN FREE PANCAKES and it was like the mood shifted throughout all of Ashland in an instant and joy erupted throughout Ashland and there was dancing in the streets…but then someone said that really would require a permit according to the city code and then everyone started arguing about the design of the plaza and, well, you know, things kind of shifted the way they do and I took another bite and thought, life is interesting. Then, a friend stopped by my table and I learned that Sushi actually originated in China, but I don’t think there are any plans for the Breadboard to start serving Sushi and that’s fine with me.
Home of Reese Witherspoon’s famous “Wild Turkey Burger” (the one she ate on the deck of the Breadboard during a pivotal scene of the movie “Wild”)
Everybody in Ashland is talking about the movie “Wild” these days. No wonder… I am one of the few people in town that hasn’t seen the movie, but from what I understand, it is pretty much all about the Breadboard and their amazing Turkey Burger. (It’s actually called the “Wild Turkey Burger” on the menu. It’s a delicious combination of grilled turkey burger, bacon, avocado, grilled onions, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and honey mustard dressing.) Again, I haven’t actually seen “Wild” but from what I gather, it’s about this mixed up young woman that can’t seem to get her life together and hikes most of the PCT solo until she ends up in Ashland and she goes to the Breadboard and eats this amazing Turkey Burger on the deck, and from then on her life turns around and she forgives herself and she writes a book that gets made into a movie and she becomes rich and famous and so the movie is really about the power of food when prepared to perfection and enjoyed in a loving, cheerful place that has the right ambiance and amazing views from the deck. Personally, I don’t care how good a Turkey Burger is, I don’t really see how it can miraculously change someone’s life, but, you know, that’s Hollywood for you…But despite all the hoopla about the Breadboard and their new found fame, they haven’t changed – just awesome food, served in a great atmosphere seven days a week. There’s a rumor that Reese Witherspoon is there every day when she is in town, but that’s just a rumor and she doesn’t get special treatment because if you come to the Breadboard you automatically get special treatment so she is already “special” just by being there. But it has been confirmed that Frances McDormand ate there a while ago and, of course, Guy and Anna and Jim sit at table 8 every morning…
Egg Nog French Toast all month long!
I love Egg Nog. I love this time of year. Cold weather. I love to start a fire, get all cozy, sit back and sip a nice Nog… maybe a little bit of brandy, rum or even bourbon – just to take the chill off. But you see, it’s not about the alcohol or even the time of year or even the ambiance. I happen to just love the taste of egg nog. The thing I don’t love is that it is not available all year long. So, when it hits the market, I know I need to indulge. I need to “make hay while the sun shines” as they say. I need to “strike while the iron is hot” as they say. They get this at the Breadboard. They don’t just serve Egg Nog on a special week or day – when it is out, they embrace it. All December, they have Egg Nog Lattes and Egg Nog French Toast… Wait – Egg Nog French Toast? Well, yeah, baby! I mean, it is so good, it is a little known fact that it even was the cause of a riot at the United States Military Academy on 23–25 December 1826. Whiskey was smuggled into the barracks to make eggnog for a Christmas Day party. The incident resulted in the court-martialing of twenty cadets and one enlisted soldier. There is no whiskey at the Breadboard, but the Egg Nog French toast could possibly start a riot if it sells out… But they will have more the next day, so, hopefully cooler heads will prevail. Yeah, I love this time of year…
Open every day at 7 am – start your day off on the right foot.
November is kind if a strange month. Like most people, I get up early every morning because I like to be one of the first people at the Breadboard when they open every day at 7. But when November comes, it’s cold and dark early in the morning and it’s chilly and damp when I get on my bike. I am still committed to being one of the early morning regulars but it’s only because of the cheerful reception from the Breadboard crew and the amazing Marionberry muffins fresh from the oven that keeps the drive alive. A lot of people wonder why I need to get there so early and so regularly but then again, a lot of people can’t solve the Rubick’s Cube and most people have never read Karl Marx so how could they really understand? A lot of people today just don’t appreciate the really important things in life like a good cup of coffee and stimulating conversation. Ok, there are probably some things in life that are more important, but that stuff can wait. If you start your morning early enough, you’ll have plenty of time for the other stuff. They say 90% of success comes from just showing up. So there you go. I say, “put on a raincoat, get on your bike and show up.” The rest of the day will happen either way, you may as well start off on the right foot.
Fall is here and Pumpkin Pancakes are back!
I was sitting in the Breadboard the other day sipping a delicious better but not bitter strong cup of Goodbean coffee thinking about the locust. While we have had fires and smoke in the State of Jefferson, as far as I know, we’ve never had to endure a locust plague. As I was thinking about this, Henry rattled off the specials which I’d already seen on Breadboardashland.com and I told him I’d have the Chicken-Apple Sausage Frittata with a side of a single Pumpkin Pancake (knowing that I would have the Nutella-stuffed French Toast tomorrow) and he could tell I was distracted and he wanted to know what was up so I asked him if he knew anything about locusts. Well, he’s a smart guy, having worked at the Breadboard for some time, and he told me that it was amazing that locusts could swarm as thick as 160 million locusts per square mile but they NEVER collided with one another. Dumbfounded, I asked how this was possible, and he told me it was because behind each of a locust’s two compound eyes is a motion-sensitive neuron called the lobula giant movement detector and when a collision appears imminent, these neurons send messages to the wings and legs, prompting the locust to act quickly. In fact, its reaction is five times faster than the blink of an eye. “Wow,” I said. He sure had impressive insect knowledge. Then, I asked him if I could get a side of some of that delicious thick cut bacon. Just another morning at the Breadboard…
Thanks for the Memories
I love fall, I really do. I look forward to the changing colors, cooler days, and less smoke. I actually had a great summer, but I can’t believe it’s over. It went so fast. As I get older, time goes faster and faster, and the simple things seem to flash by in an instant, like having fresh peaches on my Belgian waffle at the Breadboard day after day, euphorically slurping and…
Oh, but what’s the use? Those days are gone until next summer and the joy is now but a memory that grows hazier with each passing day. I need to just move on. There is so much to look forward to. I mean, soon they will be serving pumpkin pancakes. What would I do if they offered pumpkin pancakes and fresh peaches? How could you pick one over the other? Which of your two children do you love more? It would be inhumane to force someone to make a decision like that.
The good folks at the Breadboard recognize the serious nature of such a choice and they lovingly phase out the peaches and bring on the pumpkin. They lead us along, holding our hand, guiding us down a happy little epicurean path. I do love fall. So much to look forward to…
Fresh Local Peaches are BACK! Yummy!
I can’t believe summer is almost over. I was getting depressed but then I went to the Breadboard and started to feel happy again, immediately – as usual. And then, as if I wasn’t cheerful enough, they told me that peaches are back in season and I could get fresh local peaches on the side or on my pancakes with whipped cream or on my granola or on whatever I wanted and I could smell the peach scent wafting across the restaurant because as everyone knows peaches are one of the most aromatic of all fruits. I started to think about ancient Japan and the story of Momotaro, one of Japan’s most notable and semi historical heroes. He was also referred to as Peach Boy because he was born from within an enormous peach floating down a stream and he went on to fight evil “oni” and face many adventures. And I started thinking of all the adventures that I would have as soon as I finished eating the delicious local peaches and the juice was dripping down my chin and I ordered an extra side of thick cut bacon and I sipped my better not bitter Goodbean coffee and I wondered if someday they would call me Breadboard Boy because if there was a Peach Boy there should be a Breadboard Boy, right?
Congratulations 2014 Grads!
The future lies ahead (but don’t skip breakfast…)
I recently made a trip to San Francisco to see my nephew graduate from High School. Just before that, I attended the Ashland High School graduation. I always enjoy graduation ceremonies primarily for the speeches. I love hearing what graduates have to say – their hopes and dreams; reflections and observations. It seems that one issue is consistently on graduate’s minds – love. The world needs more love. As I reflect on that vital truth, it makes me think more and more about the meals I’ve enjoyed at the Breadboard. And I think this is where these mini-scholars are coming from: they love hearty, wholesome food, made from scratch, served in large portions by caring, loving friendly people. As each graduate spoke, I reflected on my many summer mornings sitting on the deck at the Breadboard with my friends, gnawing on thick cut bacon, slurping down a latte, taking in the view. Just sitting there, you know? Gorging myself on Nutella Stuffed French Toast while reflecting on the deepest issues mankind faces today and suddenly having all the answers just because the entire experience was so perfect that the tears swelled up in my eyes and the music of life reverberated throughout my entire being and the answer became clear: yes, the future lies ahead but first make sure you have breakfast at the Breadboard.
I crave the Breadboard
Every summer, everyone is so excited about the warm evenings and the hot days. Unfortunately, the last few years, the warm summer weather has also brought forest fires and the accompanying smoke. As I was sitting on the deck at the Breadboard the other day, taking in the view of Grizzly Peak and enjoying a cool morning breeze, I started feeling anxious about the possibility of fires and the smoke and the scratchy throat and watery eyes and the talk of drought and higher water prices and the situation in the Ukraine and the impact of the Chinese citrus to hear what the specials were today and I started to feel a tingling in my toes and my breathing slowed and as I heard about veggie frittatas and Brazilian French toast and Chipotle Steak scrambles I started to feel warm and happy and I realized that the specials change all the time at the Breadboard and over the years I’ve developed a craving for so many different things that now I don’t crave any one dish at the Breadboard, in particular – I crave THE BREADBOARD. I crave the friendly, warm staff; the amazing service; the non-stop, unapologetically yummy food; the better not bitter coffee… Nothing else really mattered because all that other stuff is always going on, but the Breadboard is open every day from 7 ’til 2 – so I sat back and enjoyed the view and I said, “Yeah, I wanna hear the specials…”