Peet's Coffee Ruined My Life..........Confessions of a Bohemian Coffee Brat

     Just like my breakfasts, I like coffee.... anytime, anywhere, as long as it's hot and hopefully fresh.  Sure I know some coffee is better than others, but as the blog title implies, I am a coffee brat, not a coffee snob.  I definitely have preferences, but as someone who likes a dash of sugar and a whole lotta cream in my coffee, I would be a fraud to say I am a coffee purist.  That's one of the reasons I chose Dunkin' Donuts as my coffee for the "Best Breakfast Items of 2013" blog I wrote, not because it is necessarily the best, but it's always consistent and hot, and tastes pretty darn good.  I am a bohemian coffee brat because I really choose my coffee by the atmosphere that surrounds it, not exactly the flavor of the roast when I am getting serious about going to get a cup of coffee.  That is how Peet's Coffee ruined my life.  Let me explain.............

     I loved, Loved, LOVED, Caribou Coffee in the Shops of Boardman Park, not just becuase it was good coffee, (I was definitely a fan of the Mocha Java Roast,) but because of the atmosphere and the people that would go there.  When I owned my marketing company, I called Caribou my East Side branch because I spent so many hours there on my computer doing consulting work for my clients.  The barista's knew my name, there was free wifi, there was a fake but calming fireplace, comfy chairs and tables with built in checkerboards.  It was great to go there with friends to just chat and people watch all of the interesting people that would come in, from high school nerds to the cool kids on campus, from business executives, to those needing a pick me up to get them through Spinning Class.  It was comfortable.  I have not been able to step inside the new Peet's Coffee that took it's place.  After taking MUCH longer than the 5 weeks that it was supposed to be renovated and re-opened, every time I drive in and look through those big glass windows, all i can see is plain ol' tables and chairs, positioned in stiff and conforming rows, in front of what looks like a cafeteria style counter.  I have never tasted their coffee, it may be fantastic, but I can't get myself to walk thru the front doors, the atmosphere is gone.

     Luckily, the Valley has a plethera of coffee houses that I do find comfortable and that I try to visit as often as I can depending on the area that I am in.  The Mocha House in Boardman has some confortable booths, free wifi, and owner Jimmy always has a smile and a hearty handshake to greet you when you come in.  The Warren Mocha House, has a relaxed feel, free wifi, and some great local bands that play on most weekends.  Starbucks in Boardman and Niles have free wifi, but not much indoor seating room, but decent patio space.  Downtown Youngstown has Joe Maxx that has been heavily involved in staying open for downtown events, has a friendly staff, free wifi, but a small seating area, that supposedly is going to be expanded with some great design innovation in the old WYTV studio space it connects to.  The new Friends Roastery in downtown Youngstown also has some great promise and although I haven't been, I can't wait to get there just with his facebook posting from the January 7th cold where they opened despite the weather and encouraged people to come in and take a free, warm beverage to someone they saw outside that needed it.  That is comfort coffee there folks.

     A few other favorites that have some atmosphere, are Peaberry's in Canfield, with free wifi, another nice fake fireplace, but just a few comfy booths.  The cafe in Barnes and Noble has the benefit of being connected to all of the books and magazines, but doesn't really have comfortable chairs and can;t help but feel more like a store than a coffee shop.  Panera has more comfort than most with lots of booths and free wifi, and possibly some of the best hazelnut coffee around.  One of the few places for coffee that just fails for me personally is the Plaza Donuts stores.  Although I admire their history in the community, I just don't find much comfort in stools around a cafeteria style, long and winding tabletop.

                                 

     So that is pretty much my coffee round up, and although most of the above do serve some kind of breakfast items or full breakfasts, I will be satisfied just thinking of them as coffee houses for now.  So I would like to know where you readers like to pick up their coffee favorites.  Are you a coffee snob, (not that there's anything wrong with that, lol,) or a bohemian like me and choose based on atmosphere instead of the blend.  I put a poll up here on the right of the blog.  Also leave comments of coffee houses in other areas of the Valley that I might have totally missed or just not been to.  I would love to hear about them.... Scott

  

"Breakfast with Friends" Featuring Phil Kidd of Defend Youngstown

     Today launches my first, 'Breakfast with Friends' blog, and features Defender of Youngstown, Phil Kidd.  It was my pleasure to welcome Phil into the Breakfast Club for the day, as we met at his favorite breakfast spot, Kravitz Deli in Liberty.  Everybody has their own 'go to' breakfast and location, and Kravitz, with their Corned Beef Hash is Phil's.  The 'Breakfast with Friends' series will be with me meeting some of my friends and those that I want to get to know in the Mahoning Valley, and find our their favorite breakfast spots and what they are currently passionate about.  For those that don't know Phil, since the Winter of 2005, when he created his first 25, "Defend Youngstown" T-shirts, Phil has supported and championed Youngstown, and to some extent, the entire Mahoning Valley.  You can find out more about how Phil's journey started here, by checking out this article from our own Valley Vindicator newspaper.  I had the pleasure of meeting Phil and getting to know him, during the three years I worked downtown at 20 Federal Place.

     It was great to talk to Phil at Kravitz, as even though I chose their Corned Beef Hash as one of my Best Breakfast's of 2013, I really don't get the chance to get there for breakfast that often.  Phil is such a regular at the deli, they have named one of their signature sandwiches from the, 'Liberty Wall of Honor,' for him, the "Philly the Kidd."  Along with their signature Corned Beef Hash, the deli serves up fresh from scratch Potato Latkes, and has a fantastic selection of Egg Creations, Bagel Breakfast Sandwiches, and of course, Lox and Cream Cheese.  As Youngstown's first deli, established by Rose Kravitz in 1939, and under son's Jack Kravitz's watchful eye currently, the deli continues to thrive and grow, adding space at the Poland Library branch a few years ago, and 2014 bringing the possibility of a liquor license to the establishment, making Bloody Mary's a not too far off breakfast possibility.  Kravitz Deli serves breakfast Monday thru Friday from 9am to 11:30 and all day on the weekends.  Kravitz's is located at 3135 Belmont Avenue in Liberty, where it has been since moved from Youngstown's North Side in the 70's.

      My conversation with Phil started over a fresh cup of coffee, that our waitress was great with refilling before it reached the bottom of our mugs.  I asked about Youngstown Nation, the gift shop on 8 N. Phelps Street he opened downtown about 18 months ago, and Phil has been very satisfied with the store's growth and especially the recently passed holiday shopping season.  Phil has had a large Facebook following that continues growing, (way over 8,000 'likes' on his business page and over 3,000 personal friends at last look.)  Over the holidays, Phil experimented with Facebook's 'promoted' postings, finding many current and former Youngstown citizens who had not yet heard of his shop who spread the news to their local friends and families, or stopped by while they were in town to see it for themselves.  Phil was even asked to be a speaker in Sarasota, Florida, where a Youngstown State University alumni group has many alumni living in the Sarasota area.  They meet yearly around March, and recently opened the group up to anybody from Youngstown and turned the gathering into a city reunion of sorts.  Phil was honored to be asked, but had to turn the invitation down due a scheduling conflict.  He is very excited however, seeing and hearing about these dedicated Y-towner's across the country.  

     As breakfast was served, I dived into my potato latkes that were grilled perfectly and served with sour cream and chunky appleasauce on the side.  I asked Phil what was happening in Youngstown from his birds-eye view, working and living in downtown.  A lot of new businesses that have opened recently all look very promising for the their staying potential, says Phil.  He is looking forward to the completion of the Wick Building and the development of the Wells Building, and especially a great hot dog or two, as a new restaurant specializing in the product gets set to open just a few doors down in the near future.  You can always keep up to date on local happenings in Youngstown and around on Phil's 'Weekly Round-Up' of articles on his blog, which I really enjoy reading to keep in touch what is happening in our city.

                                                      

     Over our entree's of Corned Beef Hash, served with an egg served your style on top, and a warm freshly toasted bagel and cream cheese, Phil told me about the current project he is working on.  I was excited to learn that he is putting together a list of "50 Things To Do and See in Youngstown Before You Die."  Based on other lists of this kind that you find in bigger cities like Cleveland and Pittsburgh, in the near future Phil will be creating the list that will feature not only some of the best and favorite landmarks around our town, but it will specifically include things to do, see or try in that particular place.  An example is heading to arguably one of the first bars in Youngstown established back in 1934, the Royal Oaks, and not only soaking up the atmosphere, but also not leaving until you try their baby back ribs with their signature rasberry barbeque sauce.  I am definitely hoping a breakfast spot makes the list, lol.  

     I really want to thank Phil Kidd for a great conversation over a fantastic breakfast at the extraordinary Kravitz Deli in Liberty.  You can read more about my 'Breakfast with Friends' in the upcoming year of blog posts.  I hope to have one every one to two weeks.  If you are up for a great conversation over breakfast, drop me a note and join my Breakfast Club if only for an hour or two.  If you have a suggestion on who to interview, or where to go to eat breakfast in the Valley, let me know here on the blog or drop me an email.  You can also follow me on Twitter, and like me on Facebook.................Scott

Send Me Your Breakfast Fundraiser Notices........

     Hey friends.......  If you are part of a non-profit organization that is hosting a breakfast fundraiser like a pancake breakfast or something, or know someone who is, please get in touch with me so I can start announcing them.  You can email me at mvbreakfastclub(at)gmail.com, or you can tweet me over on my mvbreakfastblog twitter account, or through a facebook message.  I would definitely like to show my support by announcing them here on the blog, and send them out through our social media channels.  I will try to visit at least one a month myself if I can.

Oldies and Goodies Diner, Boardman, Ohio

     My first restaurant feature is the new, "Oldies and Goodies Diner," at 1035 Boardman-Poland Road in Boardman, Ohio.  The diner takes the place of the old "Park Diner," that was brought to the Valley by the Eat N' Park restaurant chain, which closed on November 1st in 2009, and has sat vacant ever since.  Restauranteur's Tommy and Lucy, (Lucianne,) are the Owner and General Manager, and they found the location through a business broker that they had been working with.  They liked the property and location so much they moved from New Jersey to bring Tommy's love of diners to the Mahoning Valley.   Having owned and operated previously two diners in New York, and two in New Jersey, Tommy knew he could replicate his successes here in Northeast Ohio.

     The dining area was in pristine condition from the old owners, so virtually nothing needed to be changed or updated.  The kitchen was redone to Tommy's liking, and is still being renovated with equipment needed to bring Tommy's favorite baker from New Jersey to Ohio very soon.  "Oldies and Goodies Diner," officially opened on October 24, 2013.  Tommy oversees the kitchen and the menu and brought one of his best cooks with him to Ohio to open the diner.  Lucy is the General Manager greets the customers along with waiting tables as needed and brought the help of a trusted old employee to help her in the front of the house.  The rest of the staff is made up of people from and around the Mahoning Valley.

     The diner has a separate breakfast menu with several specials that include bottomless, hot coffee, and is served Monday thru Friday from 5:30am to 11:00am.  The 'All-Day' breakfast's are featured on their lunch/dinner menu, served 11:00am to close Monday thru Friday, and all day on the weekends.  On the weekday breakfast menu  I usually gravitate to the three egg breakfast special that includes a choice of breakfast meat, real fried potatoes, toast, and coffee for just 6.97 including tax!!  I have tried the Eggs Benedict that has perfectly poached eggs, and a very rich and creamy hollandais sauce.  the pancakes are light and fluffy and are served with a warm whipped butter that spreads easily over the cakes.  (Personal Pet Peeve:  I dislike restaurants that serve cold butter pats or margarine mini-tubs that are kept refrigerated until serving and tear your food all to heck as you try to spread it, rant over.)  The coffee is good, hot, and rarely makes it to the bottom of the mug, thanks to Lucy and her staff's attentiveness.

     From the All-Day breakfast's on the lunch/dinner menu, I am a sucker for a good country fried steak breakfast and this plate is a winner here.  Two perfectly breaded cutlets of steak are topped with a good gravy, (I asked for the sausage, but they make a good white gravy too,) and they are served with three eggs cooked to order, real pan fried potatoes, and toast.  I have also ordered the omelet made of five eggs and choice of over 17 toppings to add in as you like, and is served with the potatoes and toast.  I asked Tommy for his favorite or specialty and was torn between a greek omelet with spinach and feta, or the french toast napoleon that is stuffed with berries, banana's, whipped cream, and wet walnuts.  One of the best things I can say about "Oldies and Goodies Diner," si that they listen to their customers.  In the brief time it has been open, I have seen them change their sausage to a plumper, better tasting Dirusso sausage links, and their toast from thinly sliced to a hearty, thick sliced and better tasting bread, (especially the wheat.) 

     All in all, you will enjoy a great breakfast, with a clean and modern diner interior, served by an attentive staff and a warm welcome from Tommy and Lucy.  With "Oldies and Goodies Diner" being just a few blocks from my workplace, I know I will be here often.  Again they are located right on the corner of 224 and South Avenue, (hint:  it's easiest to get to the restaurant going in the Long John Silver's entrance on 224 and driving around to the back and in to the diner's parking lot,) and they are open 7 days a week.  They do have a Facebook page that Lucy says there is just no time to update at the moment.  They currently have no wifi at the diner.  I am definitely looking forward to their baker moving here soon for some fresh and homemade Cinnamon Rolls.  Do yourself a favor and check out "Oldies and Goodies Diner," in Boardman.

Best Breakfast Item Hangover Cures

     Congratulations, you made it through another New Years Eve celebration and it's time to wakey, wakey, maybe in time to catch the Rose Parade or a bowl game or two.  Lucky for Breakfast Club, there are a few breakfast items that are shown to help reduce hangover symptons:  First up, Eggs: 
     Breakfast joints are notorious for offering menu items labeled as “hangover cures,” but not all of these meals are proven to help you recover any faster. However, one breakfast food item that may help you feel better eggs!!  The reason is that eggs contain significant amounts of cysteine, which is an amino-acid that can break down toxins that cause the hangover in the first place. What’s even better is that eggs are also good for you – they are a good source of protein, are good for your eyes and may even help reduce your risk of cancer.

     Second up, Toast:  Eating bland, dry foods, like toast, can often help boost your blood sugar. Meanwhile, adding these bland items to your diet can help settle an upset stomach, which is one of the more common symptoms of a hangover.

     Finally, we have Juice:  Like honey, fruit juice contains a significant amount of fructose that can help your body get rid of the lingering alcohol in your system. Go for natural juices without too much of the refined sweeteners – the real thing should have plenty of fructose to help you burn off the alcohol. If you find it difficult to swallow any fluids because of the night before, try eating some fruits instead.  Drinking tomato juice can help replenish any vitamin C that was depleted after a heavy night of boozing. People also tend to enjoy the rich taste while hungover, which is why Bloody Mary cocktails have become popular for breakfast but for the hangover cure, you need to skip the alcohol and just mix yourself up a good virgin mary.

     So it seems tradition to do a "Best of" for the year we are finishing up, before the New Year promises fresh starts and new beginnings.  In that vein I present to you my Best of Breakfast in the Mahoning Valley for 2013.  Of course this is a very one-sided, subjective list by Me, but I share it to invoke thoughts and jog your memories and hopefully you will call me out on a few of my choices and give me some other places to consider and maybe even try out for the first time.  Any way you look at it, if you take any of these suggestions, I guarantee you won't have a bad meal, maybe just not YOUR favorite, but give them a try, I think you will be pleasantly surprised..................Scott

Best Breakfast’s in the Valley of 2013:

Eggs (any style):  Saratoga, Warren

Omelet:  Jack’s Nest Egg Diner, Warren

Eggs Benedict:  (Just can’t find a “Best,” or even a “Great”) Suggestions Are Welcome

Pancakes (buttermilk):  PerkinsRestaurant, Boardman

Pancakes (specialty):  IHOP, Niles

French Toast:  Pages Restaurant, Liberty

Chicken Fried Steak:  Yankee Kitchen, Boardman

Bacon:  Landmark Restaurant, Austintown

Sausage:  Firestone Farms Sunday Brunch, Columbiana

Italian Sausage:  Luciano’s, Austintown

Ham:  (The only non-Valley pick)  The Circle Restaurant, Deerfield

Corned Beef Hash:  Kravitz Deli, Liberty

Hash Browns:  The Waffle House, Any location

Breakfast Potatoes:  Oldies and Goodies Diner, Boardman

Oatmeal:  TJ’s in the Boardman Holiday Inn, Boardman

Grits:  (My Exception to the Breakfast Rule) – Monteens, Youngstown

Biscuits and Gravy:  Bob Evans, Boardman

Coffee:  Dunkin Donuts, (Caribou Coffee; God rest it’s soul), Any Location

Orange Juice:  Cracker Barrel Restaurant, Austintown

Muffin:  Maggie’s Magic Muffins, Boardman and Austintown

Breakfast Pastry:  Panera Breads, Any Location

Donut:  Apple Fritter, The Valley Marketplace, Boardman

Bed and Breakfast:  The Columbiana Inn, Columbiana

Breakfast Buffet:  Firestone Farms Sunday Brunch, Columbiana

Fast Food:  Sausage Burrito, Burger King, Any location

     Happy Birthday to Me!  Now sure I could go just about anywhere for my birthday breakfast, but being the frugal guy I am, (and the fact that I am getting taken out to a FANTASTIC dinner this evening,) I have decided to take advantage of Perkins Restaurant's "My Perkins," reward program, and go in for the free Magnificent Seven Breakfast.

     Although I usually would prefer to go to non-chain restaurants when possible, I enjoy Perkins for pancakes especially, (see my year end review of breakfast foods being posted tomorrow,) so I am looking forward to starting out my birthday with a free meal that looks a little something like this..............

     If you haven't signed up for "My Perkins" rewards, you can online or at your nearest restaurant.  You may get more information than you ever wanted to know about the restaurant, but you will also receive 20% off your next purchase and a free meal on your birthday.  So use that fake email account that you know we all have for all of your junk email purposes and get rewards today.................Scott