Cafe Jennifer

August 26, 2008
Across from Albertson’s on NW 20th in Battle ground Washington in a business plaza sits Café Jennifer. Quietly waiting to serve you up with breakfast and lunch. I am forever passing it by and curious about it for quite some time I finally ventured in this morning. I brought a book and an appetite. Lucky me.
It is an open space with vaulted ceilings and an open dining room. The walls are wood and on the walls hang local artists works and photos. I came into an inviting atmosphere and was intrigued right away. I sipped on piping hot coffee and perused the menu, which to my delight was diverse. I found out through Jennifer’s hospitality that the restaurant had been open now for close to a month. Had it really taken me this long to check out a restaurant that had just opened so close to where I am staying?
My omelet came hot and delicious. I selected one that had green peppers, onions, ham, cheddar and sausage. It was flavorful and filling. The home fries were also from scratch and hit the spot leaving me wishing there was more and my appetite was bigger.
The staff was attentive and kept my water full and I got three refills on my coffee without looking up from my book. The servers are in casual dress wearing jeans and tee shirts. They are friendly and ready to serve. Jennifer did a good job in her service selection; it left me wanting to come back with the luscious combination of genuine service and great food. I even thought to myself the people I could take in to Café Jennifer…now that’s what a restaurant should leave you with right?
I should mention before signing off there is a bar. It serves soda. Yes that’s right, the space that used to be a lounge is now family friendly and boasts root beer on tap. I know some kids that will love that.
So. Family friendly with a down home feel. I’ll see you soon. Should you find yourself in Battleground Washington you now have another recommendation from me. Until we meet again friends-keep smiling.

Battleground, Washington

As far as I could tell when I went out on the porch this afternoon, it was close to 100 degrees. This summer in Washington has been unseasonably warm or it's like this every summer in Battleground. I am not complaining. I only wish I was in the park up the road called Lewisville. I wrote a bit about it in a blog post prior to this. But the day is perfect. The sky is blue, there is a warm breeze in the air that's almost an intermittent gust. I knew as I sat out in the shade a couple of miles from me there was a lawn full of people and bbq grills filling the air with temptation. There are tall trees providing shade and a lawn to put down your blanket to dry of from the chilly creek that runs through it.
I love diving under the water and coming out after I have cooled off and letting the sun dry me off. I let it get me nice and warm and then I am back in again. In between I pick up a book or a snack and enjoy my surroundings. Maybe take a cold drink from the cooler and enjoy a snack and good company.
Battleground has a safe small town feel to it. It's very friendly, there are nods and cars stop in parking lots for pedestrians. If you are like me and you are staying with a friend, you will notice that when you go somewhere, the person you are with often times knows someone and stops to say hello. It feels like I am in a film during the opening credits. I know that Portland is my home, but one can get attached to this little oasis off of the freeway and you will find that Portland is a very short 35 minute drive away. The housing prices are oh so low, and as of right now there seems to be a lot of them on the market. If I had the money I would buy here and rent out maybe or stay on for a couple years. The secret may last or it may not. There are country roads that go on and on.
I am fortunate to have stayed here and I do not know how long this will last, but I will know where to go to get away from it all. Another spot I was not aware existed.
The Northwest impresses me once again.

Fatty Patty

You find yourself in Battleground Washington. You are wondering to yourself where do the hungry locals get something to eat for breakfast? I give you Fatty Patty's as an option. You will notice when you walk in there are a lot of locals. They are not dressed up for a fancy breakfast, in fact all they have brought are appetites and friends, family or both. This is a classic locally run diner. For lack of a better word to describe the atmosphere. There is a window for the food to be put up and you can hear the stereo in the kitchen keeping an off beat rhythm to the sharp clank of dishes being bumped and dressed for delivery to chatty guests. The servers are dressed in jeans and tee shirts , talking in loud voices and you will hear "how ya doin' today? Coffee or something to drink for ya? What's it gonna be today?" It's a good time.
On the menu there are half portions available. I recommend that. I have a hearty appetite. I have never left hungry. I like to get one of the omelette's, a half portion, and a biscuit. You may be offered gravy on the side when you place the biscuit order and I would advise it. The biscuit will arrive large and in charge. The food is tasty and if you come in expecting to be fed you will indeed leave satisfied.
I hope this little inside scoop helps you on your way to appreciating a small town feel in Battleground Washington.
After breakfast or sometime during your journey, why don't you go to Lewisville park? The entrance fee is 2.00 $. It's great during the summer. There are large manicured lawns, my friend and I like to bring a blanket and a swim suit. There is a creek near by and it's nice to dip into it and dry off in the sun. I bring a book and Joy and I pack snacks and drinks and soak in the locals and travelers running, dipping, playing, talking and just enjoying the immense park. The park provides baseball, soccer, trails, a creek, lawns, picnic tables, fire pits and trees for shade. You cannot go wrong on a sunny day.
Enjoy.