Category: food

After my iPad Meetup at Starbucks in the Willow Glen Plaza, I rode to The Original Pancake House, locked my bicycle to the metal fence, and walked inside to sit at the counter.

There was no one else at the counter, and only two other tables occupied, with three people at each.

A smiling waitress came right to me to take my order.
I said, “Tuesday’s pancakes, please.”
“How would you like your eggs?”
“Oh, I didn’t know the pancakes came with eggs.”
“No, they don’t. So, you want pancakes?”

She brought me water and I waited while playing on my iPad. I could see the young cook in the kitchen pacing back and forth, glancing out at me now and then. Once, I saw him open the oven and jiggle a pot that was in there. I could not see any sign that he was making my pancakes.

Another waitress came by and pleasantly asked if I wanted more water. My glass was half-empty. I said no and she walked away.

After twenty minutes I wondered if the cook actually had my order. My waitress came by and told me it’s taking longer for my order.

After thirty-five minutes, the cook was no longer in the kitchen. My waitress was at one of the tables talking to the people. I told her, sorry, I had to go. She glanced over her shoulder and said okay.

I went home and made my own pancakes. *

I think it’s interesting to note that during the time I spent there from 9:20 until 9:55 AM, no one left the restaurant and no one else came in.

* Banana-Walnut Pancakes – FROM AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN (about 12 small cakes)

• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbl  lemon (in lieu of buttermilk, this is better)
• 1 cup flour (maybe part whole wheat or buckwheat)
• 1-1/2 tbl butter (melt in metal measuring cup on pan warming up on low)
• 1 tbl sugar/honey
• 1 egg (this is actually twice amt called for in original recipe; optional)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 chopped banana