I attended college at the University of New Hampshire, located in the small town of Durham in the Seacoast Region. Breakfasts back in those days were typically spent at one of the many dining halls on campus, and on special occasions the 15 minute drive due east to Portsmouth to eat at the infamous Friendly Toast. Many post-grad girls weekend mornings to follow, longing for the college days, but loving that we could foot the bill no problem-o. Warning: the following pictures taken during the midst of a hangover while consuming creamers full of Baileys and coffee. Presenting the Portsmouth Toast. My love runs deep.
Need I say more? The FT rocks.
That would be a mimosa in a pint glass. They aren't the type for champagne flutes.
That is just a small taste of the wacky decorum that fills the walls and pretty much every nook and cranny of the joint. When word got out that the owners were expanding to a new location in my neck of the woods it was almost too good to be true. The Cambridge Toast in Kendall Square opened its doors in late May of 2009. It has only taken me 10 months to get my butt over there. From the girl who claims she doesn't venture over to Cambridge, I've been to Central, Harvard and Kendall Squares respectively within the last month. I'm eating my words and setting new personal records. On the way there we stopped at Borders Downtown and I got us Lattes from Seattle's Best. I planned this in my head at the time, I could have my coffee fix on the way over and be ready to booze at brunch.
A vanilla latte for Adam and I decided to try the advertised white orange bliss. It was sweet and delicious with strong hints of orange.
I also bought a book. Such an impulse buy. I watch the Hills so why not? It was only $6.99 with my Boarders rewards card.
We made it to Kendall Square and found the Friendly Toast thanks to a large sign on a building pointing us in the right direction. The wait, not to my surprise, was 45 minutes. It ended up taking an hour but whose counting. I headed to the bar and scanned the drink menu. BAR you say? The Portsmouth location was not fortunate enough to be blessed with a bar.
Smart thinking on the owners part this time around. I finagled my way in to snap some pictures while I waited for the bartenders attention. The girl was slammed. Every bar stool was filled and for every full seat there was someone waiting behind to claim it next. This is quite possibly the coolest decoupaged bar I have ever seen. I could stare at it all day. The product labels are a parody on the real thing. Check them out.
Crest = CrustBand Aid = Band Ache
Heintz = Hurtz
Tootsy Roll Pop = Tipsy Roll Pop
Peter Pan = Peter Pain
Fluff = Flunk
I could go on. You get the idea.
I kept it simple an ordered a Bloody Mary ($7). This one had a good kick, spicy but not too much so. 
I made my way over to the funky retro lounge and passed the time snapping pictures to my hearts content. 
I'm really diggin' the Astro-turf and matching bright green walls
Oh look a rotating Schlitz globe!
An Ex-Lax thermometer. So random and yet so cool.
My drink again, why not.
Scored a seat...
Next to a giant grenade
The lower edge of the walls are lined with a collage of back-in-the-day advertisements. 
Too cool.
The mob scene.
Have I taken enough pictures yet? Don't worry, there are many kitschy artifacts left un-photographed to discover should you decide to visit. Soon enough, a welcoming Kelley green diner with 1950's dinette sets including twinkling vinyl chairs ushered us in.
Our waitress approached the table right away. The standard "you must have an area of your body covered in tattoos in order to work here" quota was met. She was bubbly as can be. For some reason today, I had a lot of questions on the menu. She was very knowledgeable and answered them all with a refreshing honesty. I needed an opinion on the mojito frappe and what kind of booze should I add in it if ordered. She told me it was a weird drink overall and probably not my best bet.
We decided on our food orders relatively quick. Then I scanned the cocktails menu and realized (thanks Adam) all drinks are creatively named after Alfred Hitchcock movies.
I decided on the Vertigo. The food came before my drink. In this case I really didn't mind. a) I knew how ridiculously busy the bartender was and b) The waitress was so sweet about keeping me updated on the drinks whereabouts, I knew she never actually "forgot" it and it was somewhat out of her control. She had delivered waters right off the bat, so I was happy to have that to sip with my meal. PS is our sugar packet container a poodle or a lamb?!
Adam had a coffee, black.
F-O-O-D. Finally.
Sunrise Scramble ($10) for Adam
Huervos Rancheros ($10) pour moi.
Runny poached egg goodness sat atop two slices of their homemade anadama bread and what was the most avocado I have ever seen on a breakfast dish in my life. This was all topped with a thick layer of melted cheddar cheese and fresh chunky salsa. A pile of crispy home fries came on the side.
I devoured the first egg, stopped for a breather, and took my time attempting to finish the second.
This dish was unbelievably satisfying. Well worth the wait. Oh and speaking of worth the wait, my Vertigo arrived!!
Goslings Rum. chocolate ice cream. Grand Marnier. pomegranate molasses.
Well make that Adam's afternoon. Our entire bill came to $23 pre-tip.
I can't even describe to you how good this was. If you go here, GET THIS. Cold, frothy and chocolaty, the ice cream blended with the sweet orange liqueur and pomegranate flavors to create a combo unlike any I've ever experienced. And do I ever adore Goslings Rum. I savored this while Adam paid the bill upfront.
I took a few more pictures as we departed. 
I mean come on, The Hamburglers distant relative could not go un-photographed.
Neither could the disturbing potted heads in the vestibule.
It was another dark cold rainy day in the city. If it was nicer out we would have walked off the food comas and enjoyed the outdoors.
Instead it was straight back to the Kendall Square T stop and home to digest our meals on the couch.
No comments:
Post a Comment