Trinket
2035 SE 39th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97214
Recently, there was a restaurant a mere seven blocks from our house that we never got around to trying — Kingdom or Roosevelt. But, just last weekend it reopened as a neighborhood brunch spot called Trinket, and we tried it right away (well, within a week). I think that says something about my love of brunch over my interest in meat-centric, wild game meals.
Honestly, I really love that there’s a restaurant in this space — I pass by it everyday on my walk to Mt. Tabor. (Okay, most days. I walk most days). Anyway, when I heard that Trinket was open, I insisted to jwa that we go right away (again – love of brunch). So we did.
Stepping into the restaurant on Saturday around noon, it was about three-quarters full, and we got a table right away. A bloody mary and pineapple melon mimosa were soon to follow, as were delicious pistachio sticky rolls and coffee. As I usually do when trying a new place for breakfast or brunch, I got the eggs benedict. Here it’s made with duck eggs and I soon discovered that poached duck eggs are like eating velvety rich pillows filled with sunshine. Scrumptious, beautiful, artery clogging sunshine, covered in creamy, lemony hollandaise sauce. Oh my god, so rich. But amazing.
There were some super crispy hash browns on the side, as well as the side of braised kale I ordered. I think the braised kale gave it just enough lightening up, but I still had to employ the stop-eating-the-english-muffin strategy to finish most of my plate. Maybe they’ll offer a half order of the Duck Eggs Benedict at some point (or even a version with greens instead of Canadian bacon)? More room for pistachio rolls and mimosas!
For his meal, jwa got the sweet waffle (there’s also a savory one) and he thought his selection was very enjoyable. He also enjoyed bites of hash browns and egg yolk from my plate, although not that I think about it, I never got to try any of his waffle. So unfair. But typical. Kidding. Not really.
In addition to the food, I really loved the look of the space. It seems that the bar, chandelier, and wall color are the same as the earlier restaurant here (I peeked in the window at KoR once) and I just love the dark wall colors. Greys and blacks are really underused as wall colors, in my opinion. They can look so nice, especially with pops of color, like at Trinket. Plus, from your table you may get to see all of the people try to illegally turn right onto Lincoln Avenue.
I wonder how soon it will take for the lines to be out the door on Saturday and Sundays?