I enjoy planning “dates” and I wanted to share my favorites with you —so I started a section called Portland date ideas.

Preparations necessary? Wear your Sunday brunch best. I recommend perusing the news beforehand for conversation starters.

Call me a hipster, but yes, I’ll wait outside an hour to eat overpriced undercooked eggs and seasonal fruit. It’s actually an old favorite weekend pastime of mine. Whether it’s for the start of a date or a continuation from the night before (hehe), below is a list of some of the popular breakfast joints that I like to visit.

• Petite Provence (1824 NE Alberta St) This place has the best French pasties I’ve ever eaten. The portions are huge but do save room for the warm croissant and fresh jam that accompanies every breakfast plate.
• BeSaw’s (2301 NW Savier) This place serves free coffee outdoors because there is often a wait. Actually, I’ve never not waited before eating here, but it’s always been worth it. I don’t recommend getting an omelet or scramble (aka messed up omelet). Instead, try The. Breakfast. Burger. Who could resist a sunny-side up egg on a 100% grass-fed local ground beef patty with white cheddar, bacon, arugula, oven-roasted tomato, sausage gravy, on a piece of belgian waffle with rosemary-garlic potatoes on the side ($13)?
• Cadillac Cafe (1801 NE Broadway St) Take this however you like, but this place does not feel like Portland. It plays some catchy oldies music and the decor even includes an old Cadillac. They do pancakes really well here, from buttermilk to seasonal berries.
• Screen Door (2337 E Burnside St) Could be the bloody marys talking, but I love this place! This is Southern food at its best. As Mike Myers/Linda Richman would say, the shrimp and grits are like buttah. Haven’t been brave enough to try the chicken and waffles yet, but that’s on the bucket list. Afterward, I like to go to The Matador for a margarita.
• Stepping Stone Cafe (2390 NW Quimby St) With a sign on the door that says “You eat here because we let you,” you can’t expect much (sadly) from service or in cleanliness. Admittedly, I came here the first time to try the Mancake challenge seen on Man v. Food. And, wow, those pancakes are TOO big, TOO doughy, and not worth the stomachache. Coffee is great and omelets are edible. I like the location because of its close proximity to shopping on NW 23rd.
• Grain and Gristle (1473 NE Prescott) I really enjoy walking around this lovely neighborhood after brunch. It aids to the really comfortable, casual, and warm atmosphere of this place. The menu is small but great. I recommend something hearty, such as the migas (carnitas, black beans, tortilla crisps, cheddar and ranchero sauce) for $11.
• Compote (2032 SE Clinton) Yes, the wait can suck here, but I like the quaint “Portland-chic” decor. I go here mostly to the view the photo book of the chickens that lay the eggs for consumption. Seriously.

For more posts on breakfast places in Portland, please visit my friend, Jacque’s blog at Love Breakfast.