3the Garnet Cafe 315 E Walnut Ave , Coeur d ’ Alene , ID | 208.667.2729
The Garnet Cafe is the true farm-to-table breakfast experience . The owners also operate McLane Farms , located just a few miles away in Cougar Gulch . They use organic methods to raise livestock and they don ’ t use pesticides , hormones , or antibiotics .
When you first walk into The Garnet Cafe , it looks as if it may be a greasy-spoon type diner , but it ’ s kind of the opposite — it ’ s gourmet . I ordered the “ Sockeye Salmon .” The creamy caper sauce was the perfect flavor , not too creamy and not too strong . And the wild-caught salmon was buttery and just right for a savory breakfast dish . It comes served with two eggs , Northwest potatoes , and your choice of toast . I subbed the potatoes for roasted veggies ; Garnet is really accommodating in that way . The wheat toast was one of my favorite parts . They bring you their homemade lemon curd sauce and jam to go with your toast . Their lemon curd is reason enough to make the drive to Coeur d ’ Alene . It tasted exactly like a lemon meringue pie ! They also have a rosemary toast that everyone was raving about .
We also tried the “ Sandpoint Omelet ” made with McLane Farms bacon , sausage and ham , sautéed onions and cheddar , then topped with smoked pork link sausage . I had to give the biscuits and gravy a try since I am a southern girl at heart . I ’ m happy to report that even drenched in gravy , the biscuits never got soggy . They stayed flakey and fresh , which is the main thing I look for in a good biscuit and gravy dish .
60 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE