Portland is a brunch-lover’s city and plenty of local hot spots proclaim their “farm-to-table” pedigree. But how many restaurants can serve up dishes made from produce and herbs directly from their own backyard garden? With just a few hundred feet between the soil to the kitchen, that’s Heirloom‘s claim to fame! Last Saturday Portland Yelp Elites got to see firsthand how this Milwaukie restaurant makes it all work.
“Wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty,” the event invitation read. When the Elites and their guests arrived, they immediately learned why. The group wound their way down a series of stairs, and at the bottom executive chef Kathryn Yeomans officially welcomed them in the brunchiest way possible: with mimosas! After a brief introduction it was straight into the gardens. As Kathryn guided the Yelpers through the plots, she pointed out various vegetables and herbs and described how they fit into the seasonally rotating menu.
As attendees explored deeper into the fragrant gardens, Kathryn described her culinary journey. Studying at the Culinary Institute of America, she described working in top kitchens in both New York City and Portland. In her own private small businesses she indulged her passion in community culinary education. A career’s-worth of experience has all culminated in what she calls her most challenging role yet, the executive chef of not only Heirloom but of the entire Rose Villa community!
Then, it was time to eat! Making their way back up the hill, guests walked into the Heirloom dining room and discovered a surprise! For brunch, some of Kathryn’s most regular patrons joined in on the meal: residents of the Rose Villa retirement community! Each table of Yelpers loved the opportunity to meet their new brunch-dates, and soon everybody was sharing stories over bloody marys, fresh coffee, and baskets overflowing with muffins.
On the special event menu were three delicious options. The chicken and waffles were honey-brined and breaded in cornflakes. The ham and grits came with long-simmered collard greens and an egg on top. But most popular? The RV Garden Eggs Benedit! The English muffin was overflowing with sautéed mushrooms and savory greens, and the Yelpers agreed that the hollandaise sauce was perfect! But no matter what brunch entree they chose, everybody finished the meal more than satisfied.
The attentive servers topped off the coffees and cleared out the plates, and soon the garden brunch had come to an end. Each Yelper took a swag bag complete with a $25 gift certificate and a complimentary jar of Heirloom’s fresh preserves. It was time to say goodbye to their new friends, but not before making mental plans to return to this well-kept secret brunch destination in the heart of Milwaukie, Oregon.
Want to know more about the event? Read the reviews and check out the photos on Yelp!
About Our Host:
Heirloom offers a warm and inviting full-service dining experience open to both Rose Villa Residents and the public. The food at Heirloom is “garden inspired” and our on-premises garden drives the menu. Every menu item at Heirloom contains something special grown in our garden, year round. We partner with local farmers and ranchers and shop local farmers’ markets. Heirloom strives to feature unique ingredients for which the Pacific Northwest is known.
All the food at Heirloom is made-from-scratch, using high quality ingredients. We focus on cooking the old-fashioned way: using fresh, wholesome products to let the quality of the food speak for itself while spotlighting the legendary cuisine our chef, Kathryn Yeomans.
We have a full bar and wine list featuring artisanal and bio-dynamic bottles, displaying the varied expressions of the Northwest terroir, to complement a menu that changes frequently. Heirloom recommends reservations, but walk-ins are welcome too.
Heirloom opens Thursday to Saturday at 5pm. Brunch is served on Sunday from 8am to 2pm.
