Broken Bread preview

Maybe I'm quirky, but I'm glad Broken Bread opened up in Morton's old digs. I love that location's unique speakeasy type entrance (kudos to Chad/Vegan's Nightmare for that description). I'm also glad they have brightened the place up with a lighter color of paint on the walls. Now if only they could remedy that slight winter chill. I was okay, but a friend who happened to be dining at a neighboring table needed her boyfriend's jacket. And yay for the white butcher paper and crayons on the table to keep young and old entertained.

We were greeted as soon as we opened the door (always a good sign) and were seated at the same table (minus the wobble) we've sat at ever since we began dining at Morton's. The big group table that used to be tucked into a corner is gone, but I noticed the group seated in that area was accommodated by a couple of smaller tables being pushed together.

Since we had totally missed the specials board in the upstairs hallway, I was glad the waiter filled us in after we'd had a moment to browse the menu. After hearing the specials, I was no longer interested in the menu. :)  Turkey and dumplings? Lamb stew? Cauliflower soup? Yes, please! I wanted to try it all, so I waited to make my decision until N made his.

Both of us selected beer to drink. Their selection is small, but well thought out. Oh, and this cider lover was happy to see they offer a Wandering Aengus cider! N picked the cauliflower soup and I ordered a green salad to start. The thick pureed soup was full of savory flavor. I could have easily made a meal of that alone. My salad was a nice variety of greens and tossed with a bright and fresh flavored vinaigrette. One of the greens looked like it might have been young collard greens or maybe baby bok choy. Very tasty!


N's lamb stew had all of the drool inducing flavors of the leg of lamb we roasted last New Years with garlic and rosemary. My turkey dumplings tasted like good old home cooking from my childhood, but so much better--my dumplings were perfect, not too dry nor mushy. Plus, the same greens I enjoyed in my salad were added to my entree.

After a lovely meal like that, my curiosity is piqued and I begin to ponder the question--what's their dessert like? We picked the apple crisp. It wasn't the old standard we've come to expect. I could be wrong, but I believe there was more than one variety of apples used in the crisp--adding to the complexity of flavors, along with the almonds and crasins and drizzled with a light sauce (rum?) before serving.

If you haven't been to Broken Bread yet, you're missing out. It's yet another gem in Salem's crown. Whether you're looking for an inexpensive dinner out or want to splurge on a special occasion, this will fill the bill.
Can't wait to hear about what you ate.  :>) Here's the link for their blog to find out what the specials are today.

1128 Edgewater Street NW
Salem Oregon.
Open Tuesday - Saturday for Lunch & Dinner
11:00 am - 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm - 9:00pm
503.990.7117
private dining and meeting space for up to 25 guests.