Hmmm... As a wise person once said "you can't judge a book by it's cover"

My first trip to Sam Choy's on the Big Island broke me of judging a restaurant by its building. Located in an industrial park the building was built of galvanized steel siding. The bathrooms were down an alley. But the food was extraordinary.

I guess this is as good a place as any to write about my brunch today at Woodberry. Especially since, to my horror, my partner promised the waiter I would (as we left, but, still...).

We sat outside, which was quite lovely. My partner, who recently had cataract surgery, asked to be seated in the shade and gestured with her cane to a 4 top. The hostess immediately veered from the 2 top in the sun, seated us at the shaded 4 top, smiled and said she had trouble with her eyes in the sun, too. Very nice save, quite gracious.

They have various rusted industrial bits scattered around to use as planters. We liked the mix of herbs, veggies and decorative plants in them. We were amused by the clay pots that were stamped "Made in Italy," though.

The service was pretty good. A young lady kept swooping in to refill my water glass, even though the waiter had left the carafe. I was slightly annoyed to be asked if she could clear my plate when it was both clean and my silverware was in the "take it away" position, but I've lost that battle long ago. The waiter didn't hover, but was mostly around when needed. It took some time for the food to come out, but it was hot when it did, so I don't mind.

My partner's iced tea was lemon verbena. There may have been black tea in there, she didn't think so. I thought it was refreshing. There was simple syrup on the side, a nice touch.

The coffee was some boring Central American bean that was roasted at least 1.5 weeks ago. It was served in a press pot, though, and there was enough of properly ground bean for the size of the pot (both rare and to be applauded - now get a decent bean!).

Her shirred eggs with crab and asparagus was very good. She said the crab was really flavourful, so I'm guessing it really was local. The yolks were runny, as promised, but a little of the whites were, too. The eggs were definitely cage free. She also liked the potatoes on the side.

My ricotta pancakes with strawberries and real maple syrup were very nice. They were rich, but smooth and light. Two of the three had some raw batter, but they were tasty. The strawberries were variable. I didn't each much of the syrup, but it was real.

My partner was charmed, and wants me to take her back for dinner next time she's in town. I'd cheerfully go back, myself. There were a few bobbles, but it was a mostly pleasant meal in on a very pretty patio.

Short, short...dang, I'm sorry, EL. That was way too many words. Feel free to trim.

Lissa -- assuming no pruning as of the time of my comment, I see no reason to trim your very informative review. Thanks for posting it!

there was enough of properly ground bean for the size of the pot

I'm just back from a cruise ship, and our suite impressively had a French press pot and a nice, 230-volt water-heating kettle. Unfortunately, the supplied coffee was packets of Seattle's Best, in a grind not nearly coarse enough for a press port. The resulting coffee was definitely on the murky side.

still picking coffee grounds out of your teeth, Hal?

What does COPFTC mean?

What does COPFTC mean?

Cranky Old Person From The City.

I think I'm going to have to drop it, though. Too much explanation required.

Acronyms work best when they are three letters.

As for the eggs at Woodberry, Lissa, are you actually able to tell a cage free egg by taste?

RoCK, my partner can, by taste and colour. I'm not quite that good, as I can seldom actually eat eggs without becoming ill.

Judith raised chickens for years. She still would if the city hadn't caught her too many times (well, Thanksgiving Dinner, her turkey, chasing that kid down the street didn't help, either). But, she knows her poultry.

Okay, Lissa--you can't just leave us with that! More, please.

Hal, you could always go back to VoR.

Well, Thanksgiving Dinner was long before I met her, but he was being raised for Thanksgiving. He loved to jog, so when a neighbour kid decided he was scared of the beak, and took off running down the street, Thanksgiving Dinner thought the kid was offering to job with him, and took off after him.

I'm told this ended in about 20 adults and 10 screaming children and one very happy turkey.

Unfortunately, Thanksgiving Dinner did not make it to his scheduled end. He came down with a bad case of testosterone poisoning, and started blocking Judith from the laying hens. If I recall the story, he became the main attraction for Halloween dinner.

Lissa - that's the best turkey story I've heard in years and I loved your mini-review of Woodberry - nor too long at all.

Excellent review, Lissa. I feel like I have a very good picture of the food, setting and service at Woodberry now (for brunch). 3 1/2 stars to the reviewer...

3 1/2 stars to the reviewer

I'm doomed to fail, now!

Anyone know a good bankruptcy lawyer?