Best. Breakfast. EVER.

The last couple of weeks have been really full.  I had to take my father in to the Eye Institute for cataract surgery (twice).  I needed to buy stuff - like a travel toothbrush and a new (larger) belt - for our cruise to Alaska.  I had to get most of the month's work for the church done (including the layout and text for the monthly newsletter) in the two weeks before leaving so I wouldn't have to email it all in.  At last, however, it's all finished and we are in Vancouver, taking a look around before the cruise sets sail on Sunday.

We are staying at the Moda Hotel, which is located in the heart of Vancouver and within easy walking distance of many attractions plus mass transit.  One of the attractions, right off the lobby, is Cibo Trattoria, where we ate breakfast today.  The restaurant is small but welcoming, with a mix of vintage charm and modern artwork.  I truly think my food was the best breakfast I've ever had.

I had their ethical bean "bold" coffee and the item described as follows on the menu:
crispy polenta with wild oregano, soft scrambled eggs, pancetta, pecorino, pepper

The polenta came in perfectly fried little pyramids, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the oregano (something I wouldn't have put into polenta) gave it an earthy, exotic flavor.  It was excellent by itself, but when eaten in the same forkful as the crisp pancetta and a few flakes of the cheese - astounding.  I wonder if they'd give me the recipe?

My sister had the frittata of the day, which featured heirloom tomatoes and parmesan cheese and was also seriously yummy, and both our plates looked as good as they tasted. Fortunately the portions were moderate, so we may have been able to walk it all off today.  At least I HOPE two museums and a tour of the downtown area were enough.

Tomorrow I'm thinking of returning for the blueberry turnover.  Or maybe a "bio-dynamic" egg.  Or both.  And heck, it's the weekend - why not a mimosa or bloody Mary?

Quality food like this tempts me in a way the all-you-can-eat cruise buffets never will.  If I'm going to gain weight on my vacation, I want to end up with high-class fat.

"Every dish centers on the use of fresh, natural, and unique ingredients from the finest local and Italian suppliers, and organic farm producers. Most importantly, Cibo’s dishes possess a subtle myriad of pleasing flavors and textures, with a simple combination of color and plating, that yield the ultimate in rustic, Italian cuisine." ~from the Cibo website