Fresh and Tasty

by Susan Hamilton and Ann Colford & r & & r & Field Service LUNCHWhen the calendar turns to September, thoughts turn to the harvest, especially in our local fruit-growing center of Green Bluff. The peaches have passed, but pears are plentiful and the early apples are about to roll in.


& r & The Becks, owners of the landmark HARVEST HOUSE, located at the heart of Green Bluff, recently expanded their store to open up more seating. They're now offering breakfast and lunch to visitors, with seating for up to 50 patrons both inside and out on the spacious deck. The Becks have long served pie and ice cream at their store, and they've drawn on that tradition to inspire their breakfast menu.


& r & "Breakfast is basically Belgian waffles with fresh fruit and ice cream," Marilyn Beck explains.


Now there's a breakfast worthy of being called the Most Important Meal of the Day.


"We also have cinnamon rolls and turnovers," Beck continues. "For lunches, we do hot dogs and sausages with grilled onions and sauerkraut, deli sandwiches and chicken salad on pita. Our Reubens are real popular, and we have Philly steak sandwiches -- beef, onions, green peppers and cheese."


& r & If that wasn't enough, you'll also find homemade coleslaw, potato salad and even barbecued pork on occasion. Not everything is available every day, but Beck makes sure there are enough choices to keep everyone happy. And you'll still be able to wrap up your meal with your favorite fruit pie, with or without ice cream.


& r & Of course, breakfast and lunch are not generally the main reasons to come to Green Bluff -- the fresh local fruits and vegetables are the big draw, along with the down-on-the-farm atmosphere. And those draws remain. At Harvest House, you can pick your own fruit, select from the produce for sale in the market, and shop for gifts and gourmet foods -- including fine wines. And if you want to share the local bounty with friends far away, the Becks will help you select and ship a gift box or basket.


& r & The annual Green Bluff apple festival kicks off on Sept. 23 and runs weekends through the end of October. All Green Bluff growers get into the act, and you'll find live music, mazes and kids' activities at many of the orchards, including Harvest House.


-- ANN M. COLFORD


& r &


Beck's Harvest House and Orchard, 9919 E. Green Bluff Rd., Green Bluff, Wash., is open daily 9 am-6 pm thru Christmas. Breakfast is served till 11 am, lunch 11:30 am-4 pm. Visit www.becksharvesthouse.com or call 238-6970. & r &





& r & A jolt of joe COFFEE & r &


Mochas, lattes, espressos and cappuccinos are everywhere you turn these days in the Inland Northwest. Javaheads now have another locally owned coffee shop where they can get a shot of their favorite addiction.


& r & LEONARDO'S COFFEE, near the Whitworth College campus, caters to students and north-side java aficionados. Owners Mark Smith and Karch and Linda Polgar say personable service is important at the recently opened coffee shop. With either Smith or the Polgars at the shop daily, customers will get to know them personally.


& r & "We've made Leonardo's a place we'd like to come to," Smith says. The mocha- and latte-colored d & eacute;cor is indeed comfortable and upscale. Couches, comfy sitting chairs and tables, merlot-colored drapes and sienna chandeliers add to Leonardo's ambiance.


& r & In the competitive coffee world, what sets Leonardo's apart? "We don't charge for extra shots or whipped cream," Smith explains. "So it's $3.50 a drink instead of the $5 that customers usually pay for extra flavor shots. We also have fruit juice-sweetened smoothies, whereas most smoothies are sweetened with corn syrup."


& r & Dr. Smoothie drinks are available in strawberry, four-berry and tropical mango flavors. Leonardo's also serves "real" cappuccino: Italian-style espresso with hot, foamy milk. Smith says Leonardo's consultant trained to make coffee drinks in Italy, passing on his knowledge to Smith and the Polgars.


& r & Lattes at Leonardo's (hot or iced) feature vanilla, caramel and mocha flavors, including raspberry mocha, and locally roasted coffee. "Cravens Coffee made us a special blend," Smith explains. "And we use high-end ingredients, like Ghirardelli chocolate and Monin flavor syrups."


& r & For those who don't want that coffee buzz, Leonard's offers hot chocolate or vanilla, chai tea and Italian cream soda. For a sweet treat to go with the drinks, Leonardo's features Sweetwater Bakery items. Bagels from cinnamon-raisin to tomato asiago, croissants from blueberry cheesecake to almond, plus espresso brownie bars, muffins and cinnamon rolls are sure to tempt the palate.


& r & "We also have extra fast wireless Internet," Smith says. It's just the thing to go with your coffee buzz.


-- SUSAN HAMILTON & r &





Leonardo's Coffee, 10208 N. Division (at Hawthorne Road), is open Mon-Fri 6 am-10 pm, Sat 7 am-10 pm, Sun 9 am-10 pm. Call 464-4888.