Peg and I had eaten here once before. Our friends Jan, Mike, Deb, and Donn had also eaten at Netshed No. 9 once before. We had all tried to eat there a number of times for Sunday morning breakfast, but decided not to wait in line. On the day after the 4th of July we had better luck.
We arrived about a quarter after nine and walked right through the restaurant hoping to get a table in the shade outside on their deck. There we ran out of luck. All the shady spots were taken. We had two choices: dine in the sun on a day we knew would reach 93 degrees, or eat inside.
We ate inside. We chose a long table with a bench on one side for three people and three chairs on the other side.
One of the great things about the Netshed No. 9, besides good tasting food, is the fact that they have unusual offerings. Since we had only been inside for a couple of minutes and already people were lining up outside, we figured it might take a while to have our breakfasts served. So, we ordered a bacon cinnamon roll and a regular cinnamon roll to go with our excellent coffees. Soon we had two small frying pans, each with four small buns.
The bacon pieces were about an inch long so it was easy for me to nab them before dunking the rolls into my coffee. They were a little dry. I soon found out that you need to ask for butter there.
I had the hash. In addition to the potatoes O'Brien there were cubes of ham and slices of tomato and jalapeños. A bechamel sauce with lemon juice was poured over the potatoes and atop the hash were two beautiful fried eggs (sunny side up). With a little pepper I was ready to dig in.
Although I prefer hash browns, these potatoes went very well with every item on the plate. For my un-buttered toast I requested butter (twice). I could have used the bread to wipe up the yolk and sauce on my plate, but instead I had asked for the Netshed's exquisite tomato jam.
Peg and Jan split an order of pancakes, made with ricotta cheese. They each received a good-sized pancake, and a nice pile of breakfast potatoes, and bacon. A fried egg on top of the pancake would have made it perfect for me, but they both enjoyed their order. I had a bite of pancake and enjoyed it also.
I may have to try making a pancake or even a waffle with ricotta cheese and see if mine turn out as well.
Each order of potatoes at the table had peppers, and onions, and bits of bacon or ham in them also. That's a nice touch, but I still miss hash browns.
If I had ordered the Ménage à Meat like my buddy Donn, I wouldn't have missed hash browns at all. The Meat breakfast came with a thick ham steak (a pound or nearly so) in addition to two sausage links and a couple slices of bacon.
Don gave me a piece of ham and a sausage link and still had ham and bacon left over for a take-home-container afterwards. The ham is probably the best breakfast ham offering in Tacoma and Pierce County. I've never seen that large a piece be served with a meal before. Plus, it was darn good. A little tomato jam would go well with it. It would taste almost like chutney.
Outside the restaurant, about 15 people were gathered and waiting calmly for seating. I took the time to enjoy the views.
While I waited for Donn and my group in the parking lot, five different cars came down the driveway only to turn around and drive back out when they could find no place to park. The parking lot has spaces for about twelve cars. Along the western side of the lot is an artificial waterfall, stream and pond. Perhaps, the flowing and peaceful water is what keeps the line of people relaxed.
We enjoyed our breakfast and will return, but we are well aware of the need to arrive early for good seating.
