Best. Pancakes. Ever.

In Portsmouth, NH over new years I was treated to one of the best breakfast dining experiences of my young life: cranberry coconut pancakes at Colby's, a quaint restaurant a few blocks from the center of town. Chris, my brother-in-law's brother and local, brought me and my mom there on new year's eve. it had already started snowing by the time i woke up (late, of course) and the walk over was chilly. the restaurant is down a small alley and the entrance had a doormat to wipe one's boots on. despite the snow, warm light shone in the windows. colby's epitomizes cozy and i don't think i could have made up a more idyllic new england scene.

ok, so onto the important part... the food! pancakes are probably my favorite breakfast food. i used to make them religiously every saturday morning when i lived home in ny or when i visited from college. i quickly graduated from plain old boring flapjacks, and usually made mine with some sort of fruit inside (blueberries, strawberries, banana) or a fruit compote to spoon on top (peaches/nectarines are especially nice). not much of a chocolate chip pancake lover myself, i would occasionally make them for my siblings. i've also done banana walnut for my mom (a nut lover), who happens to be the person who taught me that heating up the syrup can really enhance a pancake experience. in short, the nuzzo household really doesn't mess around when it comes to pancakes. which is why i was almost shocked to see Cranberry Coconut pancakes on the menu at Colby's... i mean, WHY HADN'T i THOUGHT OF THAT?!!? i love cranberries (craisins, as it were), love coconut, love pancakes... DUH! i paused for a moment with the thought, 'well, maybe i've never heard of that because it's weird and won't taste good.' but my curiosity (and hunger) took over and i went for it. there was a choice to order one, two, or three, and i compromised on the two -- neither glutton nor miser.

a look at the plate when it arrived in front of me revealed much about what was to come. the pancakes were completely unpretentious -- they spilled over the side of the plate, the edges were jagged, and the browning uneven -- but i knew i was in for something special. i pulled out my camera and snapped the photo above, knowing this would be a meal i'd want to remember (and share). i distributed the generous pat of butter between the two layers and took a bite. the sweetness of the coconut and tartness of the craisins were a perfect combo. the cakes themselves were light, fluffy, and with a rich buttermilk flavor. they were just so, so delicious. not much more to say than that. the only downside is that they were bigger and more filling than i had expected and i could actually only fit one in my stomach. i wanted to save the other one for later, but pancakes are one food that don't save well and i basically refuse to eat leftover.

and there you have it, the story of the best pancakes ever. i'm going to try and recreate them at home, but i don't think it will be the same. anyone up for a trip to Portsmouth?


Note: Colby's doesn't have a website as far as i could find, but here are some links
CitySearch: http://portsmouth.citysearch.com/profile/42201372/portsmouth_nh/colby_s_breakfast_lunch.html
Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/colbys-breakfast-and-lunch-portsmouth

UPDATE: Also, I want to know what your favorite breakfast food is? Or if you even like breakfast at all. I actually don't really like eating first thing in the morning most of the time. Respond in comments. :)