Food + Inspiration at the Talent Cafe

By: Cheri Browne | July 07 2011
Posted in Rogue Valley - Find It - Rogue Valley

Strawberry French Toast at Talent Cafe: A great way to start your morning! Photos by: Cheri Browne

When you walk into The Talent Café in Southern Oregon, it’s hard not to feel right at home. A favorite breakfast and brunch spot for many locals since they opened more than five years ago, this bright and cozy space is the type of place where if everyone doesn’t already know your name, they will by the end of your meal, and they won’t forget you either.

Featuring local and organic ingredients when possible, the food is as comforting as the friendly staff, and that’s why everyone there seems to be a “regular.” The open, welcoming energy of owner Denise O’Brien and her staff often spills over onto waiting customers. The comfortable living room set-up of the waiting area offers opportunity for pleasant conversation, and it isn’t unusual for strangers to end up sharing a table.

Why settle for regular hashbrowns when you can have them stuffed?

O’Brien moved the café into its new home at 160 North Pacific Highway in Talent, a move that has not only increased business, but brightened the experience of diners and staff alike. The new location is spacious, with fun, brightly colored walls and vibrant, whimsical paintings done by O’Brien herself. The artist/owner does all the paintings inside the restaurant when she gets a few minutes of rare downtime, and often gives them away as gifts to loyal customers who she says are great sources of inspiration.

Giving back to the community is very important to her. She enjoys filling the bellies of locals while encouraging the growth of those around her. She plans on starting a program, what she calls “Art Inspiration,” where young, school-aged children can come in with an adult and have lunch while spending the afternoon painting. A small workshop fee would cover all supplies, and scholarships would be available for those in need. Other art-related workshops would be offered as well, all led by community volunteers. The idea behind this, she says, is to fill in the gaps created by budget cuts in local schools that cut important art-related programs.

The Talent Café offers a comforting dose of close-knit community and home cooked food, a combination that nobody can argue with. Stop in for one of their signature specialties, like the Stuffed Hash Browns, Pancake Sandwich, and Strawberry French Toast - or for lunch try a BLAT, their version of a BLT with avocado. The daily specials board also features a delicious variety of noteworthy fare not on the regular menu.

Business hours are 8am until 2:30pm daily, with breakfast and lunch served all day. Contact Denise on the Talent Café Facebook page or by phone at (541) 535-6310 to find out more about “Art Inspiration” and ways you can help bring this fabulous, inspiring workshop to life!

Talent Café
160 North Pacific Hwy
Talent, Or 97540
(541) 535-6310