Pancake heaven!

From USA Today:

10 great places to flip over pancakes

It's winter — eat pancakes. Need another reason? Celebrate National Pancake Week, Feb. 22-28, by stopping at your neighborhood pancake place. "We like those cheery, charming, often-bustling cafes, all easy on the pocketbook," says regional American food expert Cheryl Alters Jamison,who, along with her husband, Bill Jamison, is a three-time James Beard Award winner and author of A Real American Breakfast (Morrow, $35). The book includes more than two dozen versions of great American pancakes. Their next book, Chicken on the Grill (Morrow), arrives in May. "When it comes to pancakes," Cheryl says, "we like buckwheats and buttermilks with equal enthusiasm, and we keep a jar of sourdough starter in the refrigerator for serious pancake cravings." Here, the Jamisons share favorite pancake houses with USA TODAY's Shawn Sell. "Don't plan on reservations at any of them, and expect a wait on weekends," Cheryl says.

		Mmm ... pancakes: Bananas have a creamy texture and appealing flavor that can compliment fresh pancakes for breakfast.
		Heather Martin Morrissey, GNS

Tecolote Café Santa Fe

"We'd wager our hometown has more great breakfast spots than just about anywhere in the country. When it comes to pancakes, we opt for perky Tecolote, always jammed with locals and tourists alike. The cafe offers up a true taste of Santa Fe with its distinctive plate-size blue corn-piñon (pine nut) pancakes." 505-988-1362.

Chez Zee Austin

"This spirited family-style cafe, where we love to chow down with our kids and grandkids, offers a buttermilk pancake platter. The plate is hefty, but the pancakes are feather-light. Just make sure that someone in your group also orders the amazing baked French toast." 512-454-2666; chez-zee.com.

Bluebird Café New Orleans

"When most people think of morning food in New Orleans, they think of the city's lavish brunches. When you want a humble stack of hotcakes though, you can't do better than the 'Bird. All-nighters, early risers — even Emeril — they all meet Uptown at this diner, near Tulane and Loyola, an easy few blocks off the street-car line." 504-895-7166.

Ella's San Francisco

"This attractive neighborhood café in Presidio Heights, a lovely breakfast spot, offers its pancakes with abundant good cheer and imaginative breakfast beverages," such as tasty Ginger Orange Juice Punch or a Virgin Madras Fizz (cranberry juice, seltzer and orange juice). 415-441-5669; ellassanfrancisco.com.

Lynn's Paradise Café Louisville

"Happy, kitschy and downright playful, Lynn Winter's cafe is serious only about good food. You can get giant cornmeal and whole-wheat flour pancakes loaded with crunchy granola, peanut butter or chocolate, among other possibilities, all served all day." 502-583-3447; lynnsparadisecafe.com.

Original Pancake House Portland

"The original of the 'Original' collection of pancake houses across the country, this is still among the very best. Choose among buckwheats, sourdoughs, silver dollars and pigs in blankets, but make sure someone at the table gets the poofy, fluffy Dutch Baby, aloft under a blanket of confectioner's sugar." 503-246-9007.

Walker Brothers Original Pancake House Wilmette, Ill.

"Another original that has sprouted branches, Walker Brothers offers a wide range of choices, but our favorite is the amazing apple pancakes," so tender they literally melt in your mouth. 847-251-6000.

Al's Breakfast Minneapolis

"Surely this is the smallest restaurant in the Twin Cities. Hardly big enough for its own busy griddle, Al's serves up big taste with its buttermilk pancakes laden with all kinds of additions, both savory and sweet." 612-331-9991.

Skyway Jack's St. Petersburg, Fla.

"It's no longer located by the namesake Skyway Bridge (and Jack has passed on), but the homey spot he created remains as popular as ever. Jack never thought small, as his pancakes prove. For something different, order them with a side of smoked mackerel." 727-866-3217.

Polly's Pancake Parlor Sugar Hill, N.H.

"In the heart of maple country, Polly and her husband began cross-merchandising back in the 1930s, selling pancakes out of a carriage house to promote their maple products. Another generation of the family still serves their own maple syrup, maple sugar, and buttery maple cream to spread over your flapjacks, especially good dotted with blueberries in New England fashion." 603-823-5575; pollyspancakeparlor.com.

Just hanging around (Chandalier information)

How to pick and hang a chandalier:

1/2 width of table
32" or more above table

Other rooms:

W+L of room (ie, 15' x 14' room should have 29" diameter chandalier)

Grabby

Not really gadget, per se, but not sure where I should log this...

Grab bars are among the most useful bath safety items available. People with limited mobility need grab bars next to the toilet, behind it, and in the tub and shower stall. Where you put grab bars depends entirely on the user. As a general guide, grab bars should be 33 to 35 inches above the floor. They should be 42 inches long on a side wall, and no more than 12 inches from the back wall. The bar on the back wall should be at least 24 inches long and extend at least 12 inches from each side of the center of the toilet.

Buy bars with a non-slip texture and be sure that they meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. Made of stainless steel or brass, they are available in 1", 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" diameters in lengths ranging from 12" to 42". Grab bars do not have to look institutional. They now come in a variety of decorator colors and styles to blend with the décor. Bars with concealed mounting can add a stylish touch. Grab bars also come in several designs, including foldable and collapsible types.







Grab bars are rated to withstand loads up to 300 pounds - but only if they're attached securely. If you aren't putting up new drywall, attach grab bars to wall studs. Where the placement of the bar make this impossible, you can use toggle bolts. If you will be putting up new drywall, you can reinforce the walls beforehand to accommodate the grab bars.

Tub and Shower Accessories

Tub and shower seats and chairs provide safe and comfortable bathing for individuals with limited mobility. Make sure that your seat fits your shower or tub and is easy to assemble. If more than one person will be using the chair, look for a model with adjustable seat height.

A tub transfer bench makes getting in and out of the bathtub safer and easier.

Tub safety boards fit standard tub widths up to 31". Similar to transfer benches, boards are portable; they are secured in place with a built-in lock lever.

Tub bars are installed on the side of the bathtub and provide assistance with getting in and out of the tub. They are available in several configurations; some have a low profile, while others combine high and low profile contours. Look for a model with a grooved surface on the tubing for a secure hold.

Bath mats and bath and shower safety treads are designed to prevent falls on slippery surfaces. Made of self-adhesive non-slip vinyl, they can be cut to size.