After chatting up a storm with Stephen of Stephen’s Vintage Clothing, you may work up an appetite that can easily be satiated a few doors down at Portfolios Café on Washington Street.
Portfolios is part of a program created by the Catholic Charities of Broome County aimed at “providing opportunities for individuals with mental health needs who are interested in seeking community employment.”
Portfolios serves breakfast and lunch from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, and nothing on the menu costs more than $6.99 — perfect for a college student’s budget. Its menu items are simple, ranging from omelettes and buttermilk pancakes to salads and sandwiches. The portions are rather generous, so it definitely feels like you’re getting more than your money’s worth.
“The best meal is the daily special because it’s always something different and fresh,” said Danielle Hennekens, the café’s manager and current chef. Along with its regular menu items, all made in the café, it also serves a different homemade soup every week.
Most of its business comes from catering events. Because of the café’s early hours of operation, it rents out the space at night and during the weekend.
“We have a lot of people who rent out the café to do business meetings or regular meetings. We’ve done prom parties, wedding rehearsals, baby showers, fundraisers,” Hennekens said.
Portfolios’ busiest hours are between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., though the immaculately clean café never gets overly crowded. Many people don’t know about Portfolios, which is why its slogan is “The Best Kept Secret in Broome County.”
Despite Hennekens’ satisfaction with the success of Portfolios as a catering business, she said that she wishes it was busier.