Archive for the 'Breakfast Log' Category
Zachary's Restaurant, Santa Cruz
Our visit to Zachary’s didn’t start too well due to GPS problems but all of that was soon forgotten when we eventually reached our destination. Zachary’s is on Pacific Avenue in the downtown area of Santa Cruz. From the outside it doesn’t look all that imposing but don’t be fooled by that.
Inside it is large and funky. Even at 7.30 in the morning it was pretty full. You are directed to go to the back and add your name to the waiting list. There is a little waiting area with an interesting collection of framed cartoons to keep people amused while they wait but we were there only for a few moments before we being shown to our seats. My first impression was that there was a lot of wood around: floor, panels and furniture, and it looked as though it had been around for a long, long time. For instance, there were grooves in the floorboards which had been made by my chair over the years. There were no booths but the seats along the walls were padded benches.
Perusing the menu, I spotted no oatmeal although they do an oatmeal and molasses bread which sounds interesting. In fact they bake their own bread on the premises so there was an good selection. Tom ordered the spicy Italian Scramble ($10.50) and I went for the fruit bowl ($4.75) with a plain yogurt on the side ($1.75). Tom drank coffee ($1.95) but I splurged out and had the hot chocolate ($1.85).
Time to look around at the interior decor. The main focus are the colorful photographs on the walls of the famous Santa Cruz boardwalk. There were a few other prints including Vermeer’s ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ or ‘the Dutch Mona Lisa’. Green potted plants were everywhere.
The food was amazing. My bowl of fruit contained bananas, strawberries, three types of melon, oranges, pineapple, mango and grapes. Oh, and don’t forget the slices of kiwi fruit. Even the bowl of yogurt had a slice of kiwi on top. Tom’s plate was very colorful. The scramble contained Italian sausage, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and onions. His home fries with onions were scrumptious. The oatmeal molasses bread was moist and chewy. Even the coffee was good. My hot chocolate came in a jug along with a bowl of whipped cream and it was also great. The food itself got two thumbs up from both of us.
There were two unisex restrooms right at the back of the cafe which, in themselves, were very basic with very little room inside. What amused me greatly was the hand written notice on the door which read – ‘Door needs to be closed with force, then locked. (Don’t be caught with your pants down.)’
Our verdict on Zachary’s – a warm, lively, funky cafe with plenty of character. The food, wait staff and ambience were first class. Get there early or be prepared to wait. Definitely one of the best places we have been to and we will certainly be back.
Must just mention the note on the shop window of Moon Zoom which is almost next to Zachary’s which read ‘ Having an ugly Christmas sweater party or are you just ‘hip’ or ironic? Gives you a flavor of the Santa Cruz culture.
Zachary’s Restaurant
819 Pacific Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
November 28 2011 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
From Scratch Restaurant in the Barnyard Shopping Center off Highway 1 in Carmel Valley
From Scratch Restaurant is located in the Barnyard just off Highway 1. Many times we have driven this way and neither of us realized what a gem there was so close to Highway 1. I had found the restaurant online the day before and thought it would be worth trying out but we were not prepared for the Barnyard. For those who you who have not discovered it either, let me explain. It is a shopping center but it is more than the normal run of shopping malls. It is called the Barnyard Shopping Village because it consists of half a dozen large barn like buildings which house small shops in and around them which all fit in with the barnyard theme.
All this cuteness has a downside. Finding any one shop is difficult. We drove round several times without spotting the From Scratch Restaurant. I saw a directory on a wall so we stopped to look at. It wasn’t all that easy to find the restaurant but we realized we were pretty close, at least we were near the correct barn. Nearby we noticed the Carmel Valley Roasting Coffee Company and thought we would first of all find the restaurant and then come back for a coffee. I knew the restaurant opened at 7.30 and as it was only 7 am, so we had plenty of time. We walked around a very nice patio, with benches to sit on and lots of flowers, and saw a sign for the restaurant. OK, we knew where it was, so we went back for a coffee for Tom and a hot chocolate for me. The coffee shop was very nice. For starters the coffee was good but the surroundings were very pleasant too. Several comfortable sofas and coffee tables were placed around the room and most of them were vacant. The half an hour we spent there was relaxing and the natives were friendly.
Just after 7.30 we set off to walk to the restaurant thinking it would be easy. It wasn’t. We thought the sign we saw was above the shop but we were proved wrong. There was a very nice florist there and a couple of other interesting shops but no restaurant. We wandered a bit further and come to another inviting patio but no sign which said From Scratch Restaurant. On a pillar there was a noticeboard which looked suspiciously like a menu board showing the specials. On closer inspection it was what we were looking for but there was no sign saying From Scratch Restaurant and if there was we certainly didn’t see it.
Inside there were a few customers and lots of empty tables. We were told to sit where we liked and we chose a table near a fireplace and close to the window. The server came straight up with the menus and she was very friendly. Tom ordered Smoked Salmon Benedict, which was 12.95 and I had Oatmeal for $5.95.
The decor was very nicely done. On the wall near us were lots of original water colors by Mary Alice Hinman which could be bought for $150 each. The opposite wall displayed framed colored photographs by Miguel Dominguez which could also be bought. On the mantlepiece above the fireplace were a decorative teapot, fruit in a tall glass jar and a sign which said ‘ Live High’.
Before long our food was served and it looked wonderful. Tom really enjoyed the benedict which was plumped full of smoked salmon and my oatmeal, although it was not steel cut oats, was scrumptious. In fact the food was amazing.
Our visit ended with my trip to the one unisex restroom. Although it was not quite as luxurious as I expected it was perfectly adequate. A poster, depicting whales and tropical fish, hung on one wall and an orchid growing in a pot sat on a small table.
This is definitely one breakfast restaurant which we both recommend highly and will certainly be visiting again. I’m sure it must get really busy later in the morning so I suggest you get there early if you plan to visit.
October 06 2011 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
Rick's Cafe in Los Altos, California
Finding ourselves in Los Altos, we decided to find somewhere for breakfast. Some roads in the town center were closed due to road works; several intersections were being improved. We parked on Park street and waled into the center. We wandered around the town, which has cute and interesting shops. On State Street, we found Rick’s Cafe. It looked acceptable so we decided to give it a try.
Rick’s is a large cafe and at 9:15 on a Sunday morning it was also crowded but we didn’t have to wait too long before we were shown to our table. We were led through the cafe to the back area which turned out to be a covered patio. At the entrance we passed a coffee roaster so at least the coffee should be good.
We had been to Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve but it had been a disappointing visit. Although we had arrived there soon after 8, the car parks were already nearly full. Consequently there were a lot of people on the trails. The trouble with the preserve is that most of the trails start at the narrow eastern end where most people park. We walked so far and then turned back. Tom was having great difficulty setting up his tripod. One day we will make our way to the quieter western end where, I understand, there is a small parking lot.
Even though we had not worked up an appetite, we were still hungry. Looking at the large menu we found a great deal of choice. I looked for oatmeal and found it under the ‘Lighter Choice’. It was listed as Quaker rolled oats so unfortunately not steel cut. The price was listed as $8.25 so not cheap. It came with either bananas or strawberries; I picked the latter. Tom ordered bacon scramble $10.45. Of course he ordered coffee as well which was $2.49. A coffee pot was placed on the table so he could help himself. A jug of water was also on the table. Tom tasted the coffee and smiled – it was good.
Although there were no pictures or photos on the wall there were plenty of plants growing. The patio area was more like a hot house with semi tropical plants towering up to the ceiling.
The food when it arrived was not very inspiring at all. Tom’s hash browns looked a bit anemic and he said everything was barely warm. My oatmeal came in a small round bowl along with smaller ceramic bowls containing brown sugar raisins, butter and sliced strawberries plus a small stainless steel jug containing the milk. Like Tom’s scramble, my oatmeal was not at all hot. The best part of my meal was the strawberries. Both our meals came with a bagel but by the time I’d finished my oatmeal, they still had not arrived. I had to call the server over to remind her. Eventually they arrived with butter on the side. The butter looked grainy and more like cottage cheese. The jam was really good though because it came in pots and not individual plastic containers.
Walking through the cafe to the restroom, I noted not only the plethora of water colors on the walls but also how noisy it was. There were only two single restrooms, one for women and one for men. Considering the size of the place they were inadequate in my opinion. I had to wait sometime before I could get in. No complaints about the restroom itself. Nice tiles on the floor and walls and one painting on the wall. It was also clean and the water hot.
All in all, don’t think we will be back. The food was not impressive at all and for the prices they charged we would expect a little better quality.
June 16 2011 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
San Martin Cafe on Monterey Highway in San Martin
Today is Memorial Day and we were on our way to San Juan Bautista and Pietra Santa Winery. San Martin Cafe was recommended by a work colleague and we decided to give it a try. First of all though we rang to make sure they were open as a lot of places do not open on public holidays. San Martin Cafe does not have it’s own website but it is featured on Yelp which fortunately showed the telephone number.
We took the scenic – though the road condition is atrocious – route along Monterey Highway. Driving through Morgan Hill they were preparing for a Memorial Day Parade and we passed several veterans in uniform. There were no signs for San Martin, which is a very small town, but we kept our eyes open. Just before San Martin Ave we spotted it on the right hand side. It is your typical old style highway diner. Blink and we would have missed it.
One reviewer on Yelp called it a ‘hole in the wall’ but it is a little more than that. Granted it is small but it has a reasonably sized section at the back. The front part was full but we were escorted to the back, where all the chairs were on the table. The three of us moved the chairs at one table and we had the place to ourselves for the whole of our meal.
Our server was very quick, efficient and friendly. When he saw my IPad he told me that they have wi-fi and gave me the login. From the front we heard the happy babble of the other customers but we had peace and quiet where we sat.
The menu definitely has a Mexican flavor. Tom chose the Two-Egg Chile Verde for $9.00 with beans, flour tortilla and hash browns. I was pleased to see oatmeal ($3.95), so that was my choice.
The back section where we sat was very pleasant. On the walls were a few, small pastoral scenes and one larger picture of a floral walk between water. Also on the wall were framed copies of a couple of newspaper reviews of the San Martin Cafe; two wooden black and white animals (a cow and a pig); and an amusing wooden cutout of a tent and an outhouse on a trailer and a sign saying ‘Redneck Camper’. There was also a television screen on the wall which was not on fortunately.
We didn’t have too wait long for our food. Tom’s plate was full to overflowing. My oatmeal came in a small, shallow, round bowl on a chipped plate. Two plastic containers with lids held minuscule amounts of sugar and raisins but, on the plus side, the generous amount of milk came in a nice stainless steel jug with a lid. There was not a huge amount of oatmeal but it was good. Tom couldn’t clear his plate. When asked for his verdict he said it was pretty good though he was not impressed with the coffee.
I liked the restroom. Like the the rest of the restaurant it was unpretentious. It was clean and bright. There was one small framed picture on the wall and a sign saying ‘Gone Ropin’. On a shelf were some scented sticks. One nice touch, the cover round the light switch had a horse and foal painted on it. There was a window in the room but the transparent glass had been replaced with two mirrors.
On the way out, while we waited to pay, I checked out the front part. Here they had about a dozen paintings depicting head and shoulders of guys wearing cowboy hats.
San Martin cafe is certainly another option for breakfast on our way to San Juan and we will be visiting again.
June 06 2011 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
Eddie's Restaurant in Los Banos, California
Today we are visiting the legendary Eddie’s Restaurant in Los Banos for the first time. It is one of the breakfast places on our list so this will be the start of our adventure today.
Of course I checked the opening time before we left – 6 am Monday to Saturday – so we were surprised when we arrived at 7 am to find no cars parked outside. At first we thought maybe it wasn’t open but we thought wrong. Inside there was just one other customer. It was not as big as I expected though of to the side we spotted a closed off area.
It looks as though nothing has been changed inside for some time. The present owners have been running Eddie’s for 30 years but the previous owner ran the diner for about 20 years. Round the edge there were booths. with table and chairs in the middle plus six chairs at the counter. The predominant color was brown.
There were no specials and the menu was your run of the mill selection. There was one amusing feature on the menu, the sides were printed sideways. The server, who wore denim shorts, was very friendly. I ordered the oatmeal ($3.95) with a bowl of fruit ($2.95). Tom asked for a short stack of pancakes with sausage on the side. I also ordered a cinnamon bun to go ($3.95). I’d read that they were also legendary because they are 10 inches wide.
Now for the decor. Once again it was not eye catching. There were a number of framed family color photographs displayed on the walls plus a large black and white photo taken many years ago of two young girls. There were also a few framed articles from newspapers. The only other item on display was an old sign for Eddie’s.
We didn’t have to wait too long for our food and it was hot. There was plenty of oatmeal in a green bowl and a full jug of milk. I enjoyed the fruit but the oatmeal itself looked runny and almost tasteless. Tom’s verdict on his pancakes – they were fluffy and chewy so good. The sausage was also good but the coffee was mediocre.
As for the restroom, it was nothing special either. Both the entrance hall and stall were tiny. No pictures adorned the walls. A large vase of artificial flowers stood on a table inside the stall, which I almost knocked over when I when I turned around. And one last comment, the water was cold.
Would we come back again? The server was a plus and Tom enjoyed his pancakes but, to be frank, we were a little disappointed. Maybe we will come again but we won’t go out of our way.
Eddie’s Restaurant
401 Pacheco Blvd
Los Banos, CA 93635
March 29 2011 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
Heavenly Cafe in Scotts Valley
On our way to the coast the hunger pains struck and we had to find somewhere to eat. Out came the trusty Garmin and we discovered Heavenly Cafe in Scotts Valley. It was after 9 and the car park was full so we were prepared for a wait.
Outside there is a large outside eating area on a patio with a nice view. In the summer time it would be a great place to sit because there were plenty of trees to give shade. Today it was far too cold.
The outside looked a bit ramshackle but the inside was very warm and welcoming. There were a couple of benches but nobody was sitting so we didn’t have to wait long. In the entrance, lots of photos adorning the wall distracted us; a series on Cobra Day, when apparently there was a gathering of the iconic sports cars at the Heavenly Cafe, plus several signed photos of sport celebrities.
I was surprised at how small it appeared to be inside because the building looks big from the outside. There were just 12 tables and no booths or seats at the counters. Later, on my trip to the restroom, I realized there was another large seating area on the other side where there were quite a few customers.
All the tables had blue checkered plastic cloths. One wall was just windows so it was nice and bright. Another wall was covered in large paintings all with little labels which presumably gave information of title, artist and price but the labels were too small to read from where I sat. As we walked to our table, displayed on the wall in front of us was a large wooden painted cut-out of a white haired lady holding a pie and full glass in one hand and what looked a fluffy cloud in the other. To reinforce the name of Heavenly Cafe, there were a couple of angels and Cupid statues.
Our server was young and cheery. Looking around I noticed that all the servers were young. Tom ordered one of the specials – Dungerness Scramble for $8.95. As usual, I went for the oatmeal which was described as organic ($3.00). The toppings came as extras raisins 50 cents, walnuts $1 and fruit for $1. I went for all the extras.
My oatmeal came in a small round green bowl on a blue plate and it tasted delicious. The fruit bowl had sliced strawberries and bananas. All was delicious. My only adverse criticism being that there just wasn’t enough. Tom’s Dungerness Scramble looked amazing with lots of chunks of the crab. He said it tasted as good as it looked.
The restroom was reasonable. In the stall were four pictures, two with a Japanese flavor and two of flowers. There was also a small table with vase of artificial flowers inside the stall. In sink area, two pictures with a 3-D effect and a water color plus another vase of artificial flowers. When I came out of the restroom, a noticeboard caught my eye. On it were displayed pictures colored by children of the cut out lady in the restaurant. Her name is Sophia apparently and the cloud was designed to have a menu written on it.
We really enjoyed our visit to Heavenly Cafe and will certainly come again.
Heavenly Cafe
1210 Mount Hermon Rd
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
March 07 2011 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
The Dipsea Cafe in Mill Valley, California.
Once again I am attending a course in Sausalito, leaving Tom to go off and take photos. The course started at 9.30 so, of course, we had to have breakfast beforehand. I found found an interesting sounding breakfast place in Mill Valley called Toast but somehow we got completely lost. Time being of the essence, we headed for the Dipsea Cafe. We had passed the Dipsea Cafe many times. In fact, it is hard to miss. If you are traveling north over the Golden Gate Bridge, turn off 101 towards Highway 1 and Stinson Beach and the Dipsea Cafe is less than a mile on the right hand side, straight after crossing the slough. There is no parking at the front but plenty behind the cafe.
It was pouring with rain so we hurried into the restaurant sheltered by an umbrella. We used the entrance at the back. While Tom was buying a newspaper from the stand outside I had time to investigate the waiting area just inside. The first thing that caught my eye was an antique blue stove in the corner with a green plant standing on it. Not far away I spotted an old coke dispensing machine, the like of which I have never seen before. There were a number of old metal advertising signs displayed on the wall. Also on the wall were a series of photographs, all of the same theme – pictures of the Dipsea winners. I had no idea what the Dipsea Race was. I asked Tom when he came inside. By this time I was seated in a booth with a view over the slough. He told me it was a race from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach which is held every year. When I looked at the menu there was a little bit more information and I quote:
‘The Dipsea Café was named for the seven mile Dipsea trail which begins in downtown Mill Valley, goes up 672 wooden steps, winds up and over Mt. Tam, and ends at Stinson beach. Held every year since 1905, the Dipsea Race is one of the oldest foot races in the US, second only to the Boston Marathon. Calling themselves the “Dipsea Indians,” the Dipsea Race was started by a group of hikers from the Olympic Club. At the end of the race these hikers would congregate at the Dipsea Inn, where all would partake of lunch and grog.’
Of course I did a bit of searching on the internet to find out more about the Dipsea Race when I got home. It sounds intriguing. I looked at photos to the course and it looks really grueling. The race is held every June. It is a handicapped race and the winner last year, which was the 100th race, was Reilley Johnson who was just eight years old.
Our server was very chatty and it was fun talking to her. She commented on my accent and said she had been to England several times. She was a very seasoned traveler and had been all over the world. The menu was extensive with both the breakfast and lunch menu. Tom ordered the Joe’s Special for $12.95 and I ordered the oatmeal at $5.50 with fruit $4.50. The coffee was $2.50.
The interior was as fascinating as the waiting area. Apart from more photos of Dipsea winners, there were cute objects on shelves and attached to columns. Behind the counter, displayed on more shelves, were huge tins, ceramic chickens, geese, rabbits and a watering can plus old coke bottles. On a waist high ledge were painted wooden animals – a pig, a cow and a sheep. The pig was almost life sized. On the far wall was a cheerful fire burning which gave the place a cozy feel. After the cold and wet outside it was a welcome sight.
Our food looked good when it arrived and tasted even better. A nice big bowl of oatmeal and a fair sized bowl of fresh fruit. The milk came in a lovely heavy stainless steel jug. Tom really enjoyed his Joe’s Special.
The restrooms were difficult to find. When I eventually located them I was fairly impressed. The stalls were very clean and were robustly elegant. I was impressed with the copper sink bowls. No decoration of any description though which was a disappointment.
We will definitely come here again and are happy to recommend it.
The Dipsea Cafe
200 Shoreline Highway
Mill Valley, CA 94941
February 08 2011 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
Breakers Cafe in Stinson Beach, California
We were on our way home from our fantastic weekend in Dogtown and stopped for breakfast in Stinson Beach. I noticed the Breakers Cafe on our way to Dogtown on Friday and it looked good enough to try out.
First impressions were good. Even though it was a damp morning it looked bright and inviting. Inside it was large but not crammed with tables and chairs. In one window was a comfortable sofa and two easy chairs with books and magazines to hand. Unfortunately that area was already occupied but we found a table right next to a gas fired stove.
Food is ordered at the counter and served to the table. Thank goodness they had oatmeal on the menu. For $7.95 it comes with cranberries and walnuts, plus the usual raisins and brown sugar. Tom ordered a Sammy’s Special which consisted of chorizo and eggs with black beans, salsa, rice and tortillas for $8.95.
I really liked the way the walls were decorated. The theme was definitely nautical – a sharks head; a large wooden propeller; a surfboard; a large fish suspended from the ceiling; a lifebelt; a collage of shells and small rocks round the self serve coffee area; another collage, but larger, over one of the windows with a net as a background and large bits of driftwood and flotsam mounted on it. The art work varies – small oil paintings of local scenes; two of old woodies (for the benefit of non US persons, a woodie is an old estate car with wooden panels on the side); a couple of black and white photos of buildings, presumably in Stinson Beach; plus one which depicts a policeman and two scantily dressed men outside a house. But what really caught our attention was a collage made up of white plastic rubbish which had been washed up on a beach. A brightly colored but very unhappy mermaid had been painted over the rubbish giving a powerful message.
Now for the food. My oatmeal was great. A nice full bowl liberally covered with fruit and nuts. The milk was warm, foamy and served in a fair sized stainless steel jug. Tom said his chorizo was the best he had ever had. Everything on his plate was good. The salsa was hot and spicy, just how he likes it.
There were separate restrooms for men and women. The women’s was large, clean and smelt nice. There was an old wooden cupboard in one corner with a marble top. An antique looking coat rack was on the wall. Also on the wall was a large painting of an orchid. The facilities though were a little primitive.
Our overall assessment of the Breakers Cafe is very positive and we will certainly visit again. This visit was on a Monday and not crowded at all. I expect it would be a lot busier at the weekends.
Breakers Cafe
3465 Hwy 1
Stinson Beach, CA 94970
January 25 2011 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
The Barefoot Cafe in Fairfax, California
Last month we attempted to have breakfast at The Barefoot Cafe in Fairfax but it was closed. This trip we were more successful. The Barefoot Cafe is easy to find in the middle of Fairfax and right on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Parking is a doddle on a large parking lot in the middle of the street.
Inside we were shown to a table towards the back and next to a window. Two cops sat at the table behind us. There were a fair number of customers already having breakfast and a low hum of conversation permeated the air. Music played in the background but I could not really make out what kind it was.
The menu was extensive – they also serve lunch. Tom chose from the specials list – Crab Benedict. As for me, I honed in on the oatmeal because, wonder of wonders, they serve steel cut oats. It was not cheap at $7.95 but it sounded irresistible – ‘Organic Steel Cut Oatmeal topped with strawberries, blueberries and flaxseed served with brown sugar, honey or maple syrup.’
Decoration was minimal. A few medium sized pumpkins were placed here and there. No little knick knacks anywhere but several tasteful oil paintings hung on the walls. The only deviation being a map of Italy displayed nearer the bar.
The presentation of the food was fantastic. Tom’s Crab Benedict came stuffed full of fresh Dungeness crab and accompanied by an excellent hot sauce. My oatmeal had sliced strawberries and blueberries on top with a sprinkle of flaxseed. Two things could be improved to make everything perfect. I had to ask for milk and it came in a small cup which was difficult to pour. I asked for the honey instead of brown sugar or maple syrup but I was not expecting the honey to be Smucker’s in pre-packed plastic containers. Surely in Marin they could serve real honey? Tom wanted to add that he thought that the coffee was really good. Certainly as good as the coffee he makes at home.
The restroom was unisex, clean and smelt nice. On the wall hung a small framed print of bicycles parked in the shade against a building. It was signed David Knoll and date 10/06.
Would we come back? You bet.
Fueled by our Eggs Benedict and oatmeal, we were on our way try out the Cross Marin Trail on our bikes.
The Barefoot Cafe
1900 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
Fairfax, CA 94930
December 16 2010 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
The Sleeping Lady in Fairfax, California
Once again I check Anna’s Cool Finds for a place to have breakfast on our way to Point Reyes. We chose Barefoot Cafe in Fairfax. We arrived at 7:20, feeling really hungry and looking forward to a great breakfast but were sadly disappointed. As we drew up outside, it appeared dark and, sure enough, it was not open. Anna said it opened at 7, the sign outside said it opened at 7, but that morning it was not open. Fortunately Fairfax has a great choice in eateries and right across the street we found The Sleeping Lady.
OK it doesn’t look quite as appealing as the Barefoot Cafe, with it’s ivy covered walls, but the menu looked good. Inside it was not your normal breakfast diner. It looked more like a bar; in fact it was a bar. A few locals were enjoying their breakfasts and we were greeted by a friendly server. We chose a table near the bar. The tables and chairs are very pub like. The chairs are covered in a dark colored, slightly sleazy, upholstery.
From the extensive menu Tom chose the Chorizo, onion, mushroom and Pepper Jack cheese omelette ($10.50). I was intrigued by an item on their main menu called Big Oat, which was oatmeal with bananas, blueberries, raisins, pecans & brown sugar ($8.25).
Considering this is primarily a bar there were a lot of interesting pictures on the walls. Underneath each one was a label giving the artist’s name, telephone number and website. As this is Marin, the windows were plastered with adverts for local events.
Now to the main attraction – the food – and we were in for a wonderful surprise. Tom’s omelette was served on a large, square plate with crispy home fries and decorated with slices of lemon. My oatmeal sure was BIG! It came in a huge glass bowl, more like a mixing bowl you would find in a kitchen. There it sat on a large, square plate, surrounded by small ceramic containers containing the blueberries (unfortunately they were not fresh but frozen), a generous helping of pecans, bananas, brown sugar and the plumpest, juiciest raisins I have ever tasted. The milk, which was served separately because there was no room on the plate, was warm (nice touch). The oatmeal was piping hot and besides being the biggest bowl I have seen, it was pretty darn good. I tried very hard to eat it all but I confess to not quite making it. Tom was impressed with his omelette. He said it was very tasty and there was lots of it. The coffee was not Peet’s but good all the same.
The restroom was another big surprise. The vanity unit had a beaten copper sink and surround. There was just one picture on the wall. It was an old black and white photo of a man and his donkey in front of an old house with a grass roof. The caption underneath said ‘Conner’s Seventh Jenny’. On a wicker chest sat an interesting vase filled with ornamental grasses. There was a mat on the floor as well. The facilities were very good and it smelt wonderful.
Would we come here again – you bet.
The Sleeping Lady
23 Broadway
Fairfax, CA 94930
November 03 2010 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
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