Just got home from Mike’s Cafe in Menlo Park. I read that it retained a few of the old menu favorites from Late for the Train — the charming little restaurant that used to occupy that spot. I probably dined at LFTT a total of five times, and all I could remember were the little scones that were served with every breakfast.
I would not recommend Mike’s for breakfast. I ordered the California omelette, ($9.99) made with bacon, Monterey Jack cheese, tomatoes, and avocado. First of all, when the dish was brought to my table, I couldn’t help but notice the puddle of oil that the omelette rested on. Gross! They only have a one-page breakfast menu, including about five omelettes, Eggs Benedict, Mike’s Special (a scramble with ground chuck), and french toast. I didn’t notice anything special on the menu.
Which brings me to the title of this post, best breakfast places. Here are some of my favorites:
University Cafe 271 University Ave, downtown Palo Alto
I usually get the southwest scramble — eggs scrambled with turkey sausage, tortilla strips, and cheese, topped with a little guacamole, or the garden omelette — with broccoli, zucchini, red pepper and onions, topped with a smattering of potatoes. Both are served with a slice of Italian toast. Other things going for UCC: great people watching place and decent coffee.
Country Gourmet 2098 El Camino Real (at Rengstorff), Mountain View
I usually get the veggie scramble — eggs scrambled with spinach, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, and cream cheese, or the CG combo — eggs any way you like, turkey sausage or bacon, and one pancake. I think their pancakes are to die for: dense and hearty whole wheat, with a gingerbread taste to them, moist and chewy. I can’t eat more than two of them in a sitting, so that’s why I usually go for the CG combo when I’m craving pancakes.
tanster.com 