December 10, 2017 - Morning Glory Cafe - The Farm at South Mountain

I visited on December 10, 2017 with Mike and Carol Thompson, Sandy Wilts. We had just left the Petersen House Museum in Tempe where we enjoyed the Danish Christmas tour of the lovely house that has been restored by the City of Tempe. 

Sandy, Carol and I ordered the Classic American Breakfast…eggs (scrambled), fried cubed potatoes, crisp applewood bacon and a biscuit.  Those eggs were delicious.  I am saying that is because they are so fresh. I think it was the best breakfast I have ever eaten. 

Our service was wonderful…the coffee was delicious.  The only thing that I didn’t like was that they wouldn’t split checks…that means no separate checks but they will take more than one credit card to pay the bill.  Now that is ridiculous.  It took two people longer to do that than it would have taken one person  to write out three separate checks.  What is management thinking?

We had live music during our breakfast.  Nice!

Morning Glory Cafe - The Farm at South Mountain

6106 S 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85042

(602) 276-6360

Hours:  Monday Closed

             Tuesday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m..

             Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

December 3, 2017 - Pizzeria Bianco - Phoenix, Arizona

Mike and Carol Thompson, Sandy Wilts and I attended the Phoenix Symphony and Symphony Chorus' afternon concert Holiday Pops!  It was marvelous.

We went to Pizzeria Bianco after the concert. 

We ordered a Sonny Boy – tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, salami, gaeta olives…and a Wiseguy – wood roasted onion, house smoked mozzarella, fennel sausage.  I liked the Sonny Boy more than the Wiseguy..however, both were delicious!

.

My favorite pizza is the wood-fired otherwise known as the Neapolitan.  So I loved the crust.  It was thin and crispy.  The wood-fired ovens produce the highest heat (650-1000 degrees) with cook times of 60-90 seconds.

Pizzeria Bianco uses organic red spring wheat, formenting the dough for 24 to 35 hours.  This gives them a high-hydration crusts..and a moist, chewy pie center.

Each pizza has the simplest of ingredients…that starts out raw…and are cooked in the 60-90 seconds of baking in the oven.  The wood-roasted onions were fantastic.  The red sauce was as sweet as a fresh tomato…right out of the garden. 

I will be returning…there are more pizzas to try.  While waiting for our pizzas we were served fresh bread…with the crispy, crunchy crust…and the bread was filled with light soft holes.  It has to be baked in the oven.  I could just go and eat bread which was served with olive oil…yummy!

The staff was friendly.  Service is rapid!  Think of those pizzas coming out every 90 seconds.

Pizzeria Bianco

609 E. Adams Street

Phoenix, Arizona 85004

(602) 528-3699

November 30, 2017 - Jalapeno Inferno - Scottsdale, Arizona

My friend, Carol Thompson was with me when we visited. 

Carol ordered the Tacos “Al Carbon” – flour tortillas filled with char-grilled marinated chicken breast, Monterey, jack and cheddar cheeses, avocado, onion, cilantro and tomatillo salsa.

I ordered the Chimichurri Steak Tacos – garlickly parsley olive oil based sauce on top of charred carne asada, cilantro, onion and jack cheese.

I really liked my entrée.  I ordered mine with flour tortillas so the server told me that since the flour tortillas are larger that I would be served two instead of the three that was listed on the menu.  They were served in a larger aluminum taco holder which was very hot.  I could see that the tortilla had been warmed up before being filled with large pieces of carne asada that tasted wonderful…and the cilantro, onion and cheese – rice that contained pieces of vegetables such as peas, carrots, green beans, etc.- and what the menu described as “fat burning: cole slaw.I liked it.  It contained chunks of apples in it.

I thoroughly enjoyed my meal.  And, I must remark that I loved the chips and salsa.  It was a mixture of corn and flour tortilla chips with a great tasting salsa that did not have a kick to it..but tasted really good.

Later that evening at home I realized that Jalapeno Inferno was a booth at the Notre Dame Preparatory High School Culinary Festival that attended the first part of November, 2017.  Our crowd was raving about the chips and salsa.  I love those flour tortilla chips.  Our waitress told us that we could always tell them just flour tortilla chips and not the mixture with the corn tortilla chips.

Our service was wonderful.  Our waitress was very attentive and helpful.  We asked if they had take out menus and she brought us two...she brought us more chips and salsa...she re-filled Carol's Diet Coke...and brought us doggie bags.

I plan to return because there are other items on the menu that I would like to try.

Jalapeno Inferno Bistro Mexicano

23587 N. Scottsdale Road

Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

(480) 585-6442

www.jalapenoinferno.com

There is also a second location at DC Ranch in Scottsdale.

October 30, 2017 - Pacino's Italian Restaurant - Mesa, Arizona

I visited on October 30, 2017 with Linda Hoines, Karen Vosen and Pat O’Hara.

It wasn’t the best dinner I have ever eaten.  In fact I ordered the Baked Three Meat Lasagna – blend of beef, pork and veal,  béchamel, ricotta and mozzarella.  I always order lasagna when I try a new Italian restaurant.  I do this for a couple of reasons  1)  I love lasagna and 2) this gives me a good look at the restaurant.  I only ate half and took the other half home.  When I arrived home...I took it apart to have a look at the entrée. 

I must state that I am Italian.  So when we make lasgna…we put sauce on the baking pan…lay down the pasta…add meat, cheese…topped with sauce….then layer the next layer of pasta….add meat, cheese….topped with sauce…repeat and repeat.  That is not what I found when I took my entrée apart.  There was a lot of pasta…hardly any meat…lots of ricotta…no sauce on the bottom…no sauce between layers.  No wonder it didn’t taste that good.

I paid $17 for a pile of pasta layered between ricotta .  There was no enough meat in this dish to make a hamburger.

I won't ever be returning to this restaurant.

We asked to sit on the patio...and the hostess was very obilging.  She told us that she was seating us toward the back where we would be able to visit.  Guess what?  We were right by this gate to the patio...and the same seven people must have come and gone at least ten times.  It is not a private spot.  It interrupted our conversation.  I was not happy.

Pacino’s Italian Restaurant

2831 N. Power Road

Mesa, Arizona 85215

(480) 985-0114

Hours:  Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

             Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

             Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

October 27, 2017 - Cafe Bink - Carefree, Arizona

I visited on October 27, 2017 with Jeanne and Willie Stecher.  We were in Carefree to see the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden.

Willie ordered the Sloppy Joe served on a challah roll with homemade vinegar and salt chips.

Jeanne ordered the Calamari – battered with a cornmeal crust, Italian spices, pickled fennel, pepperoncini and sun-dried tomato aioli…this was delicious. 

She also ordered the Pull to Order Mozzarella served with garlic Crostini, pesto, marinated sun-dried tomatoes…I had many bites of this..loved it.  The sun-dried tomatoes sun fresh sweet. The pesto was thick…with a fresh delicate herbal flavor from the basil.

I ordered the Pork Mac and Cheese –smoked pork, bacon bread crumbs and Mornay sauce.  I am not a big mac and cheese person…but the Mornay sauce drenched pasta was out of this world.  I loved it!  Great taste.

Dessert:  we shared a Chocolate cake with ice cream, salted caramel sauce and topped with pecans…delicious!

Café Bink

36889 N. Tom Darlington Drive

Carefree , AZ

(4870) 488-9796

cafebink.com

Hours: Monday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Lunch

            Tuesday – Saturday 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Happy Hour

            Tuesday – Saturday 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  Dinner

            Sunday – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Brunch

            Sunday – 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Dinner

October 26, 2017 - Joyride Taco House East - Gilbert, Arizona

After bridge Janet Hastings and I went to Joyride Taco House East for dinner.  We both ordered street tacos…Janet:  Baja Fish, The Original (chicken)  and the Carnitas…I ordered:  Baja Fish, (wish I would have ordered the Crispy), the Carnitas and the Carne Asada…which I thought was the best.  If you buy three street tacos you are able to order a side for $1. Both of us tried the Orange Cucumber Salad…which both of us really liked.  I could have eaten just a big bowl of the salad with a steaming tortilla.

I thought the Baja Fish Taco was too fishy tasting.  

 Our wait staff was very nice.

I don’t think I would ever return to this restaurant…not because the food was bad but because it was so loud and so dark.  I had to get out my phone and use the flashlight to read the menu…now that is bad.  Maybe I am getting just too darn old!

Hats off to the Board of Visitors with their annual Care Card Fundraiser.  We used my card and received 20% our entire meal.  Thanks, to Joyride Taco House East for participating in the program.

October 21, 2017 - The Farm at South Mountain - Phoenix, Arizona

I visited  with Carol Thompson.  We ate at the Farm Kitchen where lunch was being served…cafeteria style.  Carol ordered the Old Fashioned  Turkey on potato bread…slow roasted pulled turkey, organic field greens… a big hearty sandwich...homemade cranberry relish with chipotle mayo.  It was a mixture of white and dark meat…which I would not have liked.  I eat only chicken and turkey white meat.  She also ordered the Shangri La iced tea…green tea…and completed her meal with a bag of sweet potato chips…dessert:  brownie.

Old Fashioned Turkey Sandwich

I ordered the Egg Salad Sandwich on potato bread…Hickman’s Farm eggs, green onions, celery mayo and organic field greens…yummy!  I love egg salad sandwiches but you rarely find them on a menu…so I always take advantage of having one when I do…and I knew this one would be good because the actual farm produces so much of the fresh ingredients for the meals.  You just know these eggs were picked this morning…but most likely the day before today.  It was delicious. 

Egg Salad Sandwich

I ordered the Raspberry Cooler Ice Tea..and loved it..not sweetened at all.  Dessert:  Pecan Shortbread cookie.   It was difficult passing up the Peanut Butter Cookie but…another time.

Pecan Shortbread Cookie

We sat outside in the picnic area under the trees…and ate our lunch.  We were quite happy with everything.  The staff was very friendly and helpful with everything.

And because it 'tis the Season...

October 19, 2017 - Flancer's - Gilbert, Arizona

I visited on October 19, 2017 with Janet Hastings.  We had just finished playing bridge at Sun Lakes.  We never expected to win.  We were celebrating.

Janet ordered Steak it to the Limit Philly Cheese Steak - Grilled steak, sautéed onions and Swiss American Cheese. She chose the roasted vegetables as her side…and they looked delicious. She said that she liked it. 

I ordered  Let it BLT - 5 Thick bacon strips, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and New Mexican green chile aioli. I ordered Green Chile Mac and Cheese. Plus I couldn’t pass up a cup of Ham and Navy Bean Soup.  Who could resist that?  I loved it.   I really liked my sandwich.  The buns is baked onsite daily.   My only negative comment is that the Green Chile Mac and Cheese was just too hot…and I don’t mean temperature…I mean spicy.  I should mention that I like really spicy food.

The service was very nice.  The food was served rapidly.

I am looking forward to return because there are still several items on the menu that I would like to try.  

Flancer’s

610 N. Gilbert Road

Gilbert, Arizona

(480) 926-9077

flancers.com

Hours:  Daily 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Owner:  Jeff Flancer - graduated from the Culinary Institute of America

October 14, 2017 - Butterfield's Pancake House - Scottsdale, Arizona

I visited on October 14, 2017after attending my grandson, Jonah's soccer game. Yes, the Silver Bullets are still undefeated...for two seasons and four games.  They won 6-0...and my grandson scored one of the goals.

Enough...and let's talk about breakfast.  I love breakfast.  It is my favorite meal of the day.  I have wanted to try another breakfast spot in Scottsdale so I visited this morning. 

I ordered the Pecan Cakes…four light, fluffy pancakes stuffed with pecans…and my cakes were loaded…and topped with pecans.  It was wonderful.  I also ordered a side of Bacon…Thick-Cut Applewood Smoked bacon…and I ordered it very crisp of course.  It was delicious.  Now those are my kind of stuffed pancakes.  They were served with soft butter and Buttefield’s maple syrup.

The service was friendly, fast and efficient.  Especially at breakfast I like to have my coffee re-filled frequently…and they did.  The coffee by the way tasted marvelous.  My idea of a perfect breakfast.

October 12, 2017 - Blue 32 Sports Grill - Gilbert, Arizona

I visited on October 12, 2017 after playing bridge at Sun Lakes with Janet Hastings. I ordered the Patty Melt…and I haven’t had such a good one in a long time….marble rye…great tasting meat…grilled onions…Swiss Cheese…and  1000 island…with a pickle and a yummy side of fries.  It wasn’t greasy.  I would come here again..and again.

I keep a list of my 10 top Patty Melts...this one is definately making my current list.

Janet ordered Mushroom Swiss Burger…topped with lettuce, tomato and onion…she said it was good…and it looked wonderful…especially those large mushrooms. She also like her fries.

Blue 32 Sports Grill

1524 E.  Williams Field Road

Gilbert, Arizona 85295

(480) 963-0032

Hours;  Sunday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

             Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Three locations:  2 in Gilbert and 1 in Chandler

Fare:  American Pub food – most made from scratch

September 29, 2017 - Blazin' M Ranch - Cottonwood, Arizona

A bus full of Las Palmas residents…which included Sandy Wilts, Carol Richmond, Glenda Squires and Pat McFadden....traveled to Cottonwood for this event.

Chuckwagon Dinner – BBQ chicken and Baby Back Ribs, Cowboy Pinto Beans, Baked Potato, Prickly Pear Coleslaw, Flyin’ Biscuits and Special Skillet Dessert – ours was an Apple Cobbler with a scoop of Ice Cream…dinner was excellent.  It also included Lemonade, Ice Tea and Coffee…served family style on each table.

I am not a big BBQ chicken fan but my piece of chicken was grilled perfectly…moist…not too much BBQ sauce.    I loved it.  My ribs were served dry..just as I liked ‘em.  Very tasty…lots of meal on the bones.  One could add BBQ off the table if one wanted…but of course…I never do that.

This was my first try of Prickly Pear Coleslaw…and it was very good…a little on the sweet side but I liked it just the same.  Biscuits were hot and served with butter…delicious.  Dessert was the perfect end of the meal.   Served in another tin cup with a scoop of ice cream drizzled with caramel sauce on top.

My plate from the Prickly Pear Coleslaw and Cowboy Pinto Beans side of the plate.

My plate from the BBQ Chicken and Ribs side of the plate

Blazin’ M Ranch

1875 Mabery Ranch Road

Cottonwood, Arizona

(928) 634-0334

blazinm.com

September 4, 2017 - Cafe Cruz - Soquel, California

Cousins Rose Filicetti, Neal Savage and I worked the Row Boat Races at the Begonia Festival most of the day.  We did go the very lovely After Festival Party at Laurie Hill's house.  She was this year's chairman.  That was followed by dinner at the Cafe Cruz.  I have dined here before...see my October 3, 2014 review.

Marvelous evening...we were seated on the lovely patio...what charm.  We were able to visit with noise.  It really did improve my dining experience.  I was a happy girl.

I just couldn't pass up trying the  Watermelon Margarita – yummy!

My Watermelon Margarita is the short drink with the watermelon wedge

Rose chose the Heirloom Tomato Stack – fresh mozzarella, red onions,  pesto crolis, crostini crumbles, Balsamic syrup, pea shoots.crumbles, Balsamic syrup, pea shoots.

Heirloom Tomato Stack

Neal and  I shared the 3-Beet Salad – roasted, raw and chips, wild arugula, glazed walnuts, Laura Chenel Goat Cheese, Champagne  Vinaigrette.  I love beets, so this was wonderful.  The first time I have ever eaten beet chips – fantastic.

3-Beet Salad

I ordered the Grilled Skirt Steak and Fettuccine – fresh gorgonzola-alfredo sauce and parmesan cheese.  I love white sauce…and their sauce is always perfect…well..in my eyes if it has gorgonzola cheese in it…it is perfect.  The steak was grilled perfectly to my request.

Grilled Skirt Steak on Fettuccine (the picture isn't very good)

Neal ordered the Harris Ranch Steak Tacos – 2 – fire roasted tomato salsa, guacamole – shaved romaine lettuce with house smoke black beans.

Harris Ranch Steak Tacos with Beans

Rose chose the Grilled Harris Ranch New York Steak – Marsala wine and roasted shallot reduction sauce, garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed Brussels sprouts.

Harris Ranch New York Steak

Café Cruz

2621 41^st Avenue

Soquel, California

(831) 476-3801

Hours:

            Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m.  – 9:00 p.m.

            Friday – 10:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

            Saturday – 11:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

            Sunday – 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

For another review of Cafe Cruz...see my visit on October 3, 2014.

September 3, 2017 - Sparrow Cafe - Aptos, California

Rose Filicetti and I decided to try the Sparrow Cafe for brunch this morning.

I ordered the Crab Benedict – croissant with poached egg, lemony hollandaise and two crab cakes.   It was okay but nothing that I would order again.  I think that I just don’t like the benedicts because I don’t like the poached eggs…I just don’t like runny eggs unless I have a lot of toast to sop up everything.  I was hoping the croissant would solve that problem but it didn’t. I also thought the hollandaise was just too lemony…I like the Harbor Café’s much better.

I did love the fresh fruit served with each entree.  It was delicious.

Rose ordered the Toadstool Scramble – sauté of mushrooms, bacon and garlic with gruyere cheese.

The service was excellent.  The ambience was lovely.  I especially liked the dried hydregea wall hangings.  I thought it was too expensive.

September 2, 2017 - Jack's Restaurant and Bar - Pleasant Hill, California

We met more cousins for dinner at Jack's Restaurant and Bar.  Once again Rose and I shared our dinner.  We started with drinks…you all know us by now.  I ordered a Bloody Mary that was spicy but delicious….Rose ordered a Mojito that she thought was too sweet. 

Followed by The Wedge – crispy iceberg lettuce, blue cheese dressing, bacon, gorgonzola cheese (one of my very favorites), green onions and balsamic vinegar reduction. 

The main entrée -  Evening Special – crab stuffed shrimp served on a bed of orzo pilaf with a creamy pepper sauce.  I loved this entrée.

Dessert – Caramelized Banana Split – caramelized bananas, strawberry, chocolate and vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, toasted almonds topped with a cherry

Our waiter Scot was fantastic.  Excellent service.

Jack’s Restaurant

60 Crescent Drive A

Pleasant Hill, California 94523

(925) 849-6195

Hours:  Sunday – Wednesday 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

             Thursday – Saturday 8:00 .m. – 11:00 p.m.

Price Range  $10 - $20 per entree

September 2, 2017 - Hobee's Restaurant - Mountain View, California

Cousins Rose Filicetti and Neal Savage along with yours truly met with more of my Filicetti family for a late breakfast/brunch at Hobee's Restaurant in Mountain View, California.

Rose and I shared a Stanford “Cardinal” Omelet – chicken, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, fresh spinach, Jack and cheddar cheese and topped with tomatillo sauce.  DeAnza browns – hashbrowns topped with Jack and Cheddar cheese, salsa fresco, guacamole and sour cream.   The entire breakfast was very tasty. I especially liked the “famous blueberry coffeecake” that we choose with our meal…this thick slice of blueberry cake slathered with butter…so hot the butter was melting…OMG!  It was so good.

Cousin Gina Filicetti Sturken's French Toast with Fresh Fruit  - it looked delicious and was so colorful.

Cousin Alan Sturken's Salmon Benedict - this looked delicious.

The service was wonderful.  The entrees were huge.

Hobee’s Restaurant

2312 Central Expy

Mountain View, California 94043

(650) 968-6050

Hours:  Monday –Friday 7:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

             Saturday – Sunday 7:30 .m. – 2:30 p.m.

September 1, 2017 - Rocky Point Restaurant - Monterey, California

Rose Filicetti, Neal Savage and I once again drove down the coast for dinner as we did four years ago...just about this time.

We started with drinks…Bloody Mary for me…Mojito for Rose…beer for Neal…we ordered the

Burrata Salad – arugula, pear, prosciutto, roasted pine nuts, tomatoes with a balsamic vinaigrette with extra virgin olive oil…served with a crostini.  The burrata mozzeralla was perfect – the semi firm cheese with a soft, creamy center. I thought better than Lillian’s the other night..actually the whole dish was better than Lillian’s because of the prosciutto and pine nuts…and the presentation was beautiful.  I do have to add though...there was no pear in our salad.

We also ordered Cioppino – fresh fish shellfish, scallops, shrimp, crab, white wine tomato seafood broth.  Delicious – it was very hearty…and we not only had this wonderful lump crab but also two crab legs with large amounts of meat were also in the broth…mussels…clams…large shrimp…medium sized (as I like) scallops…

The broth was so hearty that we ordered two servings of the famous Rocky Point Cheese Bread – crisp pieces of then bread with lots of butter and cheese with pieces of corn…peppers..lightly grilled…Yum…to sop up the remaining broth (Italian style).

Prime Rib – slow roasted 14 oz. prime rib au jus, served with mashed potatoes, fresh grilled yellow and purple cauliflower, carrots and beans.  This was my least favorite entre.  I thought the prime was just too tough.  It was the first time I have ever eaten purple cauliflower…and it was delicious.  I love the taste…over the yellow and the white

The three of us enjoyed everything “family style”.  But who could complain about anything…sitting out on the patio overlooking a very rocky coast of the Pacific Highway. Plus since all of us have been there before this trip…we waited and watched the sun set over the Pacific Ocean…beautiful..worth the price of admission…..

Rocky Point Restaurant

36700 California 1

Monterey, CA 93940

(831) 624-2933

Hours:  Thursday – Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

             Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

             Monday – Tuesday 11:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

             Wednesday –Closed

I decided to also include my review from my visit with Rose and Neal on September 30, 2014.

This restaurant sits out over the rocky cliffs…along Highway 1...on the California Coast...so we were able to watch the gorgeous evening sunset…plus the bonus was a bride out on the rocks in her gown being photographed.  We also were able to see seals through the binoculars surfacing at times around these three rocks…way down below the cliff where we were.

Rose chose the Mussels and Fries…the mussels cooked in a fennel, tomato broth, white wine and chives.

Neal picked the Wild Salmon (which is local) with polenta and asparagus in a sauce of balsamic vinegar and oil.

I ordered the Gnocchi stuffed with Crab meat…potato gnocchi and Dungeness crab meat with roasted peppers and a light cream sauce.  It was the best gnocchi I have ever eaten and that includes my homemade gnocchi.  We eventually asked for bread..and were served this crusty baguette…and we used it to sop up our sauces.

I ordered a Bloody Mary to drink.  Rose ordered the Anit-Oxidant Mojito – Plantation 3 Star Rum/raspberries/blueberries/blackberries/mint/pomegranate juice/club soda.

We wanted to order the Cheese plate for dessert – four local cheeses/dried fruit/organic walnuts and Big Sur honey…but we were just too full.

September 1, 2017 - Harbor Cafe - Santa Cruz, California

Rose Filicetti and I went to one of my favorite Santa Cruz cafes for breakfast/brunch.  We ordered the Seafood Omelet as a Scramble and the Fruit Bowl…I also started off the meal with a Bloody Mary.   Rose and I went to the Harbor Café for breakfast/brunch.  I started out the meal with a Bloody Mary.  We shared a Seafood Omelet as a Scramble – shrimp, avocado and cheese, topped with Hollandaise Sauce.  The shrimp were good sized – were firm – it looked to me that they were sautéed in butter…and were slightly browned…just the way I liked my shrimp sautéed.  The Hollandaise Sauce was also just the way I like it – I could taste the egg yolk and butter in the sauce…and it was whisked to just a hint of frothy.  Marvelous!   The salsa was fresh…the taste was accented with just a hint the oil mixed with the juices of the tomato, onion and cilantro.  I could have just eaten the salsa without putting it on my entrée.

The biscuits were very large…hot out of the oven…the butter melted upon touch.  There is not anything quite like a great biscuit.  The hasbrowns were crispy…but not greasy!

We also shared the fruit bowl -  small chunks of cantaloupe, melon… whole blueberries, grapes, and cherries…slices of grapefruit and oranges.  Perfect…perfect breakfast.

This was not my first visit to the Harbor Café.  It never disappoints me.

I also included my last visit to the cafe...after reading this you can see...that in three years nothing has changed...the meals are great...the service was wonderful.  Plus we were able to sit outside on the patio.  Who could ask for more.

I visited on October 2, 2014 with Rose Filicetti for breakfast.  .  Rose chose the Captain’s Frittata – egg and home fries scrambled with cheese, topped with salsa fresco and sour cream with toast.

I ordered the Seafood Omelet – shrimp, avocado and cheese – topped with either Hollandaise Sauce or Salsa Fresca.  I chose the Hollandaise Sauce. Served with hashbrowns or Home Fries…I chose the hashbrowns…toast or a biscuit…I chose the biscuit.

First off, the Hollandaise sauce was perfect.  I could just see them whisking together the eggs and butter…then slowly adding the lemon juice. This sauce was so smooth.  The shrimp weren’t those little tiny canned shrimp.  These were small shrimp.  There were also huge pieces of avocado.  The best seafood type of omelet that I have ever tasted.

I also ordered a Bloody Mary…great…they make their own mix…it comes with a huge piece of celery, a small slice of lime, cocktail onion, a slice of a jalapenos pepper ,  an Italian pepperoncini and a green pepper…yum…almost a breakfast in itself.

Harbor Café

535 Seventh Avenue

Santa Cruz, California

(831) 475-4948

Hours: Open Daily 8:00 a.m.  – 2:00 p.m.