Influencers

"Oh my gosh! Jack's is closed today!" I reported in dismay. Mary had just settled in the back seat, and the three of us, wearing our matching breakfast club t-shirts, were about to embark on our latest adventure. (Regular readers may recall that after a Denny's disappointment last summer, Mary, Heidi, and I went out to breakfast once a week or so to compare local restaurants.) This year, we decided to focus on breakfast sandwiches, after a great one at Metro 29 Diner.

I tapped the map app on my phone and searched for "breakfast near me." The first place it listed was Del Ray Cafe, not two miles from where we were, and off we went. The restaurant was welcoming from the start: located in a converted home just off the main thoroughfare, we climbed wide wooden steps to the front porch and pulled open the screen door. Inside, we were greeted by friendly staff and led upstairs to a bright dining room with farmhouse tables and a natural wood ceiling open to a skylight at the peak. Red and white gingham napkins and porcelain coffee cups were at each place setting.

And it only got better from there. Our waiter was charming and efficient, and the French-inspired menu with house-baked pastries and locally sourced ingredients was interesting and inviting. We all quickly settled on our orders, and as we sat there, another patron stopped by the table on her way out. "This place is fantastic," she told us. "If you've never been here, you'll love it. I eat here about once a week." Then she told us she loved our Breakfast Club t-shirts and asked how to join.

Our food did not disappoint, and we had all agreed on our first-ever straight five-star rating, based on food, service, and ambiance, when our waiter offered us a complimentary dessert. A short while later, he brought us six mini profiteroles, dusted with powdered sugar and served with house-made raspberry sauce, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream. 

We wondered if it was the t-shirts, the other diner, or the pictures that Mary took and posted of our food that may have led him to believe we were more important than we might be, but it didn't matter. The dessert was delicious, and we will definitely return to Del Ray Cafe! 

And you should, too!

Special Order

My hash browns this morning were the best yet since our breakfast club started meeting in June. Shredded potatoes were served in an oblong, crisp on the outside and tender within. Even so, I gave my breakfast only 4.5 out of 5 stars because they weren't quite crispy enough. 

Mary's pancakes weren't quite fluffy enough, either, but Heidi loved her BLT. "The bacon was cooked perfectly!" she reported, "not a single chewy spot." 

Perhaps the difference was that she had asked for her bacon to be extra crisp, although that hadn't necessarily done the trick elsewhere. As we discussed our breakfasts, I considered her request, and it occurred to me that I could order my potatoes extra crispy, too. I'm going to try that next time.

Unfortunately? Just asking won't make the pancakes any fluffier.

#riseandshineforbreakfast

Ever since she turned 55 in November, Heidi has been dying to order off the "55 and Over" menu at Denny's. I get it-- in 11 days, I'm planning to gleefully apply for my lifetime National Parks pass, a perk of making it to 62.

Anyway, Denny's is not a regular on our radar screen, and until yesterday, I had no idea where their nearest location was. But driving down a road we travel very often, my attention was drawn to a nondescript strip mall. "Remember when that was a Chilis?" I asked Heidi, pointing to a storefront. "It's a Denny's now."

Denny's!!! 

And so a plan was hatched. We would go for breakfast the very next day and Heidi would last be able to take advantage of her rightful privilege.

Except... 

It was a rather disappointing experience. Our friend Mary joined us, and the three of us agreed: the atmosphere was as expected; the service was terrible (we waited over 20 minutes for eggs and pancakes), and the food was not that good either. Even the 55 and over menu was limited and not much of a bargain.

There was a silver lining, though. We launched a little breakfast club. The three of us are going to check out all the morning meal options we can between now and August 19. Maybe you saw our first post on Instagram? If not, don't worry-- there will be other installments!