UnBREAK my Heart

Do you want to know what it is that really satisfies the belly and warms the soul? Think about the best type of comfort food while going scrubby with your Ugg boots and hoodie on a rainy day. Think about the worst hangover and only wanting one thing. Hint hint: most important meal of the day? Ring a bell? American breakfast! Whoever invented the overall theme of this meal deserves some recognition. Whether it’s as simple as granola with yogurt, to a more traditional cheesy omelet, or to hardcore steak and eggs, I’m completely sold.

First of all, though the main component of breakfast that first comes to everyone’s mind are eggs, there’s actually an extremely wider range of options. Don’t you ever wonder why breakfast buffets are so successful? Ok, lets start with the simple things. Cereal, oatmeal, granola, fruit. These four foods are already making my mouth water, and we haven’t even gotten to the good stuff yet. Then we have eggs: so many ways to cook one thing! Even with what I believed to be the most popular way to have eggs be scrambled (because of texture reasons and salmonella concerns- though that’s a different topic in itself) every other way makes me just as happy. We now diverge into the art of omelets- don’t tell me you don’t think they’re bomb! Stuff any omelet with cheese and a few veggies, put some fruit and toast on the side and you’ve got yourself a balanced breaky. And how could I undermine bacon and sausage- the staple meats of breakfast that contribute to most of the flavor and saltiness of the entire meal. Serve any of these egg dishes with a side of potatoes, ketchup and Tabasco, and there you go- I just described the simplest, most comforting food in the Western hemisphere.


Breakfast also tends to get a bit fancy. Breakfast buffs will tell you that their favorite meal is the Eggs Benedict. With this lovely display of poached eggs placed on top of an English muffin and ham, and crowned with hollandaise sauce, I personally couldn’t agree more. I must warn you, hollandaise sauce is not for the ill hearted: this sauce contains a high amount of fat, the main ingredient being egg yolks. Though if done correctly and all thoughts of a diet are thrown out the window, this meal is divine. You’ve also got pancakes, waffles, and French toast glazed with maple syrup for the carb-loving, sweet-toothed folks. Add fruit to these dishes and it just makes them 10x more enjoyable. Do you want to get even fancier? Try a quiche. Even the pronunciation sounds pretentious. (The funniest way I’ve heard it pronounced is “quicky.”) But as much as this meal is loaded with cheese and carbs as well, I can’t help but love the flavor! Lastly, pair any meal with an orange juice, a cappuccino, or a stiff mimosa and I’m in breakfast heaven.

Now that my extended tangent of why I love breakfast is almost over, I should probably share with you some places where your breakfast fix will not be a let-down. First of all, forget Denny’s and I Hop. Just don’t even think about it. Chains like these most likely serve eggs that come from chicken farms where its chickens are cooped up all day in the dark. (I highly recommend you watch Food Inc, and you’ll learn more about this topic.) Instead, try places like Boulevard Café in Daly City, Evergreen Inn in San Jose (for large portions), and Country Gourmet in Sunnyvale. (Ok so I’m biased with Country Gourmet because I’m totally one of the managers there, but that’s a different story. We have good food, I promise!) But my personal favorite breakfast restaurant is unmistakably Lundy’s in San Rafael. This tiny, cozy spot in the heart of small downtown San Rafael has never let me down. There are a ton

of specials listed on the many chalkboards on the walls, tasty coffee, and a HUGE menu (they also serve lunch items.) The only downside is that they don’t serve mimosas, but when you’re too busy with good company and a delicious croissant sandwich in front of you, it’s all too dandy to matter. Sit at the bar and you’ll get to watch them cook your food to order. Just be sure to go early because I believe they close at around 3:30, so they obviously don’t have breakfast all day here.

When they say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, believe them. It energizes you for the rest of the day by recharging your brain and body and makes you efficient in anything you do. If you don’t have time for a big breakfast, then shiiett open up a box of Cheerios! I love that stuff!