The Breakfast Wars

One thing I LOVE about weekends is the opportunity for going out to breakfast. Today we tried a "new" place, which is the second establishment of a New Hampshire hot spot right in the heart of Kendall Square-- The Friendly Toast. We had been meaning to go here for a while, and had tried to last October after the Breast Cancer walk, but it was WAY too crowded. As we are no longer college students, we have no trouble getting to breakfast earlier and earlier, so we decided to hit the Friendly Toast for a 9:30 AM Sunday breakfast. Indeed, the waiting list was only just forming when we arrived and the tables were filled with families enjoying their Sunday morning treats. We were fortunate to be a "party of two" and did not have to wait even one second for a table.

The decor is on the ridiculously kitchy side, each table even having its own animal-shaped 1970's ceramics class figurine sugar bowl. The staff is best described as edgy (in the style sense, not the unfriendly sense, because indeed, the Friendly Toast staff is friendly).

The menu was a little tough to read, in my opinion, because it's filled with graphics and varied fonts. While we probably should have gone for the more "signature" dishes, we decided to go for a breakfast staple-- which helps with comparing various breakfast joints in the city and around. We ordered (to share, as we often do at breakfast to allow for both sweet and savory satisfaction), three slices of french toast made with homemade cinnamon raisin bread, and an omelet of our own creation (artichoke hearts, fresh basil, sun dried tomato, and provolone-- they did NOT have mozzarella, but had nearly every other cheese you would want in an omelet). The omelet was served with, what I would consider, the best home fries you can find. A mix of red and white potatoes, chopped in varied fashion, with onions and a bit of spiciness to it. REALLY SUPER GOOD! The omelet was also served with slices of homemade bread, and I chose the "anadama," which was quite good as well. The toast slices are more than generously thick... and that's a warning on ordering french toast! We did not realize this and ordered three slices, which were gargantuan. Nonetheless, we managed to eat it all.

While the homemade bread was impressive, the best french toast in the Boston area is maybe a tossup between Zaftigs, where they invented (I think) the stuffed challah french toast, and Ball Square Cafe, which I maintain is the best all-around breakfast. Ball Square does a few things especially wonderfully - (1) Omelets with the mashed-potato style home fries -- the variety of fresh ingredients is awesome, (2) Waffles piled high with fresh fruit including mango, kiwi, watermelon and berries!, and finally (3) French Toast. SoundBites used to get the best breakfast award, but since they moved next store and went big, they just are not the same. For the old Sound Bites experience, go to it's old location and eat at Ball Square.

Finally, the BEST pancakes IN THE WORLD can be found right in Melrose. No kidding. Cappa's Trackside Kitchen on Grove street is unmatched. Don't even bother eating pancakes anywhere else. The blueberry are great, the banana are fantastic, and even the plain will knock your socks off. It's a traditional neighborhood greasy spoon -- no fancy ingredients like fresh basil or mile high fresh fruit waffles, but these pancakes are worth every calorie and worth the wait. They are the lightest and fluffiest and most delicious. But remember to order them sans butter (unless you want to have immediate cardiac arrest) because they'll bring it to you with a monstrous glob of butter.

For those that don't know the true breakfast war story, here is a link. If you are feeling adventurous one weekend, go ahead and try both spots-- one on Saturday and one on Sunday. I recommend getting to SoundBites such that your 35 minute wait for the table allows you to eat at 12 noon, and enjoy a Bloody Mary. Otherwise, get there on the early side (before 10AM) or be prepared to wait quite a while for a table-- and prepare to wait in the cold (though both allow you to bring some hot coffee outside to take the edge off!).