Watercress - A Café

Time for breakfast – actually a little late for breakfast – and we wanted to go somewhere new. When people like us go out to eat so often, we want something different. BK looked up a nearby restaurant on Yelp and there she discovered Watercress – A Café. I loved the name or brand as it is now called and so off we went. Here is a small, clean and tidy restaurant with about 12 tables. They call themselves gourmet and organic whenever possible. We were seated immediately and given the menu which is not too large but very interesting. We also were served our very good coffee which is roasted next door at the Coffee Roaster.

BK ordered cinnamon raisin French toast. It came with two large pieces and a few fresh strawberries on top. We ended up not quite sharing but each of us having more than a taste of the other’s dish. This was fantastic – not too sweet but sweet enough and tender and full of egg. I ordered the egg frittata panini. This consisted of scrambled eggs, cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and a regular tomato all inside two pieces of bread that had been toasted panini style. Usually, I have found paninis to be flattened out, like put in a grill and somewhat greasy. This one looked like a regular sandwich with grill marks on the bread and there was no grease at all. It was delicious. I ordered it without basil and they easily accepted my request. This came with potatoes that are cubed and fried nice and crisp. It also came with a salad of mixed greens and a rather tasty dressing. I was asked if I wanted potatoes or salad and said potatoes but I got both.

I thought the prices were a bit high but not too high either since our bill came to $23.60 before tip. Most items are around $10 which I thought was high for eggs, sausage and toast. However, I do realize that organic food does cost more. All their bakery is homemade and looked wonderful. I will return but not often because of the cost. I do want to try their lunch sandwiches which also look very interesting. They have many vegetarian offerings as well as at least one vegan sandwich. Watercress is at 13565 Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks.

Last day in Las Vegas – September 23, 2009 (4)

The best laid plans of mice and whoever – we didn’t go to the Paris. I was ready to leave the city but I wanted to go to that café. When we left the Luxor – a hotel where we will never return – we saw a lot of traffic on the Strip. They are, for a change, constructing and so many lanes are closed. I looked at that and decided to leave the city. I had been asked to review some out-of-the way places in Las Vegas so we decided to look for a place for breakfast. Bonnie took out Jack (our name for our GPS) and found a place called the Original Sunrise Café. We hoped that the place still existed and that it really was a restaurant. If you are one who has read my travels before, you will know that Jack is not always accurate but that was not the case today. We were directed to a mini-mall and there was a small restaurant with people sitting outside and enough people on the inside as well for us to take a chance.

The Original Sunrise Café has no ambiance but it doesn’t need it. They were voted one of the healthiest restaurants in Las Vegas. Don’t think this is health food place because it isn’t. However, they offer healthier choices. That doesn’t mean we chose the healthy way. Bonnie had The Original which is a sandwich on a Kaiser roll. Cut the roll. Put one egg fried with the yolk broken hard. Top that with American cheese, although she had a choice of maybe 6 different cheeses. A sausage patty topped with another egg and another American cheese and topped off with the top of a very good Kaiser roll. She loved it! This came with quite good shredded potatoes. I had the Complete Breakfast with two basted eggs done perfectly, Canadian bacon, the non-greasy shredded potatoes and a toasted Sesame seed bagel with cream cheese. I was given a choice of bacon, Canadian bacon, or sausage. I was also given the choice of potatoes or fruit. The coffee was also excellent.

The Original Sunrise Café doesn’t look like much but it is really a very good place for breakfast and probably other meals as well. This very unassuming restaurant is located at 8975 S. Eastern Ave in Las Vegas, the actual city rather than the strip. In fact there was not one slot machine in the place. Our bill, including tax, came to a little over $20. It is south of the city which makes it somewhat, but not really, on the way. Use a GPS or mapquest or google maps and remember that it is in a mini-mall. This was a great way to end our over-eating trip.

I was so satisfied that I drove all the way home without stopping which is unusual for me. I am glad to be home and will especially like going to sleep in my comfortable bed.