The “most important meal of the day” goes into extra innings at a number of Monterey eateries.
That allows me to indulge my favorite foods on a more flexible schedule.
Here come some of its most glorious menu items from five of my favorite spots:
S.O.S. on Biscuits at Grandma’s Kitchen
This heavy plate is as visually appealing as beige brick (two thick biscuits covered in creamy white grainy with bits of ground beef). It’s a sloppy mess of a meal, and a darn good one at that. Biscuits hold up their flakiness against the blanket of savory gravy.
7am-9pm daily, 2310 Fremont St., Monterey, (831) 375-3033
Brioche French at Caffe Trieste
Three slices of fluffy French toast topped with bananas, blueberries and strawberries can fuel a night of adventures. Best of all, the brioche bread retains its moisture amid a syrupy puddle, unlike many soggy waffles.
7am-10pm daily, 409 Alvarado St., Monterey, (831) 241-6064, www.caffetriestemonterey.com
Turkey-Cranberry-Cream Cheese at Monterey Crepe Company
Crepes are similar to pancakes in their silky texture and stackability, but unlike pancakes, crepes can be part of versatile combinations like the kind served at MCC. The turkey, cranberry, and cream cheese folds Thanksgiving flavors between a thin and slightly-sweet crepe.
8am-9pm daily, Alvarado St., Monterey, (831) 373-4646, www.montereycrepecompany.com
Monkey-Do Cakes at Wave Street Cafe
This mighty plate of pancakes proves as breathtaking as the tableside view of the ocean. The stack of thickness comes topped with crunchy caramelized pecans, gooey bananas, powdered sugar, and a bit of mint.
8am-3pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm weekends, 550 Wave St. (lower level), Monterey, (831) 718-8171, www.wavestreetcafe.com
Turkey, Avocado ‘n’ Mushroom Benedict at Rosine’s
A plate that packs the protein in a pretty package. A toasted English muffin topped with sliced turkey, avocado, sauteed mushrooms, poached eggs, and smothered with a homemade hollandaise sauce that’s as rich as Rosine’s famous cakes.
8am-9pm Mon-Fri (breakfast till 5pm), 8am-10pm Sat-Sun (breakfast till 4pm), 434 Alvarado St., Monterey, (831) 375-1400, www.rosinesmonterey.com