Foodie fun

Rise and dine: 10 new(ish) breakfasts that make the Houston restaurant scene even tastier

Houston’s got a gaggle of breakfast classics around town — the Breakfast Klub, La Guadalupana and Fountain View Cafe, among others. But a new crop of breakfast options has popped up over the last year or two, giving our golden standards some healthy competition.

Here are 10 of my more recent favorites to try. All are places that serve a weekday morning repast — no brunch options included.

Adair Kitchen
This Galleria-area newcomer wins our seal of approval as our favorite new breakfast in town. The menu offers updated looks at the classics: omelets, chicken and waffles, oatmeal and more.

First time? Try the whole wheat banana pancakes — seriously. Adair Kitchen has recently added a juice menu, too; not all of the combos work for me, but they’re fun for a try.

Eatsie Boys
A hearty breakfast at the new Eatsie Boys Café on M-M-M-Montrose sets you up well for the day. The staple Eggman Sandwich is great, of course, but our current favorite is the Disco Biscuit: a fresh-baked biscuit loaded up with two sunny-side-up eggs and sinfully good chorizo gravy.

Don’t overlook the E-Boys coffee program, which is praiseworthy in its own right.

Pondicheri
Pondicheri’s breakfast is wonderful on its own accord — but it’s also unlike any other breakfast in the city, making it a fun and festive way to start your day. It’s hard to beat the masala eggs and breakfast frankie, but the green dosa (filled with saag and fresh greens) sure provides a delicious energy kick.

The new juice list is a revelation. Flavors are tasty and clean, without the jumbled confusion of many juice concoctions.

Tiny Boxwood’s
Join the pretty people in the gardens at Tiny Boxwood’s for a serene morning start. The breakfast menu is short, but sufficient, featuring things like oatmeal, migas and pulled pork breakfast tacos.

I sure liked the “simple breakfast,” a beautiful plate of scrambled eggs, refried black beans, toast and strawberry jam. Pastries are top-notch, too.

Blacksmith
The menu at Blacksmith is available all day — not just at breakfast — but we love starting our morning with a gorgeous plate of Vietnamese steak and eggs. Need something smaller?

The beauteous biscuit certainly deserves all the praise it has garnered, and it comes with a sweet side of marmalade and whipped crème fraîche. And then, of course, there’s the coffee. Oh sweet Lord, the coffee.

Down House
There’s something about the vintage feel of Down House that puts you in a sustainably great mood. You’ll find better breakfast tacos elsewhere, so go with something more Down-House-esque — like the Vermonter: an English muffin topped with bacon, Cheddar, tomato and a sunny-side-up egg.

The Chicken & Waffles and classic Down Breakfast are also worthy choices, and the coffee program is a winner, too.

Kraftsmen Cafe
The Kraftsmen Cafe, a hidden favorite in the Heights, is an understated place with underrated sandwiches and pastries. Breakfast is a fantastic time to stop by. After all, that’s when they serve croissant sandwiches, French Toast (made with Kraftsmen brioche), bagels and quiche.

Plus, the light-filled dining room is a lovely spot to read the paper or catch up with friends.

Breakfast Burritos Anonymous
Hit up Inversion Coffee House on Montrose any weekday morning to find the friendly Breakfast Burritos Anonymous food truck. While the build-your-own tacos and burritos are the most popular items, we sure liked the breakfast egg sandwich with sausage and caramelized onions on Texas toast. (Mmmmm, Texas toast!)

Plus, you can head inside to grab a coffee during your short wait for food.

Sweet Paris
Feeling French? Chassé on over to the Sweet Paris creperie and cafe in Rice Village for a warm breakfast crepe. Most options are savory, egg-filled creations, lovingly ladled with gooey cheese and fresh toppings.

But there are a few sweet options, too, including a yogurt parfait crepe. It’s nice to note that Sweet Paris can do vegan and gluten-free crepes as well.

Lola
This funky diner at 11th and Yale in the Heights offers traditional breakfast favorites, served up in no time. I’ve always had great chicken and waffles there, but the pancakes and omelets earn high marks as well.

Nope, I haven’t had the guts to try the morning chicken fried steak yet, but it’s there for the taking. Report back if you try it, please.

As beautiful as they are delicious: The fantastic masala eggs at Pondicheri.

Ruthie, 10 new breakfasts, March 2013, Pondicheri, Masala Eggs

Photo by Ruthie Miller

As beautiful as they are delicious: The fantastic masala eggs at Pondicheri.

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bring on barnaby's

Favorite Houston comfort food spot picks Garden Oaks for 10th location

Courtesy of Barnaby's Cafe

Barnaby's Cafe is coming to the Stomping Grounds this fall.

Earlier this week, real estate developer Bryan Danna promised “big news…very soon” about a new tenant for the former LuLoo’s Day & Night space at his Stomping Grounds development in Garden Oaks. That news is that Houston favorite Barnaby’s Cafe has claimed the space for a new location that will open later this year.

When a Barnaby’s decal appear on the restaurant’s door a couple of days ago, news of the restaurant’s imminent arrival spread quickly on social media. It will be Barnaby’s tenth location, joining outposts in Montrose, River Oaks, the Heights, and more.

The restaurant will occupy a 2,250-square-foot space at the Stomping Grounds. It will offer a to-go window for people hanging out in the development’s green space as well as a gated, dog-friendly patio. Houston artist Roberto Cervantes will contribute works to the restaurant’s interior.

Founded in 1992 by restaurateur Jeff Gale, Barnaby’s is known for its wide-ranging and affordable menu of classic American fare, including salads, sandwiches, breakfast items, and dinner entrees. Customer favorites include the Lebanese chicken fattoush salad, chipotle black bean burger, baby back ribs, and green eggs, which are scrambled with spinach and artichoke hearts. Dogs can snack on a special “puppy menu” of ground beef, sliced chicken breast, or scrambled eggs over brown rice.

Stomping Grounds green space A to-go window will expedite orders for people in the Stomping Grounds' green space.Courtesy of Stomping Grounds

“Bringing Barnaby’s to Garden Oaks and Oak Forest has been on my wish list for more than a decade, so I’m incredibly grateful that Jeff Gale and his team saw Stomping Grounds as the right fit,” Danna said in a statement. “Jeff and I go back to his first Heights location, which was one of Barnaby’s first big moves north of Montrose, and I have always respected what he and his longtime team have built. Thirty years in the restaurant business is a serious accomplishment. You do not make it that long unless you know how to take care of people, build loyalty, and become part of the neighborhood.”

When it opens this fall, Barnaby’s will be open daily from 11 am to 9 pm. It will join other restaurants at the Stomping Grounds, including Fat Cat Creamery, Tex-Mex restaurant La Mex, Bollo Woodfired Pizza, casual sushi restaurant Himari, Little Sister Cake Shop, and High Five Mini Bar. Earlier this week, casual Vietnamese restaurant Pho Prime announced that it had claimed the space formerly occupied by The Pho Fix for a new location that will also open this fall.

news-you-can-eat openings stomping grounds barnaby's cafe