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Life with Chicken and Broccoli

Tag: Breakfast

  • Breakfast Review: Salt and Pepper, Aruba

    Breakfast Review: Salt and Pepper, Aruba

    Salt and Pepper is, in my world, the greatest breakfast place there is.

    From the first time we started going to Aruba almost ten years ago until now, they have maintained the same level of excellence. Day after day, year after year, the breakfast is consistently amazing. That kind of consistency is rare anywhere. On an island, on vacation, with all the variables that can come with time and turnover, it feels even more impressive.

    I always order the Aruban Breakfast. For me, there is no other choice. It comes with two sunny side up eggs, a freshly baked warm croissant, crispy bacon, and two island staples, a croquette and a cheese pastechi.

    The croquette is one of those foods that does not translate perfectly if you try to compare it to something American. It looks a little like a fried mozzarella stick at first glance, but that does not really capture it. It is warm, breaded, and perfectly fried, with a soft savory center that feels like comfort food from another world. The cheese pastechi is another golden fried masterpiece, with just the right amount of cheese tucked inside. The closest comparison might be a tiny calzone, but with a better texture and a lighter, more satisfying bite.

    I tell everyone to order the Aruban Breakfast. Almost nobody listens. They drift toward the American Breakfast instead. It is fine, I guess, but I never understand it. Why travel somewhere beautiful, somewhere distinct, and then order the same breakfast you could get at home?

    Now, in principle, I am against deep frying and seed oils. In practice, when I am in Aruba, I surrender. Salt and Pepper breaks me. I go every day, and every day it is the same. Perfection. I also add Madame Janette’s papaya hot sauce, which takes the whole thing over the top. I dunk the croquette and the pastechi into it and get that final crescendo of flavor that makes you stop, close your eyes, and thank God you are alive.

    The coffee is always excellent, and it arrives properly hot, which my father would have appreciated. My wife likes the mimosa. I go for the spicy Bloody Mary. This trip we brought our friends and kids, and whatever anyone ordered, they loved it. Even the whole wheat bread tastes fresh baked. I usually steal half of my wife’s pancake, which is sublime. Somehow the batter seems infused with strawberries and cream, so the entire pancake tastes like warm strawberry shortcake.

    When I eat there, I find myself closing my eyes and saying little prayers of gratitude, making involuntary noises of happiness like some kind of breakfast mystic. I always tell my wife that I want to thank the sweet Aruban lady in the back making this food. I have no idea who is actually cooking, whether everything is made in house, or what the real operation looks like. But in my mind, it is someone’s grandmother rolling croquettes by hand and pressing out pastechi dough with love. The consistency is so good it feels personal. My imaginary Aruban grandmother is back there, and she has never missed.

    The décor adds to the charm. Salt and Pepper is filled with salt and pepper shakers from all over the world, brought in by guests over the years. It is a simple idea, but somehow it works perfectly there. They even encourage people to bring their own. I have often thought about how fun it would be to recreate a place like this somewhere else, but I do not think it would land the same. Aruba gives it its magic.

    Inside, it is darker and cool, a welcome contrast to the glorious, consistent days of sun and trade winds waiting outside. We like to sit in that cool interior and look out the window, knowing paradise is just beyond the glass. The whole place feels like a Dutch old world café filtered through Aruba’s warmth and ease. It is its own thing, and it works.

    The staff is always eager to please. We usually try to make friends right away on the first day and let them know we will be there all week. We bring a lot of loving energy, but it is always reciprocated. Even when we do not get the same server, the service is warm, joyful, and genuinely welcoming. It lives up to the spirit of the One Happy Island.

    I am a fanboy, a disciple, and a complete fanatic when it comes to Salt and Pepper. That is why it is my favorite.

    Breakfast score: 9.99

  • Diner Review: Goshen Plaza Diner – Goshen, NY

    Diner Review: Goshen Plaza Diner – Goshen, NY

    Our second outing to the Goshen Diner, which is actually the Goshen Plaza Diner even though it’s not in a plaza. Maybe that was the hopeful dream of its first proprietor—an empire of storefronts that never came to fruition. Our first trip here followed a demoralizing Frozen Ropes Baseball Tournament, where dismayed parents plotted a revolt against the head coach.

    This time it was just the three of us, reflecting on today’s game in the same tournament, which was going much better. By chance, we ended up at the same table. The booth on the left fit the table exactly, while the booth on the right stretched awkwardly far, as if built for a missing fourth diner. I sat there the first time, hunched sideways over my plate. That odd design, along with the faux wooden panel above us decorated with an American flag and perched eagle, gave the place its peculiar charm.

    The menu was classic diner fare with extras, the kind of list that makes you think of Pee-wee telling Dotty, “It’s a thing you wouldn’t understand… a thing you couldn’t understand.” Prices ran two or three dollars cheaper than other diners we’ve visited lately, which likely explained why the place was hopping on a Saturday night. We were surrounded by a rush of senior citizens, a kind of corralling of prescription-powered, hungry elderly looking to stretch their social security checks.

    Our waiter, a young man with a sunny attitude, seemed half-present and half already imagining a future where he’d escaped diner monotony. Still, he was attentive enough.

    I briefly stressed over some of the more unusual menu items but settled on my old reliable: the Farmer’s Omelet—yellow American cheese, veggies, bacon, sausage chunks, rye toast, coleslaw, home fries, and a decaf coffee.

    The service dragged with the crowd, and hunger set us on edge. Then, like a leprechaun popping out of a rainbow’s backside, our server appeared with the food. A few sides were missing, but my omelet and potatoes were excellent—flavorful enough to be memorable despite how often I order them.

    Across the table, my wife faced a crisis. No white toast. She always starts with toast dipped in over-easy eggs, and its absence forced her onto the pancakes instead. The anger monkeys were on her back, throwing things, and we were about to get hit. The fuse was short before all hell broke loose. I buried myself in my plate, silently praying the bread would appear. Fortunately, it arrived in time, and peace was restored.

    In the end, the experience was pleasant. We ate, we talked baseball, and we absorbed the diner’s rhythms. At six o’clock the place was packed; by seven it had emptied to only a few tables. The turnover was so fast it was almost invisible—efficient, seamless, like the diner itself. As we left, we noticed they were voted Best Diner in 2023 and 2024, and if they keep the coffee hot and the toast coming, I don’t see anyone stealing that crown.

    Final Verdict 7.55/10

  • Restaurant Review: Hash House A Go Go – Mohegan Sun Casino, CT

    Restaurant Review: Hash House A Go Go – Mohegan Sun Casino, CT

    What is this place, what exactly is a go go? My brother told me to go here, or that we should eat here. I hesitated. I thought this was a slightly better Denny’s with that shiny lipstick-on-a-pig veneer. I was wrong, happily.

    Our favorite restaurant at Mohegan used to be Tom’s Urban, now Tom’s Watch Bar, but that place has fallen off and far. My last meal there, I was upsold an alcoholic drink which went from $15 to $30 without being told, and that was my final straw. I took my broken camel and went down the escalator to the Casino of the Earth to look for new vistas.

    Part of my appreciation for Hash House is their breakfast, which is sold all day. I was, for a long time, lulled into the cult of intermittent fasting and would forgo my breakfast, but have since seen the error of my ways. I now eat breakfast and dinner, but do skip that lunch.  I’m not an animal.

    The menu is full and filled with southern hospitality.  I’ve tried in earnest to explore other options, but I keep coming back to their Farmhouse Egg Scramble and the first selection on the menu, which includes hickory-smoked bacon, avocado, onion, and Swiss. It’s accompanied by crispy home fries and a locally made rye toast, complete with their own homemade jam or jelly. I don’t know the difference between those, and I’m not sure of the flavor. It just tastes great.

    My wife opted for the biscuit and sausage gravy with two eggs cooked over easy. The waitress informed her that she should request them cooked a bit more, or they’d come runny, which was great advice. Another in our party didn’t specify, and she didn’t mention it that time; they came out super runny, and it put a cloud over his plate.

    This weekend was a strong biscuit weekend for my wife, having one in each location we went. There was a funny juxtaposition as another one of our baseball parents conveyed her strong dislike maybe even hatred for biscuits, having been tormented with soggy ones as a kid.

    A special shoutout to our waitress Terry, who was like having your mom serve you breakfast. She was fun, kind, helpful, and became part of the group in short time, offering good-luck wishes for our baseball boy’s tournament.

    The time to service is about, or slightly more than, a regular diner, which was fine and also appreciated, as we had limited time this morning. The dishes and presentation of food are always outstanding—the home-cooked, Southern vibe of big portions for big appetites.

    The eggs almost appear as an omelet; they’re perfectly cooked and have a generous amount of all the included ingredients. The avocado adds a nice mouthfeel and texture to the eggs. I love the toast with just the butter, and then the homemade jelly adds a level. The home fries are cooked perfectly and coated with some requested red chili Cholula hot sauce.

    Just a big, happy plate of love and I do my celebratory happy shimmy and shake.

    I’m glad that I was wrong about this place. I wish I lived closer, as I’d definitely come up more for breakfast and maybe venture into some hashes or, one day, the Big O’ Breakfast Burrito. I don’t know if I’ll live long enough to ever try a main dish, but that’s OK.

    Final Verdict: 9.0/10

  • Restaurant Review: Leo’s – Southbury, CT

    Restaurant Review: Leo’s – Southbury, CT

    Rolling up to Leo’s in Southbury, CT, at 10:30 for that late breakfast love. From Main Street, the location is tucked away, requiring a turn onto Poverty Road. On this beautiful Thursday morning, there were already diners enjoying meals on the front patio.

    After turning into the complex and navigating around the building, it’s clear the space was converted from some type of office into a restaurant. The first thing that caught my attention was the front flight of steps, which probably keeps some of the Heritage Village crowd away.

    Inside, the restaurant is quaint, though the motif is a bit unclear, perhaps a beefed-up diner vibe in an office setting, featuring high ceilings, neon lights, faux wood beams, and an assortment of knickknacks and bric-a-brac. The main dining area has tables in the center surrounded by booths. My friend, who arrived earlier, chose a table with half booth seating and half chairs in the bar area, which was empty except for us.

    Previewing the menu beforehand, several items caught my eye, particularly the entire section dedicated to “Leo’s Famous Breakfast Specials.” Next time, I plan to try “Eight is Enough,” aptly named as it features eight ingredients served with their signature bocca bread and a fresh fruit mini tower. This visit, I opted for Leo’s Special Omelet, which included sautéed onions, mozzarella cheese, bacon, home fries, and rye toast. I also added my usual side of coleslaw and a decaf coffee.

    The servers were nice enough, nothing particularly memorable but also nothing to complain about.

    The food arrived quickly and was plentiful. The hot sauce of choice at Leo’s is Frank’s. Overall, the meal was very good, with the omelet stealing the show, nicely prepared with a generous portion of bacon. Personally, I would have preferred the onions to be more sautéed, but it was still tasty. The home fries and rye toast were good, though nothing standout.

    My coleslaw was initially forgotten by both the server and myself until I noticed the missing texture and crunch. When it arrived, it came in a small plastic cup; a slightly larger bowl would have been preferable. However, it was tasty, well seasoned, and slightly on the wetter side. The value and quantity of the food was also a notch above.

    By 11:30, the early bird lunch crowd was beginning to make its way in. I was abruptly knocked forward as a walker with wheels hit my chair, indicating it was time to leave. There was actually a line of people waiting on the stairs as we left. We enjoyed our brief visit to Leo’s and will definitely be back to try some of those other specials.

    Final Verdict: 7/10