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Review content:
My aunt brought me to this little gem in Fells Point about eight years ago, and it's been my favorite ever since. The restaurant is in an old Baltimore row-house, which hasn't been overly remodeled, and still feels like you're sitting in someone's living room (with tables). The decorations are appropriately Charm-City-quirky, with lots of moon-themed posters, paintings, and even a National Geographic educational poster in the first-floor bathroom.
The place has gotten a lot of attention since I first visited so long ago, and while it's reassuring to know that such a great business is doing well, it can really put a damper on your Saturday morning plans when you have to wait almost an hour for a table. Don't get me wrong: IT'S WORTH THE WAIT.
You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Just take a look around as you are finally escorted to your table, which on some busy days, you may agree to share with another couple who is also waiting. The breakfast items are so beautiful, you want to take a picture of them when they arrive. The orange juice (and grapefruit juice, which I don't drink) is fresh-squeezed and refreshing. The biscuit, which is included in many of the omelet and scramble meals, is a tower of rich, moist perfection that satisfies that bread craving you've been developing while waiting outside the restaurant for your table (there is a large industrial bakery across the street). It is served with a lovely wild blueberry jam and fresh butter. The fruit salad, which is available as a substitute for hash browns on the side of many meals, is colorful, ripe, sweet, and beautiful. The main courses are varied enough to satisfy any type of breakfast lover, but you're probably better off ditching your healthy-eating resolutions to get the full experience here. This morning I had the Mexican scramble: a delicious mishmash of chorizo sausage, eggs, fresh tomatoes, onions, and peppers, and topped with melted cheddar cheese. It was fabulous, and I haven't been hungry all day since.
The service is also very friendly and efficient. Servers seem to be working according to the team-method, so you never feel unattended-to or forgotten. Don't be fooled by all the piercings and tattoos you see adorning the staff: these guys are professional, and very customer-service oriented.
All in all, I think that despite the long wait for a table, this place remains my favorite place in the city for a comfort-food breakfast. I wish I could protect it from increased popularity, so I could ensure the wait won't be even longer the next time I get there, but this secret is just too good to keep.
Pros: EXCELLENT food, great service, cool atmosphere
Cons: potentially long wait for table, seating layout
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