FOODIE

Breakfast With The Foodies
By Pete, Luann and Danny / foodie@longislandernews.com

The Long Islander Foodies are not breakfast people. Our palates and our waking hours steer us toward eating experiences that begin no earlier than lunch. Recognizing that ours is not a universal preference, we got ourselves up and out to take in some of the town’s more popular breakfast spots.

A handful of eateries rule the breakfast hour. In Huntington village, there’s Toast and Munday’s; in Northport, Sweet Mama’s rules. Each puts its own spin on the first meal of the day.

Huntington’s Toast & Co. is by most standards still a newcomer to the breakfast scene. Opened in 2007 at the former Pomodoro on Stewart Ave., Toast is the creation of the team at Reststar, the restaurant group founded by Fabio Machado whose venues include, among others, Bistro Cassis, Osteria Toscana, Café Buenos Aires and Bin 56 right next door. A chic space in earthy browns, orange and green, Toast has a retro diner feel. Its menu, though abounding with comfort food, moves far beyond the blue plate specials of the classic American diner. Sure there’s eggs, but this is the only place around with Green Eggs and Ham, a plate of eggs, avocado mousse and chive oil. Eggs Benedict is a classic; and the omelette menu lets you create your own favorite. For the cholesterol-tolerant, the Ham ’n Cheese Skillet layers eggs and cheese over a slab of ham and the restaurant’s home fried potatoes.

Pancakes and French toast also get the Toast touch. Buttermilk pancakes are served with real maple syrup; or try Bananas Foster or Ricotta Lemon pancakes. Variations on the classic French toast include stuffed, with blueberry cream cheese, and, if you like things sweet, then the Crunchy French Toast is for you. Thick slices of bread are dipped in batter and covered with crushed, sweetened corn flakes, giving the breakfast staple a little something extra. Add the maple syrup and you’re good to go for a sugar high that will start your morning with some pep.

Munday’s has that distinct ’60s diner-feel to it as well, with plenty of tables, booths and seats at the counter, not to mention friendly faces. Probably one of the fastest breakfast counters in town, this Huntington institution has become a traditional stop for many with its range of morning wake-up calls, from the traditional eggs, toast and bacon, omelettes, pancakes and French toast to more adventurous takes on those traditions, like frittatas and fruit pancakes.

The offerings change often, but if you stop by on a day where stuffed French toast is a special, call it your lucky day. If it’s the one with nutella, banana and hints of vanilla, you may as well have hit the foodie lottery.

Pancakes, milkshakes and an old-fashioned, soothing, family-friendly vibe are the order of the day at Sweet Mama’s Good Kitchen. Opened in 2005, Sweet Mama’s is known for great prices on breakfast staples like French toast, waffles, pancakes, eggs and more.

If you’re not sure what to get, platters like the Big Daddy let you have it all – two eggs, two pancakes, two French toast slices, home fries, bacon and sausage – at a bargain price. Don’t forget the magical bottomless coffee pot, either.

The atmosphere is bustling, service is quick and friendly and the portions are generous. The menu opens up as the day goes on, but if you want waffles for dinner, no sweat – the breakfast menu is up for grabs all day.

Toast & Co
62 Stewart Ave., Huntington
631-812-0056
www.toasthuntington.com

Sweet Mama’s
9 Alsace Place, Northport
631-757-2095
www.sweetmamaskitchen.net

Munday’s
259 Main St., Huntington
631-421-3553

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