PHILLY
EVENTSThe Essential Shore: Breakfast
- Illustration by Jonathan Carlson
George’s Place
At sunup, fishermen and surfers flock to the green booths of this subtly retro corner spot, where banana French toast, eggs, scrapple, and spinach-feta omelets round out the breakfast menu, and where, come dinnertime, the spanikopita is to die for. 301 Beach Drive, Cape May; 609-884-6088.
Blue Pig Tavern
Congress Hall’s dining room serves three meals a day, but its salmon walls and blue-and-white- checkerboard tablecloths may be best suited to a laid-back rendition of the day’s first meal. Savor eggs Benedict with a cheddar scallion biscuit, and blueberry brioche French toast — plus mimosas made at the Brown Room bar, natch. 251 Beach Avenue, Cape May, 609-884-8421; congresshall.com.
Maggie’s
A seat on the wraparound porch, a stack of chocolate-chip pancakes, and at least two hours to enjoy both, with no (as the waitresses’ shirts say) whining. Also famous for roasted turkey cheese-steaks. 2619 Dune Drive, Avalon, 609-368-7422; maggiesofavalon.com.
Mrs. Brizzle’s Buns
The egg sandwiches here all but erase the effects of whatever it was you drank last night at the O.D., the Springfield, LaCosta … 4411 Landis Avenue, Sea Isle City; 609-263-2773.
Uncle Bill’s Pancake House
The quaintest and quietest of all the U. Bill’s, this bayside bruncherie boasts an IHOP-worthy selection of flapjacks — plus real sausage patties (not just links). Yes, whipped cream, duh. Willard Road and Ocean Drive, Strathmere; 609-263-7154.
Sugars
A dune-top location and cabana stripes (even on the coffee mugs) make this open-air beach shack a perfect place to take in the day’s first meal, a standby combo of carbs, proteins and coffee. 9 Beach Road, Ocean City; 609-399-1127.
Sonsie
Our favorite stop for La Colombe lattes, bacon frittatas, yogurt parfaits and today’s Times — just in case you miraculously rise and shine after your big night out. The Pier at Caesars, 1 Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic City, 609-345-6300; sonsieac.com.
The Gables
When there’s a sea breeze, the porch of this cedar-shake B&B — with its hanging plants and trailing vines — is the most divine place in the world (or Jersey) at which to nibble truffle-scented poached eggs, smoked salmon with crepes, and banana brioche French toast — or to pick up a basketed Continental breakfast to take to the beach. 212 Centre Street, Beach Haven, 888-524-4225; gableslbi.com.
At sunup, fishermen and surfers flock to the green booths of this subtly retro corner spot, where banana French toast, eggs, scrapple, and spinach-feta omelets round out the breakfast menu, and where, come dinnertime, the spanikopita is to die for. 301 Beach Drive, Cape May; 609-884-6088.
Blue Pig Tavern
Congress Hall’s dining room serves three meals a day, but its salmon walls and blue-and-white- checkerboard tablecloths may be best suited to a laid-back rendition of the day’s first meal. Savor eggs Benedict with a cheddar scallion biscuit, and blueberry brioche French toast — plus mimosas made at the Brown Room bar, natch. 251 Beach Avenue, Cape May, 609-884-8421; congresshall.com.
Maggie’s
A seat on the wraparound porch, a stack of chocolate-chip pancakes, and at least two hours to enjoy both, with no (as the waitresses’ shirts say) whining. Also famous for roasted turkey cheese-steaks. 2619 Dune Drive, Avalon, 609-368-7422; maggiesofavalon.com.
Mrs. Brizzle’s Buns
The egg sandwiches here all but erase the effects of whatever it was you drank last night at the O.D., the Springfield, LaCosta … 4411 Landis Avenue, Sea Isle City; 609-263-2773.
Uncle Bill’s Pancake House
The quaintest and quietest of all the U. Bill’s, this bayside bruncherie boasts an IHOP-worthy selection of flapjacks — plus real sausage patties (not just links). Yes, whipped cream, duh. Willard Road and Ocean Drive, Strathmere; 609-263-7154.
Sugars
A dune-top location and cabana stripes (even on the coffee mugs) make this open-air beach shack a perfect place to take in the day’s first meal, a standby combo of carbs, proteins and coffee. 9 Beach Road, Ocean City; 609-399-1127.
Sonsie
Our favorite stop for La Colombe lattes, bacon frittatas, yogurt parfaits and today’s Times — just in case you miraculously rise and shine after your big night out. The Pier at Caesars, 1 Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic City, 609-345-6300; sonsieac.com.
The Gables
When there’s a sea breeze, the porch of this cedar-shake B&B — with its hanging plants and trailing vines — is the most divine place in the world (or Jersey) at which to nibble truffle-scented poached eggs, smoked salmon with crepes, and banana brioche French toast — or to pick up a basketed Continental breakfast to take to the beach. 212 Centre Street, Beach Haven, 888-524-4225; gableslbi.com.
Originally published in Philadelphia magazine, June 2007
