whenever i eat lunch with people and they mention that it’s the first meal they’ve had all day, i get upset. why would you not eat breakfast? usually it’s the typical excuse like “i rather sleep for the extra 10 minutes,” but i just don’t get it.

breakfast, for me, is the best meal of the day. upstaged only by brunch, which is reserved for the weekends, and must be served with a mimosa. besides the fact that i would resort to face-punching and random name calling by 11am if i did not eat breakfast, i really enjoy making and eating breakfast. to figure out why, i took a photo of my last four breakfasts to see if i can find a commonality.

breakfast one mini sesame seed bagel with whipped cream cheese and lox; double espresso

breakfast two greek yogurt with rhubarb and strawberry jam from the farmer’s market; double espresso

breakfast three trader joe’s vanilla flakes and granola cereal with raspberries and soy milk; double espresso

breakfast four spinach tortilla with 3 egg whites, iberico cheese, and heirloom tomatoes; double espresso

and what did i learn from reviewing my documentation? well, first of all, breakfast must have at least two natural colors. if they aren’t natural, they probably don’t taste good. and if there is only one, then its probably boring. also, i am getting good use out of my espresso machine. best birthday present ever (thanks family!). 

for the record, none of these took me more than 5 minutes to make (egg whites cook quick).

i did mention that breakfast at my house can only be surpassed by brunch at a couple of my favorite madison restaurants. here is, in my opinion, the top 6:

1. sardine - baked cream eggs or brie and crimini mushroom omelette.

2. graze - roasted beet salad if you want something light, or the seasonal pancakes if you’re serious

3. marigold - chile poached eggs. enough said.

4. old fashioned - daily scramble always has a fancy cheese, or if you want something sweet get the door county cherry granola

5. orpheum - if you want a fancy buffet, you will find what you want here. 

6. sunroom cafe - college classic and still just as good as i remember it. anything with avocados in it is worth trying.

i know i’m missing some, what’s your favorite?