Breakfast at Blue Peach Cafe

Emma was home from school today for a Teacher's Professional Day. We decided that after we dropped Harper off at preschool, we would head to Blue Peach Cafe for breakfast. My sister-in-law first introduced me to Blue Peach about 9 years ago. In between now and then, the cafe was closed for about 4 years due to a fire. I hadn't been back since the re-opening, and I was keeping my fingers crossed that the food and atmosphere were as good as I remembered them to be.

Let me add that I don't normally do restaurant reviews on Pieces of a Mom, but when I told several people where we had gone for breakfast, I was completely surprised by the number of people who had no idea that Blue Peach Cafe existed. Except for my girlfriend Colleen, who had the same idea I had, to take her children to breakfast there this morning!

The dining area is large, bright and filled with bistro tables of varying sizes to accommodate just about any size group. Emma and I were seated at a small table for two next to a window. It was intimate, and I liked that we weren't seated at a big booth with lots of space between us. Because of the enormous windows, the dining area is bright and cheery.

My dining companion

In addition to sodas and juices, including freshly squeezed orange juice, Blue Peach offers breakfast cocktails including 4 different types of Bloody Marys ($7) and several types of Champagne cocktails ($8.75). We opted for a soda and freshly squeezed orange juice. I've been out to breakfast on many occasions, and I've found that most restaurants serve your juice in the tiniest juice glass. I easily drink it before my meal arrives. At Blue Peach, the orange juice arrived in a large glass and was the perfect amount to hold me over for the entire meal.

We started our breakfast by sharing a Pineapple Coconut Muffin. It was delicious and loaded with chunks of pineapple and slices of shredded coconut. It was toasted to perfection.

Pineapple Coconut Muffin (toasted with butter)

My daughter ordered the Stuffed French Toast, and I chose the Yogurt Parfait. The Stuffed French Toast is 4 thick slices of bread, dipped in an egg batter and fried to a golden crisp. Strawberry cream cheese is stuffed between the slices, and it is topped with sliced strawberries, whipped cream, and drizzled with a raspberry sauce. Warm Maple syrup is served on the side.

Stuffed French Toast

The Yogurt Parfait was layers of vanilla yogurt and granola topped with fresh blueberries and strawberries drizzled with honey. It was a perfect portion for one.

Yogurt Parfait

The cost breakdown:
Muffin: $2.00
Yogurt Parfait: $6.50
Stuffed French Toast: $6.75
Orange Juice: $3.00
Sprite (free refills): $2.00
Total: $20.25

The service was impeccable. We were asked several times if we'd like refills on our drinks. Our food arrived promptly and was served by a cheerful and friendly waitress.The menu consisted of several kinds of pancakes and French toast as well as a selection of omelettes, some basic and some gourmet. There was no separate children's menu, but plain pancakes and classic French toast are available as well as chocolate chip pancakes.

This is the perfect place to head with some girlfriends, for a "date" breakfast, or with the entire family. I'll definitely be returning.

Blue Peach Cafe
2517 New Jersey Route 35
Manasquan, NJ 08736-1918
(732) 223-3444

This review is also posted on urbanspoon.