Dining Out Boston

I'm adding Centre Street Cafe to my ever-growing list of great breakfast/brunch places.

On weekends starting at 9am they offer sloppy, sloppy brunch fare that incorporates mostly organic ingredients and pleasantly excessive amounts of fruits and vegetables. The result is fresh, delicious dishes that, while slightly costlier, lack the gristle and grease of other equally casual brunch places. Although Centre Street bills itself as vegetarian, carnivores needn't worry, for multiple menu options offer sausage, bacon, and ham on the side, or woven into gigantic egg dishes like the Country Omelet ($14) or the Huevos Rancheros ($12). Sweet breakfast options like pancakes and waffles ($10-12) are hearty, flavorful, and inevitably topped with at least two cups of strawberries, bananas, and/or blueberries as well as dollops of maple whipped cream. Special variations on the regular menu choices are always available in addition to quirker brunch fare like piled-high nachos and crisp salads with nuts, goat cheese, and greens.

This morning I had the oatmeal-corn waffles with strawberries and bananas, while my companion consumed the Truckstop Special, two eggs any style, with sausage, potatoes, fruit, and a pancake. I attacked my meal with vigor and am proud to say there was nary a stray berry by the time I finished. Afterwards, I actually felt satisfied but not overwhelmingly full, a fact I attribute to the dish's equal parts starch and fruit.

Arrive early (8:30am) at Centre Street Cafe on weekends because there's always a line and the dining room seats less than 30 people. If you do sleep in, take comfort in the fact that a) Centre Street will supply you with endless cups of free hot coffee and tea (served in mugs no less) while you wait and b) brunch is served until 3pm. The tall, friendly manager frequently takes stock of the line, giving accurate estimates of wait-times, and cheering all with his personable demeanor. This morning he led the entire restaurant in singing "Happy Birthday" to a patron, who subsequently blew the lone candle on his omelet. I've never seen a more welcoming and sincerely enthusiastic restaurant host.

I can't comment on Centre Street Cafe's lunch and dinner options, but I will aver that there's certainly not better (more more bountiful) breakfast to be had in JP. And while Mike's City Diner still has my vote for best breakfast in Boston, Centre Street Cafe is probably more fitting for health-conscious, crunchy folk.

The Info
Centre Street Cafe
669 Centre St., Jamaica Plain
617-524-9217