Grazi Gives a Great Breakfast

This week I decided to head to Grazi café in St.Catharines, as it had been recommended by several family friends. I again took my mom with me, however, as it was not Valentine’s Day, it seemed to be much more socially acceptable. We were both surprised at the relative emptiness of the restaurant at 8 a.m. on a Saturday morning. After hearing so much about it we had expected it to be packed.

My Mother

About to enjoy the 'Grazi Special'

We were seated promptly, and I ordered a 'Grazi Special' two egg, two bacon, home fry and toast breakfast. With my life in a relative state of turmoil, it was great to get a familiar breakfast. It arrived quickly and was very tasty. Our waitress was very attentive and polite and took the time to learn about what school program I was in. It felt as though she really cared about the people she was serving. Grazi had a very healthy feel to it with fruit as an option in many dishes. Unfortunately, I was not feeling particularly healthy and wolfed down my eggs and bacon. The price was also quite comparable, and factoring in that the restaurant is relatively close to my house, I suppose I saved money on gas as well. All in all, Grazi offered a great breakfast for a reasonable price. The staff were exceptional and lived up to the name of the restaurant. I will certainly be going back!

The 'Thank You' sign

Highlight: The friendly service

Honourable Mention: The 'Thank You' sign

Bacon Strip Rating: Four Strips

The Flying Saucer Is Not Quite Out Of This World

This week I decided to try my luck in Niagara Falls at the FlyingSaucer. I had heard a lot about the Flying Saucer in my brief time working for Niagara Casinos. Many of my co-workers stated that it was a great place to go after working a midnight shift as the breakfast was quite large. To test this, I attended with my classmates Ethan and Haley. The restaurant was packed and we were extremely lucky to find a table and parking. I decided to order the steak and egg special for $11.99. This consisted of a large piece of steak as well as three eggs, home fries and toast.

The steak and egg special

 I ordered the steak medium rare, however this was not the condition that it arrived in. All in all, the breakfast was good, but the slow service was quite cumbersome. As you would expect, there were alien decorations on the inside, but there could have been more to really give the place an ‘out of this world’ feel. 

One of the few alien decorations

The portions were generous and I enjoyed my visit, but the real issue with the Flying Saucer is that it is not excellent in a particular area. The decorations are average. The food is ok, and the prices are slightly inflated. For this reason, I will give the restaurant a reluctant three bacon strip rating. I feel that were I to have tried this place at the start it may have scored higher, however, having seen the true greatness that the other breakfast places in the region can produce, I would not be in a rush to go back.

Highlight: Having breakfast with some great friends

Honourable Mention: They sell postcards

Bacon Strip Rating: A reluctant three strips

Cosmo's Is Out Of This World!

This week, after much encouragement from my classmate Jeff, I decided to go with him to Cosmo’s Diner on Front St. in Thorold. If you are looking for a restaurant that feels like an authentic 60’s diner, this is the place for you.

Jeff and I at Cosmo's

The wait staff were incredibly friendly and the food arrived quickly. I took a chance and ordered the peameal bacon special which consisted of home fries, rye toast, two eggs and two pieces of peameal. I am a firm believer that the only way to serve peameal bacon is cut thick. Luckily Cosmo's delivered and it made for a delicious breakfast.

The homefries (all too often relegated to a mere aside) were also very tasty with a unique Cajun spice that added to the meal. Beyond the great breakfast taste, Cosmo's was also full of character. There were pictures of Marilyn Monroe, and classic records from Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison throughout to give a genuine diner feel.

'Genuine Diner Feel'

The high point for me was when ‘Green Onions’ by Booker T and the MG’s came on the stereo.

For a brief moment, it really felt like I was still living in an era where cars were big, Coke was in a glass bottle, and a Kennedy was in the White House. The only potential flaw is that being located on the main street has not afforded Cosmo’s a parking lot. Luckily there is ample free parking on the street right outside.

Highlight: The thick cut strips of peameal bacon.

Honourable mention: The awesome music!

Bacon Strips: Five strips!