Fine Cuisine on a Budget in South Orange County

Don't you just love it when someone recommends a good restaurant and it turns out to be a great restaurant?  Such was the case on Tuesday morning.  I decided to take myself out to breakfast following our early morning Laguna Hills/Laguna Woods Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting.  I had been told that the Break of Dawn was a very special restaurant owned by a former Ritz Carlton Chef, Dee Nguyen.  So, I decided, what's not to like here?  I'll just pop in for breakfast and introduce myself and the chamber of commerce to Dee,.

The restaurant is tucked away in a cozy corner of the Oakbrook Shopping Center in Laguna Hills.  It's a very tranquil setting among trees adjacent to a fountain,   There's ample outside seating at tables under market umbrellas.

The interior of the restaurant is a large area with a high ceiling.  There are a variety of seating choces from large family style seating, to intimate table and even a sushi bar where you may watch Chef Dee prepare his delicacies.  There are some lovely floral arrangements (fresh cut flowers from  Dee's own yard and arranged by him) throughout the restaurant.  Dee even personally planned and decorated everything himself.   This man has a real flair for food and setting the mood.

The menu is a treat to read.  They have quite an eclectic variety of choices.  Two things that really struck my fancy were the Crème' Brulee French Toast and the Eggs Benedict.  I opted for the Eggs Benedict.  They were unlike anything I'd ever seen on any menu.  The eggs were poached with cumin.  Instead of an English Muffins there were two perfect ¾ inch slices of Brioche.  The Canadian Bacon was the only thing that was almost  typical, except that it was extremely lean.  The Hollandaise Sauce was unlike anything I've ever had.  It was laced with pesto.  I opted for the country style potatoes which were by far the best I've ever had.  This incredible meal was a mere $9.00.  Gourmet faire for $9.00...can you believe it?

Needless to say, I'll be going back...often.

Enjoy the slideshow: