Breakfast on the way to SD?

[Michelly]

Yes, once again we head south from L.A. on our pilgramage to the Comicon! We're leaving EARLY with plans of breakfasting en route. While there are lots of great suggestions of where a great breakfast can be had once we reach Encinitas and Solana Beach, can anyone recommend somewhere good that's a little more north, say, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, even Huntington Beach, just in case we're running behind? Don't need linen napkins or romantic ocean view, but really could use good food and good coffee served on ceramic rather than dixie-ware.

[gmk1322]

If you are taking the 405 I would make a detour in Manhattan Beach to stop at Uncle Bill's Pancake House. Great pancakes, good muffins/coffee, and a great outdoor area.

[cgfan]

I suspect that it's actually not a good fit, as it is a brunch place and is best enjoyed leisurely. But if that's all acceptable then I'd thoroughly recommend Ramos House Cafe in San Juan Capistrano. You'll be eating on linens but outdoors in one of the most quiet getaways one can imagine for being so close to the freeway. Think of a quiet whistle stop in a small town somewhere in the South, and you'll get the picture.

You'll dine in the backyard patio, or if you're lucky on one of two tables on the front porch, of a CIA chef's own home. Everything's handmade from scratch on the premises with ingredients pulled from their own garden just on the other side of the fence. After service is over you'll find the chef entertaining friends and guests on his front porch with blues playing in the background.

The Ramos House is actually a historic house built on the oldest residential street in all of California. You'll feel like time has stopped, and you may even forget to continue your journey to San Diego!

[foodiechick]

Great, great, great rec! I tend to forget about that hidden treasure.

[cgfan]

Yeah it's a charming place with a thoroughly engaging atmosphere. I hope that somehow it might have a chance of fitting into the OP's schedule...