Quiet, healthy breakfast spot for early riser

[chocolatemint]

Hi all!

I love reading these discussions and they are always super helpful. I'm still searching for that perfect breakfast spot. I am moving away from the farm-style greasy breakfasts and would like fresh fruits, veggies, leaner fare. (you know, a place where you don't feel awful/greasy after eating there)
A quiet place (we love going to breakfast EARLY, so that's not a problem) Also, would love a place with either a bright cheery decor or a beautiful view from inside (maybe overlooking a river, something beautiful) Also reasonably-priced would be a plus, but not absolutely necessary.

I know that's a tall order, but I would appreciate any suggestions and please let me know specifically what kind of breakfasts they have, that would help me out.

Thanks so much Chowhounds, I love hearing your recommendations and descriptions!

[chocolatemint]

Hi everyone!

Thanks so much for the suggestions, these are awesome, we are going to check out as many of these places as we can. We ended up going to Birchwood Cafe Saturday and absolutely adored the food, it was exactly what I wanted. However, it was very busy, but how could it not be right? I will post a review about Birchwood later, I guess I am not supposed to on this thread since it would be considered a review of a specific place and not a general discussion of the original question. Thanks again for your feedback, I am adding all of these to my list in search of that perfect go-to breakfast spot.

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Birchwood Cafe
3311 E 25th St, Minneapolis, MN 55406

[NugarifiK]

The Downtowner on W. 7th in St. Paul has great breakfast. They have many heavy options, but my favorite breakfast there is a lighter Greek egg scramble; scrambled eggs (you can substitute whites I believe) , spinach, roma tomatoes, kalamata olives, and feta. It's all sorta melts together into something amazing and full of flavor. Their chicken omelette is also REALLY good.

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Downtowner Woodfire Grill
253 West 7th Street, St. Paul, MN 55102

[Bobannon]

I had a really great bowl of oatmeal this morning at People's Organic Cafe in the Galleria. They have 3 different varieties and an assortment of toppings. The coconut marmlade was awesome. I also saw they have a variety of other breakfast options, quiche, sandwiches and regular egg entrees. They open at 6 am on weekdays. Not sure about the weekend. But if you park on the north side near Crate and Barrel, you can get in and out without having to go in the mall.

[Davydd]

Two places I go to in the Excelsior area are the Bayside Grille on Excelsior Bay, Lake Minnetonka...

http://www.bayviewevent.com/bayside_grille.html

You can download the breakfast menu and check it out. Open for breakfast weekends only at 8 AM and great in the summer.

...and the other, Hazellewood Grill & Tap Room in Tonka Bay

http://www.hazellewoodgrill.com/pages...

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Bayside Grille
687 Excelsior Blvd, Excelsior, MN 55331

[sandylc]

Zumbro in LInden Hills.

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Zumbro Cafe
2803 W 43rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410

[mtullius]

The place that springs to my mind when reading your request is the Birchwood Cafe.

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Birchwood Cafe
3311 E 25th St, Minneapolis, MN 55406

[AnneInMpls]

I love breakfasts at the Birchwood - especially the great oatmeal (or multigrain cereal) and fruit-and-yogurt. The interior is cheery and bright, they're 3 blocks from the river, and they open at 7am on weekdays (8 on Sat, 9 on Sun). But the place can be quite noisy, especially when they make espresso (which is almost all the time in the morning).

Nothing's perfect, is it? But you'll forgive the noise when you taste their oatmeal.

Anne

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Birchwood Cafe
3311 E 25th St, Minneapolis, MN 55406

[shoo bee doo]

I really love Bon Vie on Selby Avenue.

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Bon Vie
518 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102

[Seige]

We are Bon Vie regulars too, but I don't know that I'd say they have particularly healthy options.

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Bon Vie
518 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102