Weekday breakfast in Philly

[Desidero]

I'm going to be staying in Center City and have morning meetings at Penn. Is there a good spot for breakfast in either area? I'll have only about 30 minutes, so a detour to the Reading Terminal Market is probably out of the question.

Thanks in advance.

[Bride of the Juggler]

Lacroix at the Rittenhouse has a nice $16 express buffet weekdays, which includes their great breakfast pastries, fresh oj, some hot basics like eggs and meat, lox, fruit and I think coffee. Thank you.

[Desidero]

This is one of the most responsive Chowhound boards I've ever visited. Many thanks!

I've been to La Colombe before and I like their coffee, but I live in NYC and have regular access to it here. Elixir sounds intriguing. For some reason, it's not coming up on a Google map, but I trust that it's still around. I think the plan is to swing by Elixir for an espresso-based drink, grab a pastry at Nook, and enjoy my breakfast in Rittenhouse Square, weather permitting.

[cwdonald]

207 S. 15th Street. 2 blocks from your hotel.

[InSearchOfTacos]

delicious espresso drinks- well worth a slight detour

it's right across from max brenners and next to miga

[barryg]

Nook is good, but less of a detour to the park is Miel Patisserie, a French bakery that is also good.

[InSearchOfTacos]

i kinda prefer nook, unless im in the mood for something decadent and chocolatey or buttery

[Desidero]

Thanks for all your excellent input. I'm staying at the Sofitel. It sounds like La Colombe or Capogiro may be my best bets. Thoughts?

[barryg]

Both are pleasant, and Capogiro actually brews La Colombe's beans. The big difference is that La Colombe only has pastries, no breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal, fresh fruit, granola, OJ, etc like Capogiro. Also La Colombe has a bit more atmosphere and is busier and more crowded; better for people watching. Capogiro can be pretty empty.

[InSearchOfTacos]

agreed on the capogiro vs. la colombe assessment.

you could always grab a snack at capogiro and coffee at la colombe and sit in the park if it's nice out.

i also do really like nook, if youre considering that at all

[barryg]

Yea the baked goods at Nook are awesome. I don't love their coffee though.

[InSearchOfTacos]

yea me neither- except that dirty chai latte- but i cant taste a bad shot of espresso in that. maybe nook baked goods + la colombe + park?

[Desidero]

I like the idea of getting a baked good from Nook and coffee from La Colombe and sitting in the park. Do any of the baked goods at Nook other than the chocolate chip scone stand out?

Thanks so much for your input.

[InSearchOfTacos]

theyre all baked in-house by edna (she works at nook)- they all look delicious but i only have experience with the scones.

if youve ever been to the walnut bridge coffee shop (closed a few years ago), it's the same team that managed that space so the food is largely the same

[barryg]

The Cranberry-Spelt muffin is my go to.

[barryg]

Sounds like a plan. Just to confuse things, I'll add that the best coffee and espresso in Center City is at Elixir on 15th St just below Walnut. I haven't tried their pastries though.

[InSearchOfTacos]

coffee is awesome but the pastries are standard- id stick to the plan of coffee @lacolombe and pastries @nook

[InSearchOfTacos]

your location in cc will help us!

day by day on sansom (21st?) has some good sweet treats for breakfast- but if youre not a big eater and are looking for good coffee and something small, i agree with urbanfabric that la colombe might do

i live right across from spread bagelry- my friend ate there a few months ago when it first opened (before it closed again for several months bc of a fire) and said the food was overpriced and not that great.

ive heard good things about cafe lutecia. cafe l'aube on south st has amazing crepes. ants pants cafe is on south st too.

finally, nook on 20th btwn chestnut and market has fantastic scones and other baked goods. dirty chai latte + chocolate chip scone = perfection for me

if you want food on penn's campus, i highly recommend bui's food truck. the egg and cheese sandwich is pretty awesome. maybe better after your meetings so you can take a nap

[cwdonald]

Depending on where you are in CC, you might also consider the newly opened Pain Quotidien. While a chain, it does quiality bakery products, as well as organic granola, good fruit selection and decent coffee. 1425 Walnut.

If you are closer to Rittenhouse, definitely second La Colombe, as well as the food court at the Comcast Building which has a nice array of vendors.

[barryg]

I think Parc might be tough to timebox at 30 minutes, but if you let them know, it's probably ok, though you'd be cutting it close if you aren't staying very nearby.

Capogiro at 20th & Samson does nice simple European-style breakfast--hardboiled egg breakfast sandwiches, fresh squeezed OJ, espresso, nice pastries--and is very fast (counter service). Better bagels than Spread IMO (they are H&H from NYC). Easy to catch a cab or grab the trolley at 19th St to Penn after.

http://capogirogelatoartisans.blogspo...

[barryg]

Worth adding that you can get very good breakfast sandwiches from most street vendors if you are really in a rush--I recommend getting them on a long roll.

[InSearchOfTacos]

good call on capogiro- forgot about them

[urbanfabric]

If you're remotely near the RTM, the Dutch Eating Place couldn't offer a faster breakfast. Then it's a quick cab or subway ride to Penn.

If you're further west, Parc does a nice breakfast. If you just want coffee and something small, La Colombe might fit the bill. I've been interested to try Spread Bagelry (I think that's what it's called) on 20th Street, but have not.

[rocknroll52]

Which hotel are you staying at?