Sunday breakfast north of Boston...

[Suzie11]

Special company coming this weekend. Would love to take him out for a wonderful breakfast. Anywhere on the northshore; I'm in the Danvers area, but out to Cape Ann or Newburyport or Haverhill would be okay too.

[Northshoregirl]

Too late for the OP, but I wanted to second the Sugar Mags suggestion for others reading this post. It's definitely our favorite breakfast spot and worth the wait on weekends. Love their scrambles and their pancakes. Great home fries, too.
www.northshoredish.com

[marilu]

Perhaps gourmet might be the wrong word, but it was not our definition of hash. It had sauteed, onions and peppers in it. When we saw the description we thought (should have asked) if it was small pieces and the above onions and pepper and as I recall they were larger. Anyway, I had a bite and didn't eat anymore. Luckily there were four of us in the party so two of the other people liked it.

JMO and personal taste....not saying it was bad. Just not what I consider "hash".

[bear]

Well, thanks to this thread, we headed to Wenham Tea House for breakfast about 9 a.m. last Saturday since we had to be in the Andover area late morning. There were only a couple of others tables occupied at that time, so it was pretty quiet. It is a cute, comfortable place and service is friendly and relaxed. Lots of coffe refills, which is important to us. The special veggie eggs benedict was tasty, with decent hollandaise and lots of (pretty soft) veggies. Poached eggs were nicely cooked and not rubbery and tasting of vinegar. The side of corned beef hash was also tasty, but I understand what marilu meant when she said it was more of a saute of pretty chunky meat and veggies, and it was also pretty heavy on the sweet spices. I enjoyed it, but probably wouldn't order it again.

My husband loved his special of banana-pecan pancakes. There were lots of banana slices and pecan halves in the pancakes, which were tender and flavorful.

We both agreed that we would go back, and thanks everyone for the recommendation.

[donlan]

Glad you enjoyed it, it's one of my favourites! Wenham Tea House certainly doesn't skimp on the maple syrup with the pancakes.

[marilu]

We enjoyed the Wenham Tea House and when the shop is open, there is some nice browsing.

My only comment would be the hash, it was a bit more "gourmet" than we are use to having. But everything was good and service was attentive although the tables are quite close together. Definitely make reservations.

Enjoy!

[Allstonian]

I'm very curious - what do you mean by "gourmet" in regards to the hash?

[phatchris]

Three dogz in Lawrence is great, probably the only thing chowish I miss from the MV

[treb]

2nd that, what a great little place. BTW - they now serve their smoked meats with eggs etc for breakfast,

[chompie]

What type of atmosphere does he like? I liked Wenham, when i was there before they changed hands, but its definitely a B&B quaint style teahouse. Other places can really range from Johny D's in Somervile with great homeade breakfast combos and live jazz and the Sunday papers, or I havent been but people here like Masa in Woburn which is upscale Southwestern style, or I have heard people like Nathaniels at the Hawthorn Hotel in Salem for a really expensive, extensive buffet with piano. So if you give us the picture you see in your mind, it could help hone the ideas in..

[opinionatedchef]

major Ughs to Johnny D's (because of the room )and Masa, Woburn where 3rd string prevails.

[judyl88]

I second the Wenham Tea House but make a reservation. Other recommendations have good food but the Tea House is the place when you want to eat well and share pleasant relaxed space...and it is no more expensive than the others. You will be happy there.

[foodieX2]

Is Tom Shea's in Essex around anymore? We used have brunch there all the time-pitchers of mimosa, excellent sweet rolls and cornbread in the basket, good sweet and savory dishes. Very pretty view.

Ok - googled and it looks like they are just called "Sheas" now.

Maybe someone here can attest to the food? Yelps rating were majority 4 star.
http://sheasriversideessex.com/menu/s...

[treb]

It's a completely different place from the old Tom Shea's days, IMO nowhere near the old place.

[m. mccullough]

I can't comment on the other days of the week, but their Sunday brunch is well worth a visit. A terrific view, outstanding food, attentive stafff and killer Bloody Marys. No kidding, we live nearby and have brunch there almost every week. I highly recommend it.

[Chris VR]

I've only been to Mildred's in Lynn (45 Lewis Street) once but we LOVED it. Really interesting selection of breakfast choices and a fantastic array of tea choices. It's small and there will probably be a wait, but it's worth it.

[Madrid]

might want to do a search/check out Five Corners Kitchen in Marblehead. I don't have personal experience, by Opinionatedchef and others have raved about it.

I live really near the Mount Vernon in Somerville and love it for all kinds of neighborhood reasons, but this would not be the place to take special guests, in my opinion.

[opinionatedchef]

YES! Five Corners has so many things going for it:
beautiful food (really luscious eggs benedict w/ house cured meats, some lovely unusual French pastries) ; light- filled open airy inviting space, friendly efficient service, exc bar (blueberry basil spritzers), easy parking. And it's located in the middle of what may be our state's most charming historic town,harbor and sailboats and all. Superb for an after- brunch walk or drive-around!

[treb]

Sugar Magnolia's in Gloucester is really good, you'll experience lines on the week-ends. Also, for a good comfort breakfast, Century House in Danvers is good and very reasonable. It's not noisey, so you can sit and catch up on life. Also, Mt Vernon in Somerville offers a Sunday Brunch as well as regular breakfast.

[fesenjan]

Depot Diner on 1A in Beverly is very popular. Not a foodie type place, but a great breakfast spot.

[donlan]

Wenham Tea House can't be beat. They recently (about a year ago?) reopened under new management.

I have yet to find better pancakes in the Boston area (and I eat many pancakes).

http://www.wenhamteahouse.com/