Review: Half Day Cafe

My dear friend Abby is getting married in a few weeks, and I have the honor of being in her wedding. On Saturday, I had to go over to Bridal and Formal in Reading to pick up my (admittedly lovely) bridesmaid's dress. I was slightly nervous-- let's just say I ordered the dress before I started the food blog-- but everything turned out great, and I look quite smashing in the dress (if I do say so myself). Terry was brave and came with me into the inner sanctum of femininity-- the bridal shop. He came out unscathed. So that we didn't drive all the way to Reading for just a dress, we stopped in Wyoming and tried Half Day Cafe.

Tea, please?

Half Day Cafe is one of those breakfast places. You know the ones-- breakfast, lunch and brunch. This one's only open Monday through Saturday-- closed Sunday. I think they're missing some prime opportunities being closed Sunday, but it works for them.

I got the egg strata with bacon, gorgonzola, egg bread, rosemary and orange zest. It came out looking and smelling delicious-- crispy and golden with a waft of rosemary. When I took my first bite, I tasted no gorgonzola, no rosemary, and little bacon. All I tasted was orange zest. I totally get the idea they were going for, but there is far too much orange zest. I've definitely decided that I do not like orange with my eggs. It's not often that rosemary, a pretty pungent herb, is overwhelmed by anything. Gorgonzola is a fairly strong cheese, and I couldn't taste it at all. I definitely wouldn't order it again. The tiny little lemon-poppyseed muffin was cute, but I didn't taste any lemon in the bite I took. The potatoes were undercooked (to the point of being raw in some spots) and overly seasoned with rosemary. The individual pots are a great idea, and I definitely get what they're going for, but the seasoning was just terribly off.

Terry got the Almond Cinnamon stuffed french toast and a side of applewood smoked bacon. Applewood smoked bacon must be in-- this is the second meal in a row that involved it. The french toast was great-- crispy on the outside, custardy on the inside-- though it could have used a little bit more filling in the center. I wonder if the ricotta stuffing was too runny, so they used less of it? I've seen other places use marscapone to a rich, creamy effect-- that might make for a better stuffing. However, the flavors were great and balanced.

I'll definitely go back-- I want to try the mango butter rum french toast sometime. However, they need to work on their savory flavors-- sweet and savory can go to better, but some balance would make the egg strata better.