Craving a non-chain breakfast before going about the rest of our day, my girlfriend and I recently took in the sights, sounds and tastes of the now-modernized Lakeside Shopping Center and their cavernous breakfast spot, Belle’s Kitchen, 7509 N. May.
I have been trying to do more breakfast restaurants for the past few weeks, and something about pairing homestyle doughnuts and well-to-do eggs – both of the non-Dunkin’ variety – seemed appealing, and Belle's definitely had us covered.
Coming in around ten o’clock in the morning, the inside of the restaurant was large and spacious, with an industrial rustic coffee shop motif. Two customers were snacking on a pair of colorful macarons– the bakery's signature French treats that I honestly don't think I've ever tried.
After looking over the menu, we submitted our orders at the counter.
With my girlfriend’s dietary restrictions, the No Carb Breakfast ($7.00) was on the top of her bill, with the basic outline of scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and dressed arugula. With an iced oat milk Latte ($4.25) with sugar-free vanilla syrup to wash it down, she was on her way to a great breakfast.
The latte was very tasty but, for her, the breakfast was precisely what she needed to brave the day going forward. Sure, it might seem a little “high school cafeteria” in the way it was presented, but either way, it was filling and nutritious.
While she was digesting that, I was chowing down on the very impressive Breakfast Cuban ($8.00). Like a flaming ball of Cuban fury, the breakfast sandwich contained pulled pork, scrambled eggs, mozzarella cheese, and a dollop of salsa, all on a homemade ciabatta bun.
Ring the belle. This is where it's at.
The toxic mixture of steaming pulled pork and perfectly scrambled eggs was incredibly rich and exquisite, while the homemade ciabatta roll served as a phenomenal delivery vehicle.
As I stuffed the sandwich in my mouth, meat sweats formed on my brow like I was walking the streets of Havanna at night. This is a top-of-the-line sandwich, and best of all, it's available for only a few bucks.
With my breakfast nearly done, I decided to sample a homemade macaron and fresh doughnut to ease me out.
The Red Velvet ($2.00) macaron, with its somewhat crunchy bite was, simply okay. It was like a sweeter, but less holy, communion wafer. Maybe I didn’t “get” the right one. On the other hand, the Hibiscus ($2.00) flavored doughnut was truly heavenly, packing the right amount of sugar and spice.
With a distracting sip of my Golden Latte ($4.25) — egad, the turmeric milk be damned! — the doughnut was a veritable treasure to exploit and, hopefully soon, I will try another.
But no matter the time, you've got to try this Breakfast Cuban, papi. Aye-ai-ai!
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Follow Louis Fowler on Instagram at @louisfowler78.
