Brunch is one of my favorite meals of the day, so when my parents asked me where I wanted to go for my birthday, I couldn’t pick just one place.
Our first stop was Starbucks for a free caramel macchiato. Then we headed east to Diamond Head Market and Grill to pick up two blueberry cream cheese scones.
Coffee and a delicious pastry = my absolute favorite way to wake up in the morning.
Our final stop was just down the road at Bogart’s Cafe.
The eatery’s moved since my last visit. Though it’s still in the same tiny strip mall on Monsarrat Avenue, the space feels larger and brighter than the original. It’s also air-conditioned, which was welcome on this hot, balmy day.
I knew I wanted to get a breakfast bagel with scrambled egg, jack and cheddar cheese, spinach, tomato, and bacon. I love the combination, and the bagel itself has great texture and flavor.
We also ordered the loco moco, which comes with slivers of rib eye in a port wine reduction. The meat was tender, though not as generous as one might expect from a traditional loco moco. While the dish was rich, it didn’t feel heavy. This was a hit with the table.
Daniel got the Diamond Head club sandwich with avocado and sprouts. It was tasty, but not memorable.
Our unexpected favorite: Mama’s fried rice, which is made with mushrooms, asparagus, spinach, corn, and egg. The unusual mix of ingredients and flavors tastes more like what you would get at a teppanyaki restaurant, crispy bites of rice included. We found it incredibly addictive.
Unfortunately, I got scolded for bringing in my Starbucks coffee, but by that point, we had finished eating and were ready to leave.
Overall, Bogart’s Cafe is a solid choice for brunch, and the new space is a welcome change.
I just wish it wasn’t so stressful to find parking and fight for a table. Sadly, this seems to be the requisite for any decent brunch place in town.
