Simon Sips (great coffee in the morning)

I had a great breakfast at Simon Sips last week.  The owner, Simon Mammon, had opened several Simon Sips in the late 90s but closed them to start designing engagement rings.  Well, he must have been craving a good cup of coffee because earlier this year, he decided to dive back into the cafe business.  The space - converted into a sunny little atrium in the original Tasting Room locale - is inviting and bright.  NPR was on as the barista did a brisk business selling Counter Culture coffee drinks to people on their way to work.

I sat down and opted for a longer, larger brekkers.  Simon was on hand to walk me through a little roster of tasties. 

Among my favorites were the bacon, fontina, fig bread pudding.  A new dish to the menu, this creation is something that his baker, Ronna Welsh, has recently cooked up.  It was superb.  It's the kind of breakfast that I could nibble on all morning.   Great flavors and textures.  Bacon from Despaña. I imagine it'd be sublime if heated up a little.

Everyone has been raving about the quiche - which I really liked - but I preferred the simple Russ & Daughters smoked salmon on the Sullivan Street steca bread.  Slathered with just the right amount of cream cheese, the whole sammy is a soft, springy pillow of the Jewish Lower East Side.

I also was very impressed by the various cakes that I brought home with me.  Fennel cake was an angel food-like consistency but had a much more complex, refreshing taste.  The fig bar was like the best fig newton you'll never have.  Double cream cake is rich enough to be a dessert after dinner but light enough to be the ideal accompaniment to coffee.  I felt the same way about the apple semolina bread pudding.  It was rich but maintained a breakfast quality to it nonetheless.  The currant spice bread would be great for those who enjoy milky tea.  And the granola is a clustered mix of nuts and seeds - good for munching at the office. 

Simon Sips seems like the epitome of breakfast cafe to me.  But just when I was set on this identity, Simon told me about lunch and dinner.  Looks like I'll need to revisit.