Written by Karen Pacifico
Photography by Donna Huffman

o you know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Despite the healthful benefits, breakfast may be the meal that is most often neglected or skipped. It doesn’t have to be fancy or traditional to meet nutritional needs...just focus on a blend of protein to keep your body going strong and carbohydrates will give that boost of energy to jumpstart your day.

If you’re looking to start your day with a delicious breakfast, stop and sit awhile in Walnuts Café. In fact, you can join owner John Briody and staff for delectable offerings for breakfast, lunch and Sunday Brunch.

If you like cheese, you may want to start your day with one of Chef John’s homemade omelets that offers a choice of cheeses, e.g., Aged Gouda, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack and others. But you may prefer to try the Oscar Omelet consisting of Jumbo Lump Crabmeat with asparagus and topped with Tomato Tarragon Hollandaise.

Other breakfast favorites include the Bluffton Benedict, Poached Eggs on Oak Leaf Ham & Biscuit topped with hollandaise, yummy Buttermilk Pancakes or Thick Sliced Sourdough French Toast. Two favorites that are offered as Daily Specials are the Bananas Foster French Toast and Almond Crusted French Toast. All egg breakfasts are served with Falls Mill Grits or Roasted Potatoes. Most dishes also are served with your choice of toast or a buttermilk biscuit.

Specials for the day vary with homemade soup, sandwich, salad or perhaps a hot special to please your palate. An option offered on the lunch menu is soup or salad & half sandwich. A particular favorite on the lunch menu is the Famous Thai Shrimp Salad, which consists of 5 Jumbo Shrimp lightly battered over Thai Slaw with Ginger Soy Dressing and Sweet Red Chili Sauce. On the Sunday Brunch menu this dish is the Tempura Shrimp Salad. Other favorites include the Chicken & Gouda Sandwich consisting of grilled chicken with sliced gouda, Apple Smoked Bacon and Tomato Tarragon Mayo on Cornmeal Kaiser Roll; Walnuts Signature Turkey Sandwich consisting of house roasted turkey breast with ginger pears, aged brie and spring mix on thick sliced wheat bread with Hellmann’s walnut mayo, and the Big City Corned Beef. So many folks love a good corned beef sandwich and this one is served with grilled sliced corned beef brisket on thick cut rye with baby Swiss and buttermilk slaw. All sandwiches are served with house fries, Chef John’s Mom’s potato salad or Kettle Chips and buttermilk slaw.

Donna opted for the Bluffton Benedict delighting in the textures and taste enjoyed with each bite. I opted for the Sourdough French Toast served with Vermont maple syrup and whipped butter and added apple wood smoked bacon. This was a real treat for me and a great way to start my day. Our compliments to Chef Johnny Highburger, our server Katherine Solano and Marti Heath for a fun filled, delicious way to jumpstart our day. Adding to our experience was wonderful conversation with a dear friend Nancy Wellard who does extraordinary work daily with the American Cancer Society. Donna and I both know Nancy and appreciated her warm sentiments about dining at Walnuts.

Others dining that morning appeared to enjoy the ambiance of the warm tones surrounding us and the staff was friendly and eager to please.

Consider Walnuts Café for your casual to elegant catering needs, holiday office parties or private events. They welcome the opportunity to work with you. And, of course, take-out is available.

So take the breakfast challenge to get up a little early (or not so early as breakfast is served weekdays until 11a.m.) and focus on fueling your body. You will have more energy for your fitness routines and your body will respond by maintaining a healthier weight throughout the year.

Walnuts Café
815-2877
The Village at Sheridan Park
Hours:
Monday through Friday:
Breakfast 8a.m. – 11a.m.
Lunch 11a.m. – 3p.m.
Hours Saturday: - 8a.m. – 2p.m.
Hours Sunday Brunch: 8:30 a.m. – 2p.m.