Having breakfast, lunch or brunch at Jacquie’s Café in Carmel is an absolute treat, no matter what the occasion.
My husband and I, always on the lookout for locally owned restaurants, took my parents there this past weekend. The place is tucked away just north of 96th and Michigan intersection on the west side of the road. 9840 N. Michigan Rd., to be precise.
My 88-year-old father was delighted with the personal attention and lighthearted banter he received from our most accommodating waiter, Graylan.
A lifelong fan of Corned Beef Hash, Dad zoomed in on this item on the menu and was not disappointed with his order. He enjoyed the hollandaise sauce and fresh avocado over a very generous hunk of tender corned beef. There was nothing left on his plate ten minutes after ordering.
Mom chose the house-made Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, so I had to choose something else, darn it. (Good thing she likes to share!) She pronounced the lemon curd “delicious and not over the top, lemon-wise,” and the ricotta cheese base, “light and fluffy.” Although I think she may have taken that wording directly from the menu, I had a bite, and had to agree.
My husband, ever the basic eater, went for the Farm House Breakfast. The roasted rosemary potatoes were a perfect side to his two over-easy locally sourced eggs, bacon, AND organic sausage.
I have to say that deciding between the Eggs Benedict and the Leige Belgium Waffle was not an easy decision. I went with the waffle, and was delighted with my choice. My only disappointment was that I had to share bites with my husband and mother because the presentation was so divine. (Lucky for me, my father was too busy gobbling down his corned beef to ask for a sample).
Did I mention the coffee? Organic and freshly ground, it was just what good coffee should be; deep, rich and flavorful. Oh, and bottomless, too, which all four of us tested multiple times.
Looking around the café, there were lots of regulars, ordering their favorite things. There was a nice easy buzz of pleasant voices around us.
Since we ate our breakfasts much too quickly, we focused on the bakery case before we left. Six layered carrot cake called to me. Coffee cake went home with my husband. Mom and Dad agreed to split a fine piece of rich chocolate cake at home. However, my Dad swears he never got a chance to taste the piece they were supposed to split.
I’ll be back for lunch (11 am – 2 pm) sometime very soon.
I gotta try that Eggs Benedict!
