First Meal: Cafe Soleil

Welcome to our first official El Sobrante restaurant visit!

We hit up Cafe Soleil on a Monday morning.  What better way to kick off the week?

Here's the scoop.

Vanessa:  The room is much more masculine than I imagined:  brick walls, metal chairs, and concrete floors.  Concrete floors make me sad for the service staff that has to walk over them all day.  I hope they've all invested in a nice pair of supportive shoes.

Service is gracious, friendly, and thoughtful.  I ordered a Spanish omelet, which comes with a filling of chicken or beef, and when I asked for a vegetarian version, the server suggested that I add avocado in place of the meat.  A small but savvy move on her part.

I ordered mint tea and was served two packets of Stash Moroccan mint green tea, a mug of hot water, and another small pitcher of hot water.  That does not go unappreciated by this avid tea drinker.

The three-egg omelet is massive.  I ditched the toast and asked for extra hash browns, and I ended up with the equivalent of about seven shredded potatoes on my plate.  This is not a complaint;  this is a gift from the potato gods.

I did not love the jarred-tasting salsa nor the fact that it (and the sour cream) came pre-portioned in little plastic cups, but the food was hearty and tasty and enough for two meals. 

The restaurant was full of regulars, which is always a nice thing to see.  There were a couple of groups of men who looked like life-long buddies, and there was a younger group of friends who chatted amiably behind us.  I always appreciate a welcoming neighborhood vibe.  And lots of potatoes and tea.

My omelet of considerable giganticness complete with slabs of hash browns. 

Chicken-fried steak with all the trimmings.

tonyB:  From the outside I thought this would be the typical white-walled cafe. Turns out the minute I opened the door, we came upon a large, open space with about 15 tables and counter seating.  Though not as intimate as a small diner, the darker interior motif felt comfortable.  As Dr. Phil played on the big screen (next to framed Certificates of Appreciation from the El Sobrante Boys and Girls Club), I got a real sense that this is THE place the locals come for grub. For a Monday morning, there was a steady stream of patrons.

[Vanessa: I sat facing another big screen on the opposite wall where the Wendy Williams show was on.  I know nothing about her except that her wardrobe people make absolutely no effort to play down her expansive chest. It was hard not to stare.]

I ordered the Chicken Fried Steak. Usually, for me, CFS really boils down to one thing: the gravy. I have to say that my CFS gravy was good-- in fact, pretty darn good. Dotted with little bits of ham, the gravy had an almost smoky taste-- maybe a bit salty though.  Over-easy eggs with sourdough toast accompanied the CFS and was pretty standard.  Coffee was a little weak, but refills were offered frequently.  The wait staff were awesome and attentive.

Overall, for my first restaurant breakfast in El Sob in some 30-odd years, I find the atmosphere and food of Cafe Soleil good enough to make me want to come back. Soon.

[Vanessa:  Soon, but not before we hit up all the other restaurants in town!]

Cafe Soleil is on top of its social media deals.

Considering the options on the lengthy menu.