A Relaxed Sunday Breakfast

Rafael's
32 West Main Street
Westminster, MD 21157
http://www.rafaelsrestaurant.com/
410-840-1919

 

I used to enjoy lunch at Rafael's quite regularly when my employment was in Westminster. The sandwiches were great but since retiring I admit I've unintentionally dropped this fine restaurant from my those I haunt for lunch with friends.

 

Debbie and I have traditionally only had breakfast on Sunday mornings at home but lately I've struggled with poaching the eggs just so and the cats have become begging pests so we decided to try going out to Westminster and let someone else fret over the Hollandaise sauce. Well forgedabout the likes of Denny's and Bob Evan's, where they don't employ cooks anymore, just microwave masters. McDonald's has a fine Egg McMuffin if that's your sort of thing - they are currently rebuilding a new store on their old site to handle the volume. Chic fil A has good sausage gravy on biscuits on weekdays but Sunday is verboten for them. Harry's  too is now closed on Sunday. Johansson's advertises a "brunch" but doesn't open to 10 AM and a brunch is more than we want.

 

We noticed some commotion down the block from Johansson's at Rafael's and sure enough they serve a full, regular breakfast menu on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 AM to 1 PM. Parking nearby is easy and we were immediately shown to a nice table in their rustic dining room. Coffee was quickly served and it's the real stuff - not some over roasted Starbucks confection but a full flavored breakfast blend.

 

The menu is quite complete with many egg specialties, pancakes and French toast. Meat choices include bacon, sausages, a kabob of bacon and sausage in a maple sauce glaze and, praise the lord, scrapple. Debbie loves French Toast but never prepares it for herself at home. I admit to loving the lush life on Sunday mornings and am addicted to Eggs Benedict any chance I can order them. Rafael's specializes in four Eggs Benedict preparations but I am quite pleased with their traditional approach which includes a yummy Hollandaise sauce, plenty of Canadian bacon, perfectly poached eggs and some grilled red skin potatoes on the side.

 



It appears that breakfast at Rafael's is no local secret as they are doing a good turn of business when we go there. Service is punctual. No one objects if you read the Sunday papers over your meal.

 

I heartily recommend you try Rafael's for breakfast, lunch and dinner but the weekend breakfast has become a very welcome, relaxing way to start the day for us and I can't imagine anyone being disappointed.