|
|
|
I have always loved getting a big breakfast at a diner. Sitting in a booth with friends, chowing down pancakes and eggs and getting endless cups of coffee is a great way to start the day.
So when Managing Editor Allison Cooper mentioned the breakfast spread at the Villager Restaurant and Diner in downtown Canandaigua, I knew I would have to check it out.
Local Editor Margaret Poe joined us for cups of joe at this friendly eatery, and you can be sure we’ll be going back soon.
The atmosphere
It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the dining room is spacious. Booths and tables fill the rooms, and it’s large enough that you don’t feel you’re sitting on top of your neighbor.
The regulars hold down fort and keep the wait staff entertained; patrons seem relaxed and the staff was friendly and accomodating without being smothering, which can often happen at a diner.
Although the interior decorating could use an update, it was a comfortable restaurant to eat in.
The food
We went for breakfast (which is served all day), but the Villager also cooks up dinner entrees and lunch staples. The breakfast menu is expansive — covering the pancake, waffle and egg bases — but not so large it makes your head spin.
I honed in on the California French Toast ($5.59). It’s six slices of cinnamon swirl bread (the menu says three slices). They look like small cinnamon buns, and taste similar to an unglazed donut.
I was happy to see that granulated cinnamon sugar, rather than powdered, had been sprinkled on top. I’m glad I skipped the syrup, because by the fifth piece I was starting to feel a little overloaded on the sugar. It was certainly a sweet treat, so it might be better for brunch.
Allison ordered the Eggs Benedict ($6.59): two poached eggs, Canandian bacon with hollandaise sauce. She liked the fact the Villager deep-fried the hashbrowns upon request (try it, it’s fantastic), and she was impressed with the hollandaise sauce. The English muffin was a little underdone and didn’t hold up as well under the eggs and sauce, but overall the dish was really good.
Margaret got the Georgian Belgian Waffle ($4.99). The waffle had pecans inside with peaches and whipped cream topping. She really liked it, especially since the waffle was crispy and not soggy, even beneath the toppings. We all agreed it could have used more peaches and whipped cream (and maybe fresh fruit instead of canned).
I have always loved getting a big breakfast at a diner. Sitting in a booth with friends, chowing down pancakes and eggs and getting endless cups of coffee is a great way to start the day.
So when Managing Editor Allison Cooper mentioned the breakfast spread at the Villager Restaurant and Diner in downtown Canandaigua, I knew I would have to check it out.
Local Editor Margaret Poe joined us for cups of joe at this friendly eatery, and you can be sure we’ll be going back soon.
The atmosphere
It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the dining room is spacious. Booths and tables fill the rooms, and it’s large enough that you don’t feel you’re sitting on top of your neighbor.
The regulars hold down fort and keep the wait staff entertained; patrons seem relaxed and the staff was friendly and accomodating without being smothering, which can often happen at a diner.
Although the interior decorating could use an update, it was a comfortable restaurant to eat in.
The food
We went for breakfast (which is served all day), but the Villager also cooks up dinner entrees and lunch staples. The breakfast menu is expansive — covering the pancake, waffle and egg bases — but not so large it makes your head spin.
I honed in on the California French Toast ($5.59). It’s six slices of cinnamon swirl bread (the menu says three slices). They look like small cinnamon buns, and taste similar to an unglazed donut.
I was happy to see that granulated cinnamon sugar, rather than powdered, had been sprinkled on top. I’m glad I skipped the syrup, because by the fifth piece I was starting to feel a little overloaded on the sugar. It was certainly a sweet treat, so it might be better for brunch.
Allison ordered the Eggs Benedict ($6.59): two poached eggs, Canandian bacon with hollandaise sauce. She liked the fact the Villager deep-fried the hashbrowns upon request (try it, it’s fantastic), and she was impressed with the hollandaise sauce. The English muffin was a little underdone and didn’t hold up as well under the eggs and sauce, but overall the dish was really good.
Margaret got the Georgian Belgian Waffle ($4.99). The waffle had pecans inside with peaches and whipped cream topping. She really liked it, especially since the waffle was crispy and not soggy, even beneath the toppings. We all agreed it could have used more peaches and whipped cream (and maybe fresh fruit instead of canned).
The drinks
Allison ordered a glass of milk, and had the waitress bring it out with the food, rather than with the other beverages, which was a great idea. Margaret had coffee (free refills) and I had my version of coffee: Diet Pepsi (free refills). I eyed the milkshakes, but thought better of it.
Next time
Margaret and I both want to try the Bacon and Eggs Belgian Waffle ($4.99) when we return. It comes with two eggs on top, and bacon in the middle, and sounds like the perfect way to start a day.
Last thoughts
Diners serve up comfort food, and you can’t go wrong with a great breakfast. With portion sizes that didn’t overstuff and a menu that didn’t overwhelm, the Villager is a great place to head to when your morning routine just won’t cut it.
