A couple weeks ago Sam and I went out for breakfast. I love the Highland Park area of St. Paul so we decided to head in that direction. My Foursquare app suggested Highland Café and Bakery. Highland Café is located in a little strip mall on Ford Parkway. It looked really tiny from the outside and I was a little hesitant going in but I was willing to give it a try. When we walked through the doors I was shocked by how large the space actually was. The place was packed and buzzing with energy. We were immediately greeted by the hostess and escorted to a sunny little booth right by the window.

Within seconds our server is at our table with a mile-wide grin and an enthusiastic “Good Morning!”. After chatting with us for a minute he zips off to get Sam his coffee and my hot cocoa, extra whipped cream of course. Sam and I knew exactly what we wanted and were able to place our order when I drink arrived. As I glanced around the café I noticed my neighbor Deb bring some people to a new table. A few minutes later I noticed her daughter and my childhood friend Stephie waiting on another table, when her little brother Mattie started bussing tables it finally clicked! This must be their family restaurant that I have been hearing about for years. I was instantly more excited to be here and try the food that comes from the same place as Deb’s amazing chocolate cake that she brings by my parent’s house every once in a while.

We have our food delivered within about ten minutes of ordering and holy cow!!!!! The plates are huge and they are not shy with the hollandaise sauce on my Eggs Commodore (same as eggs benny but using sausage instead), these are my kind of chefs! Sam ordered the Cajun Breakfast, which consisted of two eggs topped with sautéed onions, mushrooms and peppers smothered in their awesome hollandaise sauce. Although everything tasted amazing we were barely able to get through half our plates. We were more than happy to bring leftovers home for later though.

When we finished eating I took the opportunity to chat with my neighbors, it was so nice to catch up with them, it had been a few years since we last saw each other. I was so happy to see their restaurant doing so well, and after eating there its no shock why. The entire staff was so friendly and relaxed and the food was outstanding. Highland Café and Bakery is the perfect neighborhood gem where everyone around town comes to gather and enjoy a meal together. For more information about Highland Café and Bakery check out their website.