Cafe 906 - 5 Stars

Looking for a new place to try? Cafe 906 is the place to go! Authentic, charming, and delicious; I have not been disappointed yet.

What to eat, what to try? It is definitely hard to choose once you step in the door! They offer many different choices from crepes, omelettes, croissants, quiches, eclairs to lunch choices like soup, salads, and sandwiches. Want a good cup of Joe to accompany your breakfast or sweet? They have great coffee...or mimosas. 

             Croque Madame                 Eclair with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc

Service is also great. The owners and staff have always been friendly and helpful when it comes to deciding on new things. They have even offered to do Gluten Free choices again, once a month, for people like my mom who have Celiac Disease. 

And best of all, you cannot beat the view! Outside seating offers a great view of Lake Baldwin. When the weather is right, outside is the place to sit!

Cafe 906 is a great place for breakfast, lunch, dessert, or brunch...to stop in alone, pick up to go, or enjoy with friends or family. Located in downtown Baldwin Park, it will quickly become a favorite, just give it a try. Don't forget to mention Local Girl sent you! Bon Appetite!

      Paris Crepe                                          Almond Croissants

For more information or for updates check out their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cafe-906/253770161327543

The Briarpatch- 5 Stars

Have you been to Briarpatch in Winter Park yet? If your answer is no, then here is why you should. It has been a fav of mine to visit for breakfast, brunch, or just lunch for a long time now...I'd say about 6 years.

Sticky bun...yes!

Sticky buns, coffee, eggs, bacon, grits, omelettes, waffles, pancakes, french toast...Oh My! There's so much to choose from for breakfast, you won't be able to try just one thing. I personally love their sticky buns with a good cup of coffee; there is nothing better to start off a Saturday or Sunday morning with. But, if you prefer a full breakfast, then their omelettes are really good and definitely more than enough to satisfy your craving. Or maybe you feel like eggs, grits, fried green tomatoes and bacon...delicious as well. I found myself eating my friend's grits even though my omelette was sitting right in front of me unfinished. But, I am a country girl at heart, so grits are a must when eating breakfast. The Raspberry and Brie Stuffed French Toast is always another great option. You won't leave a bite on the plate! Whatever you choose, you will leave "fat and happy!"

Looking for lunch instead, I would recommend their burger. But if you like it medium well, make sure to say well done (but not burnt) because the beef they use (Wagyu Beef from Snake River Farm) cooks differently than regular beef. But it is delicious and really good! They also have great options for salads with a unique blend of fruit, nuts, protein and greens. Or maybe you are looking for a sandwich? Well, have no fear, they have plenty of great options there too! Grilled Chicken Breast, Corned Beef Reuben, Three Cheese Grill, Turkey, Brie, & Raspberry Croissant...Yum is all I have to say to that! Their menu offers many great choices for lunch.

Stop in and give Briarpatch a try sometime! While you are there, make sure to save room for dessert or some of their Homemade ice cream! These have to be tried, otherwise you will leave forgetting to try something amazing!

Located off Park Ave in Winter Park, it is a happening place, so you may want to go at an off time for breakfast or lunch. Or you can be like me, just wait, because it is worth the wait. Don't forget to mention Local Girl sent you!

Want more information or a chance to see the menu before stopping in, check them out on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thebriarpatchrestaurant?rf=172885909437805

Eggs, grits, bacon and fried green tomatoes or...an omelette with toast and potatoes, it isn't easy to choose! 

903 Mills Market- 4.5 Stars

Hidden local gems are my favorite places to find, and 903 Mills Market is definitely one. It is tucked away in a beautiful neighborhood on S. Mills Ave. Whether you choose to plan your visit or just stop by on the fly, it is a great place.

Neighbors are lucky to have this place so close! Right in their backyard, they have a place with great food, beer, and a great view. People say that after you visit once, you will continue to go back again and again. Well, that is definitely true. All it took was once to get me hooked! The first time I went, I fell in love. Now whenever I am planning to go out after a race, bike ride, or just to enjoy a meal out on the weekend, 903 is always an option I throw out!

The 903 Breakfast Bowl is my favorite for breakfast. It is the perfect combination all mixed together: eggs, sausage, potatoes, and cheese, (onions and peppers also included)...mouth watering good! For lunch or even dinner, my favorite go to is now the Johnny Apple Jack Wrap. Hot roasted turkey, bacon, and pepper jack cheese, with sweet apple butter all in a wheat wrap (also comes with caramelized onions), it will bring a smile of happiness to your face! But those are just two of my favs. When it comes to food, they have a plethora of choices for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, depending on your craving. From bagels, to pancakes, to breakfast pizza, or flatbreads, to wraps or sandwiches, to salads, their menu is not disappointing. Their food is delicious.

The staff is also very nice. I have never had a bad experience. I have been when it was pouring outside and when they were busy; the staff both times were nothing but helpful and nice.

If you are looking for a little breakfast stop during the week, brunch with mimosas, a cute place to stop on a bike ride or walk, or maybe you are looking for a place to enjoy a quiet lunch or dinner with friends (and maybe a beer)...903 Mills Market is that place.

It is a great place, just give it a try once. Then like me, you will find yourself going back again and again. It's name is it's address. Your stomach won't be disappointed! Don't forget to tell them Local Girl loves them and sent you.

Johnny Apple Jack Wrap (and a Mimosa)

View of the outside seating area while hiding from the rain. Great stop on a bike ride (even on a rainy day)!

For more information or to check out their delicious menu stop by their website: http://903millsmarketcafe.com/ or you can stop by their page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/903-Mills-Market/62625427520?id=62625427520&sk=info.

White Wolf Cafe- 3.5-4 Stars

White Wolf Cafe is amazing! Everything I have tried, I have enjoyed! It is one of my favorite breakfast places...but it also has a great lunch and dinner menu. It is located on North Orange Avenue near Lake Ivanhoe. Every time I have gone, I never have had leftovers because the food is so good. :) You should definitely visit if you've never been!

I first started going probably about 3 years ago. I went with friends after a 5K in Winter Park. It was delicious! The choices on the menu all looked so good I had a hard time choosing, ha. After running your appetite is big so I was excited to eat there. They are known for their cinnamon rolls and so of course I had to get one that day. It was awesome! I ate one there and then left with a box of half a dozen for my two roommates (and maybe another one for me later). The breakfast was really tasty! Overall it was a great first visit and they definitely sold me on the place!

Egg, cheese, turkey bacon sandwich

Since my first experience I have been back to White Wolf many, many times. I have had breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some of the things I have enjoyed on their breakfast menu are cinnamon rolls, different egg breakfast meals, biscuits & gravy, french toast, breakfast sandwiches, and pancakes. Everything has been very good! I really love their cinnamon rolls (as I've mentioned before) and biscuits & gravy. They also have great mimosas to enjoy with breakfast (or brunch).

I have been for lunch and dinner a few times. One time I met my mom for lunch. I was happy to see that they had gluten free options because my mom has Celiac Disease, which means she cannot eat gluten. Gluten free choices are becoming a necessity with restaurants because people like my mom cannot go out to eat much if there are no gluten free meals. The few times I have been for lunch and dinner the food was really good. I really like their Fresh Fish Sandwich...it's delicious! But looking at their menu again, I definitely need to try a few more things that have caught my eye lately.

My cousin's meal (Caprese Sandwich)

White Wolf Cafe really is a great place. The atmosphere is neat and inviting! They have all kinds of cool decorations inside and a great outside eating area as well. The service has always been really good, I've never left unhappy. I even got to meet one of the owners the last time I went! I have been for breakfast after a race, breakfast with a friend, brunch on Sunday with friends, lunch with family, and even dinner on a date...it really is a neat place for any occasion or meal. Oh, and when you go, make sure (girls) to stop by the bathroom because they have really awesome hand salts to try when washing your hands. :)

So...if you've never been, give it a try! You will definitely be pleased, taste buds and all. If you happen to go for brunch on Sunday, there may be a wait. Just stop by their new place next door and have a mimosa or bloody mary while you wait. Enjoy!

Website for more information! http://www.whitewolfcafe.com/

My cousin and I with the owner, Michael (we visited while on a bike ride)

Mimosas!

OLV in SODO - 3 Stars (due to lack of consistent schedule)

OLV is a really great place to eat, drink, and be merry! I love this place for brunch or dinner. If you have never been to OLV, then you are definitely missing out! I have been many times and keep going back for more.

So to begin... here is my OLV journey. I first went probably about a little less than a year ago. A friend of mine invited me to join him. My first thought was what is this place? With it being in the SODO area I was kind of shocked I had never been or heard of it before. I trusted my friend's opinion of course. I really liked it. I went for dinner and just really enjoyed the place. It was quiet and clean inside. They also have several wines to choose from to add to your dinner (Yum!). I had a flatbread (don't remember which one due to it being so long ago) and definitely remember liking it a lot. I also had a glass of wine...a delicious white wine. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful. Overall, my first experience was really good. I went home telling people about OLV and then got responses like, yeah it's a really great place and their brunch is amazing! How was I out of the loop being such a foodie?

Delicious assortment at brunch

I decided I needed to go back to try out their "amazing" brunch (my cousin's response after my first visit). I went with a Meetup group of girls. We were a party of about 10 people and our table was outside. For us being such a big party, the staff was very nice and helpful. Brunch is amazing! So many choices for food and mimosa juices. I was so excited about being able to choose the juice I wanted to make my mimosa with. The even better part is it is all you can drink mimosas (or champagne if you just prefer champagne). Yum! Then I even found out I could order stuffed french toast...yum again! I was definitely pleased with brunch and so was my palate with all the delicious flavors I enjoyed. After that I haven't stopped going for brunch and you won't either once you try it!

The next couple of times I went, I again enjoyed the different choices of juices. A couple juices I have used are orange juice, cranberry, peach, and pear, but of course there are many other choices as well. I have even gotten creative the last few times and mixed a couple juices together to make my mimosas. I also noticed that they change the french toast. How often I don't know, but it is nice to try the different kinds of stuffed french toast. I have had strawberry cream cheese, pumpkin spice (or maybe it was pumpkin cream cheese), and regular cream cheese stuffed french toast. I always get the french toast because it is a fav of mine. And when you go to OLV it isn't about trying to be healthy so I indulge.

Great outside seating!

Each time I have gone, the service has been really good and the staff has been really nice and helpful. The last couple of times I have gone, I realized I could ask for strawberries even though they didn't have them out on the buffet table. I was definitely pleased that they accommodated my love for strawberries since I'm not a melon, pineapple, or cantaloupe fan (the fruit they've had out the last few times). All in all, OLV is a great place and a great deal for the price!

A couple neat and important things you should know before you go to brunch are... 1) Call and make a reservation for brunch before you decide to go (a day before is good for a small group) because it is a busy place on Sundays. 2) They have a live DJ there for brunch on Sundays and it can get loud outside with the speakers and music, but you can request a table inside or away from the speakers. 3) It is a popular place and can get pretty crowded on Sundays. 4) You should definitely go with an empty stomach and big appetite. AND 5) Enjoy yourself and the mimosa bar!  If you want to check out their menus or find more information about OLV before you go, I have included the website below. They also have other specials throughout the week that you can check out on their website. So...get a friend, boyfriend, husband, girlfriend, family, or a group together and experience OLV!

Website: http://olvcafe.com/

*Update: OLV is currently not open at the same times/days they used to be. I have tried to go once on the weekend and it wasn't open. Their website says they are open certain times and they aren't. You need to call them before you go to see if they are open! I unfortunately do not go anymore due to their inconsistent schedule. Once they can get everything worked out, I might go back. What they are going through is sad because they definitely had a good thing going a while ago.

A couple brunch pictures:

Strawberry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast and...

Another picture of the choices on the buffet table

 

The Yummy Juice/Mimosa Bar!