For locals, breakfast in Las Vegas can get a little tedious. Not that there's anything dull about eateries like the Egg & I, the Omelet House, the Original Pancake House or the Coffee Pub. These are great places to fuel up and face the day, and the food they offer is tremendous in terms of taste and, yes, portions. But sometimes visiting the same place over and over again becomes grating, and you long to wander from your usual haunts.
In which case, Liberty Watch has a couple of small-business recommendations for you, dear reader. They're located on the stretch of Eastern Avenue between Sahara and Desert Inn, and each offers a different menu and vibe.
Brewed Awakenings has enjoyed success at the corner of Eastern and Sahara avenues for at least four years now, and it's easy to see why. With large storefront windows that allow plenty of sunlight, the coffee house offers the warmest and most inviting atmosphere of breakfast place in Vegas. The atmosphere is also due to the art (created by local artists) that decorates the walls and lines the shelves. Most of the art (paintings and ceramics) is for sale, and does much to brighten one's mood first thing in the morning.
But the real work of art here is the menu. Sure, there are plenty of healthy options for the sandal-wearing granola inside of you, like the large plain oatmeal with raisin, banana and walnut ($3.75) and the low-fat strawberry yogurt plate with apples, bananas and oranges ($3.50). And they are, in fact, wonderful! But for those of us who need eggs and carbs for breakfast, there are some great sandwiches and pastries: pumpkin muffin with vegan tofu cream cheese ($2.50), for instance. Or the "Mama Baby," an open-faced bagel with tomato, onion, turkey and pepper jack ($6.50).
A particular highlight is the egg, sausage and cheese croissant ($3.50). The meat is real, not processed, and the croissant is flaky and soft without being butter-loaded. (Greasy fingers after a breakfast sandwich are revolting, people!) It's an item that has the right amount of protein and fat to make you feel refreshed and chipper rather than McEngorged and McDepressed. It comes with fresh fruit and you can substitute veggie sausage and an English muffin, if you're so inclined. Order it with a "bicerin," an Italian concoction of espresso, dark chocolate, and chilled cream ($2.50 single, $3.50 double).
Get online and check your e-mail while you're at it, since Brewed Awakenings offers free wi-fi.
Let's face it, though. Not all of us like getting up in the morning. Sometimes we want to bask in our bad mood with a cup of angry caffeine and a diner breakfast. If that happens to be the side of the bed you woke on, then we've got the perfect spot: The Coachman's Inn.
Indeed, it's always 3 a.m. in the Coachman's. We're talking dark mahogany, dark leather, dark everything. If you need to disappear for a day (or evening), this is the place to do it in. The Bloody Marys ($5) are brutal and spicy, the diner-quality Spanish omelet ($7.95) is super-greasy, and the coffee ($1.50) is as black as Dick Cheney's soul.
The friendly service in the morning hours borders on the surreal. The bartender doubles as your waiter, and he's here every sunrise, which marks the end of his graveyard shift. He will ask you to repeat your order three times, claiming brain damage. He will tell you about his nephew, who is beautiful. He will playfully yell at the chef for taking too long. And then he will ask you for your order again.
But it's all in good fun, and why not? After all, the reason you're here is to stew in the absurdity of life. And like the best dramas - say, Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot - it takes two to hash out the meaningless of it all.
So, there you have it: A little light and a dash of darkness. Choose well, Liberty Watch reader.
Brewed Awakening is located at 2305 E. Sahara Ave., Suite F, at Eastern, between Food 4 Less and Sahara Camera Center. Call 702-457-7050 for more info. The Coachman's Inn is located at 3240 S. Eastern Ave. just north of Desert Inn. Call 702-731-4202. LW
