Paradise Cove Cafe is a small, unassuming breakfast & lunch spot that's punching way above its…read moreweight and scoring a whole bunch of knockouts. Located on Town Center Way, it's got the feel and look of most other diner/coffee shops, though the decor includes some beachy elements, I assume in a nod to the famous Paradise Cove empire in Malibu. Walking in, one might expect the usual breakfast suspects to look and taste as they usually do, but the folks in this kitchen are aiming for more and delivering the unexpected.
Service is swift and attentive, and our server, Jahlyn, made sure to check on us quite a bit. They've got a long list of Pancake and Waffle variations to choose from, many of which looked like something out of a Dr. Seuss book, but my wife went simple: a Buttermilk Pancake with Bacon. Okay, you can get this anywhere, but not THIS! The pancake was large and imposing, but light and fluffy while managing to have pleasingly crisp edges. The flavor smacked of vanilla, and blended nicely with butter and syrup, while the bacon had been slowly rendered before being fried, giving it a crispness throughout that even extended to the fat, which melted on the tongue and delivered maximum bacon-ocity!
I ordered the Chorizo Con Papas: eggs with homemade Pork Chorizo, Seasoned Home Fries, Sautéed Onion, & Serrano Peppers with Sour Cream on the side. I asked it be made as a scramble instead of an omelet, and they happily obliged. This was a terrific egg dish, perfectly executed and packed with flavor and spice. The homemade chorizo was lean and amply seasoned, while the sautéed onions and sliced Serrano peppers added a serious hit of heat. Sour cream was a nice, cooling foil for the richness and spice, and the potatoes added heft. Biscuits & Gravy served instead of toast were also phenomenal, the rich, flavorful sausage gravy having both a peppery punch and a slight tang from either citrus or sour cream. Paired with buttery biscuits, this was a very savory and satisfying side.
There's no question that this little nook is serving some of the very best breakfast in the area -- and no question that you should be planning your own visit very soon.