By the Secret Diner –
From my last review, did you figure out where Mrs. Secret Diner and I dined? We were at the Two Trees Restaurant and Taps at 7822 Telegraph Rd, Ventura. Do give them a try. Tell them The Secret Diner sent you.
Now for my latest review – can you figure out where we ate breakfast?
A starry night gave way to a spectacular Sunday morning – brilliant sunshine and, for the moment anyway, just the softest breath of wind. As we walked an especially bohemian neighborhood of Ventura, we breathed in the smell of baking bread and roasting coffee. Shop owners spun closed signs to open and greeted shoppers who walked hand-in-hand contemplating the day’s choices. Mrs. Secret Diner asked if we could go see the kitties in the pet groomers window. We said hi to our favorites, giggled at a pink chicken! and noticed just how much bunnies poop.
The same block on the other side of the street offered up two breakfast spots, and each that morning equally lay. The first, an often talked and written about mainstay, had diners already queued up and waiting. We chose the cafe less traveled and… well, you know.
Approaching our restaurant from the west, we noticed a mural, a Van Gogh replica that most must surely miss in their haste to work or some other urgent destination. Likewise, we are certain, many walk right past our breakfast spot in hopes of an early slot on the waitlist up the block. For one, the yellow bungalow looks more like a residence than a restaurant. A covered, wrap-around porch offers outdoor seating at a scattering of four and two-top tables. Addition al seating is available inside. We selected a shady spot outside and started to contemplate our order.
Our server poured steaming coffee into blue-brimmed, ceramic cups deep enough to keep three or four gulps of coffee hot. You will visit many places before having coffee this good, and you might not find another after any better. The roast coats your tongue without tasting burnt, and our server never let a cup dip below half full. On our first refill we ordered. I went for the chorizo skillet, eggs over easy, and a half order of biscuits and gravy. Mrs. Secret Diner ordered the chicken fried steak, eggs over medium, hash browns, and a warm slice of banana bread. She also couldn’t resist a pineapple mimosa which came with a wedge of pineapple garnish.
Our selection was not easy, and we did not take the choice lightly. The menu offers both savory and sweet choices, classics like bacon and eggs, and a favorites menu with options like eggs benedict or chilaquiles. Mrs. Diner’s dad, my father-in-law, is loyal to the classics: black coffee, bacon and eggs. He’s a don’t-fix-it-if-it-ain’t broken kind of guy. I might be able to convince him to try the onion ring benedict from the favorites menu. But probably not. Jams, creamer, salt and pepper, and hot sauces are caged in wire baskets on each table. The hot sauce options had Mrs. Diner and I discussing the merits of Tabasco vs. Cholula vs. Tapatio. For pure heat, Tabasco wins. For nuance, flavor and meal compliment, Tapatio is my go to.
Our food arrived, works of homemade art! Slices of avocado had my plate resembling a Van Gogh still life. Breakfasts come with a choice of bread, and I asked for toasted sourdough, oval slices halved and buttered. That first bite of toast, dipped in egg yolk and hot sauce might have been the best bite on the plate. Firsts are always best, no? Mrs. Diner was loath to share a bite of her steak, but I insisted. Crispy and seasoned goodness. Rounding out my plate, a crumble of chorizo, fresh chopped and sauteed vegetables, onion, home fries, cheese. Simply delicious. Mrs. Diner’s hash browns provided artful symmetry to her plate, as golden and crisp as her steak. We wondered – we really should have asked – if we might get a loaf of the banana bread to take home.
We lingered that morning, unwilling to leave, wanting the morning and the experience to last. Before heading off into our Sunday, Mrs. Diner freshened up in the restroom. True to our dining experience, she reported that the restroom was like one in someone’s house complete with a built-in medicine cabinet, empty of course.
In each issue of the Ventura Breeze newspaper, Mrs. Secret Diner and I review a local eatery – can you guess where we ate? Put on your detective cap and check the next review, when all will be revealed!
