There’s a sense of joy when entering the Breakaway Cafe on Washington Boulevard that is hard to top. It’s not our first visit to the place, but it’s been a while and our memories of wall-mounted surfboards and hyper-friendly pushed us back for a revisit recently.
“Brothers and co-founders Zach and Nick Bayse launched Breakaway Cafe, an eatery and local hang, with the shared passion of connecting with people through good food and coffee,” they tell us on their website. “Utilizing seasonal ingredients with global cooking techniques, they create a wide range of offerings and fun, unforgettable flavors. Nick has worked as a chef in multiple Michelin-star restaurants in New York City, and he aims to bring these elevated techniques into every aspect of the food at Breakaway Cafe. Breakaway Cafe is all about delivering high-quality food and service for each and every one of our customers. Come by and say hi!”
As we were in the brunch zone, we opted for Breakaway’s Breakfast Burrito – scrambled eggs, crispy potatoes, cheddar, sour cream, and a side of salsa verde. There was the option of adding bacon, but we decided against it on this occasion, as there was already plenty going on in there.
The portion and proportions were spot-on. The eggs made up the bulk of the filling, keeping it light enough to not weigh you down too much. Still, the potatoes are crispy as advertised, and they add plenty of flavor as does the cheese. The salsa and sour cream ties it all together, and the soft tortilla is the perfect casing.
It’s a burrito built for dipping. The main ingredients are wonderful, but can feel a little heavy. But give the wrap a healthy plunge into the salsa, and it all comes to life. The cheese and eggs, and any grease that they contain, are given fresh vibrancy and the flavors jump to attention. It really is an eye-opener.
We also had the hot chai latte, and that too didn’t disappoint. The cinnamon-heavy spices and sweetness all ties together in one frothy, mildly decadent treat of a drink.
Everything else on the menu looked wonderful too. We’ll have to leave it a while before a third trip, but we will certainly be back. It’s rare that a cafe has such a glorious vacation vibe, even when you live locally.
The Breakaway Cafe is located at 8686 Washington Blvd., Culver City 90232. Contact 310-492-2608 and visit breakawaycafela.com.