RESTAURANT REVIEW:Omelette Parlor serves that great first meal of day

The Omelette Parlor in Costa Mesa is one of those rare places that specialize in breakfast rather than treating it like an afterthought. It’s an institution where the focus is on the first meal of the day.

They boast on the front of the menu to have the best omelets in the West, and they probably are not far off with that claim.

There are 18 of them, and each is made with three grade AA eggs and a variety of items in the middle.

My favorite would have to be the cheddar, Swiss and mozzarella cheeses blended with chopped bacon or diced ham. If you ask really nicely, you can get some fresh basil, or grilled onions and tomatoes thrown in as well.

Another good one is the Greek-influenced omelet named after the county’s founder, Jose Antonio Yorba, who was given a large land grant that went from Yorba Linda down to Newport Beach. This omelet includes olives, chopped tomatoes, red onions and feta cheese.

The parlor also makes a six-egg white omelet with chicken, tomato and onions and served with salsa.

If you really want volumes of food, the chorizo scramble with three eggs and served with potatoes and corn tortillas, or the rib-eye steak and three eggs, with potatoes and English muffin will last you well through lunch.

If you get toast or a muffin make sure the apple butter comes with it. The whipped butter is a treat all its own and is a perfect substitute for syrup for pancakes.

There are two fruit choices. The first is fresh strawberries that are kept cold and crisp even on the warm waffle. The second is more decadent with bananas and walnuts sautéed in butter and brown sugar.

There are healthy choices on the menu as well. I went with my personal trainer one time, and he ordered scrambled eggs made with egg beaters, turkey patty, cottage cheese and wheat toast. It came with a slice of melon and a strawberry, and I had no idea I was eating something that was fairly good for me.

When the adjoining bar closed several years ago the buzz was the restaurant wasn’t far behind, but thankfully that rumor was quashed. Places like this are hard to find.

THE OMELETTE PARLOR

Address: 179 17th St., Costa Mesa

Phone: (949) 645-0740

Cuisine: American

Specialty dish: One of the 18 omelets

Alcohol served: Beer, wine, limited mixed drinks and champagne

Dress: Casual

Family friendly: Yes, nine breakfast items and five lunch items

Credit cards accepted: Visa, MasterCard and American Express

Rating: *** 1/2