Restaurant Review: Sunny Side Cafe
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Sunny Side Cafe 2940 Wesminster Blvd., Seal Beach Hours: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 562-431-6625 www.sunnysidesb.com
by Jan Friedland
Before you even walk into the Sunny Side Café, the soft tones of sunny yellow, peach, and laid back lavender set the mood for this charming restaurant, located across the street from Leisure World at 2940 Westminster Blvd. As you enter you get the feeling that it’s going to be special, and it is! The quality of the food is extraordinary.
This Greek-inspired restaurant and bakery serves breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m.-3 p.m.. It is owned and operated by four siblings who are no strangers to the restaurant business. Their father came to America from Corinth, Greece in the early 1980s and went to work in a burger restaurant in Whittier as a dishwasher. Today he not only owns that restaurant but owns the land as well. They also own several other restaurants that they acquired over the years, but the Sunny Side Café is their unique creation where the food is meticulously prepared and beautifully served.
Maybe they named their restaurant Sunny Side because they have so many egg dishes on their menu, everything from fluffy omelets ($15-$17)—served with a choice of potatoes, toast and house jam or seasonal fruit (a very generous portion of sliced strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and kiwi)—and special egg dishes like Sunrise Breakfast Burrito ($15), and The Daybreak, two eggs, bacon or turkey sausage served with pancakes, waffle, or French toast ($18).
Their chilled salads are huge and the best you’ve ever had. My husband didn’t think that I could finish the Picnic Cobb ($15) where you can add chicken, shrimp or salmon for a few extra dollars, but I did. My husband thought his avocado toast with tomato, feta cheese, chopped bacon, chili flakes, poached egg on grilled bread ($14) was exceptional. Their entrees are outstanding as well, choices like Greek chicken skewer served with rice, tzatziki, and a Greek salad ($20); shrimp tacos ($19), and blackened salmon with lemon shrimp, sauteed spinach, rice, and roasted bell peppers ($20).
Did I mention that their portions are very generous and made with the finest ingredients? Their sandwich selection is wonderful with a choice of delicious French fries or fruit (I ate the fruit but pinched a few of my husband’s fries). Their Cadillac BLTA ($16) was the best I ever had! They even have a grilled cheese on sourdough bread with tomato basil soup ($14). If you wish you can order a half a sandwich with soup and salad ($17). Can you tell that I just love their menu? In fact, we have been back a few times already.
Everything was perfect from the scrumptious food and tasty desserts, friendly staff, to their selection of music, and their ambiance. A real treasure right here in Seal Beach.
Athan, one of the siblings who owns and runs the restaurant.
Jan Friedland
