Some mornings, breakfast needs to be an event. You want the eggs, the coffee, the crispy potatoes and perhaps a cocktail, and you’re willing to wait for them. Other mornings what you really want is a good cup of tea, a delicious bite and a comfortable place to sit and catch up with a friend without feeling like you need to hurry out the door. Those are the mornings when Dear Mom Cafe’s new breakfast menu feels just right.
The popular Thai restaurant on Bend’s west side introduced its new “8 am breakfast” concept in late August, serving a farm-to-table morning menu from 7 to 11 am. The addition comes from owner Jattalee Chalernhinthong, affectionately known as JJ, who recently closed The Good Egg at The Grove and decided to bring breakfast into the Dear Mom Cafe kitchen instead. Given her experience with breakfast, it seems like a natural fit, but the result feels distinctly Dear Mom.
I stopped in on a recent morning expecting breakfast and found myself pleasantly surprised by just how inviting the cafe felt. With high ceilings, plenty of natural light, wooden tables and chairs, and a sweet patio filled with plants and flowers, the space is welcoming and homey without feeling old-fashioned. There is a relaxed, modern warmth to it that makes it easy to settle in. On my visit, it was pleasantly quiet, the kind of morning atmosphere that practically begs you to linger over another cup of tea.
Speaking of tea, the pot of hot tea is one of the simple pleasures here. At $5, it’s generous enough for two people to share, making it an ideal companion for breakfast and conversation. Coffee is available too, along with orange juice, a $10 mimosa and a lychee bellini for those who want to ease into the day with a little more sparkle.
The breakfast menu offers a nice range without becoming overwhelming. Sweet and savory choices, egg dishes and bread-based options, along with lighter fare, are all on the menu. One of the simplest offerings, the Toast Basket, is now one of my favorites. It comes with locally baked sourdough and artisan bread from Big Ed’s, accompanied by house jam and a jalapeno fruit spread. The toast was excellent, and with a pot of hot tea on the table, it was exactly the kind of breakfast I wanted that morning.
The menu has plenty more to tempt diners. Country French Toast features custard-soaked challah, maple syrup and market berries, while the Croque Madame brings brioche, ham, Gruyere, mornay sauce and a fried egg to the table, with greens or fries on the side. The 8am Breakfast Sandwich is another substantial option, layering pork sausage, a sunny egg, cheddar, Thai chili jam and pickled cucumber on an English muffin. It comes with greens or fries.
For something a little lighter, the Farmer’s Green Bowl combines greens, avocado, tomato, cucumber, sunflower seeds and a soft egg with a sherry wine vinaigrette. Then there’s the Banana Bread Pudding Toast, which sounds like breakfast and dessert decided to meet somewhere in the middle.
The Mini Sugar “OMG” Donuts are soft little brioche balls, served with a chocolate hazelnut dipping sauce, and every bit as lovely as they sound. A $10 order gives you a plateful, making them a fun choice for sharing or an indulgent way to start the morning.
JJ has been developing her own doughnut following outside the cafe through Oh My Goodness Bakery, her donut pop-up operation featuring brioche donuts with Asian-inspired flavors. She regularly sells them at farmers markets and other events. I was hoping to catch some of those larger donuts on my breakfast visit, but JJ and her team were preparing for a market that morning, so only the mini sugar donuts, which are a regular part of the breakfast menu, were available. Whether some of the full-size Oh My Goodness creations eventually make their way onto the breakfast menu remains to be seen, but I would certainly welcome the possibility.
Prices are reasonable for the quality and portions. Full breakfast plates range from $14 for the Banana Bread Pudding Toast and Farmer’s Green Bowl to $18 for the Croque Madame. Sides include thick-cut bacon, country ham, pork sausage, avocado, green salad, market fruit and sourdough with jam.
What I particularly enjoyed about breakfast at Dear Mom was the lack of urgency. Bend has no shortage of excellent breakfast and brunch spots, but popularity can come with a price, especially first thing in the morning. Sometimes the thought of a long wait or a packed dining room is enough to send me straight home for toast. There’s something refreshing about finding a place where you can actually sit down, sip your tea, eat your breakfast and have a conversation without feeling like you are competing for a table.
Dear Mom already has a loyal following for its Thai food and happy hour offerings, so it may not stay a quiet breakfast secret for long. For now, though, it’s a lovely little morning escape on the west side, serving simple, thoughtful food in a space that makes lingering easy.
Consider this your warning: Hurry before everyone finds out.
Dear Mom 8 AM Breakfast
@ Dear Mom Cafe
320 SW Century Dr., Suite 140, Bend
541-728-0753
Breakfast hours Thu-Mon 7am-11am
dearmomcafe.com
IG:dearmomcafe.bend
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