Scup's in the Harbour - East Boston

Scup's in the Harbour
256 Marginal Street
East Boston, MA 02128
(617) 569-7287
www.scupsintheharbour.com

I love to find great spots for breakfast. Even more, I like hidden breakfast spots. I will happily pronounce Scup's to be the most hidden breakfast spot I have yet to find. I'm sure the challenges await.


Scup's is located in a Boston shipyard, away from any other food establishments. In fact, one can see boats, strange sculptures (a seawoman, a cleaver, a giant fish), airplanes, and peculiar yield signs, including someone with a fork in his/her back. Although this blog is not limited to those gems which are hidden, this eatery defines "hidden gem." And if there was such a term as "random gem," it would claim that too.

Aside from the sheer hidden-ness of it all, the food is fantastic. The breakfast menu is somewhat small, but it changes often. The brioche French toast is spectacular, with interesting, fresh toppings, such as orangy rum bananas and blueberries with brown sugar whipped cream. And the owner called me a "man" for eating it. Imagine me grunting now.

The menu further includes breakfast sandwiches, including one with potato chips and "trust us" in parentheses (and you should trust them), baked eggs with your choice of fillings, and the millionaire's bacon with brown sugar and spices. The funny thing is that Scup's seems to accolades in local publications for BLTs and frankfurters, neither of which I've tried. But I imagine they are as delicious as breakfast. Ah, and another thing: the beer list is small, but good and local. Ooh, ooh, and they have a mimosa with lemonade instead of OJ.

Scup's was named after the owners' dog, who was found close by. When attending Scup's, you will find many wonderful things, including an owner chatting it up with everyone, long tables to encourage community and mingling, things hanging from the pipes, a picture frame with no picture, a fake spider, and a warm fireplace. Oh yeah, and a gem, the likes of which you have yet to find.

Why it's a gem:

Um, it's in the middle of nowhere. In a city.
Fantastic, creative food -- all of it.
Community oriented
Quirky

Tips:

It's located next to Piers Park, which has what I believe to be the best view of the city.
Talk to people -- you're supposed to.
Subscribe to the newsletter -- it's written from the point of view of Scup.

Sorella's - Jamaica Plain

Sorella's
388 Centre St.
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 524-2016

I think of this as a Boston breakfast staple. And there are so many good reasons why it is. I shall begin with the following: fresh vegetables and other ingredients, creativity, friendly service, and a menu so large I might be better picking up a copy, taking it home, having my friends quiz me on the contents, and coming back to order.

This is your typical, neighborhood place. So much so, that one time when I was there, the mayor of Boston came in and said hi to patrons.

A quick sampling: raspberry butterscotch pancakes, gingerbread french toast, and omelettes with such contents as whole asparagus spears, avocado, smoked gouda cheese, and sprouts. Ummm, what? Very cool. And for what you're getting, the prices are so reasonable that it seems as though you walked in the place donning pantyhose on your head, with a weapon in hand, and said, "Give me your omelettes or else!"

Why it's a gem:

Creative, large, and fresh breakfast menu with so many options you need a break while deciding
Friendly service

Tips:

Become a local, and bring new people there. They really appreciate it, and you can tell.
Get there before 10:30 -- it's kinda strange that breakfast spots are pretty empty until then.

Java's Brewin - Billerica

Java's Brewin
95 Boston Rd
North Billerica, MA 01862
(978) 670-0800

Muffins are not usually my breakfast of choice. They're often so -- just there. In stark contrast, the muffins at Java's Brewin are, by far, THE MOST DELICIOUS MUFFINS I'VE EVER HAD! I would even have one for breakfast. Maybe 2. So there.

The muffins come in so many flavors that I will not attempt to list them all. Off the top of my head, I can say they have cranberry orange, pistachio, and several with sinful looking frosting, in addition to the typical blueberry, of course. If you go there one day and notice a muffin with the frosting half licked off, that would be my doing. And I don't have cooties. But I wouldn't really do that. Or would I?

The coffee comes in a LARGE variety of flavors as well, including snickerdoodle, cinnamon hazelnut, and mint chocolate. May sound awful to some, but one taste and yummmmmmmmmmmm.

The people working there are friendly, the space is very open with many tables, and it's the perfect opportunity to get a box of muffins for the weekend. But you'll probably need one box for each person.

Why it's a gem:

Muffins and all their flavors
Coffee and all its flavors
Friendly people galore

Tip:

If you go there and don't get a muffin, you are not very smart. GET A MUFFIN.