Judkins Park

Myra Myra on the Wall is a semi-regular column written by a hip, Rainier Valley 20-something who seeks to uncover all the fantastic happenings happenings in Southeast Seattle for those of us who don’t necessarily equate going downtown with having a good time. Email Myra with your favorite south-of-I-90 hang-outs, upcoming events or random observations about hidden south-end spots.

Sunday mornings are a rough start for many. Saturday night, you got your drink on and your head is paying dearly for such pleasures. The constant spinning has subsided, but now your stomach is demanding that you attend to it’s needs. The only problem is that getting breakfast in the Rainier Valley can be such a freaking hassle.

The Silver Fork serves excellent breakfast, but the long wait will have you ready to put on an apron on and help them out in the kitchen just to move things along. Columbia City has ample breakfast choices, but you’re still dealing with the Sunday crowds, screaming babies and damn-I-should-have-stayed-in-bed parking hunts.

There so are many times when I just don’t feel like dealing with all that. I just want to eat a delicious breakfast with a cup of strong coffee to bring me back to reality after a hard night of partying. I also want the option of sitting out side and talking with my girls about how some loser at the club tried to talk to me but forgot to take off his wedding ring.

MezzaLuna Bakery & Bistro is the answer to the ordinary breakfast.

Located on Judkins street in the Mt. Baker area, MezzaLuna used to house what was called Casulitas (now Island Soul in Columbia City).

MezzaLuna opened in October of last year by three owners Andre Hemlmstetter, Lauren Jackowiec and Kim Miller. Not only are they in charge, but they do all the cooking and serving.

Walking into the cafe for the first time, I had full mental notes of what I was sure was going to happen. There was going to be a long line and I just knew they were going to burn my toast like a certain restaurant always does.

Instead, I was greeted with a friendly smile from one of the owners and seated right away.  The bistro is just the right size so that servers can have a good sized crowd, but not get overwhelmed by too many people. They use an ipod as a jukebox, so while you wait for you food, you can listen to tunes from Queen crooning about finding somebody to love.

One of my toughest decision was deciding what to order. The Dutch Babies pancakes topped with souffle and cinnamon sounded good, but in the end, the Big Ole Burrito won out. My food arrived in less than 20 minutes and I swear, I would have punched someone in the face if they tried to take that burrito from me. The burrito was stuffed full of seasoned-to-perfection red potatoes,  crispy bacon, eggs, green onions, avocado, pico de gallo, cheddar and sour cream. They even give you a bowl of fresh fruit just so you feel a little better about the massive calorie situation.

This place will have you wishing you had the stomach to try every item on the menu. Also, the prices are very reasonable compared to other places in the area. My breakfast with a cup of coffee came to $8.25. Because of the great food and excellent service, I wouldn’t have even blinked if my bill was a few dollars more.

What more can I say about this place? The food is delicious, the music is great and I don’t have to play the wonderful game of hide and go find a parking space. Come in and experience what a peaceful breakfast should be like. Just make sure you save Myra a seat next to you.

Mezzaluna – located at 2608 South Judkins – is open Tuesday – Friday, from 8:30am – 6 pm, and Saturday/Sunday from 9 am – 2 pm. Photos Courtesy of Mezzaluna

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