Morning Bite

The Hotel Murano describes the breakfast it serves at its Bite restaurant as “traditional fare with an elegant twist.” In practice, its breakfast — as well as lunch and dinner — finds a happy medium between the two aspirations — its food and décor are interesting and pleasing without being demanding.

The breakfast menu offers twists like a Northwest Benedict (cured salmon with poached eggs and a plugra hollandaise), gingerbread French toast (with crème fraiche), “b&g” (cheddar biscuits, thyme white gravy, softly scrambled eggs and sausage), pigs in a quilt (smokehouse bacon baked in a Belgian waffle), Eggs Benedict Royal (with prosciutto diparma and plugra hollandaise — on the salty side but delicious) and a tofu scramble.

Of course, standards like buttermilk pancakes, Western omelet, oatmeal and steak and eggs are also available.

Of special note is the “Breakfast Club”: toasted ciabatta with fried egg, Oregon sharp cheddar, smokehouse bacon and black pepper aioli served with skillet browned potatoes. It’s tasty.

Prices range from the $6 oatmeal to $17 for the 7-ounce New York strip and eggs. Most items fall into the $10 to $12 range, which might be $2 an entree more than locals are willing pay.

Service during my last three morning visits has been attentive and friendly.
This is comfort food with one eye on greatness — and it just might be one of the best breakfasts in Tacoma. — Jake DePaul

[Bite inside Hotel Murano, 6-11 a.m. Monday-Friday, 7-11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, 1320 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma, 253.238.8000]

New kid in town

Downtown’s newest addition opened mid-September and seems headed in the right direction with quickly prepared, fairly priced, affordable fare. Open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, Penuel Café focuses on breakfast and lunch.

The menu tops out at $8: breakfast runs $3.50-$4.99, sandwiches $5.50-$5.99, salads $4.99-$7.99.

Order a crisp on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside cook-to-order waffle of the Belgian variety ($3.50). It’ll liven up a standard bagel/muffin morning.

Stuffed spinach or sun-dried tomato breakfast wraps are offered as well as cinnamon rolls, cookies, espresso, teas and canned and bottled soda and juice. 

Soups, salads and sandwiches full of fresh ingredients have lunch handled.

Looking for something heartier? Sausage, hot dog and bratwurst are cooked to order on an outdoor grill and are offered solo or on toasted roll.

Plus: breakfast is served all day.

Minus: very sparsely decorated, cafe ambiance is non-existent. Take-out might be your best bet. — Jennifer Johnson

[Penuel Café, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, 744 Market St., Tacoma, 253.640.5470]