Review: Sunnyside Breakfast Lounge a wake-up call in Mesa

• Valley of the Sunnyside is a three-egg omelet loaded with nopales, poblano peppers and pepper Jack.
• Craving an egg Benedict-style breakfast? Try the PCH Benedict or chorizo Benedict.
• Recharge at the juice bar or get a cocktail like the Perfect Paloma or Electrolyte Chia Lemonade.

Friends of ours who live in Las Sendas used to lament the lack of good breakfast places in far east Mesa. But now, Sunnyside Breakfast Lounge is filling that void. The restaurant, at the northeast corner of Power and McDowell roads, marks its second anniversary in September.

Scene: Orange, yellow and green vinyl booths line the walls of the L-shaded dining room, which seats about 100. A mural depicting fresh juices, beer, wine and coffee backs a 10-seat, three-sided bar If the bright interior doesn’t wake you up, maybe some fresh air on the patio will. Grab one of about a dozen tables with modern chrome and wood chairs.

Food: Healthful breakfast and lunch dishes with a Sonoran twist, like Valley of the Sunnyside ($9), a vegetarian omelet of three fluffy eggs loaded with slivers of nopales cactus, poblano peppers, diced tomatoes and pepper Jack cheese, served with dice home fries and choice of toast.

The Rocky Point ($10) is another winner. This omelet has chorizo, jalapeño, pico de gallo, crema and nopales, all tucked into a fluffy three-egg vessel.

If you get the savory Sonoran crepes ($10.50), you won’t be disappointed. Two tender crepes are filled with scrambled eggs, green chiles, nopales, jalapeños, onions and pepper Jack and topped with pico de gallo, spicy chorizo sausage, more pepper Jack and rich hollandaise sauce. It’s gooey, creamy and satisfying.

Craving an egg Benedict-style breakfast? Try the PCH Benedict ($10) or chorizo Benedict ($9.50), with chorizo sausage made in-house. The PCH speaks to my California roots: generous slices of avocado, runny poached eggs, thin slices of smoked salmon, fresh dill, tangy capers and crusty focaccia bread. Time to hit the beach.

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After a morning round of golf at Las Sendas, stop in for a burly burger. The Red Mountain Burger ($9), a third-pound sirloin patty, hits a hearty toasted focaccia bun that has been smeared with zesty chipotle mayo and dressed with bacon, avocado, iceberg lettuce, red onion, tomato slices and pepper Jack cheese. Seasoned curly fries or fresh fruit flesh out the plate. Wash it down with a killer bloody Mary ($7).

Eggs are clearly a strong suit at Sunnyside, but consider the Fluffs N’ Stuff section of the menu. The mixed berry crepes ($7.50) are pretty and mind-blowing, especially at peak berry season. Three of those thin, supple pancakes house a spiced whipped cream mixture, which is then topped with lots of plump blueberries and strawberry slices, drizzled with a berry reduction and a dusting of powdered sugar.

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Desserts: The menu doesn’t include desserts, but your sweet tooth doesn’t have to worry. Brave Banana ($9) layers creamy banana pudding between two fluffy housemade, plate-size pancakes and tops with sliced fresh bananas, large walnut pieces and a decadent Nutella spread. It’s like banana bread, only better. Jolly Apple Seed ($9), meanwhile, layers the pancakes with cinnamon swirl cream cheese and pairs it with a cinnamon apple reduction and walnuts.

Drinks: A full bar with innovative brunch drinks like the Perfect Paloma ($9), a refreshing blend of Patron silver tequila, grapefruit juice, a splash of sparkling wine and a lime wedge; and Electrolyte Chia Lemonade ($9), vodka, gin, fresh-squeezed lemonade, chia seeds and a splash of Sprite. Beers and wines by the glass also are available.

Or recharge at the juice bar with the fresh-squeezed Rejuvenator ($6.75). Carrots, red beets, kale, celery, spinach, apple and ginger goes through a juicer and a glass of vitamins come to the table.

Lowdown: Cooked-to-order meals and healthful options tempt breakfast and lunch diners at this cheerful spot.

Reach Nothaft at mknothaft@cox.net. He dines anonymously and The Republic pays all expenses.

Sunnyside Breakfast Lounge

Where: 2823 N. Power Road, Mesa.

Hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. daily.

Phone: 480-832-9696.

Website:sunnysidebreakfastlounge.com.

Cuisine: Breakfast and lunch dishes like omelets, pancakes, hamburgers and sandwiches.

Kid-friendly? Yes. Crepes with fruit and nuts will have kids thinking they’re having dessert for breakfast.

Stars: ★★★★☆ , based on food, service and ambience.

Price: Less than $15 per person for a three-course meal, excluding beverage, tax and tip.