Toast   

Most days, breakfast can be an energy bar that bears a striking resemblance to chocolate-covered cardboard, but then there are those wonderful, lazier mornings perfect for the aromatic nuances of fluffy omelets and French toast. Jumpstart a lighthearted mood at Toast, a compact and cheerful spot that has been caffeinating locals since 1995 (and since 2000 on Damen Avenue.) Toast serves breakfast all day and lunch featuring traditional dishes fine-tuned in a gourmet sort-of-way. Here, your eggs Benedict will sport fresh snow crab meat or tenderloin with a truffle Hollandaise sauce; French toast is stuffed with Mascarpone, bittersweet chocolate or strawberry puree before being lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Try an omelet Lorraine (kind of like the quiche without the crust) or a vegetarian version with a half-dozen or more veggies oozing out. Lunch brings several salads (the Nicoise with seared Ahi and the Lyonnaise are particular standouts), yummy sandwiches such as a cobb club and a grilled tenderloin sand with roasted shallots and freshly made soups. Gain titanic energy from a cup of rich Julius Meinl coffee, choose from 20 teas, a delicate Mimosa or a monster Bloody Mary (liquor at the Webster location only.) Groups or two or four are easier to seat in the smallish space, so be prepared for a bit of a wait if there are more of you. Toast is family friendly -- it offers crayons, high chairs and a kids' menu but, nonetheless, have the kids keep a lid on the racket.