Roasties-Breakfast in UTC

Roasties has closed

You're here, mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog. Kirk usually blogs, ed(from Yuma) sometimes blogs and today, Cathy is blogging.

The other morning, after our walk, The Mister and I drove West in hopes of finding less sun.  We were thinking of breakfast at Wired Bistro and as we walked toward it, were looked at the closed and new (to us) places in the Renaissance Center (just Southeast of UTC mall).

Wired is to the left in this photo (the faded red umbrellas cover the tables in front) and by the green awnings to the right-

we saw this blue awning with breakfast advertised.  We looked at the menu in the window then decided to try the food here. 

There is plenty of outdoor seating (this location used to be a pretty busy crowded breakfast and lunch place called Le Peep). We decided to eat inside; it was a weekday morning and not crowded. The menu had some interesting choices and I went went the two eggs any style and chose seared ahi as the protein ($7.95) this comes with a choice of toast and potato choices or fruit. (I have chosen fish as a breakfast protein for another breakfast  you know). 

Of course, the style of eggs I chose were poached (done nicely) and rye/pumpernickle toast was also a natural choice. I was being good and ordered fruit (since The Mister ordered the Roasties potatoes). The ahi was moist and flavorful without needing any additions. I guess the bonus piece was a just because or to make up weight, but the large piece was substantial.  The toast was good when warm, with a nice rye flavor, but when it cooled it got to a weird light crispiness. Not complaining, just noticing.  If the same bread is used as a choice for sandwiches, I'd ask it not be toasted.   Oh, every piece of fruit (strawberries, cantaloupe, watermelon, grapes and melon) was wonderfully flavorful...all at their peak.  {we asked for the Coffee Mate coffee lightener product instead of half and half for the morning coffee}

The Mister chose a make your own omelette/scramble ($6.95), opting for the omelette with chicken (the place is called Roasties, and there is rotisserie chicken on the menu), Feta and broccoli. It was the rotisserie'd chicken- there was some skin...great flavor.  The Feta gave it all a nice saltiness and the broccoli was just steamed and a nice crunch. He also got the Roasties potatoes- roasted with herbs(there was Rosemary and definitely pepper in the mix) and squaw wheat toast, which suffered the same after-toasting cool down crispiness...however had a definite molasses flavor in the bread.  It's a good bread which for some reason did not hold up to toasting...

A nice find.  Roasties is open from 7-4, has rotissiere chicken, sandwiches, salads and smoothies and is advertised on its menu as a Locally Owned Family Restaurant. The owner is part of a California Restaurant Family and lives in La Jolla.  There is online ordering and a cash register next to the serve yourself beverage area for pick ups.  

Roasties 8915 University Center Drive 92122 (858) 412-0785 Website 

Comments

[Jason]

Interesting, if I'm recognizing it correctly this was the former spot of La Peep, which used to be on my semi-regular weekend brunch spots before it closed down. Might have to go back and give Roasties a try... food looks pretty good and the prices seem about right. Thanks for the review!

[Carol]

Yup, that used to be a La Peep way back when. I miss the one in Poway. The inside looks so different. Might have to stop by for breakfast on a weekend. Poached eggs and seared ahi sounds really good.

[Cathy]

Thank you, Jason, I added the name Le Peep to the post; never had posted on it. The prices and food at Roasties so far are very good. There were a few people who had walked in via the back door, from the apartments behind the mall. If locals go there, it's good. I liked going early and avoiding crowds.
Next time I'll try the "Eggs Pacific"- basically Ahi Benedict, to avoid the weird toast thing, Carol. Same price.

[ed (from Yuma)]

How you keep finding these places. . . Nice post.

[Yes Mister]

Thanks for the find; Roasties is next to my workplace and for some reason it's ALWAYS empty. That's never a good sign, I guess they had some kind of reputation before.

[Cathy]

Yet another unplanned stop for the two of us, ed. Just like we were on vacation...
Hello, YesMister. Welcome to our blog. I looked up some independent 'reviews' and it seems the menu has been updated and some of the procedures here have been changed since Roasties opened. I think it's worth a stop, especially since you are so close anyhow. The prices are good, the selection is just combinations of basic ingredients (a good thing) and from what we had, the chef knows what he is doing. As I stated, the toasted bread was oddly textured once it cooled, but that is not a deal breaker for me.