Cafe is a Surf City summer treat

DINING OUT

When Michael and Christine Bartusick bought the Park Bench Cafe 15

years ago it was just a tiny, five-table takeout stand nudged into

Central Park along Goldenwest Street. During the last 15 years it has

spilled out into a grassy patio where children play as their mothers

sip latte and their dogs enjoy a canine cuisine of hot diggity dogs

($1.75) or a hamburger with fries ($3.25). It was even written up in

a Japanese newspaper as a place to visit in the United States.

Breakfast is big at the Park Bench not only in popularity, but

also the portions. The eight varieties of omelet, ranging from a

Veggie Omelet ($8.49) with tomatoes, onions, mushrooms and bell

peppers topped with avocado and home salsa to a healthy Egg Beater

($7.50) a nonfat, no cholesterol one, are served on hot platter.

These are all made with three eggs and served with a choice of sides

from pancakes to home fries to cottage cheese.

The Park Omelet ($8.69), a thick fluffy envelope, is full of big

pieces of grilled bacon, mushrooms, crunchy onions and melted cheddar

and jack cheese topped with a big blob of avocado. Our server, Danny,

brought an extra plate to hold the two big pancakes filled with

blueberries. (75 cents) rather than just plain pancakes made it the

most sumptuous breakfast I’d indulged in -- a meal to last until

dinner.

It’s not just scrambling for egg dishes at Park Bench. If you

crave old fashioned hot Oatmeal ($6.25) your mom used to urge you to

eat, it’s here, only this cook will add two extra toppings like

granola or walnuts. No wonder I could hear the cook singing behind

the white lattice barrier between the kitchen and the inside dining

tables.

My choice this afternoon was the Belgium Combo ($7.25). This big

golden waffle has a deep honey comb surface perfect for holding

pockets of warm syrup. The combo includes a hot platter of two eggs,

any style, and a choice of four strips of crisp bacon, ham or

sausage.

If you’re one who skips breakfast and begins your day with a

sandwich, you can’t go wrong with the Bogus Veggie ($8.39), a

four-inch bite-buster served on whole wheat bread with slices of lean

turkey breast topped with slices of avocado and tomato, dewy bean

sprouts and two cheese slices. This generous place adds a big pile of

cantaloupe, watermelon and orange chunks to complete the order.

Michael first offered only water to pets jogging with their owners

but it soon developed into a special canine cuisine with hot-dogs,

hamburgers and even dessert -- a peanut butter puppy ($1.50) or

Chilly Paws ($1.29) with ice cream.

Children 12 and under will enjoy their own menu with a choice of

French fries or fruit and everything from scrambled eggs and bacon

($3.50), kid’s size pancakes ($3.25) or peanut butter and jelly

sandwich ($4.25).

For some, hot coffee ($1.69) is essential but Park Bench also has

hot chocolate, chocolate milk, raspberry ice tea, root beer and

cappuccino, mocha or latte ($1.99-$3.29).

It is casual with servers in shorts and pets on leashes -- a

wonderful way to begin the summer, a jog, a pooch and a latte.