This place is destined to become a breakfast institution in Sonoma County, which is unfortunate, because that will probably mean lines like Hanks Creekside and Omelette Express. The good news, for now, is that this place seems to be flying under the radar.
Unlike the hotel that this joint resides in, it's bright and cheery inside and the food is a fresh take on the classics (where as the hotel itself is simply classic).
And they are doing those classics ridiculously well. We went on a Saturday morning and we're seated right away. Server was incredibly friendly and helpful, recommending her favorites and pouring coffee and bringing out our drinks almost instantly.
The menu could be considered short, but it encompasses all the best aspects of breakfast food (I'd go for quality over quantity... those 6 page menus always scare me). When the food showed up, I sunk my teeth into what was hands down the best chicken fried steak I've ever had. The veggie hash and scramble that my wife had was equally good with a mountain of scrambled eggs on top (see the pics if you need further proof).
I went to the Hillside Cafe back before Jeffrey took over. It was OK. Nothing special though. Now... The new Hillside Cafe... I can't really think of anything negative to say. But I'll be sure to follow up this review with another couple visits just to make sure it wasn't a fluke (and because I've been craving that chicken fried steak ever since).
