NVM Review

By Warren Rojas

The quaint, log cabin-like exterior seems oddly out of place along Route 1. Once inside, Elsie’s homey décor and friendly service quickly sets your mind at ease.Unless you wind up as stumped as the gentleman who pleaded during a recent visit, “I’m having a hard time deciding. Everything looks good.”

A country kitchen boasting a broad array of breakfast options, Elsie’s keeps the focus on home-style cooking and overly generous portions. They cater to smaller appetites too, fielding abbreviated short stack (twin buttermilk pancakes) and mini-toast options (a pair of French toast slices).

Everyone else, prepare for the mother lode.

The Italian omelet is basically an egg calzone stuffed with zesty pepperoni slices, tangy tomato sauce and lots of molten mozzarella (bellissimo!). A so-bad-for-you-it’s-got-to-be-good creamed chipped beef creation summons a bulbous omelet bursting with bubbling cream and tender shreds of beef. The slightly healthier-sounding spinach, bacon and cheese omelet is packed with sautéed spinach, whole strips of bacon (so much for healthy) and gobs of American cheese. Meanwhile, tidy corned beef hash rounds are easily transformed into mini sandwiches when combined with a side of fresh biscuits.