Cafe Borrone — Restaurant in Menlo Park

Looking for a fabulous breakfast/brunch spot in Menlo Park/near Palo Alto? I was…and I found it! Although I was late to discover this café...it is obviously no secret...it was packed with customers!

I had scoped the menu before walking in and realized there were many items on their menu that looked like something I would order. Yay...Options!!!

Once I got inside, I saw a line of people holding menus and then I saw registers at the front of the line. This must be where I start. Once I got to the front of the line, I told the gentleman that was going to place my order that this was my first time at Café Borrone.

He was so nice, knowledgeable and helpful...I knew I wanted a scramble and a latte, but I also knew I wanted something else. I thought about a side of toast but this smart guy talked me into a pastry. I asked which one was his favorite because there were so many good ones to choose from...I couldn't decide. He said the blueberry biscuit was his favorite and I said "okay...I'll have one of those".

While I was ordering; I learned that everything is sold à la cart, my food gets dropped off to me at whatever table I pick, I will need to grab my latte from their coffee bar, and that the ingredients they use to make their food comes from local farms. Perfect!!!

I ended up with a latte, a blueberry biscuit, a ham and cheese scramble, and a side of breakfast potatoes. He handed me a number (to place on the table for my food delivery), my biscuit along with a napkin and utensils and then I went over to the coffee bar to grab my latte. As I waited for my latte, I met another nice employee. He was making my drink and he told me that the pastry item I picked is his favorite. YUUUSSSS! At this point, without eating a thing, I felt like I had scored and literally just wanted to eating the biscuit as I stood there waiting for my drink. Ha...my drink didn't even take a long time...I was just so excited for the biscuit! Buuut I managed to have a bit of self-control and I waited until I sat down. I got a spot at a bar table near the coffee bar. Again...Perfect!!! I didn't even wait for my food to arrive, I just took a sip of the latte and started eating my biscuit. Oh my gosh...both were sooo good. Now I could see why everyone liked that blueberry biscuit so much. The texture was just right...it was tender with just the right amount of fluffy yet firm and loaded with fresh juicy blueberries bursting with flavor!!!! Then out came my hot items! I had grabbed a bottle of hot sauce, as I usually add that to most of my breakfast meals, BUT I decided to try the scramble and the potatoes without hot sauce first (simply based on how flavorful the biscuit was). Neither one needed hot sauce. The potatoes had been prepared with thinly sliced onions which added great flavor and the texture of my skillet was on point; not dry and a good ratio of cheese and ham to egg...and so totally ymmy!!!

Because of where I was sitting, I could see the staff while I ate. They were friendly, attentive and busy...helping customers with to-go boxes, replenishing sugar caddies and condiments, clearing and cleaning tables once patrons left so other people could sit down and enjoy their meals. I even dropped a napkin on the floor at one point and was going to pick it up once I was done eating. Nope...the staff was on it...a gal came over and picked it up before I finished my meal. And because I was so close to the coffee bar area, the gentleman that took my order came up and checked on me to see make sure I was enjoying everything. What perfect service from start to finish! No joke!

Good Vibes Friendly Service Fast Service DELICIOUS FOOD Clean

I'll be back!!!!

Side notes: Parking was EASY - I parked in the garage below. Plenty of parking! Indoor and...

What Is This, IKEA?

First: I love Café Borrone. I have loved Café Borrone for over 25 years. At 16, I used to order their frosted mocha like it was a beverage and not the fully loaded, sugar-frosted dessert masquerading as a drink that it is. (No regrets. I’d do it again right now. In fact, I just did) This place has been my go-to for comfort, caffeine, and classy chaos since I was wearing too much black eyeliner while secretly listening to NSYNC. It is a Menlo Park institution, and it’s always been five stars in my heart.

But this bagel? Please.

I ordered a lox bagel. That’s what it said on the menu. Not “Smoked Salmon Experience, DIY Edition.” Not “bagel and fish art installationn.” Just a classic, trustworthy, lox bagel.

What arrived? A “deconstructed” plate of the makings of my lunch. The bagel? Just sitting there. Split, bare, emotionally unavailable. a stack of cold, vaguely confused smoked salmon, as if to say, “I didn’t ask for this either.”

Listen. I get it. Culinary trends. Deconstruction is very in. But let’s set some boundaries. This isn’t a short rib foam reduction or a su vide coq au vin. This is a bagel. No one—NO ONE—goes at a lox bagel with a knife and fork. This is hand food. You’re supposed to grab it with both hands, tilt your head slightly, and accept that you’re going to smell like smoked fish for the next 45 minutes. It’s tradition.

Also, let’s be honest: there’s nothing cooked on a lox bagel. Not one single warm, sautéed, seared, grilled, or even slightly charred component. I could’ve gone to the supermarket, bought all of this in under 5 minutes, and assembled it at home in my pajamas while listening to a true crime podcast. I came to a café for brunch, not a DIY bagel project.

If I’m doing the labor, I better be getting a cut of that tip jar—and maybe a free frosted mocha for emotional support.

So yes, five stars—because Borrone is home. It’s nostalgic and beautiful and delicious. But this bagel? Let’s just say, next time, I’d like my brunch prepared, not delivered to me in parts like a smoked fish IKEA shelf...

So as the name says Market Bar..what's a market bar. Well the concept is interesting. Half of the place is set up as a european bakery with house made sauces,soups, quiche etc for you to prepare at home. The other half is a small high-end micro restaurant with a mini oyster bar.

I bought a jar of the house made pompadoro sauce to take home which was quite flavorful. My dining partner and myself decided to stay and have a few bites. We requested to sit outside as it was a nice day. Upon being seated we were offered a bottle of water in the the european style bottle with the ceramic stopper. We also were presented with squares of Foucaccia that they make in house. One was traditional tomato sauce & the other style was a herbed one with olive drizzled over the top.

I was really wanting cheese but they didn't have a cheese plate, however our server (Mike) did suggest and inquire with the kitchen if they would be able to serve us the normal lunch Charturturie plate. We also sampled their oysters which were super fresh, they have Fanny bay, kummunoto, and one other I can't remember. For desert we spit a lemon tart and the lemon curd on it was so delish. Seriously I was eating it with a spoon because the filling was amazing!!!!. For a drink I decided to try the house special Blood orange Martini which was light and refreshing.

I plan on going back for a full dinner...and updating my review further. Go check them out they are amazing!!!

I highly...