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Food Porn Friday | Break of Dawn | Laguna Hills

Asian-inspired American brunch…novel concept or no?

What I love about Break of Dawn is how seemingly Vietnamese it feels serving such staples as Café sua da (Viet Iced coffee), Duck, sausage and rice. What I don’t love is that these dishes really miss the authenticity mark by just a smidgeon.

Break of Dawn

24351 Avenida De La Carlota #N-6 | Laguna Hills, CA 92653 | (949) 587-9418
Asian spices and Viet flavors, usually super intense in true, bona-fide plates taste mild in comparison to anything you’d find in Westminster. However, for the traditional Western palette, I’m sure you won’t miss a thing. Some days you crave a full on blast of fish sauce flavors, other days you just want some good ol’ French toast with all the fixings. Break of Dawn’s sure to satisfy at least half of each…sold!
Mi Ranchero chorizo-queso fresco scrambled eggs (above)
Baked black bean and zesty quacamole, sauce epazote. Great round-up of flavors, potatoes are SUPERB! Really the highlight of the dish.
Beef Short Rib with merlot poached eggs, mushroom ragu, prickly ash pepper jus.
Just eh. The short rib could have used a couple more hours of braising, then it would flake right off at the touch of the fork…this one was a bit tough with superficial layers of flavor that hadn’t quite penetrated the meat. Needed some salt love on the side…and I NEVER say that. I’d pass on this one.
Portuguese-Hawaiian sausage and rice with green papaya and sesame salad, scallion puree, and two fried eggs. 
Don’t come in expecting to find lap xuong. A very Hawaiian dish at heart…reminds me of vacations in Oahu…a bit touristy, but a fine dish nonetheless.
Crispy fried pork belly…need I say more?
Claim-to-fame French Toast Creme Brulee with mexican chocolate and coconut custard, raisin and cinnamon brioche, caramel-chocolate sauce. Crack the custard and it’s ON like Donkey Kong dude. So decadent and rich, you’ll thank me for a dessert/brunch combo in one! Muy delicioso!

Know Before You Go

Located in an open air complex adjacent to Laguna Hills mall, make a day of it and shop ’til you drop with Nordstrom Rack (one of the cleanest in OC) right around the corner and tons of small antique shops nearby. Make sure to grab a patio seat and soak up the sun while dining…love SoCal this time of year!*
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11 Comments

  8. Stephanie Liu Reply

    YUM! I've always wanted to try Break of Dawn! All the dishes look amazing 😀 I've heard so much about their pork belly and their french toast creme brulee oh my goodnessssssss

    xo Stephanie
    HONEY & SILK

  11. aki! Reply

    This looks really delish. Definitely wish I was munching on this instead of my cereal this morning.

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