Rise and Shine for Breakfast at Plum's Cafe in Costa Mesa, California

Plum's Cafe has been located at 369 East 17th St., Costa Mesa inside a tiny strip mall. It has won the hearts and stomachs for all that venture into the restaurant for over 20 years.

At first glance one might decide "oh no, this can't possibly be the place". The parking lot is crowded, the surrounding stores rather dated and from the outside it may not look too appealing to most. But if you take another look-there are people holding paper cups of coffee, leaning on benches, walls and perhaps their cars-waiting for the host or hostess to call their names. Our first visit was due to a review in the LA Times weekend travel section-at the time they had a wonderful column dedicated to finding great brunch spots. The write up on Plum's Cafe in Costa Mesa sounded terrific!

Kim Jorgenson is a transplant from Oregon who decided to open up this airy breakfast and lunch place and infuse California cuisine with the products of her beloved home state. The outcome-delicious Northwest influenced signature dishes such as Alderwood smoked salmon hash, Oregon pepper bacon, fresh roasted hazelnut pancakes and lunch selections that include pan-fried trout, grilled wild salmon and unique salads and sandwiches. Much of the menus specialty items and ingredients are brought down from Oregon-blackberries, blueberries, pepper bacon, coffee, wines, salmon, just to name a few.

While the patio dining area is popular-the dining room has a very outdoorsy feel itself. High ceilings, light wood floors, brick walls covered with, what else, art work from Oregon artists. I would call the room "sunny" with the help of the modern industrial lighting. The crowd is young and fashionable, but my parents (who we treated when they were 70)love the place. Besides the atmosphere and the food, the service is friendly, professional and eager to please. If you let them know of a food allergy-they excuse themselves quickly and check on which dishes would best accommodate the situation. Coffee, water and other re-fillable drinks are continually replenished. Everything is freshly made and presented beautifully.

The special brunch is served daily, and that basically means that fr $4 over the regular breakfast price you get coffee or tea, a choice of a Ramos fizz, mimosas, bloody Mary's (nice and spicy!), champagne or fresh squeezed orange juice.

The brunch at Plum's Cafe includes any item on the breakfast menu-a list of over 2 dozen omelets, a ratatouille egg white omelet, crispy coconut french toast (my husband's favorite) and hazelnut pancakes (my dad's choice along with the dutch baby).

Plum's Cafe in Costa Mesa, California on 369 East 17th St. cares about freshness, flavor and your happiness. Go early if you don't like long waits, or put your name on the list, then go inside and buy a cup of coffee and chat outside with everyone else who knows how special this little jewel of a restaurant really is.