Cafe Zola (112 W. Washington)

M. and I rang in the New Year with a late breakfast at Cafe Zola (www.cafezola.com), which was festive and crowded (whether because it's a popular place or because it was one of the few open restaurants on the New Year's holiday is unclear.) We were seated immediately at a tiny two-top along a narrow aisle, between the bar and a ledge overlooking the main dining area. Waiters and guests shuffled past. Not the ideal place for a cozy discussion over breakfast, but a great perch from which to observe the activity around us.

We noticed right away that the menu, though influenced by French cuisine (there is a small variety of sweet and savory crepes), is largely American (omelets, pancakes, sandwiches and French toast) with a few hints of Turkish cuisine (a dish approximating menemen and a full Turkish breakfast were on offer.) I went with the "Turkish Brunch" and M. the French toast with strawberries, and soon enough, a waitress wearing a bright, traditional Turkish "belt" lined with jangling faux gold coins brought our requests. The Turkish breakfast is enormous: lovely, sweet, soft white cheese, an assortment of fresh black and green spiced olives, fresh cucumber and tomatoe slices, stuffed grape leaf dolmas, a hard boiled egg, butter, jam, a large bread basket including a sweet pastry, and a large cup of coffee. It would have been enough for both of us and a great deal at $10. The bread was a bit stale and the second cheese selection, thin slices of havarti that looked as if they belonged on a sandwich rather than on a breakfast plate, were the only regrets. M.'s french toast was thick, soft and nicely browned with sweetened fresh strawberries on the side.

The nicest part of our experience was Zola's atmosphere: exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and an inviting bar where presumably "regulars" sat reading newspapers and chatting with staff. We had a hearty, satisfying brunch for $30 (including a generous tip for the New Year and a pricey half-pot of tea at $4.95.) I'd like to try their dinner menu sometime - though with $22 entrees, it might have to wait.