BLU JAME CAFÉ
SERVING KILLER BREAKFAST-ALL-DAY LONG

Hollywood’s prized “breakfast-all-day” hot spot, Blu Jam Café, has been delighting locals along Melrose Avenue since it opened back in 2006, and now our friends in the San Fernando Valley can experience killer breakfast-all-day long too at its new location on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks.

Beloved for its creative, eclectic menu items, including gluten-free and vegan dishes, Blu Jam Café wows diners daily with original items like the Eggwich, the Wrap-On-Fire, and their signature Crunchy French Toast (rolled in crispy corn flakes). Many of the dishes were inspired by Chef Kamil’s Czech heritage, such as Goulash Soup and the Old World Scramble.

“We’re thrilled about the [new] opening and what we will now be able to offer our customers,” said Chef Partner Kamil Majer. “Our reputation in the Melrose and Fairfax area is due to the quality and creativity of our breakfast dishes, and we look forward to providing our San Fernando Valley customers the same convenience and dining options that make us Los Angeles’ number one choice for all-day breakfast.”

During our recent visit for Brunch at the original Melrose Avenue location, we feasted on an array of delicious breakfast and lunch items that sent out taste buds to Heaven before delivering us into a pleasant food coma. Sharing is the way to go if you can swing it with family and friends in order to try as many plates as possible.

An absolute must-have dish is the famous Crunchy French Toast, made with egg brioche dipped in batter, rolled in crunchy corn flakes and grilled just right, topped with fresh bananas and berries, served with vanilla bean sauce. At nearly $13 an order, it’s best to split this dish since it comes ala cart and while it’s delicious, it will leave you wanting more if it’s all you eat.

A wonderful and hearty choice is the Brunch Carbonnara, made with risotto with crispy smoked bacon, green peas, parsley and parmesan, topped with two poached eggs and herb pistou. I’m not kidding when I say “hearty” as this bad boy will fill you up. It’s perfect for carbo-loading for a big race the following morning.

Looking for something on the lean and green side, go with the Beets and Greens salad, prepared withArugula, fresh beets, goat cheese, black currants, candied walnuts, and citrus vinaigrette. This mouthwatering and guilt-free selection is good for you and delectable to taste.

Two other killer breakfast items are the Chilaquiles, house made corn chips with scrambled eggs, pulled chicken, onions, cilantro, chipotle, black beans and cheddar, topped with tomato salsa and sour cream. Personally, I’m a traditionalist so I prefer my chilaquiles made with corn tortillas instead of corn chips, but these taste really great and I’m not going to put up much of a protest. This, with the French toast is the way to go.
           
The Norwegian Benedict, made with toasted English muffin, smoked salmon, poached eggs, sautéed spinach, tomato and dill hollandaise, served with potatoes, is another winner and would also pair wonderfully with the French toast if that’s how you and your brunch companion want to go. Talk about a sure-fire pleaser.

While Brunch is great, sometimes you’re in the mood for lunch or heartier fare and you can’t go wrong with the Argentinean Brunch Steak, grilled paillard of Niman ranch steak, served on a bed of grilled herb potatoes and roasted green beans, topped with two sunny up eggs and house made chimichuri. It’s nearly $20 but it will probably also be your big meal of the day (and a satisfying one too). If you split this delightful dish with the French toast, the mix of sweet and savory will be tops!

And because any time is “burger time,” the Brunch Burger, prepared with grilled Wagyu ground beef with crispy bacon, chipotle aioli, wild arugula, fresh tomato, cheddar and one over-easy egg, is a fan favorite. This burger is loaded with flavor and texture, while being filling and ever so satisfying.

Dining at Blue Jam Café is a relaxing and pleasant experience. We’re not talking food fast casual here, this is food made to order so it’s not speedy, but if you have the time, it’s a wonderful place to chill and enjoy filling and fantastic fare.

Blu Jam Café is open from 8am to 4pm and is located at 7371 Melrose Ave (call 323-951-9191) and 15045 Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks (call 818-906-1955).

By: Jose Martinez

Photography courtesy of: Blu Jam Café