Early Bird Restaurant, Westminster, CO

      I was recently asked to review breakfast places, so here it is.  Early Bird Restaurant, located in the Bradburn Village in Westminster, has been open since summer of 2012.  We decided to give it a try given the rave review in the May issue of 5280.  
     The decor pays homage to the resplendent rooster.  You are greeted with striking red umbrellas contrasted with a black rooster icon.  Inside, you will find a cozy and bustling dining space exposed to a tight, open kitchen.  The staff is friendly, prompt, knowledgeable, and most importantly, proud.  I can tell that this is a place certain to be packed to the gills on weekends.  
     The menu offers breakfast, lunch, and brunch items all day.  Hours are daily from 7-2:30.  Traditional offerings such as omelets and French Toast are tweaked with house flair.  For instance, house braised barbecue pork graces one of the eggs benedict.  The French Toast is a creme brûlée version.  Excellent Novo coffee (roasted right here in Denver) is served in heavy, homey, sepia coffee mugs.
     Upon recommendation from our enthusiastic server, we ordered the breakfast tacos and the French toast.  The stunning taco plate came with three pliable white corn tortillas piled high with fluffy scrambled eggs, guacamole, pico de gallo, a drizzle of sour creme, and a lightly blistered shishito pepper.  For a dollar more, you can get them topped with sweet and juicy barbecue pork that's slow braised in house.  You will get messy with this dish, but it's totally worth it.  Accompanying country potatoes were well cooked but under seasoned.  This is  remedied with house made ketchup and hot sauce.  My only critique is the "American" size of the portions.  One taco would have been plenty, although you can take the rest home in 100% recycled containers.
     The creme brûlée French toast came with four slices of bread and a side of meat such as crispy bacon.  You choose from four topping combinations including the traditional maple syrup and butter, fruit and whipped cream, bananas and peanut butter, and an unusual pairing of chocolate and bacon.  Don stuck to the traditional butter and maple syrup.  I don't typically have the stomach for sweet breakfast dishes.  One bite of this custardy bread with maple syrup and butter was enough to satisfy.  Hard to imagine eating all four slices.
     The food here reflects the passion of the chef owners, a husband and wife team.  Items such as granola and sauces are made in house and popular enough to be packaged for sale.  Attention to details, such as rooster art, black and white photos, and plush disposable hand towels in the bathroom, sets Early Bird apart from other breakfast eateries.  The high density locale guarantees a constant and loyal clientele.  The welcoming staff makes you feel like part of the neighborhood.  We'll definitely hurry back to try more items such as the chicken stuffed waffles.  

Breakfast tacos

Creme Brûlée French Toast