I’m not sure why exactly it took me so long to get to the Break of Dawn restaurant in Laguna Hills. Break of Dawn is one of those places that you want to go back to time and time again. Recently, I went to Break of Dawn for breakfast. Several friends joined me that morning and we had a wonderful time. They open at 8am. It was a crisp spring morning and was a bit cold outside, but I couldn’t wait to get in and start my adventure.

There is one thing on the menu that I have focused on for the last week and that is the Tempura Eggs. These are soft-boiled, if not poached, eggs that are dipped in tempura batter, flash fried and then served over mesclun with a light vinaigrette. You crack the tempura “egg shell” and the yolk breaks and oozes over the crispy texture of the tempura. Mix in some of the vinaigrette and its perfection. It’s genius really. Chef Dee Nguyen, former executive sous-chef at the Ritz Carlton has opened this restaurant in the true spirit of family and devotion. Chef Nguyen has been thru alot of adversity over the last few years and decided to leave the Ritz Carlton to open a restaurant close to him family and cares for his family when not in the restaurant. His wife Lihn manages the restaurant while other members help at the restaurant and with caring for their son Berlin.

Break of Dawn is only open for breakfast and lunch leaving time for Chef Nguyen to spend time with his son. The inspiration he draws from each day he sees his family is put right back into energy towards his food at the restaurant. During my visit there we only sampled breakfast items like the smoked salmon. This isn’t your regular smoked salmon. These were tender thin slices of salmon resting on top of an oatmeal galette that was light despite it being oatmeal. Served with it was a poached egg and a tomato and fennel seed salad. Other dish at the table was a nice sized serving of Oatmeal with a Guava-Coconut syrup. Another surprise on the menu was the Portuguese-Hawaiian Sausage with Fried Rice and Two Eggs.  It’s just breakfast you say? Chef Nguyen is so playful with the design and taste, he adds something different to something ordinary and it becomes something brilliant.

I’d like to return to Break of Dawn for lunch and sample some of the other items on his menu including the Beef Short Ribs, Braised Duck, a Chicken Stew that is lightly curried in a Carrot, Edamame and Lemongrass Broth. He also has a meatloaf sandwich on the menu, but its a Vietnamese-style meatloaf served with an espresso gravy.

I will be back to visit Chef Nguyen time and time again. It’s halfway between my house and my office, so I have no excuse right? See you at Break of Dawn.

Break of Dawn
24351 Avenida De La Carlota
Unit N-6
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
949-587-9418
www.breakofdawnrestaurant.com