Carrollwood's Favorite Eye-Opener

No matter whether you breakfast at 7 or 11, you’ll find your favorite flavor at J. Christopher’s, 14366 N. Dale Mabry. Maybe you prefer to skip breakfast and just break your fast with lunch. They’re open ‘til 2:00 p.m. every day.

J. Christopher’s is the kind of place that can grow on you. That’s what owner/manager Bill Kranich is banking on. He painted the walls orange for the sunset; the ceiling surfboard yellow. Hanging on the walls are paintings by local artists, for sale if one catches your fancy. The only painting that’s out of the average person’s price range is one named “Fruit of the Womb”, a still-life painted by Bill’s late mom when she was pregnant with him. Its price? Seventyfive million dollars and 23 cents. The 23 cents is negotiable.

There are two meeting rooms available at one end of the restaurant. On the day my friends and I lunched, a ladies’ bridge group was in the large room and a group of young moms of kindergartners from Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church was in the small one. This is the meeting place for Carrollwood Area Business Association, as well as several other business networking groups.

Now on to the food. This is a breakfast lover’s paradise. Start with a healthy plateful of fresh fruit, $4.89. Add a bowl of Irish Oatmeal, with apples and raisins, $4.79. Pancake devotees will find Plain Ole for $5.99 or Blueberry Crunchcakes (the crunch is granola), $6.79. A Belgian Waffle with fresh strawberries, $6.79.

Omelets may be made to order, although some on the menu sound pretty yummy just the way they are, such as the Popeye, with spinach, bacon, mushrooms and cream cheese, $7.29 All come with grits or homefries and an English muffin.

I could go on and on. Pick Eggs Benedict, $7.99; Huevos Avocado, $7.29; or just go Traditional for $6.79. One of seven choices for kids l0 and under is yours for $3.99.

Moving rapidly to lunch, two of us the day we lunched chose salads. Mary Ann wanted Mandarin Salad: mixed greens, chicken chunks, pecans, Mandarin oranges, dried cranberries and green onions with an Oriental sesame dressing, $7.29. I had Salmon Salad: a broiled salmon filet served on spinach, with bacon, mushrooms, avocado and eggs and fat-free Vinaigrette. Both salads came with cheese toast.

Sheila chose a sandwich, a special that day, featuring a large Portabello mushroom on a whole-grain bun. Hash-browns are served on the side. There are 6 grilled chicken sandwiches, several burgers and a handful of hot lunches. And don’t forget to ask about the soup of the day. I tasted that day’s, a hearty bean soup, and found it very tempting.

This is not gourmet fare, folks. Just hearty food served in a pleasant atmosphere by smiling servers. I have been there for both breakfast and lunch, and have always enjoyed it. Separate checks is not a problem, LoCarb and LoFat options are available. No wonder J. Christopher’s was recently named CABA’s Business of the Year.

- Sandra Harrington