When our family was young, we’d often take the kids out or have a little date on our own for Sunday breakfast at a favorite country restaurant named, appropriately, The Country Restaurant. It was located in a little town just across the river from the Goodspeed Opera House via the East Haddam Bridge, our side of the Connecticut River. They served breakfast and lunch, the tables and chairs were the old wooden colonial style, the quarters close, the paper placemats advertised local businesses and there were always crayons available in a paper cup on your table if you felt like doodling on them. I always did.
A line formed if you got there shortly after 8 a.m….which reached outside. If the weather was poor, everyone would squish into the little entryway regardless of shoulder to shoulder, back to front proximity – neighbors and strangers being kind to neighbors and strangers. The coffee was good and the food delicious – not exotic, for the most part they served the staples you’ll find at any decent diner, but they also had a few of their own specialties. The waitresses were like family… to each other and to us, their faithful customers. “How’s your son?” “He’s doing much better, thank you for asking”…. “Where are the kids today?” “Home with mom, she’s up for a visit”. “Can you believe this snow?” “Feels like it’s been winter for years!” “Drive safely home, now”.
At Christmas time they would bake mini breads – like banana walnut or apple cinnamon – and hand those mini loafs out to their long time customers as they dined. We are creatures of habit, this family of mine – and we had our favorite meals. One waitress in particular, would simply walk over and ask – the usual? And with an eager head nod all, she’d place the order without another word spoken. Soon after, his OJ and my decaf would appear along with two chocolate milks if the kids were in tow, and the perfect breakfast would follow. The home fries the perfect crispy texture, the veggie hash divine ( still haven’t mastered the re-creation of that hash) – the pancakes generous, light and fluffy, the bacon crisp and full of flavor. My order was almost always… that hash, and their special Deluxe French Toast.
One day I got up the courage to ask the waitress something that had been pestering at me for years. I said… … I’m a cook, I do know how to make french toast, but what is that extra ingredient that makes this so particularly Delicious. She glanced over her shoulder toward the kitchen, and then swooped down next to my ear and whispered – Frosted Flakes! Oooh, that’s IT! With the knowledge of that one ingredient, it all came together and I was indeed able to re -create it at home. It’s been a hit with my family ever since.
Sadly, the Country Restaurant closed years ago, but not for lack of customers. Apparently some book/tax accounting practices put the owner in a bad spot, and the doors were shuttered for good. So many of us who have lived in this area for a long while remember it fondly and miss it, still.
In honor of the beloved Country Restaurant, below is my recipe for their Deluxe French Toast.
So here’s what you do- try it- you will not regret it. Smash up some Frosted Flakes cereal in a dish. Put four eggs and a little vanilla extract in a bowl- mix well. Melt butter in a large fry pan. Dip bread slices in egg, then crushed frosted flakes, then set in pan to golden brown on each side. when first side of each slice is browned, flip it and place on it one thin slice of deli ham and one thin slice of Swiss cheese then place cooked side of other bread slice facing ham and cheese on top to form a sandwich style. When both sides of what is now the outside of the sandwich is done, place on plate, sprinkle ( use sifter, I didn’t) powdered sugar over it and serve.
Delish!!
The Country Restaurant may be gone, but it will never be forgotten.
Good times. Old Times. No Cell Phone Times.
It was truly a beautiful thing.
