On a recent Sunday morning during a beautiful drive down the Oregon coast, I happened upon a charming breakfast place that was highly recommended by friends: Wandas Café & Bakery in Nehalem. I never knew such a place existed, but I can promise you that I wont soon forget it.

The bustling café was bursting at the seams with customers, but we didnt mind waiting outside in the sunshine. Fellow soon-to-be diners were also waiting, many commenting on how much they love Wandas. Inside, the restaurant looks like the dining room your Great Aunt Ina may have had during the Eisenhower administration if Ina was also a cool art teacher with a sense of humor. Vintage 45s are tacked to the walls; an old television sets screen has been replaced with an aquarium (tele-fishin). There is a collection of old toasters and radios, the bright, candy-colored pastel colors of the 50s painted on the walls, and a map of the world beneath a large neon sign that reads, You are here. Yes, I certainly was, and I couldnt wait to see what this fun and eclectic place would have to offer.

Our server was charming and friendly and took our orders right away. We ordered coffee, which is roasted by the Sleepy Monk in Cannon Beach, and a fellow diner had a Bloody Mary, which was rich, tangy and appetite-whetting.

My order of eggs over medium, country-style potatoes, chicken-apple sausage and a side of biscuit gravy was the best restaurant breakfast dish I can recall eating in a long while. The chicken-apple sausage had a mellow taste with a spiciness of clove and was an enjoyably unusual departure from regular sausage links, and the biscuit gravy was also creamy, thick and delicious, amply spiced and full of chunks of sausage. The portion was also more than ample, much more than I could finish, although I tried really hard.

One of my companions sampled the tofu scramble, and she proclaimed it the best she has ever eaten. The tofu is seasoned with sesame and scrambled with onions, mushrooms, broccoli, zucchini, spinach and ginger, lending a bit of Japanese flair. A house-made biscuit that accompanied it was large, fluffy and buttery, and our server also brought us some house-made raspberry jam to top it with. Simply heavenly.

Another diner ordered the smoked salmon omelet, featuring Pacific wild salmon, scallions and dill cream cheese. Sort of a lox meets omelet combination, it was delightfully unusual and insanely tasty. Cottage potatoes accompanied, along with a side of peppered bacon cooked extra crisply. Again, it was very well prepared, and more than we could eat.

To satisfy our sweet teeth we selected a few offerings from the in-house bakery, including a robust ginger scone, topped with candied ginger, and an almond-raspberry shortbread, which was decadently rich but with the pleasing lightness that shortbread is known for.

As I munched and watched other diners ordering lunch and a particularly delectable-looking blueberry pie, I made a mental note to return again soon to taste what Im sure are other delicious dishes. Perhaps in the spring or summer, when Wandas sunny outdoor patio is open.