A few Sundays ago, a group of my foodie friends and I got together to try this pop-up breakfast/brunch spot near South Coast Plaza. I’ve been to Thasos Mediterranean restaurant before, but didn’t even know that a pop-up had started by Chef Nathaniel Nguyen.
The menu is small, but enough choices with great items for both savory and sweet lovers. What else is impressive are the hand-made sausages they use in the hash, but you can order them as a side too.
Breakfast Sausage Hash ($9) with your choice of hand made sausage, roasted sweet potato and parsnip, market vegetables, topped with two perfectly poached eggs and fresh herbs. I loved this because there is no potato (I’m not a fan of potatoes unless it’s crispy) and here, the sweet potatoes and parsnip make a great combination.
Several of the items stay within the Mediterranean theme of Thasos and Mediterranean Ranch Eggs ($8) is a perfect example. Using a soft grilled pita as the base, hummus, tomato relish, avocado, feta and spicy fotia salsa is piled on top with a sunny side up egg.
My favorite was Smoked Salmon Pita ($10) but then again, I have a weakness for smoked salmon. A grilled soft pita bread is smothered with labneh (strained yogurt sauce) and topped with smoked salmon, Kalamata olive, red onion and tzatziki. A poached egg and arugula salad completes the plate. I would’ve liked more smoked salmon and another poached egg!
The two sweet items on the menu are pancakes. The first of the Hand-Made Multigrain Pancakes ($7) includes mixed berries, seasonal fruit, whipped Greek yogurt and mint. Light and refreshing, it is only a touch sweet which appeals to my palate.
The other is with banana brulee ($7), hand-made granola, whipped Greek yogurt and Clover honey. The sliced bananas are sprinkled with sugar and torched to give it the “bruleed” look and taste. Beautiful textures throughout this item.
Hand-made Breakfast Sausage ($3) were my favorite. Chicken “loukaniko” is a take on the traditional Greek loukaniko sausage made with pork. Here, chicken is used instead. Orange peel is the main seasoning which gives it a slightly sweet finish.
Bifteki ($3) is a Greek stuffed hamburger pattie and the sausage version here, is filled with complex flavors and absolutely delicious.
Enjoy some Seasonal Mimosas ($4) — grapefruit, honeydew or traditional orange and they are bottomless! Even better!
The menu is simple, delicious and so affordable! Take the time out to brunch one of these weekends, you’ll so thank me for it!
Morning By Thasos
3940 S Bristol Street
Santa Ana, CA 92704
Tel: 714-708-3000
Everything looks soooo good, but I must admit I’m a total sucker for smoked salmon as well! Seasonal bottomless mimosas? Sign me up!
This spot would be a favorite! Love the twists of flavor in each dish! I am with you on the smoked salmon, and the banana brulee looks fantastic! BTW, your photos are scrumptious!
thank you 🙂