by Steve LaRosa
photography by Dave Brooks

Fishing for a good breakfast spot? Look no further.

Before Donna and Tim Feeney sold The Nook in Cameron Park, readers of the local paper voted the popular eatery as serving the Best Breakfast in El Dorado County. The couple also cooked up a tasty reputation in Pacific Grove with their popular Toasties Cafe.

The good news for fans of either place? The Feeneys are back with a new restaurant, Rivers Edge Cafe & Espresso, on La Riviera Drive. It’s not literally a waterside cafe, but it’s not more than a quick stroll up and over the levee to the shores of the American River.

The service is casual and friendly. Says Donna, “We wanted to create a neighborhood atmosphere. We stress good service and good, fresh food in a clean, comfortable atmosphere.”

The fare here is American home-style, meaning lots of heapin’ helpin’s of rib-stickin’ food. The family-oriented menu features smaller portions and lower prices for children and seniors. The cafe’s cornerstone is breakfast, which is served until 3 every afternoon except Sunday, when the restaurant closes at 2 p.m. You’ll find an impressive selection of omelettes, eggs Benedict, pancakes, waffles, French toast, potato dishes and specialty items. We tried the French toast—thick, delicious slices of French bread accompanied by a hearty slice of bacon. A popular breakfast item is tortellini and eggs: cheese tortellini over sautéed spinach and onions, topped with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and hollandaise sauce. Rivers Edge also has an espresso bar, offering mochas, lattes and iced espresso drinks.

The lunch menu features big salads, sandwiches, burgers and chicken sandwiches from the grill. For dinner, there’s chicken-fried steak and the popular Friday-night prime rib special—12 ounces of certified Angus beef, along with soup or salad, bread, fresh vegetables and a choice of baked potato, rice or fries.

By the way, the atmosphere at Rivers Edge is diner-casual, and in keeping with the river theme, fishing rods and “fishiana” are everywhere you look, including underfoot.

8740 La Riviera Drive, Sacramento; (916) 362-2221; open 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Sunday, 6:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Monday, 6:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday.