After just one visit, I know you will become a big fan of the Beach Grass Café, located in Solana Beach and Encinitas. I am confident that the amazing and unique menu here will have you coming back whether it’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Awards for the restaurant are plentiful, as they were recently voted the third-best place in the country for pancakes (AOL Survey) and have garnered many other honors over the years. The owner is accomplished restaurateur Jaime Osuna, who has for years operated two very popular eateries in Encinitas: Honey’s Bistro and Swami’s Café. Jaime, who learned the trade after a lengthy stint at Samson’s in La Jolla, bought the Beach Grass location in Solana Beach five years ago and then, earlier this year, opened the second location in Encinitas. The menu is a bit different at the two places but many of the signature items are available at both places. You’ll love it ... whichever place you choose!

For breakfast, the upside-down pineapple pancake is a must. You won’t need to pour syrup on it (unless you desire to do so) because the flavor is sweet enough. A little butter, though, is always nice. The two pancakes are huge, about eight inches in diameter, nice and thick and of wonderful flavor. You can also enjoy the maple/bacon/cheddar pancake or the traditional flapjacks. They are made with buttermilk batter, but you can substitute blue corn or poi batter. I am still raving about my Stir-Fry Rice Scramble (a great mix of rice, yams, scallions, egg, soy sauce and sausage). Also listed are the Hang Town Fry (crisp panko-crust oysters, bacon and parmesan with scrambled eggs), the Monte Christo or one of the scrambles or omelets like the vegetable ratatouille, the egg foo yong or the smoked salmon. Lunch is also a pleasant surprise. Try the Kailua pork tacos or fresh fish tacos. You’ll find a grilled lamb burger, an ahi salad sandwich and the Cubano (an authentic Cuban sandwich made with grilled pork, ham and smoked mozzarella with jalapeño garlic mayo).

The place shines just as brightly for dinner with appetizers like the grilled pizzetta with buffalo mozzarella and sliced tomato or Moroccan-style crab cakes. Among the salads, one is a great standout: the Crab Napoleon Salad (with fire-roasted, vine-ripened tomato, sunflower sprouts and homemade Louis dressing. For your entrée, choose from among: the pan- seared local sea bass; center-cut rib-eye steak with garlic mashed potatoes; the amazing fish and chips; a savory lamb shank; or the No. 1 seller, one fat pork chop (spicy and crusted with apple chutney and served with mashed potatoes).

Find Beach Grass Café at 159 S. Highway 101 in Solana Beach (858-509-0632) or at 1476 Encinitas Boulevard in Encinitas (760-942-2741).