'Beverly's Best'

Beverly's modest exterior is quite deceiving, especially in comparison to that of its neighbor, Hatties, one of Saratoga's most well known eateries. Named for "Beverly's Best" a cookbook written by Beverly Reedy, the small breakfast and lunch nook is by every definition a whole in the wall.

While the plain entrance and simple interior reminds one of a run of the mill diner, Beverly's is anything but. From chocolate chip pancakes made with wheat germ to eggs Benedict with fresh lump crab and homemade hollandaise sauce, Beverly's easily offers the best breakfast around.

If one were to ever find him or herself feeling a little sluggish on a Sunday morning from one too many games of bananagrams on Saturday night, a breakfast at Beverly's is the cure. Down a cup of its homemade tangerine juice and you will instantly feel your headache melting away. There are so many delicious choices for breakfast, however, that one's head may continue to spin from looking at the menu.

I have found some of the best dishes to include the chocolate chips pancakes, the smokes salmon eggs Benedict, the California eggs Benedicts, the homefries and any of the frittatas. You can pick from a range of pancakes as well and you won't be disappointed. I, however, am partial to chocolate chip variety. They are light and fluffy, but also decadent and moist. And they are made with wheat germ, and therefore only slightly healthier than the classic buttermilk version! Never fear though - there isn't a trace of healthy-food taste in these pancakes.

I also highly suggest the farm bread for a side of toast. Beverly's serves fresh, local artisan bread and each order comes with blackberry jam and orange marmalade- both of which are insanely delicious. The farm bread is like a whole-grain white bread which is, well, it's just really, really good bread and that's all there is to it.

The breakfast menu also features a selection of breakfast burritos, ranging from Brie and mushroom to black bean and cheddar. Each is rolled in a whole wheat tortilla and served with Beverly's insanely delicious home fries. I've been able to taste a few of the options, and I've never been disappointed.

It's already considerably difficult to order off the breakfast menu, but to make matters even more of challenge, Beverly's also has an entire lunch menu. One can choose from a large selection of sandwiches and salads, all of which sound as enticing as the breakfast options. I will admit though, I am a die-hard Beverly's breakfast fan so it is hard to deter me from that end of the menu, which is offered until 3 p.m. every day.

It also has wonderful coffee, which, in my book, is a necessity for any great breakfast.

Given that its menu includes such upscale items as fresh smoked salmon, lump crab, homemade hollandaise sauce and wheat germ, one might expect Beverly's to be on the pricey end. This would be false. Great prices make Beverly's already fantastic breakfast that much sweeter. It even offers a dish named after us Skid-kids, called the "skiddie". Rumored to cure any hangover, the "skiddie" includes pancakes, eggs, bacon, home fries and toast. And the whole thing only costs $9.95.

The service at Beverly's is always friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere is sunny and joyful. I can't rave enough about how fantastic its breakfast is; I highly recommend you give it a try yourself. Happy eating, Skidmore!

Robin Krosinsky is a sophomore with a passion for food.