REVIEW
Our new favorite local diner! Especially after the sale of Mastoris in Bordentown a couple of years ago Daphne’s, open since October of 2011, has become our go-to breakfast out spot. Actually, we should say Daphne’s reopened in 2011, because this spot was once occupied by Daphne Wilczynski, up until 2005. Then Daphne closed the diner to focus on catering, and the old diner alternated between vacancy, a brief run as the Italian restaurant Diamond’s, and another brief episode as Fernando’s.
Jersey Benedict, where, yes, pork roll subs for the ham or Canadian bacon
The diner, said to be one of the very few remaining pre-fab Comac diners still in operation, is small but quite spiffy inside, with some booths along the side, a row of seats at the counter, and free-standing tables. Weekend mornings can become quite busy but we’ve never had to wait very long to be seated. What everyone’s here for is food that, while retaining its essential diner-ness, is prepared with an uncommon level of skill for a diner.
Daphne’s Omelette: roasted peppers, sausage, mushrooms, spinach, cheese. Grits are always available to sub for home fries.
We’ve never been disappointed with anything we’ve eaten here. The specials menu usually lists well over a dozen additional breakfast items including, one memorable morning, Cap’n Crunch-crusted French toast! If only they offered real syrup (though Cap’n Crunch French toast might be one of the few instances when real syrup would just be wrong). And pork roll lent a punkish appeal to a Jersey Benedict.
A sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich
Prices are probably somewhat higher, and portions are perhaps smaller, than in other area diners, so if quantity and price trumps all, you might be better off at one of the many nearby diners. If you think you’d enjoy a small diner with a personal touch, and better quality food, this is your place.
A spectacular morning special, Jersey Shore Benedict: striper (!) cakes, with hollandaise and a sprinkle of Old Bay
All diners have rice pudding, and most of them are homemade but, quite frankly, we’ve never had a diner rice pudding as satisfying as Daphne’s.
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