The last time I was in Laguna Beach, I found a homey breakfast place called The Cottage. You can eat at one of their outside tables on the corner of Aster Street and North Coast Highway and know you are in California, but walk inside and the feeling is just like something you would find in northern Minnesota, with paneled walls and a cozy atmosphere.
On my trip to California last weekend, I just had to got back to The Cottage. But I also had breakfast next door at the charming Madison Square & Garden Cafe. This is more than a restaurant. It is also a gift shop with an eclectic assortment that ranged from whimsical Holiday reindeer from Department 56 to hand-painted tray tables from Eastern Breeze.
Fountains cluster in the garden portion of the store while chandeliers hang from the trees. Birdhouses, tins and ceramic dogs line the shelves of the wood cabinets used for outdoor display in a product assortment that draws you in and keeps you interested.
Here are a few more pictures I took at Madison Square & Garden Café.
