Cheese Gone Wild features four cheeses, applewood smoked bacon, kale,
heirloom tomato fennel confit, roasted
garlicky basil aioli, caramelized leek waffles. / NatomasBuzz.com
Sacramento King / NatomasBuzz.com
Strawberry Fields / NatomasBuzz.com
S’mortella / NatomasBuzz.com
Jimmy’s A Greek
BY BRANDY TUZON BOYD
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz
Updated 12 p.m. August 14, 2014
Natomas’ newest eatery The Waffle Experience launches tomorrow with a two-day soft opening.
The restaurant, located on the corner of Gateway Park Boulevard and Goldenland Court, is scheduled to serve breakfast and lunch 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. from a limited menu.
“These are not your mama’s waffles,” general manager Jeffrey Belaski said.
Delightful creations on the 11-item menu range from the sweet, traditional Belgium Liege waffle made with pearl sugar to several unique and savory dishes (photos depict bite-size samples).
The bill of fare includes a fresh take on a breakfast classic the “Benedict Arnold,” a whimsical “Strawberry Fields” and an ode to the neighborhood NBA team “Sacramento King.” In these dishes – and those yet to be rolled out such as “Mrs. B’s Korean Chicken” and “The Full Monte” – waffles function as the vehicle to showcase local, farm-fresh ingredients.
The Waffle Experience is the brainchild of executive chef and proprietor Michael Donoho. Donoho has worked alongside the likes of Iron Chef Morimoto, Emeril Lagasse and Julia Childs; his resume includes establishments such as Hotel Nikko of Beverly Hills, Gaylord Palms Resorts and The Waldorf Astoria in Boca Raton.
Belaski admits he was skeptical when Donoho, an old Marine buddy from Desert Storm, first introduced him to The Waffle Experience concept.
“I’m not a food connoisseur; I’m the simplest guy I like my burgers, pizza and chicken,” said Belaski.
But when Donoho served him a waffle topped with a combination of thinly sliced onion, pesto and Gouda cheese – Belaski said he was hooked.
“I had never had anything remotely close to this flavor,” he said.
Tomorrow’s soft opening marks the end of an at times tumultuous, two-year journey for business partners Belaski and Donoho. The pair first struggled to secure a suitable restaurant space and later were stalled from opening their restaurant for nearly two months while awaiting permit clearances.
Donoho and Belaski persevered and said they are excited to be opening their doors to the public after hosting more than a dozen private tastings to fine-tune their menu and serving samples this year at the California State Fair.
The Waffle Experience features an open-kitchen format – which allows diners to watch their meal being prepared from the bar or via a closed-circuit TV – and rustic décor. The restaurant offers indoor table and bar seating as well as a large patio for dining outdoors.
Also on the menu are bottled, all-natural sodas and iced tea, juices, hot tea and coffee by partner Dominic Dolar who owns and operates the Natomas-based Liberty Coffee Roasting Co.
The restaurant employs about a dozen part-time workers, floor manager Ruth Silva said.
The Waffle Experience is located at 4391 Gateway Park Boulevard in Suite 650. ** NEW HOURS ** It is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Discounts for active duty and retired veterans as well as first responders. (916) 285-0562
The Full Monte
(aka Monte Cristo)
features black forest ham, peppered turkey, swiss chard, gouda cheese, tart dried cherry
waffle, sour cherry compote. / NatomasBuzz.com
Why would a breakfast restaurant be closed on the weekend? They’ll be losing out on all the after-church business, as well as customers who work M – F. Too bad, I’d love to give them a try.
I agree with colleen.. closed on weekends? Silly idea.. take mondays off if u want give your cooks a day off.
Give them a month and we will see weekends for sure. Right now Gateway is an empty street on Saturday mornings but that will change soon with how good the food is!!
Hi all, we are starting out slow as we get prepared to open weekends and for dinner down the road. We want to get a bit more time in and hire more staff so we can execute great service and the best of food. So please give us a little more time and we will be opening on weekends.
Thank you for your comments and opportunity.
Eat well,
Chef Michael Donoho
The Waffle Experience
To have an establishment of this caliber in Natomas is a blessing, give them some time and an open mind, sounds super exciting!
Why is it closed on the weekend? That’s really rough. I’m flying in this weekend and I’d only be able to check it out then, not to mention the fact a breakfast like that requires leisure, not rushing on the way to work- and if they don’t open until 8, they’re going to miss the pre work crowd anyway
It is open Sunday-Friday starting this weekend; as indicated in the story above.
THE NATOMAS BUZZ
https://natomasbuzz.com
(916) 800-BUZZ