You won’t walk away hungry from Starving Artist Cafe on North Colley

North Colley, or NoCo if you’re a local, is an area of Norfolk I discovered by accident. It's a growing area that includes a handful of cool restaurants, including Starving Artist Café.

The word "Starving?" followed by a list of specials was displayed on a small chalkboard, held up by what appeared to be a wooden painter's easel. On the wall is a larger chalkboard that lists the drinks – coffees, hot teas, smoothies, juices, wine, beer and mimosas.

I decided on the chai latte ($3.50) from the list of drinks and scanned the two-sided menu, which is packed with items that will fulfill any breakfast lover's needs. My eyes were locked on the mango mimosa while I daydreamed about how great that will taste when I’m no longer pregnant and am able to drink again. For now, I had to stick with the latte and a side of water. Bummer.

This was an indecisive morning. Crepes or a breakfast burrito? Waffles or pancakes? Breakfast or lunch, or both? Both. Great decision.

I skipped the specials and chose the stuffed French toast ($8), build your own Womlette with spinach, tomato and cheddar cheese ($8) and chai latte ($3.50) to eat there, and Rene Magritte salad ($9) and James Whistler sandwich ($8) to take for the road trip ahead of me.

One chef prepared all of the orders in a small open kitchen, and one of the owners worked the register and prepped the drinks. If you are in a hurry, skip visiting this place until you have time to chat it up with the owners or other patrons, patiently wait for the food, sit there to enjoy it while it's hot and partake in the free coffee refills.

My son and I were unfortunately in a rush, so they changed the order to give us everything in to-go boxes but suggested we sit there and eat as much as we could first.

The chai latte was one of the best I’ve had. Maybe it was the eclectic, ceramic mug it was served in. Either way, the spices were perfect and the froth on top was plenty.

While waiting on the food, I took in the view. Paintings from local artists line the walls and are available for purchase. Other artistic gestures are scattered throughout – a tip jar made with faux paint brushes, stones and handmade jewels for sale displayed underneath an old coffee machine, dark wood tables and a black wall, and antique chandeliers. The decor lives up to its name.

Following the co-owner's suggestion, we ate as much as we could there, and did a little happy dance when we tasted our breakfast picks.

The stuffed French toast, made with a baguette, is thick yet soft and filled with warm strawberry cream cheese and a hearty amount of chocolate ganache – oh my. The dish is served with maple syrup that is not needed unless you require an extra kick of sugar, and two slices of bacon, both thick and crisp.

The Womlette is an omelet with three ingredients of your choice (I chose spinach, tomato and cheddar cheese) . It is cooked in a waffle iron and served with home fries that are cut into small cubes, made with a bit of onions for added flavor. This is one good omelet – cooked perfectly and quite nifty with the waffle shape.

Lunch ordered to take on the road was also good but didn't leave the lasting impression the breakfast items did. But that does not take away from how good the food overall is – I’m just a breakfast-is-a-gift-from-the-heavens kinda gal.

The standouts of the Rene Magritte salad ($9) – arugula, rosemary and goat cheese truffles, sweet potato, candied pecans and lemon-lavender poppy seed dressing – were the rosemary and goat cheese truffles , which should be packaged and sold separately, and the dressing , which is so interesting and light it left me wanting more to pour over everything.

The James Whistler sandwich ($8) – turkey, provolone, tomato, spinach, dill mayo, and Gouda with olive tapenade on ciabatta – is not your typical turkey sandwich. The mix of flavors wrapped around the tender sliced turkey accompanied it perfectly. The olive tapenade gave the biggest kick of flavor, and the bread was soft, even after being in the container uneaten for hours.

It's impossible not to feel calmer, a little happier and the opposite of starving after visiting this new-ish NoCo cafe. And if there's a foodie and an artist living inside you, check out the evening painting classes , which aim to please the "palette and the palate."

The spot Starving Artist Cafe, 4408 Colley Avenue, Norfolk

The vibe Family friendly café with a creative touch

To try The womlette and a chai latte

If you go

Hours

Mon closed

Tues – Sun 8am-3pm

Cost

Breakfast $4-9

Lunch $$3.50-15

Smoothies, mimosas, beer, wine and hard cider served

Reservations No

Kid friendly? Yes

More info http://starvingartistnorfolk.com/

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