Thanks to good year-round weather, tracts of open space and well-planned communities that cater to bikers, hikers, joggers and walkers, we all now somehow find the energy and stamina to head outside even after a long day. It’s common to find John riding Zac’s scooter while the gang keeps up behind him; or me pushing a jogging stroller loaded with a 30-pound 2-year-old and a 65-pound 5-year-old strapped to the handle bars while riding his swivel car. I know you can picture that scene! We no longer battle one-way street traffic, faulty and narrow sidewalks, or broken curbs. It is welcome and expected to find people of all ages exercising their right to be active everywhere. So when Chris and I saw this sign on the way to an early Saturday PTO breakfast meeting at the divine CafeBliss, we actually found it quite humorous! He rode anyway, since the shopping plaza addicts weren’t yet out in droves.

Plus, riding the short path from our house to CafeBliss helped him build up an appetite–which he needed to devour the hefty slices of from-scratch French Toast and specialty hot chocolate topped with homemade whipped cream and real chocolate morsels. And, because I jogged beside him, I didn’t feel so guilty when I forked up every bite of my spinach, tomatoes and feta omelet and bite-sized cubed home fried potatoes. I begrudgingly left a slice of rye toast, only because I was too full to continue. But it was hands-down THE BEST rye bread I’ve ever had–and that says a lot when you’re used to NYC Jewish Rye Bread.  Paired with my bottomless cup of fresh-brewed coffee, our CafeBliss breakfast was truly a blissful feast for the eyes–and the belly!

And, showing true Southern Hospitality, owner Mike Shalati greeted every patron at every table as soon as he walked through the door at 10 am. Treating us all like family and taking pleasure in the smiles and compliments of his guests, he personally filled water glasses, refreshed coffee cups, topped off sweet teas, and took the time to coo at new babies and high-five a skateboarder. Bliss? Definitely–from both sides of the table.

A hefty stack of not-to-sweet French Toast from CafeBliss in Waxhaw, NC.