For the last six years, Cora's has been a gathering place for families looking for healthy and delicious breakfast options

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By Susanne MacDonald
This Week Staff

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Breakfast is anything but ordinary at Cora's Restaurant on Main Street.

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Susanne MacDonald/This Week

Cora’s Restaurant has earned a reputation as a great place for a family breakfast.

"We specialize in serving comfort food that also exemplifies healthy eating," says co-owner/operator Kim Bulman. Her husband, Kevin is also a co-owner/operator and Jim MacDonald is the third partner of the restaurant, which is situated in close proximity to the Delta Beausejour Hotel.

The concept for the all-day breakfast restaurant began in May 1987 when Cora Tsouflidou opened her first restaurant. Cora, who was originally from the Gaspé Peninsula and who found herself with the sole responsibility for her family, purchased an abandoned snack bar in a Montreal suburb and transformed it into one of the area's most popular eateries.

There are now approximately 100 Cora's across Canada.

"We do breakfast like nobody else does it," says Kim. "The presentation is similar to what your grandmother might have served, with hearty portions and often an unusual ingredient, and accompanied by fresh fruit."

Diners can choose from dishes with unusual names such as the 1990s Harvest, which a large cinnamon-raisin brioche dipped in French toast batter, with an egg and bacon on one side and a mountain of fresh fruit on the other.

"Cora often named the dishes after people who suggested them," says Kim.

Bobby Bottom is a crepe sandwich filled with the customer's favourite omelette and cheese and served with roasted potatoes and fresh fruit. Julia's Delight is a zucchini breakfast cake dipped in French toast batter and served with fresh fruit and honey butter.

Cora's also offers more traditional breakfast fare such as the Cora's Special, which is comprised of two eggs, bacon, ham, sausage and a crepe. Most breakfast items are served with fruit.

"Eggs Ben et Dictine is one of our more popular items," says Kim. "It consists of two poached eggs on an English muffin, covered with Hollandaise sauce, and served with roasted potatoes and fresh fruit. Other popular breakfast items include large waffles served with a mountain of fresh fruit, the 1990s Harvest, and delicious crepes."

Cora's lunch menu features crepes, quiche, chef's salad, soup and sandwich, a chicken and vegetables skillet au gratin, and much more. The 170-seat restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. The interior is bright and spacious and the walls feature unique artwork.

"When Cora opened her restaurant, she couldn't afford to print menus," explains Kim. "So she drew the menu items." Those drawings have been reproduced as artwork and now adorn the walls of the restaurant, as well as giving the menu a funky and contemporary look.

The restaurant's clientele is comprised of families and business people. There is a separate conference room, which can accommodate up to 28 people.

The Main Street Cora's opened in January 2002, and Kim and Kevin have been operating partners for the past three years. The Dieppe restaurant is owned by another franchisee who plans to open another restaurant in the Mapleton Road area.