Mount Bakery had a couple strikes against it from the start.
First, the name. I don't know about you, but hearing "Mount Bakery" kind of makes me feel funny inside. Like, bestiality but for baked goods?
Second, the menu cited that this was the best eggs benedict in Bellingham. Nothing makes me more wary than places that feel the need to proclaim that their eggs benedict is the best in town. Especially when it's self-proclaimed (not, for instance, based on an award by any sort of publication or Oprah citing it as one of her favorite things).
Finally, the benedict was served on a belgian waffle. Serving benedict on a non-English muffin, while acceptable when done well, can be iffy territory. The consistency is different, and not always in a good way.
However, when I ordered the benedict, a look came over the waitress's eye--like, good choice, dude. "Your friend might be jealous" she said (said buddy had ordered the breakfast sandwich.
When the platter arrived, I knew I had made the right decision. The fat half belgian waffle was lightly crisp but yielding (and didn't get soggy) under the mountain of perfectly poached, lightly oozy eggs which rested atop a slab of salty ham. The hollandaise was rich, creamy and tangy, and worked perfectly.
Even the potatoes were good--thick little chunksters, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I could have done without them being served under the waffle (kind of weird, right?) but once I dug them out they were quite delicious.
The Benedictation? DO IT.
Mount Bakery, 308 W Champion St, Bellingham, WA 98225; online at mountbakery.com. (warning: obnoxious music plays on the site)
The waffle is the thing that makes it splendid! A savory waffle, herbed with typically chives and a bit of fresh thyme or rosemary, and baked to perfection, then topped with the aforementioned toppings is nothing short of stellar! I love this one most of all.
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