Fresh organic Java Tree coffee is a serve-yourself setup. JEWELL & THE BEANSTALK 793 Somerville St., Manchester 624-3709; jbeanstalk.com Serving: Monday, closed; Tuesday-Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.. Cuisine: Eclectic Prices: $ Price guide: $ Entrees average $10 or less $$ Entrees average $11-$20 $$$ Entrees average $21-$30 $$$$ Entrees average $30 or more Rating: * * * Ratings guide: * Not recommended * * Good. Recommended * * * Excellent. Highly recommended * * * * Flawless. A must Visit the Dining section of NewHampshire.com to read previous Our Gourmet reviews listed by town.

It was time for a trip to a breakfast place again and this week we found the diamond in the rough – or the Jewell as the case may be.

Located on Somerville Street, Jewell & the Beanstalk is the kind of place that could be a regular stop on our weekend breakfast wanderings. The restaurant also serves lunch, but it was breakfast that we were there for on this particular day.

It’s a neighborhood place, but it’s not your typical neighborhood place. The eatery is decorated in antiques and crafted items for sale are scattered here and there, an eclectic mix that comes off as quirky but comfortable.

The menu is eclectic as well. It includes scrambles, omelets and other breakfast items that are anything but ordinary. From the tofu veggie scramble to the blueberry French toast to the Mexican tortilla quiche, there’s sure to be something here for everyone.

We started breakfast with, of course, fresh organic Java Tree coffee ($2 for a bottomless cup), which is a serve-yourself setup. Once we poured our coffee and returned to our seats, we perused the menu with interest. My dining companion immediately zeroed in on the pork-loin hash ($2.25), which he ordered on the side of his western poach ($7.50) — two poached eggs served over jalapeno focaccia with sauteed peppers, onions and ham, topped with cheddar cheese and served with potatoes.

The hash came as a starter, which we thought was a bit peculiar, but we said what the heck and dug in. It was a tasty mix of pork loin, potatoes, onions and spices — not the standard hash served with most breakfasts. He said it was a definite “would order again,” which is high praise from him as he loves his hash. The western poached eggs were a bit over-poached, the centers quite firm with very little of the runniness one expects from poached eggs. Other than that, the meal was very tasty and had some extra flavor from the focaccia, which had some heat from the jalapenos that “bit” back when bitten into.

I ordered the avocado omelet ($7.85), an omelet filled with avocado, onion, lemongrass, cilantro and cheddar served with a side of fresh fruit and toast. The fruit, as advertised, was very fresh, juicy and flavorful, and, like the hash, came out well ahead of the meal.

Pam Beecy of Manchester enjoys breakfast with her son Michael at Jewell & the Beanstalk. (TOM ROY/Union Leader photos)

As for the omelet, well, I can say that Jewell & the Beanstalk likes its big flavors. The onion was chopped quite coarse — more like chunks. I was tasting onion all day. The lemongrass’ floral taste came through loud and clear and the fresh cilantro was piled on top and inside. I could have done with a bit less cilantro — there was a bunch stuffed inside the omelet that was a bit overpowering first thing in the morning. There was plenty of avocado, however, and the overall effect was good. The omelet was large and plenty filling, so I could only eat a little of the dense, but nutty wheat toast that came with it. Overall the meal got high marks.

Aside from a forgotten glass of juice, and the odd timing of the hash, the service was friendly and competent. In fact, we seemed to have two waitresses, so I guess it was doubly good. The total cost was around $26 for coffee, juice and two meals; not the cheapest breakfast around, but not horribly overpriced.

Jewell & the Beanstalk is really about more than just the food — if you want a no-frills place and someone to sling hash at you, Jewell & the Beanstalk is not for you. But if you’re looking for a more leisurely experience in a warm, but eclectic environment, you just might want to make the trip over to Somerville Street. Once you do, we’re betting you’ll be back.

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