Review of Sunnyside Cafe and Restaurant

We recently moved to Virginia Beach and since I keep house all week (cooking/cleaning) my boyfriend likes to treat me on the weekends. As a result, we have been checking out the local restaurants. I am a foodie (and chef) that has been GF long before it was "cool". Ya know, before most of you had ever heard of gluten (back in the 90s). Just trying to preface in case you are looking for suggestions, I suggest clicking on my name and reading my reviews.

I was in the mood for pancakes this morning, so we didn't go back to Commune (😋). The wait was shorter than anticipated. Our waitress, Cassie, appeared quickly and was both friendly and knowledgeable. I ordered corn beef hash, scrambled eggs, GF toast with grape jelly, and a side of gf pancakes. P ordered some sort of omlette that came with pancakes and a coffee.

Once again the toast came out dry. 🤔 Idky they don't butter toast here in VA. 🤷🏻‍♀ Cassie quickly brought me some butter and I was able to try the toast. White bread, tasted pretty stale. Hard, thick, not for me. Next I went for the corned beef hash. The corned beef was very tasty but I was a bit disappointed that there was only a few shavings of potato no onion and no peppers. Still, the beef was good and went well with my scrambled eggs. 😋 The gf pancakes.... while they were far superior to the awful cornbread ones at the last pancake house, still left much to be desired. Think biscuits. They could have used some gravy instead of the maple flavored cornsyrup on the table. Beware of the syrup dispenser. It requires two hands to pour and comes out FAST. My boyfriend's syrup quickly flowed onto the table. 🤣

Peter's non gf food was good. The coffee was strong just the way he likes it. 👍

Overall, maybe skip the gf bread/pancakes and get something else. We liked that the portions weren't massive too. Enough food to satisfy yet didn't leave us feeling stuffed and wanting to do nothing else.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Below Average