This cafe used to be the “Triple J” coffee shop in Kirkland downtown. I think it changed to be “Oriel” less than a year ago. I finally got to try this place last week for brunch. Surely, it did not disappoint me. The atmostphere is almost the same as the previous “Triple J” cafe. Most furniture remains, including the black sofas and the cozy fireplace. It wasn’t overly crowded. Defintely a great place to hang out with friends for a lazy and relaxing Sunday morning. Oh.. another great thing, it still provides free wireless connection. So if you decide to try this place alone, don’t forget your laptop.

For 4th of July, this was the perfect place to check out the Kirkland parade. Parking in downtown Kirkland is usually terrible, but since we were walking because of the parade, this was an excellent vantage point right by the stage.

Outdoor seating is a little cramped, since you’re pretty much occupying half the sidewalk and the dogs getting walked always get distracted with you and your food but it’s a good place to people-watch and soak up the Kirkland ambiance. Inside was a little stuffy since it was a hot day — some sort of ventilation system would have helped.

Service is prompt and friendly, if a little uncoordinated (we got two sets of menus, water and silverware; one set obviously had to be sent back) and distracted by the parade. We were not told about the MS Prime rules until we paid our bill.

The food however, was AWESOME. We had mimosas, which were mostly champagne with just enough orange juice. The ratio is just the way we like our mimosas. I had the Aussie Heart Starter which was a huge meal of sesame toast, baked beans, sausage, bacon, mushrooms and poached or scrambled eggs. You have the option of getting that with tomatoes but I chose to go without. The boyfriend got a salmon eggs benedict and loved it… when I looked back at him, it was all gone.

I’d definitely go back here for brunch (and free Internet!) even without the Prime Card!