Tag Archives: brunch

April 10, 2013 · 1:38 pm

Hotel Chantelle Brunch NYC

A few weeks ago we decided to treat ourselves to a nice couple’s massage on the lower east side of Manhattan and wanted to start the day with some brunch. After reading about Hotel Chantelle in Time Out New York , we decided to give their brunch menu a try.

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Yes, you read that right! 92 cent cocktails? Don’t mind if we do…

While there were several scrumptious looking items on this menu, I felt compelled to get something I’d never be able to eat at home, The Maple Jalapeño Sausage:

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Served with whipped potatoes, fried brussel sprouts and a sunnyside up egg.

Mi amor went with something a little fancier, The Russ and Daughters Lox Crepe:

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With warm goat cheese, sweet red onion, dill crème fraiche

I tasted both of these dishes and, even though I am not a lox fan, they were both incredible. My potatoes were creamy and smooth, the sausage was sweet and savory and who doesn’t love a good runny egg? The crepe was delicate, the cheese was sharp and the crunchy hash brown on top was to die for. I spent the better part of the weekend thinking about these dishes.

But I saved the best part of Hotel Chantelle Brunch for last, this guy:

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I love a man in an ascot.

He’s not joking.

If you’re in the mood for a little class, a little jazz and some impossibly delicious cheap cocktails, Hotel Chantelle is your joint. The food’s not bad, either 😉

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July 23, 2012 · 12:39 pm

Shirred Lemon Eggs

On our second morning in Blue Eye, I could smell the biscuits baking before I was able to imagine the glorious breakfast we would be enjoying. This is something I had never seen before, so I was thrilled to get to learn how to make it:

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These are called “Shirred Eggs”

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Biscuits made with a touch of cayenne.

For this recipe, you need 4 eggs, 1/2 cup cream, 1 tsp orange zest, 1/3 cup mild cheese. Make sure you butter the muffin tin. Then fill the tins with with 1 tsp cream, then brake the eggs in, adding some lemon zest and shredded cheese to each. You can use orange zest if you prefer and any meltable cheese will do.  Mary then added some “essence,” which makes all the difference :-). These went into a 325 degree oven for about 12 minutes.

Mary bakes her biscuits with a dash of cayenne, so they come out with just a hint of spice — divine! She also made some sausage patties, which I used to make little biscuit sandwiches and she flourished the plate with some fresh oranges, which really brought out the flavor in the eggs.

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Served with sausage biscuits and orange slices.

A fancy presentation of eggs that can be served with many things. POP POP.

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July 17, 2012 · 10:25 am

Frittata a la Mary

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This is Mary, Queen of Blue Eye.

I had the good fortune of spending last weekend with my family just outside Blue Eye, Missouri. I had heard my father gush for months over my Aunt Mary’s cooking, so you can imagine my delight not only to be able to eat her food, but to be able to record it. She was kind enough to let me invade her kitchen with my camera to capture a few gems for this blog. Today I’ll be sharing a brunch recipe I’m calling Frittata a la Mary. Her spin on this egg-based dish includes a bottom layer of shredded potatoes.

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She began by browning some shredded potatoes.

 

After she browned the potatoes, Mary mixed 6 eggs with 1 cup of half & half and 2 tablespoons of butter and added that to the pan right on top of the potatoes. Then she added about 4 ounces of cheese, which needs to be gruyere or some kind of good melting cheese. She then added a special seasoning we call “the essence.”

 

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She added the eggs, tomatoes and cheese.

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Then baked it at 350 for 30 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After laying the tomatoes across, she added a little more essence and into the oven! Adding some final flourishes, this is what was served:

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Frittata a la Mary

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May 21, 2012 · 8:42 am

Alice’s Tea Cup

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in New York City we, along with two friends of ours, did the most typical thing two couples can do: we went to brunch! And we did at the cutest possible location: Alice’s Tea Cup. This is a Lewis Carroll dream land of a restaurant, complete with mini Cheshire cats atop the tea pots!

This was how cute this place was. Kitties on the tea pots.

After perusing one of the most extensive tea menus I’ve seen in a long time, I decided on a nice Pu-Ehr, to bring me back to my Espresso Royale days. Our couple-dates ordered teas as well: one hot, one iced. And Jared? Well, with a long menu of special blends of different teas in front of him, Jared chose the cup of drip coffee. #thatsmyman

He may not be a tea aficionado, but he is most definitely the premier authority on french toast this side of Steinway Street, so you can imagine his glee when this was set down in front of him:

This was their brioche french toast, cooked bread pudding style. What?

He was speechless as he devoured this crunchy, gooey, berryful mess of yum. His only complaint? Portion sizes too small! Spoken like a proud Jersey boy. Interestingly enough, both the gentlemen on this date ordered sweet breakfasts and both the ladies ordered savory. While many items on the menu looked appetizing, Alice’s had me at “Scones Benedict”:

This was their “Scones Benedict” served over a ham and cheese scone. Yeah.

I resisted the urge to demand photos of our couple-date’s meals, but I assure you a magically delicious time was had by all. In truth, there are few fairer ways to pass a Sunday afternoon in New York City, or in this case, Wonderland. I recommend Alice’s to anyone who still drops a line to their inner child ever now and again. Mine? We’re on speed dial 🙂

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January 31, 2012 · 9:56 am

Terrific Lady Day, Part Deux

After a lovely girls night replete with piano bars, late night pizza, flirtinis and even later night bacon, how are two ladies expected to spend the morning? With brunch of course! My friend is lucky enough to live directly upstairs from a precious french bistro called Brasserie Julien and wouldn’t ya know it? They serve brunch! We began our meal with bread, duh. And also with two new friends: Mary and Mary 🙂

My new friend Mary... she's tasty.

And my new friend, Melanie.. she's busy

Now I’m no bloody mary connoisseur, as a matter of fact, I’ve only recently taken a liking to them. With that said, this one is probably the best I’ve ever had. It’s tasty and spicy and somehow gives the impression of nutrients, which I desperately needed this particular morning. Speaking of nutrients, here comes our food!

My omelet: chicken, asparagus, goat cheese

Mel's crepe: eggs, chicken, mozzarella

Served with homemade potato chips, salad and fruit all of which make me warm and mushy inside (perhaps the bloody mary helped). The restaurant was beautiful and the service was attentive without feeling rushed — the French have really got that on lock down.
Brasserie Julien also has live jazz music on the weekends and Sunday and Monday are Ladies nights! I heartily recommend it it for brunch and am looking forward to coming here for dinner. Stay tuned.

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November 28, 2011 · 11:49 am

Sunday Brunch

In my house, breakfast reigns supreme. When we have the time, brunch is an event, and during football season, we always make the time. I use this inclusive “we” word loosely as I am only responsible for potatoes and presentation. At dinnertime, I’m typically the queen of the kitchen, but in the AM, my king takes over. He  does breakfast right. Below is a typical Sunday morning feast on 46th street.

Jared breaking eggs for french toast and to scramble. He mixes the egg with milk and cinnamon for the toast. There may be other steps involved. I'm generally asked to leave the kitchen.

Chop potato(es). Mix olive oil in a bowl with salt, pepper and whatever else you like. Coat potatoes in oil. Add sliced onions and chopped garlic and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes (stir halfway through).

He crusts the french toast in nuts, puts the heat on med-high, adds butter and frys those mothers up. BAM!

Lower the heat and grill up your bacon (turkey back in this case) until it's at your preferred level of crispiness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scrambled eggs are pretty self-explanatory and no brunch is complete without berries (or mimosas!)

Just another delicious day in Astoria… What are your favorite brunch items?

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