Brunch is quite possibly my favorite meal. Why?
- It is suitable to eat at any hour – 11 AM, 3 in the afternoon, really, any time on a weekend while the sun is out.
- It can be sweet or savory.
- It can be light or totally indulgent.
- It’s acceptable to attend in a dress, or with bags under your eyes from the previous evening.
- It’s usually enjoyed with a side of girly chatter.
- It basically requires accompaniment by a champagne cocktail.
- I could go on.
When I lived in Prague, my girlfriends and I used to go out for brunch every Sunday. It was an American ritual that we kept alive abroad, and even if our lives had us too busy during the week, noon on Sunday was always our time to catch up. [Hey, speaking of Prague, my latest post for GoBackpacking is here].
We tried a different location nearly every weekend, some catering to expats who missed pancakes and eggs, some traditionally European with crepes or jams and cheese. Sometimes the crowd was a tiny threesome; sometimes it required the largest table the restaurant could provide. Always, there were lattes and plenty of conversation.
bloggers in action.
Yesterday, I did brunch New York style, meeting up with Sofia and Mel at Virage, an East Village spot that is fast becoming one of my favorite brunch locations. Its $14.95 prix-fixe price tag [including entree, coffee or tea, and choice of brunch beverage] is a big perk, as well as the sunny atmosphere and tasty menu. They don’t take reservations, and it does get packed, but it is worth waiting for.
Being part of the early twenties blogger crowd means two things. One, Mel had spent her morning purchasing winter running gear, I was sore from morning yoga, Sofia had already run a race in the earlier hours [yeah, she's kind of awesome]. And two, at the same time, there was talk of nights out and ideal 3 AM snacks. Balance, everyone. It’s all about balance.
Amidst gabbing about the usual twentysomething highs and woes [or, as Sofia once so perfectly put, "twentysomething mental garbage" - college students, just wait till you get here], we managed to select our meals from the wonderful Mediterranean-inspired menu.
I chose a vegetarian take on eggs benedict: poached eggs with avocado and roasted red peppers atop an English muffin. Or, eggs benedict done Leslie-style. I mean, runny egg all over avocado and toast? Yum. Just yum.
This is a perfect example of where flexibility does me well. Was my English muffin whole grain? No. Were my eggs organic? Likely not. But this hit the spot. I might want raw and vegan food one day; I might want runny eggs another. It’s wonderful to be able to enjoy whatever I choose.
It’s even more wonderful to brunch with other bloggers – and I believe our next outing is already in the works.
Why do you love brunch? No haters allowed. :)
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I LOVE LOVE brunch because I’m usually able to satisfy my sweet tooth and savory taste buds all in one. Plus, there’s some warm, social aspect of ‘brunch’ that brings people together for a bit of peace and sanity.
Thank you again for that genuine, beautiful comment you left me. It means the world.
You’re a rock star.
bec xo
I love brunch because…
it opens the flood gate of breakfast and lunch options making the best combination meal ever.
it sometimes makes a morning alcoholic beverage acceptable.
it is enjoyed alongside the company of friends or family or other people I love most.
And I had no idea that you loved it so much either. We must make a few brunch dates when I get back :)
It’s been far too long since I’ve had brunch. Your tasty plate is my new incentive!
ohh ive been there before!! :) loved it! eggs Benedict used to be my absolute fav! i loved brunch bc it brings back memories of when i was younger and would go to dim sum for brunch in the city or Sarahbeths my fave :) with my extended family all the time. i loved it!
its been so long though!
xo
I love brunch because it’s always enjoyed around here among great family and friends :)
Your eggs benedict look AMAZING.
Wow.
New music, food, fitness + giveaways – http://katiechangesforkatie.blogspot.com/2009/12/mia-photo-update-new-contest-happy.html
Have a good day!
Katie
I loved this post! I could see you smiling as you wrote it :D
Brunch.. it really does sound perfect. Give me an excuse to enjoy a mimosa at noon ;-)
Virage is RIGHT next to my apartment… I have been there once for dinner but never for brunch… let me know if you are ever there again… I’d love to meet up and try it out! :)
Virage, hey i have been there once! :) it was a while back, and it remember it being so good! looks like you girls had a great time, and i love this post, and your flexibility lovie, it is really inspiring for me to see, i have such similar views, i loved when you said “It’s wonderful to be able to enjoy whatever I choose.” exactly, perfectly put lovie ;)!!
and love brunch too, havent gone out to brunch in too long, but it used to be such a tradition with my extended family, when they lived in Park Slope, probably like 2 times a month we would all go out to brunch in the city, as Maya said loved Sarabeths! omg so many memories of egg Benedict’s with lox! :)
love you
xx
Eliza
why do i love brunch? good company, sweet drinks, and not having to cook eggs for myself since i pretty much suck at doing so. good times.
mayhem soon? ;)
Nice! I’ve wanted to try out Virage for a long time. Do they also serve non-egg brunch dishes? I love the brunch atmostphere as well, though I don’t enjoy the long wait for a table. :P
Kim,
They do have a couple non-egg dishes, and you can also order from the lunch menu, which has more options (though that doesn’t come as part of the prix-fixe). The food/atmosphere are worth it though!
Breakfast/Brunch is my absolute FAVORITE meal to go out for. Have you ever been to Jack’s Bistro in NYC? It’s over by NYU, I believe. They have an awesome brunch menu. This is why I should have moved to NYC from Rockland County instead of Albany. :-)
ps I am giving away a pound of gingerbread coffee from a local coffee shop on my blog if you’re interested!!
http://roseyrebecca.com/2009/12/13/uncommon-grounds-gingerbread-coffee-giveaway/
Goodness, what another wonderful post. One day I want all-vegan, the next day I want whole eggs and the not-so-revered choices. Flexibility. Balance. Peace with choice.
I think your blog is wonderful and would enjoy adding you to my roll.
You can do likewise, but I don’t know if I am your interest to read. I am quite random, not only about food, sometimes silly, sometimes deep, sometimes nonsensical, etc. Just learning along the way. I feel in the future when I find myself in a life I am more at peace with..then I will start a new blog…for now its all squeaks and groans. Have a lovely day.
Ooh – brunch! I so rarely have it, but deeply enjoy brunch. I love the combination of savory and sweet foods, the fullness until dinnertime, and a mimosa…
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