There’s something unique about breakfast, that mix of the best-of-the-best at both breakfast and lunch. Even stating the word suffices to make the stomach rumble.
Brunch welcomes folks to collect and to stick around a lot longer than a routine meal; it welcomes decadence. Dishes appear simply a little richer, and there are even mixed drinks, such as bloody marys and mimosas, crafted simply for the event.
Brunch is at its pinnacle when good consumes and good beverages with buddies combine with a relaxing environment, something I discovered when eating in restaurants just recently with my buddy, Doug, and our dear friend, Harriet, at Leaping Lizard Cafe.
THE EAT: DUCK HASH, $14.95
Originally developed as a method of utilizing up leftovers, hash become a preferred American meal in the mid-19th century. The meal consists of sliced active ingredients — typically a protein, a starch and veggies such as onions.
At Leaping Lizard, the star of their hash meal is duck, which provides an abundant, intricate taste. The duck hash showcases slow-braised pulled duck, resting atop a split, tasty sweet potato biscuit. Sunnyside eggs, along with a scrumptious basil hollandaise, are on top. A little green salad and bowl of fresh fruit are served on the side.
The biscuit was the best platform for the duck. A good company edge held together a light, fluffy interior. The fragile earthiness of the sweet potato was a best pairing with the sweet taste of the duck. The biscuit was likewise a scrumptious repository for the duck’s fat drippings, along with the runny yolk of the egg and the opulence of the hollandaise.
THE BEVERAGE: BLOODY MARY
The bloody mary commemorated her 100th birthday in 2015, however this breakfast staple never ever ages.
At Leaping Lizard, a mango-infused vodka is utilized as the spirit, and the a little sweet, piney taste works perfectly with the sassy bloody mary mix. Some horseradish and lemon juice are included, and the charming production is served on the rocks with traditional garnishes.
Leaping Lizard Cafe is at 4408 Shore Drive; call 757-460-5327 or check out leapinglizard.com.
A LA CARTE
The 4th Sunday Bluegrass Brunch occurs noon-4p.m. Jan. 23 at Commonwealth Brewing Company. In addition to beers from Commonwealth, breakfast meals from food trucks and live music are on tap.
Commonwealth Brewing Company is at 2444 Pleasure House Road; call 757-305-9652 or check out commonwealthbrewingcompany.com.
Warm up with hot meals and cold beer at Taste of Winter Beer Dinner. The season is commemorated with brews from New Real Brewing Co. at 6 p.m. Jan. 24.
The menu, hosted by executive cook Steve Hevey, consists of a very first course of frisee salad with pear, hazelnut and bleu cheese; a 2nd course of butternut squash bisque; a 3rd course of beef Wellington with truffle brie mashed potatoes and honey roasted carrots; and a 4th course of plum cheesecake. Tickets are $65 per individual.
New Realm Brewing is at 1209 Craft Lane; call 757-302-8550. For more details and tickets, check out newrealmtasteofwinter.eventbrite.com .
Use your noodle and head to Ramen Night if the soup is your thing. It occurs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Monday at Calypso Bar & Grill. The handmade bowl offerings are tonkutsu with a pork and chicken broth; shoyu with brisket in a pork and chicken broth; and vege, a veggie meal of Beyond meatballs in a porcini mushroom broth.
Calypso Bar & Grill is at 1101 Atlantic Ave.; call 757-228-1972 or check out calypsovb.com.
Patrick Evans-Hylton, [email protected]
