With Easter coming up this weekend, I’ve been thinking about brunch. It’s common for families to go out for or make brunch after church on this holiday.
But my husband doesn’t like brunch.
For that reason, I can’t tell you the last time I’ve been out to brunch. Actually, I can! It was when my friend Madeline came to town and we went to Scusi {which no longer serves brunch}. That was about a year ago.
Back to Easter:
Ever since I moved to the Twin Cities, it has kind of become tradition that my family comes to visit the weekend of Easter. {We go to Green Bay for Thanksgiving and Christmas}. Usually arriving on Friday afternoon or early evening, my family typically leaves before noon on Sunday. There isn’t much more tradition than that. We do something different every year! Whether it be sending them off to the Mall of America, walking around Lake Calhoun or having an Easter Egg Hunt in our yard; it doesn’t really matter what we do. It’s more about time together.
Still, after they’ve all left on Sunday morning, Rob and I are somewhat in a quandary over what to do for our regularly scheduled Sunday meal out because brunch is everywhere on Easter Sunday! {Yes, we eat out every Sunday. It’s our own tradition!}
I’ve learned over the years to double check if a restaurant is serving only brunch on Sundays or if they allow ordering off of their regular menu before heading out the door. It’s not that Rob doesn’t realize that there are some perfectly great brunch menu items out there. It’s more that he associates brunch with buffets, of which neither of us are big fans. For Rob, I think it’s the limited selection due to his food allergies. In addition, he’s not one for sweet breakfast foods, which are often a focus at brunch time. For me, the thought of a buffet conjures up images of massive quantities of tasteless food. And while I do know that isn’t always the case, I still prefer quality over the quantity. Most of those buffet brunches are all-you-can-eat, too. While it may seem like a great value, it does nothing for those of us who are overweight.
Do we really need all-you-can-eat buffets in the most obese country on earth?
Furthermore, it can be difficult sometimes to differentiate if a restaurant’s brunch is a buffet or consists of a special menu. Sometimes that special menu can be limited, too. Still, I don’t mind brunch once in a while, but tend to fore go it for my man. It’s not like a sacrifice or anything for me. Besides, I find when I eat a bigger meal in the A.M., I tend to eat many, many more calories that entire day. So, my husband is actually doing me a favor.
All of that being said, there truly are some great brunch menus out there. Maybe I should make that an assignment for the two of us – to scout out a great brunch menu and report back. I know, research is tough, huh? We just can’t make that kind of eating a regular occurrence.
Still, brunch menus and buffets tend to be very specific on Easter Sunday. So what’s our solution in avoiding this?
Pardon My French
This is a French bakery, café and wine bar in Eagan. It’s an order-at-the-counter type of place where they serve sandwiches, quiches, burgers, omelets, salads and other specials. We do indeed indulge in a dessert from the pastry case and sometimes walk away with a few chocolate truffles to take home as well. It’s a casual and cozy place where you can waste away the hours, just like in a café in France. The only big difference in my eyes: The portion sizes are huge! Think French pastries on steroids. It’s a good idea to split a dessert or practice The 50% Solution. At a ballpark in the U.S., you can get a footlong hotdog. Here, you can get a footlong éclair. {Okay, so I’m exagerating a little.} No matter the size, the desserts are delightful and have proven to be the perfect item to bring to impress when attending a party. And don’t forget to pick up a baguette or a specialty bread to take home on your way out, too!
My favorites? Well, you’ll just have to stay tuned next week to see pictures. In the meantime, check out these Easter Wine Pairings if you are in a last minute crunch.
Season It Already! 