COMESTIBLOG

Breakfast at Brennan's

Breakfast at Brennan's is something everyone should try at least once.  Situated in the French Quarter, this lovely dining spot has been a Crescent City phenomenon since 1946.  Owen Edward Brennan's elegant culinary namesake evokes images of New Orleans French aristocrats sipping wine and enjoying leisurely breakfasts on the patio nestled among exotic plants and redolent magnolia blossoms, cooled by Palmetto fans.

Eggs Sardou (foreground) and Eggs Hussarde

We began our aristocratic breakfast with an "eye opener" called Fleur de Lis—Champagne with Grand Marnier and Lillet Blanc.  (One might think of it as orange juice with a kick.)  With appetites whetted, we were ready for our main course.  My Comestaccomplice ordered the Eggs Sardou (poached eggs on artichoke bottoms in a bed of creamed spinach and covered with Hollandaise sauce) while I chose the signature Eggs Hussarde (poached eggs atop Holland rusks, Canadian Bacon, and Marchand de Vin sauce, topped with Hollandaise sauce).  Ahhh … If only all eggs were this good!

To finish on a sweet note, we ordered two Brennan's originals: the Crêpes Fitzgerald (crêpes filled with cream cheese and sour cream, topped with strawberries flambéed with marischino liqueur) and the signature Bananas Foster (bananas sautéed in butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and banana liqueur, flambéed in rum, and served over vanilla ice cream).

What a delicious way to start the day!

Brennan's

417 Royal Street (between Conti & St. Louis Sts)
New Orleans, LA   70130-2103

(504) 525-9711

http://www.brennansneworleans.com/

A New England Breakfast Haunt

Although many retailers would have us believe it's Christmastime already, let's try to remember that the fall foliage season is just peaking in parts of the Northeast and that Hallowe'en is still two weeks away.  There'll be plenty of time for sleigh bells later.  But for now, why not rejoice in the splendor of the turning leaves and the forthcoming harvest they portend?  Should your weekend leaf-peeping take you through the hills of Western Massachusetts, consider a prandial visit to High Hopes Farm in Worthington.  Nestled in the foothills of the Berkshires, this rustic maple sugarhouse is an ideal starting point for a foliage-viewing jaunt.

Every spring and fall, the Rowe family presents their All-you-can-eat Sugarhouse Buffet ($9.95 for adults), a fortifying breakfast spread featuring pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon, ham, sausage links, and, of course, their own pure maple syrup.  There are also English muffins and toast (with which to sample their maple cream and Indian sugar) as well as orange juice, coffee, tea, milk, and hot chocolate.  No one should leave hungry.

 
Beware of one thing, however: the place is haunted.  Well, sort of.  In the fall, young Caleb Rowe employs his decorating skills to fashion a haunted sugarhouse to be entered "if you dare."  Look out for the various spooky adornments—the young man has quite an imagination!

The exit is strategically situated through the gift shop, by the cashier.  Browse the numerous maple products as you contemplate your Christmas list.

 

High Hopes Farm

1132 Huntington Road (Route 112)
South Worthington, MA   01098

Saturdays and Sundays, 7:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
27 September through 9 November

(413) 238-5919
(413) 222-5919

http://www.highhopesmaple.com/

 

Please click on the image above for a larger view of the menu.