Brunch-able

[tighe]

There's been a disquieting lull for the last couple days, so I thought I would throw this out. Hopefully there are others that like going out for brunch....

I'm a sucker for buffet brunches, but too often run into tables-full of mediocrity. A couple weeks ago I went to the Calcutta Grill at the Golf Club at Newcastle because my wife had a gift certificate. It was great!, and the view can't be beat. The regular price is about ~$25, which I don't think is too bad given the spread they have. Some of the highlights were sushi (rolls), the carving station and an fantastic desert selection.

For non-buffet type brunches, I like both Maximilien and Cafe Campagne a lot.

Other fav brunch spots??

[tsquare]

I like a basic breakfast, well done, particularly on weekends. Had a perfect one last Sunday morning at Jiggerbug in Wallingford. Got there just after 8 a.m. The help was cheerful, helping each other out. Probably not the case as the morning wears on. Superior ham/cheese/scallion scramble, crunchy, peppery fresh cut potatoes, nice bits of fruit, warm buttered "hemp" bread, and free coffee refills on my latte dregs. Kept me going till dinner.

I like Cafe Campagne too. Too bad they stopped serving breakfast during the week.

[Blue Heron]

Although it's been awhile, I had a memorable seafood brunch at The Lobster Shop on Ruston Way in Tacoma. They also have a great view. They served steamed clams & mussels in a couple of different styles, smoked salmon, poached salmon, chilled prawns, as well as all the other traditional brunch type items.

For a regular breakfast, I usually head down to Pepperdock on Alki beach, which is in my neighborhood. (I've had breakfast at the Alki Cafe on Alki beach, too, but was not impressed). Actually, I'd have to say that I don't go out for breakfast or brunch all that often.

Has anyone tried Salty's seafood brunch?

[mamster]

I don't get out for brunch often enough either. Has anyone been to the Stalk Exchange? It's been on my meaning-to-try list forever.

[nightscotsman]

I took my Mom to Salty's for brunch last month. Some plusses and minuses:

We had a reservation, but they still made us wait in a crowded corridor for about 20 minutes.

The dining room is pleasant and every table seems to have a good view - and a spectacular view of the downtown skyline it is. The feature alone would make it worth it for out-of-towners.

Huge quantities and selection of food. Lots of fairly well prepared seafood, especially crab. The waffles are freshly made, but terrible with no flavor. Omelets are also cooked to order, but the fillings were bland and uninteresting. Great bacon and sausage. Pretty good fresh pasta. Large selection of attractive desserts, but they tend to be very heavy and without much finesse flavor-wise (canned peaches in the peach tart).

Overall I would say the food was good for a buffet, but I would be disappointed if I had ordered any of it from a menu.

But then I'm hyper-critical - my Mom loved it and happily plowed through several plates of crab legs.

[tsquare]

mamster-

I've eaten at the Stalk Exchange a number of times. It is ambitious, but casual. I haven't had a great meal there - but have only tried at brunch. A friend, who is a vegan (!) really likes it, but don't hold that against it. They have some meat on the menu, lots of local and organic products. It is definitely worth trying, though the wait can get pretty long for a table.

[girl chow]

The nicest setting for brunch is on the patio at the Madison Park Cafe. It's a peaceful atmo with lots of trees and flowering plants providing plenty of shade. The food is really good. I like the lemon ricotta pancakes and if they're on the menu, the huevos rancheros are unusual and good. The menu is very eclectic and has something for everyone.

For atmo, this place can't be beat.

[Blue Heron]

I took my Mom to Salty's for brunch last month. Some plusses and minuses:

We had a reservation, but they still made us wait in a crowded corridor for about 20 minutes.

The dining room is pleasant and every table seems to have a good view - and a spectacular view of the downtown skyline it is. The feature alone would make it worth it for out-of-towners.

Huge quantities and selection of food. Lots of fairly well prepared seafood, especially crab. The waffles are freshly made, but terrible with no flavor. Omelets are also cooked to order, but the fillings were bland and uninteresting. Great bacon and sausage. Pretty good fresh pasta. Large selection of attractive desserts, but they tend to be very heavy and without much finesse flavor-wise (canned peaches in the peach tart).

Overall I would say the food was good for a buffet, but I would be disappointed if I had ordered any of it from a menu.

But then I'm hyper-critical - my Mom loved it and happily plowed through several plates of crab legs.

That was disappointing to read that Salty's doesn't do a better job with their brunch. Their setting is ideal, if only they could get their food quality & service up to snuff. It really is a pity that our waterfront restaurants (in general) don't do a better job with food (a rant of mine). I still might take visitors to Salty's though for the view and crab legs.

[Batgrrrl]

That was disappointing to read that Salty's doesn't do a better job with their brunch.  Their setting is ideal, if only they could get their food quality & service up to snuff.   It really is a pity that our waterfront restaurants (in general) don't do a better job with food (a rant of mine).  I still might take visitors to Salty's though for the view and crab legs.  

Funny--I was just thinking that the crab was one of the things I was hugely disappointed in at Salty's! I thought that and the peel-n-eat shrimp were both hugely overcooked, watery, and tasteless. On the other hand, they did have oysters, and those were quite lovely, though the thought of eating oysters raw at a buffet is kind of well, stomach churning.

I went with some friends, who really like their brunch, and at $36 each, I wouldn't go again. I might if it were $20!

I've heard Anthony's does a good sunday brunch--anybody been who can report?

And while I'm at it, I'll ask a brunch-related question--any good recommendations for chicken fried steak in the area? I've had it at 14 Carrot on Eastlake (a transitory special) and loved it, and as this is a fairly new addition to my eating repertoire, I thought I'd see if we have any afficionadoes who can recommend a good place. Any help? Or tips on how to make this at home?

Batgrrrl

[Schielke]

The nicest setting for brunch is on the patio at the Madison Park Cafe. It's a peaceful atmo with lots of trees and flowering plants providing plenty of shade. The food is really good. I like the lemon ricotta pancakes and if they're on the menu, the huevos rancheros are unusual and good. The menu is very eclectic and has something for everyone.

For atmo, this place can't be beat.

I second the motion of Madison Park Cafe, they are one of my favorite places in town for brunch.

I also have heard really awesome things about the brunch at Salish Lodge. I understand it is a multicourse price fixe menu affair. 19.95 if you are seated before 8:30 am and 29.95 thereafter. It is next on my breakfast hit list.

Ben

[Blue Heron]

uh oh... Salty's screwed up on the crab legs, too? In that case, there is little hope for them. I always order their Blackened Caesar when I'm there, which is pretty nice. We've taken guests there for dinner, one of which was not pleased with their salmon dish. I had a couple of bites and had to agree... the sauce they paired it with was not a good match.

Great tips on the Madison Park Cafe. Thanks!

Ben, regarding The Salish Lodge Brunch... I asked egullet member chopjwu12 (in NY) specifically about the famous breakfast at The Salish (as well as about staying there) since he said he & his girlfriend did their internship as chefs there, and he said "Ok i dont think i would go for the breakfast because its like massed produced food and i dont think its that good. Its good but not great. As far as staying there i would do it. I stayed a night and it was really good. Very cozy i thought. Plus i got the massage and just got to relax. Dinner is very good there. When i was there it was great and i think its gotten better. They used to have a superstar chef there for a while. One of his men is the sous chef presently at the french laundry. But i think they both left at the same time. Then they went through one or two chefs and i heard they found a good one. "

Anyway, I have not had the Salish b-fast, but that was the view from someone who cooked there... has anyone else been?

[tighe]

It really is a pity that our waterfront restaurants (in general) don't do a better job with food (a rant of mine).

BH...Have you tried the Edgewater restaurant ('5-7' or '6-7', can't remember) since they redid it? Both the decor and food was significantly upgraded I think. They added outdoor seating, which had been sorely lacking. Don't know that they're going to win any awards, but if you're looking for a place to have a good meal with a killer view, its hard to beat.

BTW....I think the food, brunch and otherwise, is signficantly better than Salty's.

[mamster]

I had brunch at the Edgewater recently and it was distinctly mediocre--variety over quality, lots of overcooking, and in general the usual sins that make brunch buffets a trying experience.

[tighe]

mam....Didn't realize that they had gone back to the buffet format. They were doing a very limited buffet w/breakfast entrees to order for a while. Too bad they switched back. Had a pretty good dinner there not too long ago.

[=Mark]

I'm told by reliable friends that the Molly Pitcher in Red Bank has a phenomenal Sunday brunch but have to admit I've not tried it. I understand it is by reservation.

Ediot: oops, just noticed this is on the Pacific Northwest board...

[Blue Heron]

I remembered I've had breakfast a couple of times within the last couple of years at Chinooks at Fisherman's terminal at Salmon Bay (part of the Anthony's Homeport chain). That is a place I enjoy going to. (and is one of my brother's favorite places too). It carries the flavor of a working man's type of environment, with lots of fishing boat and fishermen pictures on the walls. I had a Joe's Special one time, and a crab omelette another time. They were both good (although kind of rich and more than I normally eat for b-fast). They only do breakfasts on the weekends. Their view of the water and fishing fleet is also very nice, and there is a nice memorial outside to honor all the local fishermen lost at sea. It gets a little emotional if one is prone to that sort of thing, as I am....it lists the names & dates of the fishermen lost at sea, and there are usually flowers, notes from children, etc, too). There is a good fish store next door, too.

ps.. hi Mark...nice to see you on the PNW board. You are welcome over here anytime!

[nightscotsman]

Chinooks = best fish'n'chips in Seattle.

Haven't had the breakfast there yet.

[Schielke]

Down in Ballard/Fremont check out The Dish for a really nice breakfast.

Try the Slacker Especial. I forget what is in it, but I think it is scrambled eggs with an enchilada sauce...it rules!

Ben

[MsRamsey]

Chinooks = best fish'n'chips in Seattle.

And the WORST ahi tuna steak.

[malarkey]

Palisades: its been awhile, but I swooned over the banana macadamia nut sourdough pancakes with apricot butter and real maple syrup. I didn't need anything else even though I ate more. They also make a damn fine Waldorf salad. Then, after eating off the buffet, you have the option of ordering off the menu. *bloat* its possible to OD there.

Cafe Campagne: One of my sentimental favorites. I adore this place, the weekend brunch dishes are fabulous and I love to indulge in a couple of champagne cocktails over a leisurely breakfast. IMO its best to go early, they open at 8am, and while it might be painful to get up that early on a Saturday or Sunday, parking can be had right in front and there's no waiting for a table. And there's something really decadent about having champagne at 8am.

Boat Street Cafe: Nice atmosphere, and 3 or 4 different benedict dishes on their menu. Yes yes I know all about ordering hollendaise in a restaurant. Go early and minimize the risk ;-) the closest thing I've found to the old (and dearly departed) Illiterati. How I miss the Eggs Florentine. *sob*

Let's mourn another dearly departed breakfast dish: The crab & rock shrimp cakes with roasted red pepper remoulade at the Coastal Kitchen. Why oh why did they take that dish off their menu?

The Dish: good down home breakfasts served in a diner atmo. Gargantuan lines if you wait till mid or late morning.

[mamster]

mam....Didn't realize that they had gone back to the buffet format.  They were doing a very limited buffet w/breakfast entrees to order for a while.  Too bad they switched back.  Had a pretty good dinner there not too long ago.

Well, you get the buffet plus an entree, but neither one is worth mentioning.

[nightscotsman]

Hattie's Hat in Ballard. Buscuits and gravy.

[thelastsupper]

I decided to post here instead of starting a new thread as El Greco is known mostly for brunch (too bad, nice dinners there).

Has anyone noticed that El Greco changed ownership? I talked to one of the servers there and it is supposed to be the same old place . . . but . . . I didn't see anyone there that I knew. And it just won't be the same without Tomas.

There are these odd overwhelming blue walls now, sort of like that baby blue GAP color that was popular a few seasons back. Curious to see what happens to the food. Anyone been by lately?

[heyjude]

Mamster is right about the Edgewater. It was especially disappointing because it was recommended to me by 2 Seattle food writers as an ideal place to celebrate our wedding anniversary with the family. When I called for the reservation, I specifically asked if there would be a problem being there in the last hour of service and was assured that we'd be unable to tell. Sooo not true. The food and the staff were all tired. The pastry table was in ruins, drinks were not offered and the occasion was not acknowledged. All in all, this was barely above a chain restaurant experience and very pricey, too.

[malarkey]

And while I'm at it, I'll ask a brunch-related question--any good recommendations for chicken fried steak in the area?

I've not really sought it out at too many places in Seattle (this is a VERY midwestern dish) but I had a great chicken fried steak at Larry's Greenfront in Pioneer Square. Its on the menu for breakfast and dinner ;-)