Tag Archives: brunch tour

4. Pannenkoeken Cafe

Posted on by

0

So, Lauren recently made the move to Lincoln Square! Haley biked up Lincoln to the new brunch territory on a lovely Saturday and we walked over to Pannenkoeken Cafe.

Okay, so as soon as we walked in we didn’t really know what to make of this place. We spent a good half hour trying to figure out what kind of cuisine it was – Jewish? Eastern European? – until we saw “Dutch” somewhere, which kind of might a lightbulb go off but we were still a little confused by all of the challah.

We thought about leaving but Haley already had her coffee. Locked in.

We ordered…and waited about a half hour for our food. It is hard to hide how infuriating this was as there were very few people in the restaurant and we were starving. When it finally did arrive, it was very good, but we still were not pleased with how long it took to arrive. Hopefully this is not typical.

Pannenkoeken

2. 2 Sparrows

Posted on by

0

Our next stop was 2 Sparrows, a breakfast/brunch-only joint that opened in September 2011 with two Charlie Trotter’s alumni at the helm. We knew it had to be good.

2sparrows

So – what did we think?

Lauren: I have been trying to come here for months! And I can say it did not disappoint. Plus it wasn’t too pricey either. I got the Chilaquiles and it was a big beautiful mix of whites, greens, and yellows. I really liked that they put tortilla chips in the dish. Toward the end of it, it was a bit too much of the same flavors and I was craving something sweet. Luckily I had been working out with my personal trainer earlier, so I had my favorite drink, Kombucha! On the DL though. I don’t know if this place way BYOK. I don’t know if anyplace is ever BYOK….

Outside of the restaurant, literally right next to us on the other side of the window, some scenes of a movie were being filmed. It was titled “Jack and Amelia.” It looked pretty bad. At one point they were filming some man (who happened to just walk by?) texting. Probably pretend-texting. As people are wont to do.

The best part: When I was tapping my kombucha on the windowsill to loosen the top (Haley’s very good and successful idea) it drew the attention of an adorable dog.

The worst: They didn’t ask us be in their movie.

Haley: I thought this place was adorable! I felt earthy and hip as soon as I walked in, albeit I was not hip because I was sweaty and short of breath when I asked the hostess for a table. I stepped back outside and chatted with the ever so ambitious movie-makers in the sunshine while I waited for Lauren, secretly wondering if this would turn into my big break into stardom. It wasn’t.

Opening Lauren’s Kambucha was a struggle. But an ultimate success.

The food was delicious! I ordered my typical Florentine, but I was a little confused when it arrived with arugula rather than spinach and a mixed greens side. I am a spinach enthusiast, so unfortunately I didn’t get the concentrated iron dose that I was hoping for. Nonetheless, it was good – maybe the typical Florentine has become passé and I missed the memo.

There were some good-looking doughnuts on the menu. And pop tarts (a foie gras pop tart? Gross.). We passed on dessert – too full from our yummy entrees.