Yardbird Las Vegas

When I think of Las Vegas, Nevada, “good food” isn’t what instantly comes to mind. I mean I know there are a lot of great chefs and restaurants out there, but when you think of Vegas you think, Sin City, not “din” city. Harhar. But since I don’t partake in excessive drinking, gambling or partying which is on the itinerary for most spring breakers, food (and Celine Dion) were the highlight(s) of my trip!

For a city that literally, never sleeps, (sorry New York) food places seem to operate 11-11. And since we were up on east coast time, by 9am we were HONGRY. Luckily for us Yardbird was opening at 10, so there wasn’t too long of a wait. It was also our first pick.

We had a southern style brunch…and it was everything you could dream it to be. At our table we feasted on flavorful, juicy fried chicken with honey hot sauce (it literally tasted like honey and tabasco). So crisp on the outside and hot on the inside with the flesh perfectly seasoned, I didn’t need the accompanying sauce. On the side, not on the menu, the chef had maybe the best collard greens in my life (sorry Mom2) with bits of celery and okra. Yummy, perfect cheddar grits, a thick slab of pork belly bacon, and eggs benedict. We had dreamy sausage gravy and biscuits with bits of their yardbird…topped off with mimosas. I still dream of this brunch, and I’m determined to recreate it for myself. Coming soon my dear friends, I will fatten you up just in time for bathing suit season!

I hear there’s one in Miami too. I think its on my MUST EAT if I ever go back, or if I go to Miami.

Brunch: Farmers Fishers Bakers

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Looking for a brunch place in Georgetown? Check out Farmers Fishers Bakers. A couple of friends visited from NYC and their go to spot in DC is this place for brunch. That means a lot coming from a couple of foodies that LIVE in one of the best culinary cities in America. They asked us to join, and hello, I love brunch, I couldn’t say no.

The husband HATES looking for parking in the city, but lucky me, he will take us here again (because it is that good) because they have a paid parking garage available. He doesn’t care the cost, as long as he doesn’t have to scrape rims on the city sidewalks.

The food is fresh, hot and delicious. There is definitely something for everyone. I like that they bring the the breads to the table, as well as passed dishes like eggs benedicts and fried shrimp. And what’s even better? All this quality food, at a buffet brunch price of $29.99.

They’ve got grilled veggies, make your own nachos, a plethora of desserts, hot meats, friend chicken, french toast. SO much food.

Did I mention, the cinnamon buns are amazing? Yes. And they come out hot and gooey.

So who wants to go to brunch?

Farmers Fishers Bakers
3000 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20007

Bacon Egg Toast Cups

These cute little guys are my favorite brunch thing to make. And apparently a favorite to eat as well! So I guess it’s about time I share the recipe. They are super easy to make, and always a hit.

Ingredients
1/2 stick of butter
12 slices of wheat bread
1/2 cup of shredded cheddar
12 slices of bacon
12 large eggs
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375F. Rub down a cupcake/muffin tin (for 12) with butter. Using a rolling pin, flatten the slices of bread. Cut a circle out of the bread using a mug (approximately 3.5″ diameter). Cut the circles in half. Place two halves of bread, overlapping in each cup of the muffin tin. Arranging it so that it lines it like a cup. Sprinkle cheddar in each cup.

Partially cook the bacon, rendering out most of the fat. Set on paper towels to get excess fat. Cut the bacon in half and arrange over cheese in the muffin tins. Be sure to flatten them out in the muffin cup.

Crack an egg into each of the muffin cups. Top with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven until egg whites are set, about 15-25 minutes depending on how you want your yolks cooked.

 

The Secret Garden Cafe

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I never walked around Occoquan before. Perhaps the scary show about it being haunted is what kept me away. Is that why everything closes at like 5pm?

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Any whooooo. We had dinner AND brunch at this place called The Secret Garden Cafe. I love the outdoor seating, and their dinner was pretty delicious.

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For dinner we chose to eat inside, because it was hot and I’m trying to avoid getting anymore mosquito bites this year. The dining room is pretty intimate and the tables are small. It kind of looked like we were eating dinner at someone’s home (maybe that was the point?).

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The staff is friendly and attentive. And they had a little bakery section if you wanted to take home a dessert! They had a big selection of wines, beers and ales to choose from. I rarely drink but I liked their hard apple cider.

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For brunch, you can order off the menu or do the buffet. We sat outside for this one. Enjoyed their yummy MIEMOSas (had to do it), and went for the buffet.

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It wasn’t a large selection, and if you are sitting outside you have to walk into the restaurant and back out again. The buffet included a made to order omelet station, and fresh belgian waffles. Plenty of bacon and sausages, home fries, fresh fruit, pastries, etc.

gbaF8n6qsG8M4w8e.jpgI definitely enjoyed the atmosphere. It kind of reminded me a little of France because of the quaint outdoor seating. Will be back!

The Secret Garden Cafe
404 Mill St
Occoquan, VA 22125

(703) 494-2848

 

Brunch: Fireflies in Del Ray

YES! I found a brunch place who’s eggs benedict doesn’t taste like vinegar. HAPPY FACE. However, they don’t have a classic benedict, and I don’t like the texture of prosciutto (under eggs, I enjoy duck prosciutto and regular prosciutto atop my rustic pizza). But all in all the food was delicious. And the service was awesome. They have outdoor seating and Del Ray is just a cute neighborhood to be in! I will definitely want to go back to Fireflies again for brunch, to try out other things, since their eggs benedict did so well. OH and I want more belgian waffles. NOM NOM.

However, brunch hopping I will go, because food makes me happy! Any more brunch suggestions? I will be going back to Birch and Barley this weekend. So excited!

Walker’s Grille for Brunch

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug On one of his evening runs, the honey discovered this place. So one Saturday morning, we got up and headed over for brunch. It was a lot nicer than I expected. They have outdoor seating, a bar, booths, this place was legit. AND! They have eggs benedict. Yes I know I should probably get tired of them soon. Maybe I should just learn how to poach an egg…. Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Anywhoo. The verdict? Great selection. I’d go back to try something else. I don’t know if it is me, or if everyone is using the vinegar trick but all the eggs taste vinegary, 2 out of the 4 places I’ve had poached eggs. But his breakfast tasted amazing, yes I took some of his breakfast too. The hashbrowns are nommy, and the bacon are thick applewood style. SO GOOD. However they shaved their ham so thin it was like prosciutto and I wasn’t a fan. Also their english muffins we’re toasted at all/or enough. Fail. Maybe next time I’ll get eggs florentine with a side of bacon. Love that fresh fruit comes as a side :D.

Evening Star for Brunch

I am back with another brunch recap! Saturday mornings, I wake up and immediately google brunches nearby. This time I landed on Evening Star in Del Ray. Super cute neighborhood, and they have a parking lot in the back. Love the decor and how the tiny space was set up.

I ordered the eggs benedict of course, and it came with a plate of vinegary greens. I also got a side of bacon, because that is just what I do.

The hash browns were awesome. The bacon was a little thin for my tastes, and the eggs benedict were cooked just right. My belly had a good time. Not to mention, stellar service. I was impressed that one of the guys there noticed our table was uneven and fixed it without us prompting him to.

I’d go back. But I would probably try something else. The vinegary greens made everything I taste like vinegar. Even a bite of his chicken and waffles!

Bistro Cacao for Brunch

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug Brunch Brunch Brunch. I am ADDICTED. Ever since Birch and Barley, I’ve been obsessed with getting brunch on weekends. I wake up demanding eggs benedict and threaten to hulk smash anything that will get in the way. Well, not really. But I think my new thing, is to eat as many classic eggs benedicts as possible from different places and write about it. Yeah. And MIEMOsas. yum.
Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMugSo Valentine’s day, the boo took me to Bistro Cacao. The outside looks like a row house on the Hill. We walk in greeted by a friendly fireplace and a crazy wine room. I loved the way it was laid out. Room after room of dining areas. The host seats us in a nook behind red drapes and 3 windows overlooking the street. Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMugWhen it comes to brunch, I am still pretty new. The only brunch I’m familiar with is Dim Sum. So it was my first time having a classic eggs benedict and it was amazing. I am smitten. Quite smitten actually. But lets not get ahead of ourselves. Like most places that host a brunch, its a fixed menu that you get to choose items from. All come with a starter mixed pastries basket. This was my favorite from the basket. Nutella. Yum.
Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMugMy food. So delicious. So happy. These eggs benedict changed my life. The challenge is to find something like this every weekend. I accept. I would definitely want to brunch there again!

Over all the bistro was GREAT. I’d love to try their dinner menu. If I do, I’ll definitely let you know 😉

Bacon Birthday Brunch

image Happy Birthday Brother!

I love my baby brother more than anyone in the world. So to celebrate his birthday, I wanted to give him one of his favorite things in the world… Bacon. So here was my challenge. To make a whole bunch of things with bacon and throw him a brunch. What was on the menu?

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