B.B.B- Baltimore Bizarre Brunch(s)

On Sundays’ , We BRUNCH! There is nothing like starting your work week off with a good convo, quench thirsting mimosas, and mouth watering entrees. Food has always made me happy! My dad would fix a “table spread” on Saturday or Sunday mornings when my brother and I were younger. You could smell the aroma of bacon and Jimmy Dean sausages sizzling in the pan in your sleep! Dad would always fix his famous french toast. Side note: He still have not told me the recipe . My plate and belly would be filled with corn beef hash, fried potatoes, and scramble eggs. Talk about having the itis!

I am listing the Top 8 Bizarre Brunch Spots to visit in Baltimore, MD! Let’s GO!

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1) RYE Street Tavern ( Port Covington)- The interior of Rye street tavern is set up like industrial/ little rustic farm feel; aesthetic; chrome interior, matte black table, and chairs, marble floors, granite countertops, crystal chandeliers, iron rod staircase. The ambiance is impeccable and elegant. I love the honey biscuit; buttery and moist with homemade grape jam. I had a homemade scrapple platter: sunny side eggs and salad. The scrapple’s texture was a pack like a salmon cake with an acquired taste (but a good taste). My cousin ordered the jerk chicken with Hawaiian rolls on the side. The 3 piece jerk chicken was crunchy, non-greasy mild, seasoned just right. Washing all the food down with mimosas

2) Sip & Bite (Boston St)- If you’re looking for a reasonable place, Sip & Bite is the place! Featured on Food Network, Guy Fieri listed Sip & Bite as the” BEST Diner” to go to on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives”. This restaurant serves hardy and comfort food with addition to Greek specialties.  What I love about Sip & Bite is the scrapple. I do not order scrapple often; however, when I do, it is cook to perfection. I always settle for the two eggs dish: a choice of one meat, toast, and home fries. So if you’re looking for your stomach and pockets to be happy, and to try some new cuisines, Sip & Bite is the place to be!

3) Spoons Cafe (Federal Hill) - My childhood friend recommended this brunch spot. I would describe Spoons' aesthetic as: quaint and/or rustic yet modern. The cafe has an open layout with the teal blue wooden panels, acrylic/oil pastel paintings, and exposed brick fireplace, and a bar to guzzle a few drinks. Might I add, the food is delicious The wait is normally 45 minutes depending on the time interval, but it’s worth the wait it.  Because of the food beyond amazing! Sit tight while giving you this overview of their menu

If you're craving for something sweet, Please try the Deep Fried Sweet Cream French Toast dressed with strawberries and blueberries. As my friend would say, " it tastes like an inverted cheesecake" and shaped like a banana bread loaf. But for me, The taste was more funnel cake or a crepe, but thick like your grandma's infamous pound cake. You know, the good funnel cake close to the water park at Six Flags. The sweet cream wasn't whipped or a thick texture for all my foodie people.

For my next dish, The sandwich was smothered in sausage gravy with sausage chunks,  stuffed fried chicken breast, bacon, fried egg, American cheese on a buttermilk biscuit. I decided to add diced potatoes with a sandwich. Now, that's what I called a BEAST.

For the cocktails-

Seven words: MIMOSAS! I absolutely love their craft mimosas!!! Serving up to five different flavors, Spoons offer Blackberry Lavender, Watermelon Mint, Strawberry Lemonade, Classic OJ, Raspberry Sorbet. My friend and I order the Carafe (4-5 glasses)  of the Blackberry Lavender and Strawberry Lemonade Mimosas. When I say I can taste a hint of lavender, I can really T-A-S-T-E the lavender and blackberry. It's a must! 

4) The Blue Moon Cafe ( two locations: Light street and Aliceanna)- Four words: Captain Crunch French Toast! Baltimoreans crave for this sweet dish, cinnamon rolls, and reasonable prices. This artistic hub has away in drawing in the crowd with their endless food combinations of benedicts, omelets, specialty pancakes, infamous go to platters. Blue Moon truly captures the heart of good ole Baltimore, paying homage to none other than Edgar Allan Poe. Blue

5) Teavovle Cafe & Lounge (Aliceanna)- Teavolve is a black-owned cafe located in Harbor East. I’ve been here twice, it’s been a while since I’ve tried the platters. My cousin and I had lunch, and my colleague celebrated her birthday here. This is a great place for quick, very light, and healthy choice entrees. Even a few vegan choices such as hummus, tofu salad, and panini. Of course, Teavovle has Belgian waffles, buttermilk pancakes, breakfast sandwiches. This establishment hosts live music on certain days out of the week.

6) Milk & Honey- (College Park/Bowie)- Milk & Honey will give you the Southern cuisine and hospitality you have been searching for! From shrimp grits to chicken & waffles, your stomach will thank you! There is a Milk & Honey not only in Maryland but in Atlanta too, in which I had the pleasure of going to.

I ordered the Deep Fried Salmon Hash, let’s just say, my plate was clean! The dish was covered with a cajun sauce, cheese hash, spinach underneath. The salmon was golden, crispy, but fried hard. My cousin orders the Crab Cake Benedict with the cajun saucy. The crab cakes were excellent: moist and plump! Baltimoreans are a little skeptical when it comes down to crab cakes, and how they prepare. My sister had the red velvet Belgian waffles, scrambled eggs, and chicken sausage, which was mouth-watering! We all toasted to my birthday celebration with a pitcher of sparkling Strawberry Lemonade mimosas.

7) Eggspectation ( Owings Mills) - This past Sunday was my first time dining in for breakfast. Eggspecation host more so of comfort food with a twist especially with the “benedicts”. Go check out their menu (http://eggspectation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Owings-Mills-Day-Menu-Feb-2018.pdf8)

8) Papermoon ( by Johns Hopkins University)- I’ll save this restaurant for last. The reason being, I was dissatisfied with the customer service I’ve encounter the few times I’ve been there. Paper Moon’s aesthetic is a “fun house”. Every Burger King, McDonald Happy Meal toy, mannequins, Peez candy dispensers, 80’s toys all shoved underneath one roof! Side note: this is a great place for Instagram worthy flicks!

The breakfast is beyond good! We are talking about signature omelets, crab cakes, Brioche french toast, bacon milkshakes, chocolate chip pancakes, the list goes on & on! I am indecisive when choosing a meal from here. I normally get the goat cheese omelet with goat cheese spinach, goat cheese, bacon pieces, onions, with a side of home fries, and toast.

Those are the Top 8 Bizarre Brunch Spots to visit in Baltimore, Maryland! Let me know if there are any other restaurants to try! I am open

XO

Char