What a good brunch!

'Twas a fascinating bunch at the brunch while I munched. The talk was brisk and lively. The conversations turned on many subjects, as Tori's blog post pointed out. I was thoroughly fascinated by the stories of creating an indoor compost and hearing who is voting for whom when Super Tuesday comes to NYC. I hope that everyone enjoyed themselves.


I don't know about everybody else, but my food was very good; I ordered stuffed French toast with raspberry cream cheese.
Yummy! Yum. Yum.



I can't wait until the next one, which is apparently Feb. 24th. Hope even more people come. If you have any ideas about where it might be good to have our brunch, we are all ears.

Brunch Success

Thank you to everyone who came out Sunday morning to have brunch with Todd and me. I was thrilled to have such a good turnout for our first brunch-a-month and had a great time. Anecdotally, it sounds like everyone else did, too. For those of you who couldn’t make it on Sunday and are weighing whether to brunch with us next time, here are just a few of the conversational topics you missed: Lots of movie talk, focused mostly on No Country for Old Men and the sadness of Heath Ledger’s death; the addictive nature of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the wholly fascinating and unique homecoming traditions at the University of Montevallo, shopping at Target, and worm composting in NYC apartments.

The next brunch is tentatively set for February 24, but we’ll send out another invitation and post updates here once it’s nailed down more.

Deluxe - The Inaugural Brunch A Month

Here's Deluxe's brunch menu:

Breakfast
Eggs & Omelets
Three Eggs ( Any Style) w/ home fries & toast	4.95
w/ home fries & toast w/ smoked bacon, baked ham, turkey bacon or sausage	2.00
Two Eggs ( Any Style) On a Roll w/ tomato, cheddar cheese & home fries	4.95
w/ tomato, cheddar cheese & home fries w/ smoked bacon, baked ham, turkey bacon or sausage	2.00
Deluxe" Huevos Rancheros w/ red, white & black bean, warm flour tortilla, chili sauce, cheddar cheese, pico de gallo & sour cream	8.75
Steak & Eggs ( Any Style) w/ home fries & toast	10.95
Croissant Sandwich w/ cheddar & chive scrambled egg, shaved ham & home fries	7.95
Chef Omelet w/ brie cheese, caramelized apple, bacon, home fries & toast	8.95
Make Your Own Three Egg Omelet w/ home fries & toast choose from any two items: cheddar, American, bacon, mushroom swiss, honey baked ham, tomato, roasted pepper, mozzarella, grilled chicken, potato, Italian sausage, goat cheese, caramelized onion, spinach.	7.95
add with any additional listed item	1.00
add egg white	1.00
" Deluxe" French Toast w/ caramelized banana & rum brown sugar	7.95
Sweet Stuff
Classic Buttermilk Pancakes	6.50
Banana Buttermilk Pancakes w/ candied pecan	7.25
Stuffed French Toast w/ strawberry cream cheese & berry marmalade	7.95
Challah Bread French Toast w/ orange maple butter	6.50
Belgian Waffle	6.50
add with walnut & banana	1.50
add with bacon, sausage, turkey bacon or ham	2.00
Cereals and Breads
Irish Steel-cut Oatmeal w/ raisin, cinnamon & brown sugar	5.25
add with banana	1.00
House-made Granola w/ milk or yogurt & fresh fruit	5.95
Toasted Bagel ( Plain or Sesame) w/ cream cheese & scallion	1.75
w/ smoked nova scotia salmon	4.25
Breakfast Sides
House-made Corn Muffin	2.25
Turkey Bacon, Honey Baked Ham, Bacon or Sausage	3.00
Home Fries	2.25
Fresh Fruit Bowl	4.95
Thin-cut French Fries	3.50
Yogurt	2.00
-
Lunch Menu
Small Plates
Gazpacho	4.95
Quiche of The Day w/ mixed baby green in balsamic dressing	5.95
Spicy Buffalo Wings w/ molten blue cheese sauce	6.95
Flash-fried Calamari w/ spicy tomato sauce	6.95
Tea-smoked Chicken Spring Rolls w/ sweet & spicy dipping sauce	6.95
Chicken Quesadilla w/ spinach, tomato salsa & cheddar cheese topped w/ chipotle sour cream	7.50
Goat Cheese & Tomatoes w/ basil oil & baby mixed green salad	8.25
Thai Mussels w/ shallot, parsley, garlic & thai basil in a coconut green curry sauce	8.25
Greens
Mixed Baby Green Salad w/ plum tomato in balsamic vinaigrette	5.25
Red Beet Salad w/ frisee, plum tomato, crouton & feta cheese in a red beet dressing	8.95
Warm Goat Cheese On Crouton Salad w/ mixed baby green & tomato in goat cheese dressing	8.95
Smoked Salmon Salad w/ mixed baby green, plum tomato, avocado, orange & grapefruit in olive oil & balsamic	9.95
Endive Salad w/ blue cheese, , green apple, julienne tomato & hard boiled egg in balsamic dressing	8.50
" Deluxe" Caesar Salad	6.95
" Deluxe" Caesar Salad add with spicy grilled chicken breast	2.50
w/ grilled shrimp	4.50
add with grilled steak	5.50
Smoked Trout & Avocado Salad w/ sliced tomato, cucumber, onion & mixed baby green in a citrus & cilantro vinaigrette	9.25
Grilled Beef Salad w/ mixed baby green, plum tomato, red onion & carrot in a ginger dressing	11.25
Asian Chicken Salad w/ romaine, napa & red cabbage, crispy glass noodle, mandarin orange & sesame seed in a ginger-wasabi vinaigrette	9.25
Classic Cobb w/ romaine, chicken breast, avocado, bacon, blue cheese, red onion, chopped tomato & egg in balsamic vinaigrette	9.25
Breads
Grilled Cheese Sandwich w/ swiss, cheddar & plum tomato on sourdough	6.50
add w/ swiss, cheddar & plum tomato on sourdough. w/ bacon	1.50
B.L.T. Sandwich w/ bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado & chipotle mayo on sourdough	7.25
add with bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado & chipotle mayo on sourdough. w/ grilled chicken	2.50
Grilled Vegetable Sandwich w/ portabello mushroom, zucchini, eggplant, red pepper, mozzarella & walnut pesto on plum tomato focaccia	8.50
Roasted Turkey Club w/ mixed baby green, bacon, cheddar & mayo on white bread	8.25
English Muffin Tuna Melt w/ choice of cheddar, swiss, mozzarella or american	7.95
Grilled Chicken Club w/ arugula, oven roasted tomato, swiss, red onion & herb mayo on 8 grain bread	8.25
Grilled Steak Sandwich w/ arugula, sun-dried tomato, parmesan cheese & tarragon mayo on a rustic roll	9.50
The " Deluxe" Burger. Sirloin, Turkey or Veggie w/ french fries & house-made honey mustard cole slaw	7.95
w/ french fries & house-made honey mustard cole slaw w/ cheddar, american, swiss, mozzarella, sautéed garlic mushrooms or caramelized onions	per item 1.00
w/ blue cheese, roasted garlic & goat cheese or smoked bacon & bbq sauce	per item 1.50
All Sandwiches Served with French Fries mixed baby green may be substituted for	1.00
Big Plates
Grilled Petite Steak w/ mixed baby green & french fries in a red wine mushroom sauce	12.95
Classic Penne Pasta w/ tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella & basil	9.95
add with grilled chicken	2.50
Oriental Pasta w/ onion, carrot, red pepper, snow pea & scallion in oriental sauce.	9.95
add with bbq chicken	2.50
The Big Macaroni & Cheese w/ vermont cheddar, parmesan & bread crumbs	9.25
Old Bay Beer Battered Fish & Chips w/ mixed baby green & classic house-made tartar sauce	9.95
Beef Lasagna w/ mixed baby green in balsamic dressing	11.75
Made Like Mom's Meatloaf w/ mushroom gravy, whipped potato & sautéed vegetable	11.95
Roasted Lemon Garlic Thyme Half Chicken w/ rosemary gravy, sautéed spinach & whipped potato	11.95
Sides
French Fries	3.50
Whipped Potatoes	3.50
Sautéed Vegetables	3.75
Garlic Bread	2.00
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Dinner
Small Plates
Gazpacho	4.95
Quiche of The Day W/ Baby Mixed Greens In Balsamic Dressing	5.95
Spicy Buffalo Wings w/ molten blue cheese sauce	6.95
Flash Fried Calamari w/ spicy tomato sauce	6.95
Tea- Smoked Chicken Spring Rolls w/ sweet & spicy dipping sauce	6.95
Chicken Quesadilla W/ Spinach, Cheddar & Tomato Sauce	7.50
w/ chipotle sour cream
Goat cheese & Tomato Tart with basil oil & mixed baby green salad	8.25
Thai Mussels w/ shallot, parsley, garlic & thai basil in a coconut green curry sauce	8.25
Greens
Mixed Baby Green Salad w/ plum tomato in balsamic vinaigrette	5.25
Red Beet Salad w/baby green & tomato in goat cheese dressing	8.95
Warm Goat Cheese On Crouton Salad w/ prosciutto, tomato & parmesan cheese in balsamic & olive oil	8.95
Smoked Salmon Salad w/ mixed baby green, plum tomato, avocado, orange & grapefruit in olive oil & balsamic	9.95
Grilled Beef Salad w/ mixed baby green, plum tomato, red onion & carrot in a ginger dressing	11.25
"Deluxe" Caesar Salad	6.95
w/ spicy grilled chicken breast	2.50
w/ grilled shrimp	4.50
w/grilled steak	5.50
Smoked Trout Salad w/ tomato, cucumber, onions & mixed greens in a citrus & cilantro vinaigrette	9.25
Endive Salad w/blue cheese green apple tomato & hard boiled egg in balsamic dressing	8.50
Asian Chicken Salad w/ romaine, napa & red cabbages, fried glass noodles, mandarin oranges & sesame seeds in a ginger-wasabi vinaigrette	9.25
Classic Cobb Salad w/ romaine, chicken breast, avocado, bacon, blue cheese, red onion, chopped tomato & egg in balsamic vinaigrette	9.25
Breads
BLT Sandwich w/ bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado & chipotle mayo on sourdough	7.25
add with grilled chicken	2.50
Grilled Veggie Sandwich w/ portabello mushroom, zucchini, eggplant, red pepper, mozzarella & walnut pesto on plum tomato focaccia	8.50
Roasted Turkey club w/mixed baby green, bacon, cheddar & mayo on white bread	8.25
Grilled Chicken club w/arugula oven roasted tomato swiss red onions & herb mayo on 8 grain bread	8.25
Grilled steak sandwich w/ arugula, sun-dried tomato, parmesan cheese & tarragon mayo on a rustic roll	9.50
The Deluxe Burger. Sirloin, Turkey or Veggie	7.95
The " Deluxe" Burger. Sirloin, Turkey or Veggie add with french fries & house-made honey mustard cole slaw w/ cheddar, american, swiss, mozzarella, sautéed garlic, mushrooms or caramelized onions	per item 1.00
add with blue cheese, roasted garlic & goat cheese or smoked bacon & bbq sauce	per item 1.50
The "Deluxe" Burger. Sirloin, Turkey or Veggie sandwiches are served with french fries. mixed baby green may be substituted for	1.00
Grilled Cheese w/ swiss, cheddar & plum tomato on sourdough bread	6.50
add w/ bacon	1.50
Big Plates
Grilled Petite Steak w/mixed baby greens & french fries in red wine mushroom sauce	12.95
Classic Penne Pasta w/ tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella & basil	9.95
add with grilled chicken	2.50
Roasted Codfish w/ spinach gnocchi & julienne spring vegetable in a basil & garlic dressing	14.95
Oriental Pasta w/onion carrot red pepper snow pea & scallion in oriental sauce	9.95
add with bbq chicken	2.50
Sauteed Salmon w/ vegetable gratin in a tarragon sauce	14.95
The Big Macaroni and Cheese w/ vermont cheddar, parmesan & bread crumbs	9.25
Sautéed Monkfish w/ gratin dauphinois & sauteed string bean in a blue cheese sauce	14.95
Beef Lasagna w/ baby greens in balsamic dressing	11.75
Made like Mom's Meatloaf w/ mushroom gravy, whipped potato & sautéed vegetable	11.95
Roasted Lemon Garlic Thyme Half Chicken w/ rosemary gravy, sautéed spinach & whipped potato	11.95
Sides
French Fries	3.50
Whipped Potatoes	3.50
Sautéed Vegetables	3.75
Garlic Bread	2.00
-
Brunch
Eggs & Omelets
Three Eggs ( Any Style) w/ home fries & toast	5.25
add with smoked bacon, baked ham, turkey bacon or sausage	2.00
Two Eggs ( Any Style) On a Roll w/ tomato, cheddar cheese & home fries	5.75
add with smoked bacon, baked ham, turkey bacon or sausage	2.00
"Deluxe" Huevos Rancheros w/ red, white and black beans, warm flour tortilla, chili sauce, cheddar cheese, pico de gallo & sour cream	8.95
Eggs Benedict or Florentine w/ home fries	8.75
add with smoked salmon	3.75
Croissant Sandwich w/ cheddar and chive scrambled egg, shaved ham and home fries	8.25
Steak & Eggs ( Any Style) w/ home fries & toast	11.95
Chef Omelet w/ brie cheese, caramelized apple, bacon, home fries & toast	9.25
Make Your Own Three Egg Omelet w/ home fries & toast choose from any two items cheddar, american, swiss, bacon, mushrooms, honey baked ham, tomato, roasted pepper, mozzarella, grilled chicken, potato, italian sausage, goat cheese,	8.25
add with any additional item from the list	1.00
add egg white	1.00
Two Eggs ( Any Style) On a Roll w/ tomato, cheddar cheese & home fries	5.75
add w/ smoked bacon, baked ham, turkey bacon or sausage	2.00
Cereals and Breads
Irish Steel-cut Oatmeal w/ raisin, cinnamon & brown sugar	5.75
add w/ banana	1.00
House- made Granola w/ milk or yogurt & fresh fruit	6.50
Toasted Bagel & Smoked Salmon Plate w/ smoked nova scotia salmon, cream cheese, scallion, red onion, caper and tomato	8.95
Sides
House-made Corn Muffin	2.25
Turkey Bacon	3.00
Honey Baked Ham, Bacon or Sausage	3.00
Home Fries	2.50
Fresh Fruit Bowl	4.95
Thin-cut French Fries	3.50
Yogurt	2.00
Brunch Beverages
Mimosa or Bloody Mary	5.25
Fresh Squeezed Orange, Grapefruit or Lemonade	Sm 2.25 Lg 3.25
Cranberry, Pineapple or Tomato Juice	Sm 2.25 Lg 3.25
Sweet Stuff
Classic Buttermilk Pancakes	6.95
Banana Buttermilk Pancakes w/ caramelized pecans	7.95
Stuffed French Toast w/ strawberry cream cheese and berry marmalade	8.25
w/ strawberry cream cheese and berry marmalade	8.25
Challah Bread French Toast w/ orange maple butter	6.95
" Deluxe" French Toast w/ caramelized banana & rum brown sugar	8.25
Belgian Waffle	6.95
add w/ walnuts and banana	1.50
Late Riser
Tea Smoked Chicken Spring Rolls w/ sweet and spicy dipping sauce	6.95
Baby Green Salad w/ balsamic vinaigrette	5.25
Grilled Vegetable Sandwich w/ portabello mushroom, zucchini, eggplant, red pepper, mozzarella & walnut pesto on plum tomato foccacia	8.95
Grilled Chicken Club w/ arugula, oven roasted tomato, swiss, red onion and herb mayo on 8 grain bread	8.75
B.l.t Sandwich w/ bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado & chipotle mayo	7.50
add w/ grilled chicken	2.50
Spicy Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad	9.95
The "Deluxe" Burger. Sirloin, Turkey or Veggie w/ french fries and house-made honey mustard cole slaw	8.50
add w/ cheddar, american, swiss, mozzarella sauteed garlic, mushroom or caramelized onion	Each 1.00
add w/ blue cheese, roasted garlic or goat cheese	Each 1.50
Beverages
Sedutto Milkshakes banana, strawberry, vanilla or chocolate	5.25
Extra Thick Malts	5.25
Ice Cream Floats root beer, grape, vanilla cream, orange n' cream, or classic coke	5.25
Fountain Soda coke, diet coke, ginger ale, sprite or tonic	1.75
Stewarts Soda root beer, vanilla cream, orange n' cream, grape, black cherry or key lime	3.00
Iced Tea	2.00
Hot Cocoa w/ steamed milk	3.00
Chocolate Milk	2.25
Coffee regular or decaf	1.50
Hot Tea regular or herbal	1.50
Cappuccino	3.00
Mochaccino	3.25
Espresso	2.50
Saratoga Water flat or sparkling	Sm 3.00 Lg 5.75
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Kids Menu
Under 12 Years & Under
Grilled Cheese Sandwich w/ fries	3.95
Pigs with Blanket w / fries	3.95
Deluxe Chicken Fingers w / fries	5.25
Peanut Butter & Jelly w/ fries	3.75
Pasta w/ butter & parmesan cheese	4.75
Teenie Weenie Mac N' Cheese Fries	4.50
" Deluxe" Famous Cheese Fries	2.50
Dessert $2.25
Bambino Brownie
Smurf Sundae chocolate, vanilla or strawberry
Midget Milk Shakes chocolate, vanilla or strawberry
Drinks $1.50
Coke
Diet Coke
Sprite
Lemonade
Apple
Juice
Pineapple Juice
Cranberry Juice
O.J
Shirley Temple
Lime Rickey
Rob Roy
Iced Tea
Milk
Chocolate Milk
-
Desserts
Hot Chocolate Brownie a La Mode laced w/ walnut & served w/ chocolate sauce & whipped cream	5.95
Caramel Apple Crumb Cake a La Mode served hot w/ vanilla ice cream & whipped cream	5.50
Chocolate Mud Pie decadently rich w/ raspberry sauce & whipped cream	5.50
New York Style Cheese Cake served w/ strawberries in a light strawberry sauce	5.25
Key Lime Pie w/ a graham cracker crust & served w/ whipped cream	5.25
Carrot Cake a La Mode w/ cream cheese frosting & vanilla ice cream	5.50
Pecan Pie w/ vanilla ice cream & whipped cream	5.25
Passion Fruit or Lemon Sorbet	3.25
Banana Walnut Waffle warm crisp belgian waffle topped w/ banana, walnut, two scoops of vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream (the perfect treat for two	8.50
Banana Split chocolate, vanilla, & strawberry ice cream w/ fresh banana, chocolate sauce, walnut & whipped cream	6.50
The Classic American Sundae choice of chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry ice cream w/ chocolate sauce, walnut & whipped cream	5.25
Coffees/Teas/Beverages
Coffee	1.50
Cappuccino	3.00
Espresso	2.50
Café Mocha	3.25
Hot Chocolate	3.00
Café Latte	3.00
Teas & Herbal Tea regular & decaf tetley, earl grey, lady grey, chamomile, peppermint, darjeeling, english breakfast, orange pekoe, jasmine green or china black	1.50
Ice Cream Floats cream soda, root beer, coke & orange n-cream	5.25
Thick Sedutto Milk Shakes vanilla, chocolate, strawberry & black & white	5.25
Extra Thick Sedutto Malts chocolate & vanilla	5.25
Decadent Chocolate Dream chocolate ice cream blended w/ godiva & frangelico	7.25
" eluxe" Shake vanilla ice cream blended w/ baileys, kahlua w/ a shot of espresso	7.25
Melon Berry Twist midori melon liquor mixed w/ strawberry ice cream	6.95

Deluxe - Background check

I called Deluxe to see if they could handle 6-12 people. I'm really glad I did. They don't take reservations, but were very accommodating and while they thought they could handle it their manager is going to call me back. I've tenatively told them January 27th, which sounds about right to me. Assuming that this will fly with the manager we are a go for January 27th at Deluxe.


On a side note, I've been using Skype and GrandCentral together and I have to say that being able to sit anywhere with a computer, wirelessly, and talk is really a great time saver and money saver. I was doing these crazy long conf. calls and was just eating through my cell bill. But now that I've gotten this I find myself calling everyone and never leaving the warm coziness of my big chair in my bedroom. Ever. In fact, I just made the "reservation" call with Deluxe using GrandCentral to call my Skype number. I can see already that GrandCentral will be my permanent phone book.

Eat, bitch!

Picture it: Deluxe, Sunday morning, Todd was slightly hung over. The wait staff was s...l...o...w... and we were reminiscing about the good old days when we actually saw our friends regularly instead of just blogging to them and sending them Facebook pokes (that's just Todd; after an initial introduction to Friendster oh so many years ago I quickly decided online social networking was lame). Over coffee and juice, and waiting desperately for our bacon, we had a joint brain child and Brunch-a-Month was born.

Every month we'd like to see your sunny face on a Sunday morning with a nice plate of sunny side up eggs. We will scope out a great place with great food, organize the time, and invite the most interesting people on earth (though Dennis Kucinich is probably booked most Sundays, we are inviting him).

Please join us. The first brunch will be later this month, and we'll be sending you an evite and updating this blog regularly about the particulars. Hope to see you for brunch.