Location:
2403 Bull Street
Savannah, GA
31401
One thing at the very top of my Savannah list of places to visit was the Back in the Day Bakery. I'd seen it on Jamie Beck's blog and she highly recommended it on the list of must-sees she gave me.
On a rainy day it was an amazing, indulging breakfast pit stop.
I mean, biscuits and jam? I could have those every day.
(Also, who knew that I could have been sitting so close to one of my Instagram connections - wow, small world!)
Location:
896 Whalley Avenue New Haven, CT
New Haven for a day, how better to spend it than breakfast with my friend Dela Chic?
She also comes bearing gifts; awwww, thanks Christine!
I'm always up for brunch. Seriously. (Call me.)
So I was really excited when I was invited to join a media brunch at The Cottage at Linden Square.
The trek up to Wellesley was worth it, to say the least.
And it was nice to meet up with several other bloggers (Honest Mom, Boston Fashionista, Suzette from Wellesley Media and of course Beerhogger was also in attendance). We all met Caitlin who organized the brunch.
There was a bevy of magnificent dishes from fried calamari, "Cottage" nachos, ahi tuna nachos, fish tacos, crab melts, stuffed avacadoes to desserts of chocolate cakes, cheese cakes and fruity sorbets.
Afterward, with arms laden with The Cottage's famous granola (a must-try, the crunchy medley is madly addictive!), gift certificates to Sara Campbell, Belle Sante salon and side walk sales taking place all over Linden Square I knew where I was headed to, next!
Beerhogger's review of what we coined "breakfast" beers, is coming soon!
Location:
Miami , FL 33139
http://5napkinburger.com/locations-menus/
Have you been to a 5 Napkin Burger? New York has the most number of them, and there's one in Boston's Back Bay, which I haven't visited, yet.
The one in Miami is stellar especially when you're looking for fish tacos in Miami and you'd think it would be easy to find. Not on Lincoln Road, it's not. So who woulda thought a joint with 'burger' in the title would serve fish tacos?
Well they do, and they do it well!
The only thing they don't do as well is their brownie sundae. Athough exceptional in size, the brownie bits were hard and not as moist and gooey as should be in a sundae.
Overall, a good meal. And next time I'll go for a burger!
After seeing the entire Ancient Agora, it was time for lunch! We wanted a cafe that wasn't touristy. Alas, they all were, so in the end, we came back to this one because the view could not be beat.
The name of it? Anyone read Greek? Let me know. The service was quick and efficient and the iced coffee was heavenly after the longest walk. The baklava? Tell me you don't want a bit of that, right now?
Location:
Makriyianni 3, Athens
It's time for breakfast + the Acropolis!
Who knew we'd have a view of the Acropolis from our breakfast nook situated on Makriyianni street?
Splendid. As was the sandwich and croissant. Greek coffee is going to take me some time getting used to though.
Great little cafe/deli, with a fantastic vantage point of the Acropolis. I'm happy to see the Nile Guide agrees!
Location:
20 Spring Street, New York, NY
We celebrated N's cousin's birthday with her friend at Bread in Soho. Great venue for brunch and, well, bread.
A very cosy spot that was fully jam packed. The service was excellent as were all the dishes. They even threw in a tiramisu cake on the house.
Location:
904 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA
In celebration of the Royal Wedding this Friday, there are several events happening in the city.
The Fairmont Royal York's EPIC Lounge will be serving English Breakfast for $21 and Library Bar will be hosting a royal tea party for $35 at 5am during the televised broadcast.
Le Meridien King Edward is also serving traditional English breakfast for $65, in the Sovereign Ballroom with scones and baked beans, starting at 5am.
The Windsor Arms is hosting the Royal Experience a la carte.
CBS is hosting a Royal Viewing Party at 5am in the Atrium of the Canadian Broadcasting Centre, prizes will be given out for wedding dress or bridesmaid dress or hat. Free tea and scones.
For more events around the city and in Ontario, check out Global News's list of events.
Location:
410 Adelaide St W
www.leatcatering.com/home.htm
In the cursed location where Zimbel's Cafe and before that, Mosaic used to be, L'eat Express is the newest addition to the building beside Toronto School of Art. Herbal Infusions is faring quite well so far, so maybe there is hope for L'eat (such a difficult name to wrap my head around. Sometimes I think "teat", wrongly, of course).
I hear the brownies are amazing, but I walked by earlier today and the door was locked! Will try again in a bit and keep you posted.
** So went back with some co-workers but they were still closed. Someone did inform us that they were open this morning for a training session which included free pastries and plan to open again later this afternoon for another training session. We were told they'll be open again tomorrow, so fingers crossed!
*** Went back on Friday and they were OPEN! Found out a few things.
Most importantly it's pronounced "ELITE", literally pronounce the letter "L" and the word "EAT". I feel so much better, now. 
Owned by Tony Loschiavo with hand-crafted goodies and gourmet meals made by Chefs Christopher Palik and Eric Walker, L'eat Express looks promising, especially with their original full service catering business (started 1983) in full swing at their Bathurt location. I DID try the brownie, and it did not disappoint. Shared with several co-workers, it was a huge hit! 
The complimentary bran muffin and double chocolate fudge cookie I scored was equally as satisfying, although I have to admit the cookie can't compare to Le Gourmand's chocolate chip walnut cookie which still reigns supreme. 
The teas on hand are from Language of the Leaf, which I love and which Neeta Khanna had sent me a package of teas to review in 2009. I've also heard great things about Paese, the sister restaurant to L'eat on King St W.
I really hope L'eat Express does well in this district, it's such a beautiful space and after speaking to Christopher, Tony and Rahim about their vision for this location, it looks like it's got all the ingredients to being as successful as the original.
Open Monday - Saturday (7:30am - 7pm)
Location:
3 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA
www.toryrow.us
YOU GUYS, I'VE FOUND MY FAVOURITE FRENCH TOAST!
It's at Tory Row, in Cambridge, Massachussettes!
At first I was a little dismayed by it's small portion size, making sharing all the more difficult.
But with the blueberry jam and the New England maple syrup, and for only $7, with a side of applewood smoked bacon,
I was in love.
And to think I almost went with the english muffin egg sandwich. Wtf.
(If you know me, or have been reading this blog) I always get french toast for brunch). Always.
N gave me a look when I said, "Maybe I won't get french toast, this time." hahahaha! Who was I kidding? SO glad I did. It was perfect...not soggy in the middle or eggy smelling, which I hate, but crispy and moist and just cinnamon-y enough..and with that blueberry jam and NE maple, I want to go back.
Besides that, the "hashbrowns", which are really cut up potatoes were incredible! Especially with the pico de gallo (salsa) it came with.
One thing they could definitely improve upon is to serve hotter coffee! As it was, when served, it was luke-warm at best and then our server took longer still to bring the as-is cold milk, which further cooled down the coffees. We asked to get our cups warmed, but then received new coffees, which were still not hot enough. And, no Earl Grey tea?!Fo' shame. I did enjoy my OJ, though and the Spiced Apple Cider was lovely.
The flatbreads are served on wooden boards, looking very rustic and also easy to cut into if needed. The jalepeño chicken sausage, black bean, egg flatbread ($9) was good, but the pico de gallo would have been better as the sauce spread atop the flatbread instead of the black bean.
The vegetable frittata arrived in an iron skillet. The only problem with this is that the egg overcooks sitting in its heat, and is too hot to eat before it overcooks because its sitting in it's heat - see where I'm going with that?
The greek yogurt filled with berries and bananas and granola (from Nashoba Brook Bakery) is a steal at $5 and a great light breakfast.
Next time, would love to try the parmesan prosciutto black pepper scone ($3) from the Nashoba Brook Bakery and something from the lunch menu - those burgers were massive!
The decor is simple and modern.
Perched on the high stools at long commune tables, the place was mainly filled with Harvard students, with their friends or parents. There are Shepard Fairey pieces on the back wall. That's the artist who did the famous Obama "Hope" poster.
As an aside: those coffee shop white mugs with the wide-as-your-lips-rims, have gotta go. Come on, people; drinking from them makes you feel as though the coffee's going to dribble over the side of your mouth.
That said, Tory Row is a keeper. Kept!
Location:
1554 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON
www.mitzis.ca
Best place to go with your best friend after getting your hair did?
Mitzi's Sister.
Absolutely, hands down, the best brunch place I've eaten at, yet.
Challah French Toast
Served with home fries, fresh fruit, pure maple syrup & fresh whipped cream. $13.50
This week's topping was pomegranate!! Amazeballs.
And the Huevos Rancheros (Scrambled eggs in a grilled tortilla with refried beans, guacamole, tomato salsa, sour cream, home fries and fresh fruit. $10.95) was incredible!
Oh yes, I had a Side of English Bangers. $3.50
No photo of them because our server forgot my order and they arrived a bit late; after I was almost done with my French Toast. But fat and juicy, the bangers were really good.
As is our hair.
Mitzi's is highly recommended.
Location:
745 Queen St W, Toronto
www.harlemrestaurant.com/underground
With a wall-mural/graffitied glass hallway and red interior walls, Harlem looks like how you'd expect a restaurant in Harlem to look: cultured-chic, friendly and somewhere you'd want to spend a few good hours with friends and wholesome Southern cooking.
Cajun Tempura Fried Okra
$4.95
Of all the fascinating side dishes on the menu ( fried plantains, candied yams, bacon mac n' cheese, collard greens,) we had to try the deep fried okra. Arriving piping hot, and with plenty enough to go around, it did not disappoint. Granted, okra is not for everyone...the slimy texture and odd taste is certainly something to acquire. I, for one, love okra and have had it in many forms, so this was just another lovely treat for me.
Harlem Benny Poached eggs, chili-garlic greens, atop a sausage and grits flap jack along with cheesy hollandaise
$10.95
R who had this dish, was worried that the portion size and the density of a grit flap jack would be too heavy since she'd already eaten breakfast, but the flap jack was light and the eggs perfectly poached.
Mile High Jawny Toast Three egg-dipped thick slices of egg loaf drizzled with maple syrup, crushed pecans and fresh fruit
$10.95
OMG you guys. Undoubtedly the best FT I've had to date! THICK, yet fluffy slices of bread and an absolutely mouth-watering, nutty, berry sauce on top. While splitting this dish with A who ordered the fried chicken and waffles, I ended up with a smorgasbord of salty (fried chicken) and sweet (waffles and french toast) goodness on my plate (usually how I like to eat things - all on one plate) which was wiped clean with the last bite of toast. 
Southern Fried Chicken & Waffle With a Chipolte-corriander-lime maple syrup
$11.95
Speaking of the Fried Chicken and waffles, does four pieces of chicken sound enough to you?! Thank goodness we were sharing! What portions are these, my friends? Amazing! The chipotle-corriander-lime maple syrup was an excellent accompaniment to the waffles (which unfortunately lacked that fresh-out-of-the-waffle-iron heat).
Yam & Yukon Potato Hash Topped with a sunny side up egg cooked with spicy sausage, served with biscuits and greens
$9.95
We all agreed, the potato hash was incredible! Especially with the spicy sausage.
Veggie Omelette Sweet peppers, onions, mushroom and spinach
$8.95
N who got this dish said even with the cheese it was a tad bland for her taste.
And none of us cared much for the sweet potato biscuits accompanying the omelettes. They weren't warm or soft enough and had the texture of a scone; fairly dry. I think with everything else going on in the dish, the side biscuit came cross as rather plain in comparison. Regardless, I wish it had been better 'cause there's nothing like a hot biscuit!
Still, with any personal requests (ie. cheese in the omlette, collard greens instead of spinach) there were no hesitations to comply, in fact suggestions were made to accommodate dietary concerns, if possible. Our server, Jen, imparted just the right measure of attentiveness without being intrusive.
Oh, and a shout-out the to the low-ceilinged washrooms, which we figured is the "underground" part of Harlem Underground. We all emerged from it as if we were the (recently rescued) miners. (Yay, miners!) :)
But in all seriousness, HU is such a wonderfully warm and friendly place, I would not hesitate to return. And with a group of seven, the verdict was unanimous: come hungry, and leave content!
Location:
70 Yorkville Ave., Toronto
www.flosdiner.ca
Granted, it has a lovely rooftop patio, and the fabulous diner-look going, but the food is average, if not below average and the service ins non-existent.
I had Flo's Big Breakfast - Belgian waffles, 2 eggs, sausages, bacon, home fries $10.95 and "Freshly squeezed orange juice". While the waffles were were lukewarm, it wasn't terrible.
Beerhogger had a Coke Float (!)
and a GRILLED CHICKEN with sundried tomatoes. Fried mushrooms, fried onions & basil on foccacia bread $8.25
The sandwich was uber bland and the chicken was pink in parts and chewy. Gross? Yes.
While it's fun to dine at a 50s diner, if the food (and service) were more 50s-like, we'd be talkin'.