Everyone knows that brunch is the champion of mealtimes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner all fall at the first hurdle, while the limp finger sandwiches of afternoon tea cannot even begin to compete. The great American brunch is both physically and emotionally restorative: designed to cure the most persistent of hangovers, and to placate those negative feelings. It has also become an increasingly adventurous endeavor, with gastronomic fusions of kimchi and pancakes diversifying the usual menu staples. Bostonians are at the forefront of this trend, with award-winning chefs Andy Husbands and Jamie Bissonnette leading the way. Move over NYC – now it’s Boston’s time to shine.
Tremont 647
First things first, this place serves poutine fries: Maplebrook cheddar curd melted over fries drenched in chile gravy, bacon optional. Anyone who’s not familiar with this French-Canadian delicacy needs to get acquainted, stat. Other mouth-watering specialties include the scallion pancake, with jalapeno cream cheese and kimchee sauce, and the fried chicken benny done with biscuits and gravy. Oh, and did we mention that people are allowed to wear their pajamas here? It’s like the best dream we ever had.
Gaslight
Don’t be fooled by the bistro-style menu or fancy French décor – Gaslight is as American as apple pie. Dressed-up offerings include vanilla French toast with apple caramel and syrup, poached eggs with spicy tomato fondue and paprika, and of course the cure-all-hangovers croque-madame: a tasso ham, grueyere and béchamel creation, topped with fried egg and frites.
The Breakfast Club
Situated in a corrugated roadside diner in the outer lying borough of Allston, The Breakfast Club specializes in the all-American brunch experience. Open from 6am weekdays and 7am weekends, this spot is a favorite among truckers due to its strong coffee and substantial breakfasts. Menu options include a comprehensive selection of eggs, omelets, breakfast sandwiches, and three varieties of buttermilk pancake drenched in real maple syrup. Leave your diet at the door: this place means business.
Masa Restaurant
This list would be shamefully incomplete without any mention of Masa Restaurant, which has won dozens of awards and accolades for its outstanding brunch. Consistently ranked as one of the top brunch spots in the country, this much-loved restaurant also offers extraordinary value, with a starter and entrée from $7.95. Choose from caramelized plantain empanadas paired with chocolate chip pancakes and mango butter, or indulge with nut-crusted Texas toast stuffed with caramelized bananas. Wash it all down with a signature bloody maria: a tequila-based bloody mary that’s deliciously spicy and sour.
Toro
To say that Jamie Bisonette’s Toro has been a success would be an understatement. With a sibling restaurant enjoying similar acclaim in NYC, Toro serves up delectable plates of tapas made with locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. The Catalonian-inspired cuisine includes crispy pork hash with eggs, fried potatoes and sourdough toast, or chicken empanada with homemade salsa and aioli. Expect to wait in line as there are always queues outside – but trust us, it’ll be worth it.
Featured image by © Monkey Business Images/iStock/Thinkstock
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guides cover all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas.
