Brunch Recipes: Spinach

I got into an argument today at work with someone who said they don't like spinach. What?! Kale, ok. But spinach is so good for you, and there is so much you can do to it to make it tasty! So now I'm on a quest to make said person enjoy spinach. Let's start with some brunch recipes....

1. Spinach, Mushroom and Sourdough Strata


2. DIY Flower Sandwich: Egg and Spinach


3. Mini Breakfast Souffles

New Haven Brunch Spot: Shell and Bones

My co-workers and I discovered Shell & Bones last summer when we were looking for happy hourbrunch on Saturdays and Sundays. It's seafood heavy (there's a raw bar if you are into that), with options like a smoked salmon flatbread, oscar eggs benedict with a crab cake and fish tacos (yum!). They also have sweet and spicy bacon, smashed potatoes with truffle and parmesan dust, and nutella-stuffed brioche french toast. Need I go on?
spots near the water.

This place has spectacular views, fire pits, and is tucked away from the busy downtown area. They offer

Norwalk Brunch Spot: Harlan Publick House

Harlan Publick, owned by the same chef who owns Harlan Social in Stamford, is a trendy spot on Washington Street in South Norwalk and offers Sunday brunch with an option for unlimited mimosas, bellinis, and bloody marys. The menu includes some innovative dishes like octopus carpaccio, a spiced quinoa burger with goat cheese and avocado spread, and biscuits and spicy sausage gravy.

Check out the menu here.

Read a NY Times review.

YouTube Brunch Menu: Bloody Marys, Baked Eggs, and Make Ahead Blintzes

Here are some simple recipes in case you want to host your own brunch. I tried to pick out recipes that were make ahead or had a few ingredients so you could spend more time hanging with your guests.

1. 5 Steps to a Bloody Mary Brunch - this guy shows you how to make Bloody Marys, Marias, and Derbys, complete with Pee-Wee Herman (or MouseTrap) style apparatus.

  

2. Baked Eggs in Spicy Creamy Tomato Sauce - all you need is a casserole dish that fits 2 eggs, tomato sauce, some seasonings and herbs, eggs (duh), parmesan, olive oil and cream.



3. Cheese Blintzes with Fresh Berries - guess what? You can make it ahead of time!

Party Inspiration: Kate Spade Donut Bridesmaid Brunch

Yup. Kate Spade. Donuts. Brunch. I got married a few years ago, but definitely keeping this in mind for future parties with my gal pals. Just not sold on the glitter donuts - I'm assuming that's edible?

Anyways, love the details - from the mugs to the bags on the chairs, to the invites, to the coffee bar.

Check out all the details on Every Last Detail.

"California" Eggs Benedict Recipe Courtesy of The Corner in Milford

My all-time favorite breakfast/brunch spot is The Corner in Milford. They are a tiny spot on River Street in downtown Milford that's only open for breakfast and lunch. They don't have bloodys or mimosas, but you can byob. Their menu offers several types of eggs Benedict - traditional, crab, spinach, blackened (my favorite). Here's a link to the recipe for their version of a "California style" eggs Benedict, with avocado.
WFSB 3 Connecticut

Pizza Brunch: Coalhouse Pizza in Stamford

I'm a huge fan of Coalhouse Pizza in Stamford - we go there every year for my husband's company's holiday party and have the best time. My favorite pizza there is called the Mannish Boy, with apples, montery jack cheese, bacon and honey. I had no idea they had a Saturday and Sunday brunch, but now that I do, I'm adding it to my brunch bucket list for sure. There's no brunch menu on their site, but specials include bottomless beer mimosas and $14 Connecticut craft beer pitchers.

Westport Brunch Spot: The Cottage

If you are looking for a cozy, yet sophisticated brunch spot that offers something different than your usual stuffed French Toast, Pancakes and Eggs Benedict, try out The Cottage on the Post Road in Westport. Recently reviewed in the NY Times, they offer two courses and a mimosa for $25. Here's

what the Times review says:

"The starter and entree choices were sizable. We reveled in both the salmon toast and mâche and sunchoke salad as appetizers, followed by crab eggs Benedict and the lavish fettuccine carbonara. After such treasures, a nap sounded more inviting than dessert, luscious as all the desserts were."

Other interesting brunch takes include their Giant Banana Pancake with pecan brittle, Smoked Salmon and Avocado Toast and Burger and Fries with gruyere and bacon jam.

Coming Soon: BEERunch in Milford at World of Beer

Scheduled to open April 25 at Milford's Connecticut Post Mall, the World of Beer franchise will be adding a new location to its 75 taverns and will feature a "BEERunch" special on weekends with beer and brunch cocktail
pairings to go along with savory menu options. The tavern will have an outdoor patio and hundreds of bottled beers and taps, partnering with local breweries like Half Full, Two Roads and Back East Brewing Company.

For more info visit worldofbeer.com/Locations/Milford and Facebook.com/World-of-Beer-Milford.

Just a few brunch memes

Happy Monday! Did you brunch this weekend? Here are a few memes to tide you over til next brunch...

Mother's Day and Father's Day Jazz Brunch at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum

Surprise mom or dad with tickets to the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art's Jazz brunches in Hartford. For just $35, you get a delicious brunch buffet with complimentary bloody mary or mimosa, museum admission and jazz. Two seatings: 10:30 am and 12:30 pm.

Mother's Day Jazz Brunch: Deborah Wang Trio: May 8

Father's Day Jazz Brunch: June Bisantz & Friends: June 19

Funny Brunch T-shirts

Let everyone know when you arrive at your favorite brunch spot what time it is with one of these funny t-shirts:

1. Chin Up Women's Sunday Champagne Brunch Tank Top, $22

 

2. Unisex Wake Up, Brunch Take Naps from Etsy Seller Fine2Wear, $14.99 

3. Mornings Are for Mimosas yoga tee from Etsy Seller everfitte, $29.00

4. Avocado Toast tee from Nordstrom, $52.00

New Haven Brunch Spots: Movies and Mimosas

If you want to change up your regular brunch routine, Bow Tie cinemas in downtown New Haven offers a regular Movies and Mimosas special. On the first Saturday and Sunday of every month, you can watch old favorites like Jaws, Gone with the Wind, and the Wizard of Oz and sip on mimosas. Movies start at 11:00 am.