Table for One
I Think We Can All Agree That This Is the Worst Meal to Pay For
This week, our Table for One columnist is staying in.
Photo by Rocky Luten. Food Stylist: Samantha Seneviratne. Prop Stylist: Sophie Strangio.

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32 Comments
Megan
April 25, 2020
What was said about chefs hating cooking brunch is sooo true! The chefs at the restaurant I used to stage at really did not enjoy being at work for brunch on weekends (especially since yes, Saturday evening was typically the busiest time).
I love your writing, and judging from the amount of comments you get, so do many others! Thank you for also providing much needed Asian American perspective to the food world.
I love your writing, and judging from the amount of comments you get, so do many others! Thank you for also providing much needed Asian American perspective to the food world.
Bella95
March 6, 2020
Well that makes sense now. I was looking at the photo thinking, "Dang l WOULD pay for that". Lol.
Maybe here in NZ our chefs are less jaded or maybe it's because competition for the dining out dollar is fiercer but, brunch is usually lovely. Although, not eating eggs limits my choices enormously, my local cafe's mushroom Benedict with lime hollandaise although hardly avant garde, IS very very good and a welcome treat. That said l would laugh at anyone who suggested brunch as early as 11. On a Sunday that's firmly in the breakfast time slot.
Maybe here in NZ our chefs are less jaded or maybe it's because competition for the dining out dollar is fiercer but, brunch is usually lovely. Although, not eating eggs limits my choices enormously, my local cafe's mushroom Benedict with lime hollandaise although hardly avant garde, IS very very good and a welcome treat. That said l would laugh at anyone who suggested brunch as early as 11. On a Sunday that's firmly in the breakfast time slot.
Nancy
December 9, 2019
My experiences and sentiments are similar to yours, Eric. Why pay exorbitant prices to be treated often with indifferent cooking and service?
It might be more interesting for diners and chefs to have a Sunday afternoon or evening pot luck or table de hote meal, using up leftovers in new dishes before the restaurant closes down for a day or two.
It might be more interesting for diners and chefs to have a Sunday afternoon or evening pot luck or table de hote meal, using up leftovers in new dishes before the restaurant closes down for a day or two.
HK
October 5, 2019
I love brunch. We live in a brunch desert, so brunch is a potluck breakfast bonanza with booze and friends at home. I am too old to stay out late Saturday night, but Sunday is a great opportunity to visit friends eat and have a boozy cocktail.
M
October 1, 2019
I don't understand the hate for brunch. If a place is too packed and you don't want to go, avoid it. There are many places with less, if any, waits. If you don't want to wake up, sleep in and cook for yourself.
But there's nothing more leisurely on the weekend than throwing something on whenever you happen to wake up, hopping over to a local good brunch spot, having them make you something that would take you a few hours and much dishwashing to do. (Eggs benny, piles of homefries, fresh-baked pastries....) Let alone a mimosa without cracking open a huge bottle, maybe killer fresh-squeezed oj, or a cappuccino instead of the usual black coffee. And as long as the line isn't long, I'd take a little reading or extra conversation with friends in line over a pile of dishes.
But there's nothing more leisurely on the weekend than throwing something on whenever you happen to wake up, hopping over to a local good brunch spot, having them make you something that would take you a few hours and much dishwashing to do. (Eggs benny, piles of homefries, fresh-baked pastries....) Let alone a mimosa without cracking open a huge bottle, maybe killer fresh-squeezed oj, or a cappuccino instead of the usual black coffee. And as long as the line isn't long, I'd take a little reading or extra conversation with friends in line over a pile of dishes.
Noreen F.
September 30, 2019
I'm a dedicated breakfast-eater, and I love going out for either breakfast or brunch. I think I've had fewer disappointing brunches than dinners out. Thanks Stephanie B for the shout out to Wisconsin! Some of the brunch-haters might change their minds if they tried brunch on the patio at The Waterfront in La Crosse, overlooking the Mississippi.
Stephanie B.
December 2, 2019
I don't think they're that distinctive except that I just like them? They typically have an almost obnoxious amount of things in them. There's one place that managed to balance what looked like a whole chicken over a glass of bloody mary (no thanks, it looked gross). But a more reasonable garnish is bacon, lots of pickles, and cubes of good quality cheddar, and no celery. Tons of black pepper in the mix, spicy, and should always be served with little miller high life chaser. Even if you don't drink the chaser (someone will). It should keep your bloody mary company at least. I'm not describing this well, but I don't normally like bloody marys or tomato juice based things - but I swear every place I've gone to brunch in southeastern WI has had a good bloody mary.
tia
September 30, 2019
I hate brunch, largely because by then I've been up for hours (I don't work weekends, but I still have cats who lie, and cry that they're hungry despite being fed by the kibblebot 15 minutes before). So brunch is much too late for actual breakfast. And if it's late enough for lunch, well, I have other things to do on Sunday.
I do love going out for breakfast, though. Usually at 8:30 or 9 on Saturday, at a restaurant that just does breakfast and lunch. Better yet, a Mexican place, so I can get chilequiles or something.
I don't actually like cooking breakfast for myself. It feels like too much effort and just adds to the dishes I'll need to do later that day. If I'm not going out, i usually just don't eat until lunchtime, right before I go grocery shopping for the week.
I do love going out for breakfast, though. Usually at 8:30 or 9 on Saturday, at a restaurant that just does breakfast and lunch. Better yet, a Mexican place, so I can get chilequiles or something.
I don't actually like cooking breakfast for myself. It feels like too much effort and just adds to the dishes I'll need to do later that day. If I'm not going out, i usually just don't eat until lunchtime, right before I go grocery shopping for the week.
Sherry E.
September 30, 2019
brunch bliss for me would include the best cup of joe, meaning freshly made, dark, and HOT
and a plate of wholewheat or buckwheat pancakes. PLAIN!!! not a maple syrup kind of gal...oh a plate of fresh fruit a necessary item...and good friend or two to join me
and a plate of wholewheat or buckwheat pancakes. PLAIN!!! not a maple syrup kind of gal...oh a plate of fresh fruit a necessary item...and good friend or two to join me
cosmiccook
September 29, 2019
Almost every F&%#@ restaurant in New Orleans serves SHRIMP & GRITS as its star dish. Most of the dishes mediocre at best, and count on the cost $26-30 (mostly to bring in the tourists) and you're lucky if you get 6 shrimp! Brunch is better as a party in someone's home!
Stephanie B.
September 28, 2019
First of all, this brunch meal looks fantastic and I plan on trying it.
Secondly, yeah...going out for brunch is blah for the most part. Overpriced and underwhelming. (I exclude the wonderful land of Wisconsin from this criticism). I can see the appeal of meeting up with friends for a meal and day drinking, but the meh factor of every brunch I've gone out to lately kills it. I think it's because unlike Eric, I love breakfast food, and I love having a luxurious, "treat yourself" kind of breakfast on weekends to make up for so many fast-paced workday breakfasts. So when I go out for brunch and it's bad, it's disappointing. Even more so because when I make brunch/late breakfast at home on weekends it's so good - to think I paid $20-30 for sad eggs benedict and an overly sweet cocktail when I could have made myself something like pumpkin bacon pecan pancakes for a fraction of the cost makes me sad.
Secondly, yeah...going out for brunch is blah for the most part. Overpriced and underwhelming. (I exclude the wonderful land of Wisconsin from this criticism). I can see the appeal of meeting up with friends for a meal and day drinking, but the meh factor of every brunch I've gone out to lately kills it. I think it's because unlike Eric, I love breakfast food, and I love having a luxurious, "treat yourself" kind of breakfast on weekends to make up for so many fast-paced workday breakfasts. So when I go out for brunch and it's bad, it's disappointing. Even more so because when I make brunch/late breakfast at home on weekends it's so good - to think I paid $20-30 for sad eggs benedict and an overly sweet cocktail when I could have made myself something like pumpkin bacon pecan pancakes for a fraction of the cost makes me sad.
Stephanie B.
December 2, 2019
Eric I'm trying to make #neverbruncher happen...not sure it's taking but I get a kick out of it.
Jewel M.
September 27, 2019
I couldn’t disagree more with you. Brunch is intended to be a meal where you enjoy the relaxed company of those around you. Furthermore, the concept behind it— in the minds of many who partake— know that brunch is also intended to be a lengthy meal with a variety of courses (and alcoholic beverages) intended to slowly reintroduce food after your Saturday evening indiscretions.
Brunch in less than an hour isn’t brunch.
Brunch in less than an hour isn’t brunch.
Adam P.
September 28, 2019
He's not saying an hour for brunch is bad, he's saying the hour long commute and/or wait is bad.
Brunch stinks now because I have a choice of some vaguely southern inspired biscuit that isn't any good covered in something else that is okay for $22, or a $40 buffet that's basically no better than cafeteria food. But hey, it's all great because bottomless mimosas, right? Millenials have ruined brunch because it's no longer about good food or even good company, it's about eating trendy things to post on your Instagram and an excuse to drink before noon.
Brunch stinks now because I have a choice of some vaguely southern inspired biscuit that isn't any good covered in something else that is okay for $22, or a $40 buffet that's basically no better than cafeteria food. But hey, it's all great because bottomless mimosas, right? Millenials have ruined brunch because it's no longer about good food or even good company, it's about eating trendy things to post on your Instagram and an excuse to drink before noon.
Eric K.
September 28, 2019
"some vaguely southern inspired biscuit that isn't any good covered in something else that is okay for $22"
Nailed it.
Nailed it.
J
October 2, 2019
Really don't think it has anything to do with millennials. We don't have $40 to spend on a lousy omelet and a mostly-juice mimosa.
ELLE
September 27, 2019
Looks yummy but does it have to be loaded with carbs?
Eric K.
September 27, 2019
And I made it worse by breading it. :)
To answer your question, Elle, you could always just make the bacon and grits? I am equally passionate about those:
To answer your question, Elle, you could always just make the bacon and grits? I am equally passionate about those:
Cheryl M.
September 29, 2019
“And I made it worse by breading it. :)”
I think you misspelled better. 😊
I think you misspelled better. 😊
cosmiccook
September 29, 2019
How about pecan praline bacon? Its a must for brunch. Heat over to 325. Have a sheet pan covered in foil w a cookie rack (spray rack w oil for easy clean up) on top ready. Mix pecan meal 1 cup (ground pecans) and 2/3 cup brown sugar together on a large piece of wax or parchment. Using about 4-6 slices of thick quality bacon lay it on the mix press in and turn over ensuring full coverage on both sides, lay on the rack. bake for 15 mins (ish--my oven is quick). Serve w Grits and brandy punch, or whatever your head and stomach can manage. It IS the day after Saturday night.
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