Brunch at Ricky's Kingsway

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Two eggs, toast, hash browns and a side of perogies. Brunch comfort. #yeg #yegfood #yegeats #yegfoodie #latergram

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Mar 23, 2019 at 2:26pm PDT

Breakfast for Lunch: Unforgettable Bowl at Friends and Neighbours

Unforgettable Bowl - chicken strips, scrambled eggs, potato chunks, sautéed onions and peppers. And toast. Too much to eat. #yegfood

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Sep 23, 2017 at 2:47pm PDT

Friends and Neighbours (10834 82 Avenue) is one of my go-to places for brunch, and this past weekend I tried the Unforgettable Bowl, one of the cafes unique creations. Three large chicken fingers were served with scrambled eggs, sauteed peppers and onions, fresh tomatoes, and a base of cubed potatoes. The menu said avocados, but those were not there. The eggs and chicken paired surprisingly well, and the chicken was actually my favourite part of the dish. The potatoes, however, were a disappointment. They were greasy and some had a sweet off-taste as though the oil had not been changed in a while. The result was less than appetizing, and I was unable to finish - a pity, because the portion was more than ample. This is one of those dishes that seemed like a good idea at the time, but the execution does not work because there was nothing tying the dish together, like a sauce. Or, the eggs could have been sunny side up or over-easy, the yolk creating the sauce. I would order the chicken fingers by themselves (or with fries) at a later time, because those were really good.

Breakfast for Lunch: Smoked Meat Scrambler at Jay Bee's

Smoked meat scrambler #yegfood #eatalberta150

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Jul 15, 2017 at 4:43pm PDT

I had my first experience ay Jay Bee's (3633 188 Avenue) this past weekend, as the person I was with told me his workmates recommended the place highly. This is a diner with all of the things you would expect to find on the menu: breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, pizza, and traditional mains like fish and chips and hot turkey. Some of the breakfast offerings are quite unique for this sort of establishment, like the option of beef sausages and turkey bacon with your eggs. I had one of the "scrambles" with smoked meat. It was more like a flat omelette that was so huge, it covered the plate. Underneath was a bagel which was very fresh and actually tasted like a bagel (as opposed to some places where bagels just taste like bread in a round shape), and hash browns. The server said they were going to be cubes, but they were small strings that were a bit greasy, and a bit overcooked in places, but then again this is a "greasy spoon" sort of place. My eggs tasted heavily from the smoked meat, as it should have, and the onions were sweet and cooked. I held the marble cheese that would also have been a part of the dish. I was totally stuffed at the end, and the dish was less than $15. The place was clean, spacious, and the service was good - my server went back to the kitchen several times to get answers to my questions. I will definitely be back if I am in Beverly, and I hope future visits will live up to this one.

Breakfast for Lunch: MEAT Breakfast

MEAT breakfast - eggs, hash browns, and brisket instead of pork. Toast is coming. #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Jun 11, 2016 at 12:30pm PDT

I ventured into MEAT for brunch a week or so ago, finding that it is still one of the few places along Whyte serving brunch where I can still get a seat. I noticed that the brunch menu has changed a wee bit, and opted for a new item: the MEAT breakfast, consisting of two eggs any style, hash browns, toast, and a choice of bacon or sausage. My eggs over-medium were perfect, and the hash browns have changed from a patty similar to a potato pancake, to a generous portion of fried and seasoned potato chunks (and I think the seasoning may have included parmesan). Instead of the pork products, I substituted with some of the pulled brisket used for MEAT's brisket benny and sandwich. The combination worked really well, and they sure gave me a lot of it. This was a hearty brunch that was well done.

Breakfast for Lunch: Brisket Bennies at MEAT

I had a day to myself on Whyte Avenue on Saturday, and went to MEAT for brunch. I had the Eggs Benedict with brisket. The brisket was smoked and pulled to fit perfectly on the buttermilk biscuits. I missed the caramelized onions that were listed on the menu. I held the hollandaise, but had my eggs poached soft so the yolk would add a sauce. One of my eggs was slightly underdone (the white was still runny in a few spots). The hash browns stole the show here - they were more like a thick, crispy potato pancake. I would love to eat a couple of them with some sour cream and apple sauce. Very unique.

Breakfast for Lunch: Brunch at CRAFT

On Saturday I had brunch for the second time at CRAFT Beer Market. I had the smoked salmon eggs benedict, sans hollandaise. I also asked if there was cheese on the bennies, and was told no. I ended up with a mouthful of cream cheese with my first bite. Fortunately, I don't mind cream cheese, but it wasn't listed on the menu and obviously the server did not know the menu well. The eggs were done to perfection and the smoked salmon was fresh and delicious. I also enjoyed the homemade biscuit upon which the eggs were served. The hash browns were well cooked and seasoned, while the skewer of fresh fruit made for a nice finish. I had a glass of Liefmans on the rocks, which is a fruit beer that almost tastes like a cranberry mimosa.

Breakfast for Lunch: Country Fried Steak and Eggs at Denny's

When one has not eaten in a while and really wants desperate, one may settle for anything. Which is why we headed to the 104th Avenue location of Denny's earlier this week. The country fried steak and eggs was filling, but flawed. There is too much pepper in the coating of the meat. The "rye" toast really did not taste like rye at all. And the hash browns just plain tasted weird (and were not done enough - what is it with serving hash browns that are almost raw?). Oh well. Not every meal can be a winner.

Breakfast for Lunch: Steak and Eggs at Ricky's

I don't often have supper with my father and brother, so I let them pick the place: the west end location of Ricky's. This meal was more like breakfast for supper. Steak and eggs is one of the items on the diner's all day breakfast menu. My steak was done perfectly to my order, served with two eggs (also to order), toast, and hash browns. The hash browns could have been a little more well done. Still, it was a filling, comforting meal.

Vegging Out: Vegetarian Triple Decker at Friends and Neighbours

I am starting to make Friends and Neighbours (10834 82 Avenue) a regular habit. Last week I tried the vegetarian club sandwich, which is a huge trip decker stacked with soy bacon, grilled tofu, lettuce, tomatoes, with roasted red pepper spread on toast. There appeared to be margarine on the bread as well - I am not sure if this can be held, as I know the buns and bagels are pre-margarined. The sandwich is too big to fit into most people's mouths. The soy bacon really steals the show, while the tofu was rather bland. I chose the house made has browns as my side. This is a very heart sandwich, but I prefer the veggie sandwich I had there on my previous visit, with just soy bacon, avocado, and spinach on a bagel.

Breakfast for Lunch: Smoked Salmon Benny at Blue Chair Cafe

Around three years have passed since last I had brunch at Blue Chair Cafe. I had the opportunity to return this past weekend and enjoyed a smoked salmon eggs benedict. The eggs were like heaven: perfectly poached like two small clouds on the plate. The amount of smoked salmon was reasonble and of good quality. I found the Russian rye bread a little strong. The fruit was fresh, and added colour to the plate. I loved the hash browns and wish there were more of them. I counted maybe eight little cubes. At a price of close to $15, and with potatoes being so inexpensive, I thought this was way too small of a serving. That being said, I love the atmosphere of the place and hope to return soon.

Breakfast for Lunch: Hangover Breakfast at Next Act

Hangover Breakfast, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Brunch at the Next Act Pub was a perfect choice for a meal prior to a rally taking place just across the street. I had the Hangover Breakfast without bacon, which meant I had two eggs, hash browns, and marble toast.

The eggs were perfectly done and the toast was wonderful - thick and crunchy without being over done. The hash browns were very unique, with their seasoned coating. Plus, the portion was huge. And at only $8, it is a pretty affordable meal.

Breakfast for Lunch: Two Eggs with Smoked Salmon

Two Eggs with Smoked Salmon, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Almost a year has passed since I dined at Murietta's on Whyte Avenue. As a special treat, I went here on the weekend for brunch prior to an International Women's Day event.

The brunch menu has been incorporated onto the lunch menu and now consists of only about a half dozen items: a number of eggs benedict, and two eggs with bacon, hash browns, grilled panini, bacon, and tomatoes with olive oil and basil. I opted for the latter, substituting the bacon with smoked salmon.

The results were amazing, My eggs were cooked perfectly to order, with some tasty crispy areas. There was much more smoked salmon than I anticipated, and while not a huge tomato fan, these were delectable.

The hash browns had both regular and sweet potatoes, and were a little on the greasy side (with some of the sweet potato cubes slightly undercooked). This was the only criticism of an otherwise fantastic meal. The coffee here is excellent also.

Breakfast For Lunch: Smoked Salmon Omelette

Smoked Salmon Omelette, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

On Saturday morning, it was back to Mill Creek Cafe for brunch. I had the gravlax omelette - gravlax is a kind of smoked salmon cured with sugar, salt, and dill, and Mill Creek Cafe makes their own!

The omelette was light and fluffy, full of smoked salmon, as well as a few red onions for flavour. Capers peppered the eggs and went well with the smoked salmon. I held the soft herbed cheese, not being a dairy person, and enjoyed the home made hash browns and grain toast.

The meal was most memorable for the texture and taste of the eggs, as well as the smoked salmon. This is a definite must-try if you head here for brunch.

Breakfast for Lunch: De Dutch

Eggs with Smoked Salmon, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I finally made it to De Dutch for lunch today. The huge menu includes an entire pages of options for pannekoek, a large pancake with various toppings. However, I opted for one of the simpler two-egg breakfasts, in this case eggs over easy with smoked salmon, toast, hash browns, and fruit. The portion size was excellent, and the quality of the smoked salmon was especially good. My eggs were done to perfection, and the bread was also excellent. I found the hash browns a little small to collect easily with my fork, but this is a minor point. Paired with a mimosa, this was a lovely brunch.

Breakfast for Lunch: Blue Plate Breakfast at Blue Plate Diner

Big Breakfast, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

It has been a while since I had brunch at Blue Plate Diner, something which was rectified this weekend. I had the Blue Plate Breakfast which has always been my choice, with two eggs, potatoes, toast, and veggie sausage. The potatoes were different from the house made hash browns of the past, and while the eggs used to be advertised on the menu as Hutterite eggs, they were just simple states as eggs, so I am assuming that has changed as well. The veggie sausage has turned into a huge link of slightly sweet soy goodness, and was the star of the meal.

Breakfast for Lunch: Two Egg Breakfast at B's Diner

Two Egg Breakfast, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

While running errands on Whyte Avenue on a chilly Friday afternoon, we stopped in to B's Diner (10015 82 Ave.) for a late lunch.. I had the meatless two egg breakfast, which came with toast, potatoes, and tomato slices. The toast was thick, the potatoes were obviously home made, and the eggs were cooked to order. My only problem was that the food was a bit on the greasy side. In fact, although the person I was with had something completely different, we both suffered from stomach problems for the rest of the afternoon. I love the dive-yness of the place, and the menu has some good offerings, but I will have to make sure I can handle having my innards well-lubricated on future visits.

Brunch at Next Act

Brunch at Next Act #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

On Saturday, I was craving breakfast food while on Whyte Avenue. As the rain started falling, I remembered that The Next Act serves brunch on weekends.

I had an eggs Benedict with tomato, avocado, and sauteed mushrooms. The flavours went well together, although the tomato made it hard to cut.

I love hash browns, and the accompanying ones were house made, but were a little too heavily coated in seasonings. It was almost like a crust.

My mimosa was refreshing, but a little bitter - I was not sure if it was the juice or the choice of champagne. Overall though, the value and service was good, and Next Act should not be overlooked for weekend brunch - although I think next time I'll have a beer with it.

Breakfast for Lunch: Tofu Scramble at B's Diner

Tofu scramble at B's Diner #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

When I am hanging out on Whyte Avenue, I try to eat and drink at independent establishments. Although I have walked past B's Diner (10037 82 Ave.) many times, I was never able to stop in.

I had breakfast there on Saturday and enjoyed the air conditioned interior on a very hot day. I was also amazed at how extensive the menu was - full of all-day breakfast options, burgers, sandwiches, and other typical greasy spoon diner fare.

I went for the tofu scramble, which was huge. It filled the plate and was full of mushrooms and bell peppers (you get two filling choices), along with toast and hash browns. The tofu was a little on the bland side, but mixed with the potatoes and toast it worked. And for $7 it was a great value.

Breakfast for Lunch - Chicken Sausage

Chicken sausage and eggs #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

While unexpectedly ending up at Albert's Family Restaurant on 99 Street and 51 Avenue, even more unexpectedly I discovered several breakfast specials on the menu - including chicken sausage!

Made in Alberta, this huge hunk of sausage was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with a hint of sweetness. I did not feel like I was eating a chicken hot dog - the skin was far too crispy, with the texture and seasonings being quite unique.

This was definitely the highlight of the meal, which was otherwise mediocre. My eggs, ordered over easy, were actually over medium (the yolks barely ran) and the hash browns were cold.

Breakfast for Lunch: Vegetarian Omelette at Ricky's

Vegetarian omelette at Ricky's. #yegfood, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Ricky's in the west end is where we ended up for lunch earlier this week. I had a veggie omelette, which had a load of vegetables both inside and outside the egg portion.

The bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, and spinach were sauteed in basil and lemon - lots of lemon. The result was very tangy, a flavour which dominated the meal. The flavour could have been a bit more balanced.

However, vegetable lovers will love the huge portion of veggies, and the toast and hash browns round things out well.