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LET'S DO BRUNCH
BITE
by Rikki Kite
Where and when to get your weekend brunch on
Whether you want to gorge yourself at an all-you-can-eat buffet or relax at a local café, downtown Lawrence is home to several locally owned restaurants serving up weekend brunch.
WheatFields Bakery and Café
WheatFields Bakery and Café,
904 Vermont St., specializes in
Artisan breads, which contain
only flour, water, natural
leavening and salt. In addition
to a variety of freshly baked
breads, the WheatFields menu
offers other pastries, including
muffins and ciabattinas (crusty
bread rolls), granola, eggs,
biscuits and gravy (they even
have vegetarian gravy), waffles,
hash browns, french toast,
coffee and juices.
If you are looking for a full-service restaurant with a waitress delivering coffee refills, this isn't the place for you; the cashier provides a picture card to perch on your table so servers can find you when your food is ready. If you just want some hot, delicious breakfast items with a big mug of dark coffee, check this place out. The WheatFields Web site, www.wheatfieldsbakery.com, provides a list of daily breads, bread ingredients and the daily breakfast specials.
New Hampshire Bistro
New Hampshire Bistro (formerly West Side Deli and Bistro) recently relocated to 811 New Hampshire St. Although blintzes were removed from the breakfast menu, you can still get a variety of egg dishes including omelets and egg sandwiches.
oilmeats and eggs are really good," Randy Dixon, executive chef, says. He also recommends the crab cakes, which come with two poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, biscuits and bacon.
My recent brunch experience was disappointing, however, because the service was a little
slow and the food wasn't hot when it arrived at the table. Hopefully this place will get through the growing pains and turn into a downtown gem.
Milton's
Help yourself to a fat mug of freshly brewed coffee while you wait for your table at Milton's, 920 Massachusetts St. The food, cozy atmosphere and friendly service make Milton's worth the usually long wait. It's hard to decide what to order from the menu, which includes huge cinnamon rolls, egg sandwiches, huevos rancheros and omelets.
and on the floor.
Carolyn Benson, Leawood senior, eats brunch at Milton's a couple of times a month and she recommends the french toast. "I love the salmon and eggs," says Nick Ray, Burlington senior and a Milton's employee.
Maceli's
The food is moderately priced with meals in the $5-$7 range, and outside seating is limited but an option when weather permits. Daily breakfast is served until 2 p.m., so feel free to sleep late.
Maceli's, 1031 New Hampshire St. is a relative newcomer in the Lawrence brunch arena. They've been catering for more than 10 years, however, so keep this place in mind if you're planning a big graduation party on your parents' dime. Maceli's is able to serve large parties and private rooms are available.
The brunch is a bit more upscale than café-style dining, but you probably won't feel out of place in jeans. When I recently ate there, they had a small jazz band quietly playing on the wooden dance floor in the large, dimly lit room and even the band was casually dressed.
Macell's offers a wonderful buffet with an omelet station.
french toast and Belgian waffles, scrambled eggs, baked goods, fruit salad and self-serve coffee. "One of the most popular things is old school — it's the bread pudding with vanilla cream sauce," Suzanne Cotrel Doyle, director of marketing and sales, says. She also recommends the hash brown casserole.
The brunch is moderately priced at $11.99 for adults, and mimosas and Bloody Mary's are an additional $1.50. Reservations are accepted but not required.
The Eldridge Hotel
The service was abysmal and we waited what felt like an eternity to get coffee and coffee refills from a waister who arrived late and disheveled. The atmosphere in the recently
The Eldridge Hotel, displays an impressive brunch buffet in addition to a breakfast menu. The Sunday brunch is $14.95, includes a mimosa or coffee and is beautifully spread across several white table cloth-covered tables that lead up to a dessert table. Next to the buffet is an omelet station where you can pick your ingredients and watch your omelet being prepared.
remodeled Eldridge, on the other hand, is impressive and there were lots of options on the buffet including eggs Benedict, biscuits and gravy, bread pudding, fresh fruit, salmon and casseroles. Although reservations aren't required, I recommend them if you want immediate seating.
Tellers
Tellers, 746 Massachusetts St., is located in a beautifully restored former bank building downtown. The brunch buffet is only $11.95 and includes a variety of egg dishes, pastries, and lunch items including salads and pasta. The restaurant doesn't require reservations but I'd recommend them to avoid a lengthy wait for a table. Like the Eldridge, this is a good place to have a fancier brunch and impress the parents, but won't stand out if you'd prefer a more casual meal.
These aren't the only places in town to get your brunch on, but they are some options to try if you want to "do brunch" with your friends, nurse that hangover and perk yourself up for homework you've been putting off all weekend.
Tara Hart, Kansas City, Mo.resident, and Andrea Mowan, Lawrence resident, check out the Milton's menu.
DOWNTOWN LAWRENCE BRUNCH BUNCH
ELDRIDGE HOTEL 701 Massachusetts St.
Saturday and Sunday breakfast
7 a.m.to 10:30 a.m.
Saturday Breakfast Buffet
9 a.m.to 10:30 a.m.
Sunday Breakfast Buffet
7 a.m.to 11 a.m.
Sunday Brunch Buffet
10:30 a.m.to 2 p.m.Sundays eldridgehotel.com
MACELI'S
1031 New Hampshire St.
Brunch served on Sundays only
10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
(785) 331-2096
macelis.com
MILTON'S
920 Massachusetts St.
Breakfast Monday
through Saturday
7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
(785) 832-2330
NEW HAMPSHIRE STREET BISTRO 811 New Hampshire St. Breakfast served every day 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. westsidedelibistro.com
TELLER'S
746 Massachusetts St.
Brunch served on Sundays only
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
(785) 843-4111
tellerlawrence.com
Eggs, potatoes, toast and killer coffee are some of the options at Milton's, 920 Massachusetts St.
WHEATFIELDS BAKERY
AND CAFE
904 Vermont St.
Breakfast served Monday
through Saturday
6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Sunday
7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(785) 841-5553
wheatfieldsbakery.com
10.26.2006 JAYPLAY
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