Something magical happens, however, when you mix the worst meal together with the best meal (lunch). It become some hybrid, mutant supermeal that could only be named BRUNCH! I am a big fan of this anomaly...how that can be possible due to my disdain for breakfast is beyond me. Must be the power that this brunch mutant has over me...
Anyway, we eat brunch quite a bit so I thought I would share our top three favorite places to go on a late Saturday or Sunday to get our grub on! ( these are in no particular order, because Chris and I have conflicting ideas as to which one is the best...they are all amazing though!)
1) Cafe Madison
As soon as you walk into this place you can tell it's going to be a good meal. Why? Because most likely if you're going there any time during the weekend you're going to have to wait 10-15 minutes. Yes, it's cramped and yes, people WILL invade your personal space while waiting (not by choice, it's just a tad small in there). But, after all of that you will find that it is most definitely worth it. The menu is different every time, but I have yet to be disappointed. From their Home made toast (about six different varieties-Dill onion is my favorite!) to their perfectly-seasoned, perfectly-crisped home fries, you will neither leave hungry, nor unsatisfied. They are located right on Madison (obviously), next to Juniors and The Point. Check them out!
2) Iron Gate Cafe
Chris stumbled upon this place as a quick place to grab lunch during the week (he works about two buildings down). He would always rave about it to me, and sometimes he'd even bring me home a wrap or some soup. Since the lunch was so amazing, as soon as he mentioned that they had brunch we HAD to go. Sure enough, it wasn't just great...it was better than I could have even expected. It may had been the passion fruit mimosa making me enjoy my sweet potato pancake like it was the last last thing I would ever eat...but I'm pretty sure it was just THAT good. Unlike Cafe Madison, Iron Gate usually keeps their menu pretty standard. I, However have never had anything on this menu. The reason for this is because there are usually about four or five specials that make your mouth water just from reading their descriptions...I usually stop there. What really won my heart though, was the adorably quaint courtyard surrounded by- you guessed it- an Iron Gate. Not something you would expect on Washington Avenue in downtown Albany. Bottom line...go there!
3) Carmen's
Tired of the same ol' bacon-and-eggs routine? Carmen's certainly spices thing up, and gives a heavy Cuban infusion to their brunch menu. Adding chorizo, Plantains and even black beans and rice to their menu. I ate here this morning, and I'm STILL thinking about how good my meal was! Located right over the bridge in Troy, this place is a hidden treasure among a vast sea of run-down brick buildings. Their coffee is something of magic, their staff is super attentive and friendly, and the atmosphere is fun and inviting. Definitely worth going once...or a hundred times.
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