Friends arrived late last night from Toronto to start their week-long tour along the Northeast. After a rather lazy start to the morning, we all agreed brunch was most befitting for a sunny, summer Sunday. So, we headed over to a little french bistro, Cafe Cluny, in the West Village.
The space was quaint and relaxed and the menu offered a variety of fare that kept even my rather persnickety guest pleased. As I sipped my mimosa, and enjoyed my brioche French toast with Maple syrup and tart fresh berries, we caught up on happenings in Toronto, life in New York, and the rest of the chatter that comes along with catching up with good friends.
As we lounged our way through the meal - we sat, ate and chatted for several hours - I wondered aloud how the French came to perfect the breakfast hour. The most memorable brunches I've had in New York have been at French bistros (Pastis, Balthazar) and I've enjoyed many breakfasts in Quebec-based chains in Toronto (Coras, Eggspectations). I, along with my friends, assumed since the French do brunch so well, they had to of been the creators of this delectably relaxed meal. Plus, does it not fit their lifestyle?
But, my quick Google research tells me otherwise. Brunch, it seems, is a British tradition dating back to the late 1800s. It was a meal that was founded on the priciples of leisured priviledge. As families became richer, their breakfasts became more opulent, almost as a reflection of the power and affluence of the British Empire itself during this time.
No matter who "invented" the portmanteau-worded meal, we should give thanks to such an enjoyable tradition.
The space was quaint and relaxed and the menu offered a variety of fare that kept even my rather persnickety guest pleased. As I sipped my mimosa, and enjoyed my brioche French toast with Maple syrup and tart fresh berries, we caught up on happenings in Toronto, life in New York, and the rest of the chatter that comes along with catching up with good friends.
As we lounged our way through the meal - we sat, ate and chatted for several hours - I wondered aloud how the French came to perfect the breakfast hour. The most memorable brunches I've had in New York have been at French bistros (Pastis, Balthazar) and I've enjoyed many breakfasts in Quebec-based chains in Toronto (Coras, Eggspectations). I, along with my friends, assumed since the French do brunch so well, they had to of been the creators of this delectably relaxed meal. Plus, does it not fit their lifestyle?
But, my quick Google research tells me otherwise. Brunch, it seems, is a British tradition dating back to the late 1800s. It was a meal that was founded on the priciples of leisured priviledge. As families became richer, their breakfasts became more opulent, almost as a reflection of the power and affluence of the British Empire itself during this time.
No matter who "invented" the portmanteau-worded meal, we should give thanks to such an enjoyable tradition.
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