The Hungry Tiger

Weekend o' Brunch

Surprisingly enough, after months of not venturing into DC before dark, I found myself having brunch in Dupont Circle twice this weekend. Saturday featured a "Break Bread with Brad" date, in which Brad visited our fair city and bought us all margaritas. It took place at Lauriol Plaza; the chips were as good as the Post review says, and the margarita was excellent, but the food itself (a "Santa Fe platter" of vegetarian enchilada, taco, and chile relleno) was only so-so. I'd blame it on the vegetarian-ness, never a strong suit at Tex-Mex places, but neither of the people sitting next to me (Medley and Mrs. Genehack) seemed particularly overwhelmed by their meals (something with shrimp and something with chicken, I believe). Far better was Sunday's brunch spot, the Childe Harold, picked largely at random from the Post's restaurant guide. The food was classic brunch fare: I had a Greek omlette, which was good, very salty; my friend Patience had eggs Madison, basically eggs Benedict with smoked salmon; her fiancé Peter had a club sandwich; we all split baked Brie to begin. The portions were quite generous , we didn't need a reservation for 12:00 brunch (although we were told there was a 40-minute wait for outside tables), and most shockingly, the prices were incredibly reasonable for Dupont Circle. I've found my Dupont Circle brunch spot; I'll keep it in readiness for the day, months and months from now, when I find myself again heading to the city in the a.m.

Sunday brunch

We believe in Sunday brunch. Toddle off to the farmer's market, where you buy, among other things, a dozen lovely free-range eggs. Stop at the co-op on the way home and augment the market offerings with important items such as cheese and dough-conditioner-free flour tortillas. Return home and fill refrigerator. When you have recouperated from this strenuous activity, scramble some of those lovely eggs, tossing in whatever seems best (today, fresh garlic chives). Heat a flour tortilla or two for each person. Place tortilla on plate. Place heap of eggs on tortilla. Eat by taking pinches of egg in torn-off pieces of tortilla, or roll the whole thing into a makeshift burrito. Forks are unnecessary.