Treat Yourself to a Heavenly Brunch

4/5 stars

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Bread and chocolate: These are two of my absolute favorite words, and the two appear in the name of the restaurant I went to for brunch this past Sunday. I mean, come on. Carbs and sugar? It doesn’t get any better.

With an entrance tucked away on 23rd Street, Bread & Chocolate knows how to do breakfast. A popular brunch location — it was packed by 10 a.m. — this little cafe has a charming ambiance. As we waited for our table, my friend and I took in the surroundings and found cute paintings on the walls. We also thought that the restaurant’s mirrors made the establishment seem much bigger than it really was, but the atmosphere remained cozy nonetheless. If you do find yourself waiting in line, take a peek into the large display case, which contains every dessert imaginable — pies, cookies, cakes, you name it.

Being a party of two, we avoided waiting in the long line and were seated within five minutes of arriving. If you’re feeling up to it — or if you have gloves, a scarf and a thick winter coat — there is outdoor seating, but with temperatures well into the 40s now, it may be better just to wait for a table indoors.

The place is really small, and at a peak time like a Sunday morning, once you’re seated, you’re pretty much stuck there for the duration of the meal. The maze of chairs and people made trying to use the bathroom pretty much a lost cause. Crowds notwithstanding, the service was good, with our waitress appearing promptly to take our orders.

I fully admit that I am terrible at making decisions in a timely manner, especially when it comes to ordering my brunch. Brunch is not only the best meal, it’s also a religious experience of sorts for me. I like to weigh my options and take my time deciding if I’m in the mood for omelets or pancakes, French toast or some sort of sandwich. I like to chat with friends about our weekend exploits and complain about how busy the week ahead will be. Our waitress was nice, but she didn’t seem to grasp that, for me, Sunday brunch is something to be savored before attacking the pile of homework waiting at home. She visited our table so often that I felt rushed — and a rushed brunch is really no brunch at all.  
My friend and I ultimately decided to each get one dish and share. We picked the Healthier Big Breakfast and the Chocolate Banana French Toast. The former breakfast, a standard combination of eggs and bacon, made us feel less guilty about the totally unhealthy French toast that was coming our way.  And let me say, when that beautiful plate loaded with French toast and bananas all drizzled in chocolate made it to the table, all I — and my friend  — could do was say, “Oh. My. God.” It might just be one of the most amazing dishes I’ve ever eaten. The intense cinnamon flavor of the French toast and the richness of the bananas and chocolate were blended to perfection. I’m having food withdrawal just writing this.

As delectable as the French toast was, we realized how wise it was for us to split it and order a savory dish as well. The eggs and bacon were standard yet tasty, and they stopped me from going into a sugar coma far too early in the day. In terms of beverages, I had my usual coffee, but I did spy a gigantic mug of hot chocolate with several dollops of whipped cream being delivered to the table next to us. Like everything else in the cafe, it looked absolutely delicious.

The only damper upon the experience was the elusive breadbasket that never seemed to make it to our table. Enviously judging from our basketless table, we noticed that our neighbors’ baskets contained scrumptious-looking pastries and bread that I recommend based on looks alone. I highly suggest dining at Bread & Chocolate, especially for those hangover-ridden Sundays after a fun weekend out. Bring a few friends and indulge in some classic brunch favorites.

But seriously, get the French toast — you’ll thank me later.