We like eating. It fascinates us. We sit and look at the food for hours. We often eat while laying down in my hotel room with a bib in my lap and my outlook calendar open. Eating is our tweeting, except it's much cooler. Food is often made into the celebrity of carnage, which makes us appear to be pompous and scarce in regards to the act of eating itself. You eat because you fuel. We eat because we're hungry. We eat because it's our job. We go out to these establishments to consume their lineups with arrogance.
I then judge it. (Poncho Sinatra style)
Max London's
466 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
One of the great sins of living here in Saratoga Springs, NY is to have not partaken in a Max London's brunch. Shame on me. I've frequented the establishment for many dinners and cocktails, but the brunch has eluded us since we've been in town. The general reason is that the past year has seen some heavy travel, weekend projects and early morning breakfasts made at home. So, I was excited to visit to engage in some brunch-ery Tom foolery this past Sunday.
I've eaten a lot of great brunches in my lifetime and I started to think - what makes a good brunch? Brunch to me is that lazy weekend repast fueled by Bloody Mary's and mimosas that bridges breakfast and lunch and, after a long week at work, passes as a full-day glutenous activity. Brunch in a way is a weekend lifestyle for many - Poached eggs, any classic, whatever is in season in a comfort food style environment. Mimosas and Bellini's make it a little bit more fun for those that are not yet still hungover. Maybe some oatmeal brulee, with fluffy pancakes? On a good brunch menu, you can include some hearty breakfast staples and simple lunchtime options with a uniqe non-partisan twist. It's the only time a restaurant has to creative a simple conduit of flavors that works for different dayparts.
What I ingested:
After taking way too long to decide, my wife Katie and I decided to share the Ranchero pizza and classic Steak 'n Eggs with Potato Hash. The Ranchero pizza is baked on their gold standard pizza crust with tomato, spicy cherry peppers, baked egg, fontina and house made mozzarella. The Steak 'n Eggs is a hearty dish comprised of Grilled strip steak, potato hash and eggs. I felt like keeping it simple, but the Salt cod potato cakes were definitely calling. If you've never had the Max London's flatbreads, they are on par with the likes of Pizzeria Bianco and Al Forno in Providence. The two that I measure all flatbread pizza against. Wonderfully charred crust that's flaky and compliments most any toppings. To wash it down, I chose the Beer-me-mosa which is comprised of Butternuts wheat beer and orange juice. Strangely enough, a perfect brunch style compliment to the entire experience. A nice crisp wheat body with an acidic finish.
If you're ever in The Spa City during brunch time, make sure you head over to Max London's to see the perfect example of what a brunch menu at it's highest level should be. Make sure to check out the menu below.
