My wife and I haven’t been out to dinner or brunch in quite a while. We’ve been pretty busy (and broke) with moving and a new baby on the way and all. In fact, we might not be able to do much after the baby, either… Anyway, it was a special occasion (our 1 year anniversary), and so we decided we just had to treat ourselves.
We hadn’t been to Loie Fuller in quite some time. Ages ago, we had a prix-fixe Valentine Dinner there that was quite good. They were still new at the time and maybe working out the kinks in the menu, but it was a great experience. We had heard they had brunch for some time now, but like I said, just haven’t had the funds to make the trip.
Since it was a special occasion, we went decadent (for us). We started with a plate of beignets ($6), the french version of a morning donut. Dusted with powdered sugar with a side of what I think was strawberry rhubarb compote, this side dish was a the perfect sweet starter for our savory mains. Hot, a little dense in the middle, but very tasty, these guys were great. Reminded me, of course, of Cafe du Monde in New Orleans, but I’m not such a fanatic that I can say I remember what they taste like and that these were better or worse. All I’ll say is, not many places serve beignets and so I am glad there is an option when I’m in the mood.
The menu is small, but it changes rather frequently. I decided on the Steak Egg and Cheese (two eggs, shaved steak, cheddar and spicy aoili), which was a Philly cheesesteak with an egg on a bun. I attempted to eat it like a sandwich, but that only lasted two bites. It was just too rich and the bread soaked up the aoili. It was still delicious with a fork and knife. A little mixed green was on the side with a small slice of watermelon, all for only $8. The steak was tender and just made the perfect sort of Sunday morning fare.
Beth had the Shrimp and grits with poached eggs, which was also $8. I had only a little bite, and it was quite nice. The grits were creamy but not heavy, they shrimp looked expertly grilled, and the addition of poached eggs and hollandaise to the whole things just must have been divine. It was just what she was in the mood for, she said, and we both finished our plates. Sadly, that meant no leftovers for the next day (or that evening).
After our non-alcoholic drinks (coffee for me), food, taxes and tip, the bill came to under $40. I have to say, that’s pretty reasonable. Something about the sumptuous Art Nouveau decor in there makes you think you’ll be spending an arm and a leg, but the few times I have been, I was pleasantly surprised when the bill came. I’m sure once you’ve had a few $6 Bloody Marys and Mimosas you can go overboard, but at that point, I don’t think you care.
It must also be noted that there were quite a few families with small children there. I can only imagine that the packed houses at Nick’s and Julian’s not too far from Loie’s makes parents come here instead. The decor makes them feel grown up, the prices are reasonable, the atmosphere is friendly, and you don’t have hungry patrons staring at you while you eat. Plus, the more hurried waitstaff won’t give you the evil eye when your toddler throws some toast on the floor. Maybe that means that Loie’s isn’t making as much money as the rest, but I’d say it’s a win for parents who want a local option other than family chain restaurants or busy hipster hang outs. The lack of a wait actually makes me think twice about going back to Nick’s or Julian’s in the morning, and the food at Loie’s is just as decadent.
Other items on the menu while we were there include: Belgium Waffle, Vegetable Omelet, Striped Bass Cake, Chicken Hash, French Toast, Vegetable Frittata, a Croque Madam, and sides of Hash Browns or Applewood smoked Bacon.
Note: I intentionally put this place in the “Cheap Eats” and the “Upscale Dining” category because it belongs in both places: it’s reasonably priced but feels more upscale.