There is a severe lack of good breakfast in Memphis. Many people professed to the quality of Blue Plate Cafe, however, we found them to be lacking. But then, on a whim, we decided to try Brother Juniper's. Brother Juniper's offers the quality and taste that we both desire in a good breakfast.
Located at 3519 Walker Avenue, right next to U of M campus, Brother Juniper's appears to be a small home with a few outdoor tables. Inside, it's a kitschy, eclectic mix of styles that blends into an interesting whole. The dining area itself has a view of the kitchen, along with a coffee bar.
The menu is quite expansive, but we decided to go with things that just looked really good to us. My partner chose the 'Garden and the Lamb' omelet. I went with the Monte Cristo. I, myself, am not generally one for lamb, but the gyro meat that they used was nicely seasoned, coupled with a good, crumbly feta and spinach that was not overcooked. While it's not something that I would order, I definitely would not turn it away. My partner found it to be outstanding.
The Monte Cristo has now become one of my favorite dishes here. The ham was not a processed/chopped ham, but a nice sliced piece, coupled with a very mild swiss. The bread was made in a french toast style, and all of it fried together. Coupled with their homemade raspberry 'spreadable fruit' the tastes mingled perfectly. If you don't mind a sweetness overload, then dip it in the Maple Syrup that they provide along with it. Thankfully, they use a very good Grade B syrup. Most places use Grade A... and maple syrups are graded in reverse. B is better than A.
With something sweet, I tend to partner it with a coffee. They have a very good blend that partners perfectly with all of the foods we've tried.
Brother Juniper's receives one of my highest recommendations in the area, but if you go on a weekend, prepare for a long wait. During the week, it's not nearly as bad.
If you're in the mood for good breakfasts, try Brother Juniper's. You won't be sorry.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Yogurt By Weight
Last night, after a meeting, my partner, roommate, and I all decided we wanted yogurt. While driving past a few places we had seen, we realized nearly everything was closed. However, we happened to catch a glimpse of Yolo's at 559 Erin Drive off of Poplar. When we went it, it was quite busy, but not overwhelming. It reminded me of a place that we used to go to in Brandon. Along the back wall is a line of Frozen Yogurt Machines, each with two different flavors. The prices are reasonable, as you pay for exactly how much you get. The price is an easy 45 cents per ounce, so the more you get... the more it costs. The first machine had the flavors I knew I wanted. Strawberry Yogurt and Valencia Orange Sorbet. My partner and roommate each chose something much heavier and sweeter. After choosing mine, I decided that with the huge list of toppings available, I should probably stick with fruits, because anything else would be just too heavy. Their list of toppings, though, was rather immense. They had cookies from local bakeries, five kinds of M&Ms, all sorts of normal toppings (coconut, chocolate sauce, hot fudge, hot caramel), and even bottles of homemade raspberry and strawberry purees, and nutella. The topping wall was even larger than the yogurt wall.
After we made our purchase, I actually tasted the yogurt. The valencia orange sorbet was crisp and clean with a mild bite that often accompanies the real thing. The strawberry was smooth and refreshing. With the toppings I chose, the flavors melded perfectly for me. (cherries, strawberries, mango, blueberries, and raspberry puree). I highly recommend this location, or any others of theirs that may open, as I've heard a second may be opening near the Target at 240 and Poplar. Hopefully, this rumor is true.
Along with everything else, upon leaving, we realized that they're a member of project Project Green Fork So, not only is it a tasty local business, but it's also an environmentally friendly organization, too.
So, check them out! I was exceptionally pleased.
After we made our purchase, I actually tasted the yogurt. The valencia orange sorbet was crisp and clean with a mild bite that often accompanies the real thing. The strawberry was smooth and refreshing. With the toppings I chose, the flavors melded perfectly for me. (cherries, strawberries, mango, blueberries, and raspberry puree). I highly recommend this location, or any others of theirs that may open, as I've heard a second may be opening near the Target at 240 and Poplar. Hopefully, this rumor is true.
Along with everything else, upon leaving, we realized that they're a member of project Project Green Fork So, not only is it a tasty local business, but it's also an environmentally friendly organization, too.
So, check them out! I was exceptionally pleased.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
First Post - Belmont Grill
While getting ready to go to work, my partner and I decided to try Belmont Grill at 4970 Poplar Ave. The atmosphere reminded us of a few of the pubs we used to go to in the Sarasota, FL area.
Wooden tables and chairs, with a corner bar and rope lights strung about, it wasn't very busy for the time we were there (around 1 pm). The menu looked quite enticing, but we had to try one of the classics. You can almost never go wrong with trying a burger for the first visit at a place you've never been.
Having lived in Memphis for about a year, one thing that we've both learned is that we always have to order our burgers one level lower on the 'done-ness' scale, or it'll be overcooked. As such, we ordered the Belmont Burger medium rare, in hopes of getting a medium. I got mine with cheddar, he got his with pepper jack.
On that front, we were correct. Fortunately, the burgers arrived medium. The surprise was the quality. Nicely seared on the outside, and still pink on the inside, the burger was one of the best we've had since we've come to Memphis. It was served on half a french roll which was toasted. All of the condiments were served on the side, which (to me) is the proper way to bring them, so that they can be adjusted to taste.
The burgers were exceptional, as were the potato skins we ordered as our sides. All in all, we will return here. The only problem we had was the amount of time it took. It was a little longer than we expected, but we know to make sure we have time to spare next time we go.
The one thing we can say for sure, is that they do know how to make a very good burger. So, if you're in the mood for a burger and down on Poplar, check them out!
Wooden tables and chairs, with a corner bar and rope lights strung about, it wasn't very busy for the time we were there (around 1 pm). The menu looked quite enticing, but we had to try one of the classics. You can almost never go wrong with trying a burger for the first visit at a place you've never been.
Having lived in Memphis for about a year, one thing that we've both learned is that we always have to order our burgers one level lower on the 'done-ness' scale, or it'll be overcooked. As such, we ordered the Belmont Burger medium rare, in hopes of getting a medium. I got mine with cheddar, he got his with pepper jack.
On that front, we were correct. Fortunately, the burgers arrived medium. The surprise was the quality. Nicely seared on the outside, and still pink on the inside, the burger was one of the best we've had since we've come to Memphis. It was served on half a french roll which was toasted. All of the condiments were served on the side, which (to me) is the proper way to bring them, so that they can be adjusted to taste.
The burgers were exceptional, as were the potato skins we ordered as our sides. All in all, we will return here. The only problem we had was the amount of time it took. It was a little longer than we expected, but we know to make sure we have time to spare next time we go.
The one thing we can say for sure, is that they do know how to make a very good burger. So, if you're in the mood for a burger and down on Poplar, check them out!
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