Lunchtime Links for June 12th, 2012

• Serious Eats: Beer gardens in DC.
• Cakespy: Sweets that look like summer foods. 
• The Kitchn: Hosting a summer crepe party.
• Kirbie's Cravings: Macaroni and cheese muffins.
• How Sweet It Is: Mini maple bacon donuts.

Lunchtime Links for April 16th, 2012

• Kirbie's Cravings: Oreo cookies and cream cake. 
• Million Dollar Listing NY: Recap from TVGasm. 
• The Pioneer Woman: Scalloped potatoes and ham.
• Recipe Girl: Chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes.
• Serious Eats: 7 brunches in DC.
  

Brunch at Tabard Inn, DC

A few weeks ago I met up with N for a lovely brunch at the Tabard Inn in Dupont Circle.  Obviously THE doughnuts were on the agenda, but I did have another menu item to look forward to: House-made bagels with smoked salmon, yum!

As you can see, I got a lot more than just a bagel with smoked salmon, haha.  The plate consists of: House-smoked salmon, smoked trout rillettes and house-made bagel with cream cheese, caper berries, and horseradish crème fraîche.  All this for $14!  The house-made bagel was delicious (toasted crunchy exterior, soft innards), but I have to say the star of this plate was the smoked salmon.  It was sooooooooooooooooo good.  It had a strong but not overwhelming flavor (assuming you like smoked salmon haha), and just melted with each bite.  SO good.  I was pretty happy with the addition of the side salad too, as it provided a nice, fresh bite to contrast with the bagel and smoked salmon. 

 

N opted for the scrambled eggs with cream cheese and chives, house-made Toulouse sausage, and home fries. Here's her thoughts on brunch: "The best parts of this dish were definitely the cream cheese (mixed into the eggs) and the biscuit it came with. If there's one thing the Tabard Inn does really well, it's their bread products – the biscuit, corn bread and those doughnuts! We ordered three because we knew after we each had one and we had our entrées, we'd still want just a little more for dessert. And really, that vanilla whipped cream is heavenly." 

Hotel Tabard Inn

1739 N Street NW

Washington, DC 20036

202.331.8528

Tabard Inn Brunch

My friend E and I capped off a fun weekend with a stroll through the Dupont farmers' market, followed by Sunday brunch at the Tabard Inn.  You might recall my last visit there where I wouldn't shut up about the donuts.  Well, this time around I actually took photos of the other (real) food that I ate, haha.  Also, since I was the only one that wanted a donut,  I refrained from getting a full order and got just one - a perfect way to start the day!

 

Freshly fried donut with cinnamon sugar and vanilla whipped cream

Burrata Cheese, Pickled Beets, and Beet Greens with sourdough toast, lemon oil

We kept reviewing the menu to see what jumped out at us- but to be honest, I think neither of us were super hungry for heavy, really BRUNCH-esque food.  I eventually went with this interesting salad above: Burrata cheese, pickled beets, and beet greens with sourdough toast and lemon oil.  I ordered this mainly because I am obsessed with Burrata cheese and naturally gravitate towards that on any menu.  I'm actually not much of a beet fan but figured I'd try it out.  I'm glad I did- the combo of the pickled beets with the creamy cheese was delicious!  I really liked the combination of everything together in this salad- lots of different flavors and textures that worked well together. 

Tomato and bread soup

I also got an order of cold tomato and bread soup - sorry, it's not on the online menu so I don't know its "official" menu name.  But yes, you read that correctly- there was bread in the soup, making it much heartier and with more texture than a regular blended tomato soup.  I really enjoyed this soup and would absolutely order it again.  There was tons of flavor in it, considering I was expecting sort of a plain tomato soup. 

Overall, the Tabard Inn is a fantastic place for brunch- whether you're looking for the usual eggs and carbs fare, or something on the lighter side like I got (minus the donut, obviously, haha).  I hope I get a chance to head back soon!

The Restaurant at the Tabard Inn

1739 N Street NW

Washington, DC 20036

202.331.8528

Love, Love, Love: Tabard Inn Donuts

A few weeks back, M and I met up to go running around the Dupont Circle area.  It was a beautiful day, perfect weather, and after we were done, we wanted to grab a bite to eat.  As luck would have it, the original destination (Tangysweet for frozen yogurt) was not open yet, and we took a chance on Tabard Inn for brunch instead.  Despite our gym clothes wearing, gross and sweaty appearance, they didn't shoo us out- and instead gave us an awesome patio garden table to brunch at.

 

The brunch itself was awesome (I got Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon), but I HAVE to comment on their fresh-made donuts.  Just LOOK at those beauties!  Piping hot to the table, accompanied by a light and fluffy vanilla whipped cream to dip the donuts into.  They were OMGSOGOOD and I would absolutely come back (with cuter clothes and makeup on) for brunch here again, even if I was just getting these donuts.  Argghhhhhhhh....drooling now just thinking about it!