ladies who easter brunch

I use the term "ladies" loosely here. Particularly (and singularly) when referring to myself. You see, when the barometer abruptly hits 79 degrees Fahrenheit--albeit welcomed with arms wide open--and your oven is cranked up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit and you're buzzing around your apartment and you're joined by five other human beings who are also buzzing around your apartment, things tend to get...hot. And not in a Girls Gone Wild type of way. I assure you. Although, clothing was admittedly removed. By yours truly. More than once.

Three times. I had to make a costume change three times over the course of one Easter Brunch. Why, you ask? Again. Things got HOT.

Even with the AC coursing an arctic chill on full blast, the lack of air circulation throughout my apartment failed to deliver any relief for my glistening--no, dewy--guests and me. So after a round of Kir Royales, we poured generous glasses of ice, cold Puerto Ricans (a light beer-based mimosa. don't ask. just try.) and kept 'em coming. What? Something had to cool Mama off.

And then we ate. And ate. And ate some more. Discomfort ensued. And then a round of Apples to Apples. And then? Well, then we ate again.

Happy Easter, "Ladies" and Gents!

[kir royales to toast the man]

[the handsome, albeit massive, spread]

[smoked salmon pizza with dilled sour cream and red onion]

[pizza with parmesan béchamel, sautéed mushrooms, spring onion, and egg]

[naughty, naughty, naughty things]

[a crème brulée donut that will make you--amongst many other things--blush]

when there's "nothing" in the fridge

When faced with a fridge full of "nothing" I often default to this. An egg 'n cheese with home fries, all neatly rolled up together in a soft flour tortilla. It's a quick, filling, ridiculously economical but undeniably comforting little dinner. In fact, I could have a fridge full of fabulous and exotic ingredients and still cozy up to this without a peep of complaint. I'd argue you could even turn this into a pretty fabulously received brunch dish by serving up a salad with avocado and a zippy vinaigrette alongside. Blood orange mimosas to wash it all down. The perfect dish and sip for Saturday or Sunday morning, ahem, revival. And I think we all know what that means.

For my recipe for the best home fries out there (yeah, I said it), click here.

brunch (yeah, i know) at petite abeille

In my defense, this was not intended to be a Sunday Brunch. It was just three gals who found themselves with a hankering for some warm food and a good glass of wine to cozy up to after spending a good chunk of time lounging on the couch and away from the biting frigidness outside. Let's be honest. It stings outside. Literally. Stings.

So after a fairly painful stroll over to Petite Abeille (must find hat with insulation) we were faced with brunch menu options only. And so I did what any rational human being would do. I ordered Eggs Benedict.

I mean, look at it. Take that in for a moment. Get all up in that.

And now you know how I inadvertently ended up doing Sunday Brunch. Just don't tell anyone I liked it. Would likely cause an uproar.

halloween brunch

absolutely perfect eggs benedict

pizza with sliced potatoes, onion, rosemary, goats milk brie, speck and egg

pizza with white onion, goat cheese, smoked salmon, frisée salad