Blue Ribbon Bakery

Last week I went to brunch at what I view as Serendipity for adults--Blue Ribbon Bakery. When I was little, I waited patiently on Serendipity's line excited for the marble tables, long sundae spoons and kitschy decor, anticipation for a foot long hot dog and ice cream sundae making me unable to keep still. This past Saturday, I found myself filled with a similar anticipation for what I now value in a restaurant experience--especially amidst a weekend hangover--a spacious booth, some natural light and a host of delicious options made with fresh bread!

I got the Blue Benedict composed of poached eggs, tomato, serrano ham and melted jarlsberg cheese atop a hunk of toasted challah. With so many ingredients, there was a possibility that after the initial breaking of the egg and fork and knife treatment, the ingredients would be a sloppy mush but like a well made boat, the thick, sturdy challah bread protected its load keeping everything neat, tidy and satisfying with every bite.

My friend, who makes quite a mean french toast, and is not shy about nominating his creations as "the best french toast ever", decided he would test the Blue Ribbon Bakery french toast. With a smirk he mocked the addition of fresh fruit that comes along with the french toast and wondered aloud at the quality of the syrup that was to come. I insisted to him that soon the holy challah of Blue Ribbon would wipe that smug grin off his face but he just laughed.

But guess who had the last laugh? Blue Ribbon Bakery (and me). Whoever prepared that french toast had clearly soaked it in just the right egg/milk ratio, for the perfect amount of time and chosen bread in the correct stage of maturation--observations that were uttered by the king of french toast sitting directly across from me. It was pure delight for me to watch him eat each bite slowly, trying to crack the code of the magical preparation, and most delightful when concede that I was, in fact, "right."

Wash my Blue Benedict and my stumping of mr. french toast down with a bloody mary and I felt like an (old) kid in a (Serendipity's) candy shop!