Restaurant Latour Launches Sunday Brunch

Restaurant Latour Launches Sunday Brunch

Photo Credit Geoff Mottram

Photo Credit Geoff Mottram

For the first time in the restaurant’s history, Restaurant Latour at Crystal Springs Resort (One Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg NJ) is offering Sunday brunch (11am – 3pm). 

Jean Paul Lourdes, the new Chef de Latour, has created a lavish multi-course brunch featuring a abundance of baked goods, brunch and savory dishes, organic coffee brewed to order and fresh juices.

The meal begins with a parade of freshly-baked pastries like pistachio madeleines and aged cheddar scones that are served in a progression during the meal for the table. The pastries are served alongside various breads and housemade preserves and spreads. Non-alcoholic beverages are included in the price of the brunch.

The menu is composed of small and large dishes and guests can choose between the Petite Tasting ($55 for any two plates from a selection of small and large dishes) or the Grand Tasting ($75 for any three dishes). The small dishes feature grains and fruits like the Sicilian blood oranges with saffron and the quinoa with victorian pineapple and poppy seeds. The large dishes feature organic scrambled eggs with Scottish smoked salmon, a dungeness crab omelet with peas and brie, a Swedish sandwich with slices of roast pork with fennel and harissa and a 45-day dry-aged New York Strip Steak with creamed spinach.

Chef Jean Paul Lourdes

Chef Jean Paul Lourdes

Chef Lourdes offers freshly-made juices, squeezed to order, and housemade sodas with flavors like bing cherry and yuzu or wild ginger and Meyer lemon. There is also a special selection of champagne by the glass, including Krug Grand Cuvee and Ruinart Brut Rose, as well as brunch cocktails such as a Bloody Mary or Mojito, can be enjoyed as well (alcoholic beverages are additional).

Reservations for brunch can be made by calling 973-827-5996 ext. 3.

I had an opportunity to sample the menu a few weeks back as it was being created and pampered is how guests will feel with the whole experience.

Cheers,

Veronique

A Toute Heure Monthly Sunday Brunch

A Toute Heure Monthly Sunday Brunch

Pork Belly Steamed Buns

Pork Belly Steamed Buns

I’ve written about A Toute Heure and its brunch before, but feel the need to recap today’s visit. First, it’s difficult to secure a brunch reservation at the cozy neighborhood gem. There are two reasons for this, first, the space has a limited number of tables and second, A Toute Heure only offers brunch on the last Sunday of each month. Come on! We must change this!

I was able to get my brunch reservation by getting waitlisted. I was thrilled as I had some friends in town from Florida who, like me, love brunch.

Maple-Glazed DonutsAs we sipped darkly-roasted coffee and mimosas (the restaurant is a BYOB, so bring your bubbly to accompany the freshly-squeezed orange juice), our waiter brought a bowl of still-hot beignets, a plate of maple-glazed donuts and a pair of succulent pork belly steamed buns. What a way to start our meal!

Duck, Knoephla and Egg

Duck, Knoephla and Egg

Our entrees came a bit later and were decadent and scrumptious. We opted for the Croque-Madame, the Duck, Knoephla and Eggs and the Cinnamon and Brown Sugar French Toast. The roast ham on the croque is beyond-flavorful and topped with good-quality Gruyere cheese. The pulled duck confit is rich and smartly-paired with knoephla, an authentic German dumpling similar to Spaetzle, and topped with a New Jersey fresh farm egg. The portion of French toast was more-than-generous and served with stewed pear and honey butter.

The space at A Toute Heure is charming, the staff is helpful and passionate about the locally-sourced menu and the food is simply incredible. Make a point to book a reservation at the start of the month for that precious last Sunday brunch table.

232 Centennial Avenue

Cranford, NJ 07016

908-276-6600