By Candice Wagener | Photo courtesy Bassett Street Brunch Club
Spring has sprung, and it’s slowly becoming safe to gather again. With Mother’s and Father’s Day on the horizon, what better way to celebrate the special people in your life than with brunch? We’ve rounded up some of our favorite spots to eat midday around town.
Bassett Street Brunch Club downtown is all about brunch. Just try and resist the call of breakfast nachos. They’re loaded with queso fresco, braised chicken, guajillo chili sauce, avocado, jalapeños, cilantro, radishes and — to make it officially “brunchy”— two eggs over easy. brunchclubmadison.com
As their name implies, Short Stack Eatery has a thing for pancakes. Their sweet potato oatmeal stack is something you need to experience. Topped with fresh strawberries and bourbon maple mascarpone whipped goodness — this is indulgence at its finest. Or go for a classic: corned beef hash, which gets a nice little upgrade with sriracha horseradish cream. shortstackeats.com
With locations in Shorewood, Maple Bluff and downtown, Ancora is easily accessible. Beyond great coffee, their brunch menu is deli- cious. The honey bacon biscuit sandwich is a favorite, with fried egg and chives, bacon and cheddar, nestled between a homemade biscuit that’s been drizzled with sweet-spicy Sriracha honey as the pièce de résistance. ancoracafes.com
In Monona, Crema Cafe is your brunch go-to. Their three-egg scramblers will fill you up. The Fungus is a great vegetarian option with roasted mushrooms, red onion, asiago and truffle oil. You’d also be wise to check out their bakery case for delectable, house-made treats. goodcrema.com
If your idea of a perfect brunch includes waffles, make a stop at Yola’s Cafe on the far west side. Their fluffy Belgian waffles are excellent and come in many variations. The Nutty Banana has freshly sliced bananas, walnuts and caramel sauce. Craving savory? The Country Breakfast waffle has cheddar and bacon (or sausage) baked in, topped with a fried or scrambled egg. Yola’s has a dedicated gluten-free waffle iron and batter, and a rotating waffle of the month, with proceeds going to a local nonprofit. Doing good while brunching is always a win. yolascafe.com
*Please refer to each individual restaurant’s website and/or social media channels for the latest COVID-19 restrictions and their dine-in/carryout situations.
