Foodie Post #6: Cafe Strudel

Ah-ha! After a very frustrating though incredibly creative afternoon, the *NEW* Breakfast at Target blog is here! Aside from a few minor kinks still waiting to be sorted out, it's right about where I want it. I needed something a little more sassy, a little more stylish - something that would better help me better to reflect my constant Holly Golightly-esque transformations. Feedback, per usual, is definitely appreciated.

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Another blissful hot, sunny Sunday has come and gone; despite my summer course and its rather irritating homework, my recent Sundays have been fairly less traumatic than they were over the school year. No 7am Monday fitness class to plan. No piles of reading and overwhelming weekly "to do" lists reminding me of 5 crazy days of little sleep and too much coffee. No midnight freak-outs when I forgot to add things to said list.

Instead - surprisingly - my Sundays have been greeted with lots of sunshine, wake-up calls well past the crack of dawn, and, if I'm really lucky, a divine hangover - the kind only a bottle of Nior and late night chats can bring. The only thing better is the chance to throw on the closest (cleanest?) sundress, spray some revitalizing mist on your hair, grab a big pair of dark shades, and head to brunch.

BRUNCH

How I love thee.

A recent weekend brought a long-time college friend, Tracy, who's presence not only gave us both the chance to obsessively rant, vent, and gush, but also to eat and drink. Heavily. At the end of her mini-vacation from her current residence in North Carolina, we decided to have a farewell brunch at Cafe Strudel. LORD HAVE MERCY, I forgot how superb this place was... and how packed it gets. It's a tiny little place that sits in an old townhouse, right across the bridge from the VISTA in the Capital City.

It's got a really cute and relaxed coffee house vibe, and it's also a great place to find local art which is displayed throughout the two story building. It has tons of coffee options and pastries, too, if you're in the mood for something light but still tasty (or your head is still reeling from what made you think that vodka was your friend).

*Tracy and her "small" cappuccino.

Though certainly not just a brunch place (open for lunch and dinner, too!), the menu has plenty to choose from, mostly breakfast favorites with a special twist but plenty of other options as well, but to be honest - there are a few things you MUST try (and prepare yourself to crave every Sunday from henceforth).

The first is the french toast. Three big pieces of Hawaiian bread dipped in a batter with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon, it comes dusted with powder sugar and a side of your choice of eggs and two pieces of bacon or sausage (you can opt for the turkey kind, too, as I do). Extremely soft and fluffy, never greasy and with just the right amount of sweetness, the french toast is perfect if you're in the mood for something sweet and savory. It's usually too much to eat in one sitting, so half comes home with me and makes for a great late night snack.

And as UHHHmazing as the french toast is, Cafe Strudel boasts another favorite that is worth EVERY bite: the Hangover Hashbrowns. Tracy, knowing it'd be a while before she'd be back, pretty much knew she was going to order them before we even got in the car.

Diced potatoes scrambled with tomatoes, onions, and banana peppers, then topped with cheese and your choice of egg, the Hangover Hashbrowns are phenomenal whether you spent Saturday night hitting the bottle or not. Much like Audrey did, apparently.

After our leisurely brunch and final rounds of girl talk, it was time for the pups and I to say farewell to Tracy and send her home to her beach town in NC (and hope our weekend of gluttony didn't put her in snooze mode once she got to the interstate). Putting my trusty Nikon on self-timer, we tried to get a good shot to commemorate the weekend:

*I with Audrey & Tracy with Sean Luca. Take One.

*Take Two.

Traded dogs to see if that would help....

*And we give up....

So whether you're in full on lazy Sunday mode or in need of a yummy way to kick off your week, Cafe Strudel has just the thing and the perfect atmosphere for an unassuming culinary feast. Enjoy!

** Please note all B@T foodie posts are done at the whims of the author; i.e., I write & select my reviews at my own leisure with no compensation of any kind. I like sharing my favorite spots & hope you'll support our local businesses!