There’s a lot to really like about brunch. It’s a great excuse to get in some day drinking, and I also love eggs and egg-based meals. Clearly, these two things naturally should be together. However, there’s something about going out for brunch that is always disappointing. Perhaps it’s bad cocktails. Perhaps it’s that the actual meal sounds better than it tastes. Perhaps it’s both? I just usually finish the meal and think to myself, “Wow, that’s something I could do better at home.” That is one downside to loving to cook and experimenting in the kitchen: You get really good at easy dishes. And honestly, most breakfast dishes are really easy to make. I have great waffle and pancake recipes at my disposal. I have been making killer omelettes and crispy fried eggs. But somehow, I still want to find someplace that can outdo me. Perhaps it’s a challenge. I do know that my good friend Brian feels pretty much the same I do, but he spends a lot more time trying to perfect his food than I do. And his passion for brunch is the reason why he’s started doing pop-up brunch at Albany Taproom.
I went to the first one he did, and I was really blown away by the food. So when I found out he was doing a second, I knew we were going to have to go back for round two. This time, the menu is paired down quite a bit, and he’s not going as all out as he was before, but he’s still got an interesting menu set up to try. As the taproom is a beer and wine only establishment, the cocktails are all wine-spirit based, so that’s something to be aware of before heading in. However, the full taproom beer menu is available, so if you would rather just knock back a craft beer with your breakfast, the choice is yours.
On this occasion, I decided to go for the corned beef hash. We also ordered the liege waffle for to share for the two of us. I always want a selection of things, and while my partner tried to convince me to order the Eggs Hollandaise (Poached eggs on cornbread with hollandaise sauce) that I had the last time, I stuck to my guns and got the corned beef hash. (And after seeing the new addition of fried pickle straws to the Eggs Hollandaise, I did wonder if maybe we should have got that too and shared all three, but it was too late…maybe next time!)
The waffle came out first, and we really got stuck in. It definitely had a nice bit of caramelization (but possibly could have had a bit more) from the pearl sugar, and the addition of fruit was really a nice touch. The smoked sausage with it was incredibly tasty. He smokes the sausages himself, so they were full of delicious smoky flavor (although he was worried they were overly smoked, but I like that flavor profile, so it worked for me!)
Next up was the corned beef hash with toast and poached eggs. There was a nice selection of ingredients in the hash, with a smoky and delicious corned beef, crispy potatoes (that were cooked all the way through, as so many places just churn out half cooked potatoes these days!), caramelized shallots and poblano peppers. All the bits in the hash were cooked perfectly and packed a lot of flavor. It definitely felt like something I couldn’t really do at home (although Brian insists I could). And the eggs were perfectly poached. That’s still something I’ve been unable to master at home, but I think it’s something I need to attempt to do soon.
I have to say that while the menu isn’t extensive, everything seems to be executed really well. And that’s what I look for in restaurants. I don’t need a long menu; I need amazing food. And this pop-up brunch has that in spades. So if you love brunch and don’t mind a bit of travel to the east bay, keep an eye out for whenever they do the pop-up brunch at Albany Taproom, and I’m fairly certain you won’t be disappointed.
Albany Taproom
745 San Pablo Ave
Albany, CA 94706
The hash and waffle look good, but I have to say it’s disappointing to see just the same old brunch dishes. Maybe they’re done well, but there are plenty of places already doing that (Sam’s Log Cabin down the street for example, I can get that any day of the week). There’s one dish on there that looks interesting though, the Eggs Hollandaise, and it makes me curious what was on the previous larger menu (post a photo if you can!). We need more innovation, not more standards (that’s one of the things wrong with brunch IMO). Hopefully your friend’s creativity wins more space on future menus. Meanwhile this place is literally less than a block from my house, so I’ll definitely check it out, for that Eggs Hollandaise if nothing else!
Oh nice!
I get what you mean, but I think there’s a huge problem to address when it comes to Brunch. (Well at least for me.) I’ve gone to places where the menu sounds innovative, but they execute it so poorly that you just wish that they weren’t trying so hard. And I’ve also gone to places where they have the usual standbys, but they aren’t executed well at all with undercooked potatoes (which happens about 90% of the time when I get brunch) and eggs that are either undercooked or overcooked or many other errors that could be fixed with a bit of attention to detail instead of just slopping out plates of food.
I am aware that I’m probably your better than average home cook, so when I go to places where these things happen, I get incredibly frustrated. And it seems that most places I’ve been, this is the norm and not the exception. Honestly, I would personally rather have food that tastes and is executed well (or at least better than what I can do) even if it’s a bit more basic. I know he has a ton of ideas, but as he’s just getting started out, I think he really wants to perfect a few dishes before moving on to other plates of food.
Maybe I should check out Sam’s Log Cabin. I’m always on the lookout for places that are going to wow or excite me, especially for breakfast!