LOVELIKEBEER’s “Brûlée”: Vegan French Brunch!
I meant to post this weeks ago. Oops, better late than never I suppose?
A few weekends ago, LOVELIKEBEER brought something to San Diego that you don’t see everyday around here. Three words. Vegan. French. Brunch. And let me tell you…
If you know me, you know I am a shameless & self proclaimed Francophile. I love Paris. It’s probably my favorite place in the world, & it’s hard to believe it was 7 years ago that my Mom & I celebrated my 30th (now you know how old I am!) birthday in “The City of Light”. Tais Toi Mon Coeur. So when word got out about the theme of their next event, I was thrilled. And when I heard the event would be titled Brûlée, my mind went to many a sweet spot – creme brûlée French toast, perhaps? And while my mind wandered not too far off, I was right about one thing…French Toast…Brûlée, actually I was told, was more of a play on words, as in “Brew-lée” ….ah yes, I get it. Since LOVELIKEBEER is all about artisan food & craft beer, it makes sense. So clever, those boys. And, while I didn’t get my creme brûlée French toast (a fabulous idea if I do say so myself), I certainly did have my fill of delightful French inspired food.
But to start…as you’re always safe in showing up early to a LOVELIKEBEER event, they had something special set up out in front of Toronado, the brunch venue, which was Mostra Coffee serving up fresh pour over coffee & hot apple cider. A nice warm jumpstart to Sunday Funday! I had planned, & failed, to have a quick brunch with some coffee & no alcohol so I could carry on with a productive Sunday, I was quickly distracted by two words…“beer mimosa.” Okay, just one, I suppose. I mean, a mimosa made with Modern Times Beer, a brand new & vegan owned local brewery, is enough to at least make one take pause, right? So ordered it was, & smoothly down it went. Followed by my favorite meal of the brunch the “Savory Crepe” with asparagus, soyrizo & meyer lemon hollandaise. Mmmmm…crepes! So quintessentially French, & not an easy feat to prepare, especially vegan, & I should know, as I own a crepe pan & have spent many a Sunday morning trying to perfect them. These pillowy crepes were stuffed with spicy soyrizo & topped with a creamy & zesty vegan hollandaise that I would love the recipe for (hint, hint)! Yum-o. And, as rumor has it, this might just make it on Toronado’s regular brunch menu, & oh no, then here we go…Sunday Funday, every weekend. Thanks, thanks a lot.
After the crepe came the French toast, a “Hazelnut Stuffed French Toast,” mind you, with a dark chocolate drizzle & raspberries. Can you say, decedent? Why, yes…just take some crusty bread, stuffed with homemade nutella, topped with melty dark chocolate, garnished with tart raspberries & lest I forget washing it down with Modern Times’ Black House Oatmeal Coffee Stout. Yes, you heard me. Quite a pairing, indeed!
Next arrived the “Potato Pave 5 Spice Scallop with Wild Mushrooms, Beets, Butternut Squash & Puffed Grains,” which I didn’t try myself, but was enjoyed by my friends, & which I must say was the most beautiful presentation of the day…food imitating art imitating food. Now I wish I’d had a bite.
Finally came the “Carrot & Coconut Cake” that we just absolutely could not say no to, especially since it was paired with the “bright, peppery, & velvety” saison, which is one of my favorite beers. The cake was so moist, with a wonderful balance of carrot & coconut…not to sweet, but not too “crunchy” if you know what I mean. A delightful way to end the meal.
Too bad we can’t to this every weekend. Unless we move to Paris!
À bientôt.
