After an adventurous overnight train ride, we arrived in Ottawa with hungry bellies. Amanda and I had planned to enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the Montreal train station, but since we arrived late our layover was virtually non-existent and there was no time for breakfast.
The trip from Montreal to Ottawa was quick, and we got here just in time to enjoy an amazing breakfast at The Mayflower Restaurant and Pub, at 247 Elgin Street.
This was my third trip to the this popular weekend spot. We arrived around 1:00 so we thought we’d beat the breakfast rush, but we still had a short wait.
Once we were seated, we were quickly served coffee by a slightly frazzled server. He was clearly a little exhausted after a busy morning. At the Mayflower, the menus are on the table waiting for you, which is fun, because it allows you to jump right into the decision-making process. And anyone who’s ever eaten with me knows my selection process tends to be both time-consuming and indecisive.
Since it was one o’clock the first decision to be made was lunch or breakfast? The chalkboard specials looked enticing. They included such comfort food classics as baked macaroni and cheese and chicken pot pie. There was also a club sandwich made with freshly spit roasted chicken and served on pumpernickel bread, but since I hadn’t eaten yet, I decided to stick with breakfast.
I had narrowed my breakfast selections down to the two meals I’d enjoyed on previous visits to the diner. It was tough decision between homemade oatmeal, served with your choice of toppings or the five-pancake breakfast. After consulting my very empty stomach, the much larger 5 pancake breakfast was an obvious choice.
Once our orders were taken, we had lots of time to catch up with friends, because it took a long time for our meals to come. The restaurant was packed, and the server did an excellent job keeping our coffees topped up. This is the third time I’ve eaten here and the food always takes time. But I don’t mind waiting for quality freshly cooked food. It’s a good sign that it takes time to prepare. If you’re somewhere and the food comes out just a little too quickly, you have to wonder how much of the food you’re eating has just been reheated in a microwave.
When the food arrived, we were treated by large scrumptious portions. The pancakes were buttery with just the right amount of fluff. My only complaint about the pancakes was the syrup. It’s a sin to serve “table syrup.” It should be mandated that all breakfast joints serve 100% Canadian Maple Syrup. It depresses me to think how many pancakes and waffles I ruined by soaking them with Aunt Jamima. But I digress.
The pancakes were enjoyable, and they were served with wonderfully grilled home fries, and decent breakfast sausages. I added a side of pumpernickel toast, which I enjoyed a little too much.
What I love about having breakfast at restaurants in Ottawa is the variety of breads available for toast. There’s nothing like enjoying dense pumpernickel toasted to perfection. It’s nice to have a choice beyond white and whole-wheat. When you throw in a chance to enjoy some pumpernickel, brown or dark rye- it adds a whole element of deliciousness to breakfast.
Aside from the pancakes, and oatmeal there are lots of omelettes, Eggs Benedict, and traditional breakfasts to choose from. The Mayflower is a cozy diner, packed with lots of people in search of delicious comfort food. So if you’re looking to discover a place to have a scrumptious breakfast or lunch you should stop byThe Mayflower and have an amazing meal.
Showing posts with label Comfort Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Comfort Food. Show all posts
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
This Diner Can't Get Any Finer!
Diners are awesome. There is no denying that sometimes there’s nothing better than a clubhouse, home cut fries, or a hot sandwich. It’s food for the soul. Sitting in a cozy booth and biting into some greasy goodness is like a warm hug from a loved one. Fortunately, Metro Moncton has its fair share of diners to choose from. Hynes on Mountain Road has some of the best pancakes I’ve ever eaten. Over in Riverview, Steve’s Diner offers generous portions and lots of 50’s kitsch, and across the parking lot at The Homestead, you’ll find sandwiches and toast made with fresh and delicious homemade bread. But according to both my heart and belly, Jean’s Diner on St. George trumps them all.
On a Friday night, after enjoying a pint at The Laundromat, or when a Saturday afternoon craving hits, Jean’s is the spot for all your home cooked favourites. They have seafood fried to a perfect golden brown, gravy that rivals your grandmother’s, and amazing fresh cut fries. Monctonians love their Deluxe French Fries, but trust me; the local chain does not come close to matching the quality of Jean’s fries.
The service is also friendly and fast. This past Friday night Amanda and I popped in for supper and were shocked to be met by a gaggle of young girls. A troupe of Girl Guides had just enjoyed a special meal. They enthusiastically thanked their servers and left for an evening of fun. It was heart-warming to see the troupe at Jean’s. Too often large groups and teams flock to McDonalds or Burger King, but these children and their supervisors supported a local business and enjoyed a far superior meal than that offered by fast food.
Kudos to the troupe’s leaders for choosing to eat at Jean’s, and it was obvious by the smiles on the servers’ faces that they’d enjoyed the girls. They spoke enthusiastically about girls’ energy and how well behaved they’d been.
In no time at all the booths had been cleaned, our orders taken, and before we knew it we were eating our food. Not once did our waitress complain about being swamped. She was swift, friendly and courteous. It’s the kind of service I’ve come to expect after a number of visits to my favourite neighbourhood diner.
On one of my early visits I had a craving for a hot turkey, but didn’t want to be disappointed by a sandwich made with manufactured brown gravy. Our server went back to the kitchen and returned with a small sample of the gravy for me to taste. The sample passed the gravy test and I enthusiastically ordered the sandwich. When it came, topped with peas, I bit into it and it was exactly what I needed. When I thanked the server for letting me try the gravy she just shrugged her shoulders like it was all in a days work.
On other trips to Jeans, I’ve enjoyed their delicious seafood platter, which comes with deep fried haddock, shrimp, clams and scallops. I’ve also tried their clubhouse sandwiches, savoured the homemade beef soup, and even devoured the grilled hotdogs that are served on perfectly toasted buns.
Jean’s Diner is for anyone who enjoys wonderful food, in a relaxed atmosphere, surrounded by friendly servers, who really appear to enjoy their jobs. It’s a place you can really feel good about supporting. Whenever I leave Jeans, it’s with a full belly and a warm heart.
On a Friday night, after enjoying a pint at The Laundromat, or when a Saturday afternoon craving hits, Jean’s is the spot for all your home cooked favourites. They have seafood fried to a perfect golden brown, gravy that rivals your grandmother’s, and amazing fresh cut fries. Monctonians love their Deluxe French Fries, but trust me; the local chain does not come close to matching the quality of Jean’s fries.
The service is also friendly and fast. This past Friday night Amanda and I popped in for supper and were shocked to be met by a gaggle of young girls. A troupe of Girl Guides had just enjoyed a special meal. They enthusiastically thanked their servers and left for an evening of fun. It was heart-warming to see the troupe at Jean’s. Too often large groups and teams flock to McDonalds or Burger King, but these children and their supervisors supported a local business and enjoyed a far superior meal than that offered by fast food.
Kudos to the troupe’s leaders for choosing to eat at Jean’s, and it was obvious by the smiles on the servers’ faces that they’d enjoyed the girls. They spoke enthusiastically about girls’ energy and how well behaved they’d been.
In no time at all the booths had been cleaned, our orders taken, and before we knew it we were eating our food. Not once did our waitress complain about being swamped. She was swift, friendly and courteous. It’s the kind of service I’ve come to expect after a number of visits to my favourite neighbourhood diner.
On one of my early visits I had a craving for a hot turkey, but didn’t want to be disappointed by a sandwich made with manufactured brown gravy. Our server went back to the kitchen and returned with a small sample of the gravy for me to taste. The sample passed the gravy test and I enthusiastically ordered the sandwich. When it came, topped with peas, I bit into it and it was exactly what I needed. When I thanked the server for letting me try the gravy she just shrugged her shoulders like it was all in a days work.
On other trips to Jeans, I’ve enjoyed their delicious seafood platter, which comes with deep fried haddock, shrimp, clams and scallops. I’ve also tried their clubhouse sandwiches, savoured the homemade beef soup, and even devoured the grilled hotdogs that are served on perfectly toasted buns.
Jean’s Diner is for anyone who enjoys wonderful food, in a relaxed atmosphere, surrounded by friendly servers, who really appear to enjoy their jobs. It’s a place you can really feel good about supporting. Whenever I leave Jeans, it’s with a full belly and a warm heart.
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