Holiday Brunch
Galley and Garden is the place to celebrate.
By Jan Walsh
My family and I have a tradition of celebrating holidays at Galley and Garden. From Easter to Thanksgiving with Mother’s Day and more in between, this is the place to be for the holidays. Galley and Garden is one of the most beautiful restaurants in town, and Chef Jessica Lindeen always has special dishes on the holiday, prix fixe menus, which have a history of being well priced. And today Kev and I arrive to a valet in waiting for Easter Brunch. General Manager, Virgil Morris and Maître D’ Stan Reynolds greet us at the door, and Stan escorts us to our favorite dining room table in front of the fireplace.
At Galley and Garden, not only does everybody know my name, they also know my allergies and preferences, including no tap water. A server quickly arrives with a large, chilled bottle of Sanpellegrino Sparkling Water and pours into wine glasses garnished with lime. Lovely!
Today’s Easter Brunch is three courses for only $65, plus tax and gratuity. Anxious to try their Bloody Mary with olive infused vodka, Kev orders it. And the Ship Wreckt cocktail had me at “ruby red grapefruit.” Marketing Manager, Ali Williams, who also bar tends, makes our memorable drinks. Olives rule in this, not too spicy Bloody, which is also garnished with olive, onion, fresh celery, and lemon. And my gorgeous grapefruit drink is a delightful start with hints of bitter orange watermelon mint.
First course options include three dishes that we have had before and tempt again: tomato turnover, fried oysters, strawberry salad, and pimento cheese fritters. Yet Kev opts for the Smoked Pork Belly, and I select the Lobster Bisque. The glistening pork is plated atop apple and apricot compote. This rich, fatty, sweet, and salty delicacy is rounded out by the juiciness and fruity flavors of the compote. He declares it to be among the best pork belly he has ever had, which is saying something because he orders it every chance he gets. My beautiful bisque arrives piping hot with a rim of dry sherry and garnished with chives. It is thick, creamy, and bursting with lobster flavor. Catch it if you can!
For our second course, Kev orders Steak and Eggs and more lobster for me in the Lobster Risotto. Other main course options include short ribs, salmon croquets, duck, shrimp and grits, rainbow trout almondine, and country ham with veggies. His cooked to order, generous portioned steak is surprisingly tender for a flat iron. The farm fresh eggs varying moist textures show and tell that they were cooked low and slow. And a crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside potato hash balances by bringing the carbs to this high protein dish.
My substantial serving of risotto is chock full of lobster. Each grain of this time intensive, creamy risotto has a distinct, delicious bite. As my lobster craving is fulfilled, we move onto dessert.
It is Lotus Biscoff Banana Pudding for Kev and Strawberry Shortcake for me. Other dessert choices are Warm Chocolate Cobbler and Poached Pear. Not your grandma’s wafer lined casserole dish, this pudding boasts Lotus Biscoff cookie with house made pudding served in a coupe topped with freshly whipped cream. This divine dessert is the best banana pudding either of us have ever tasted. Highly Recommended!
And my shortcake is also unique. Freshly sliced, in-season strawberries star and bring brightness to the fresh cream, and lemon, poppyseed pound cake. And the poppy adds an unexpected nuttiness and delicate texture to this dreamy dessert.
You don’t have to wait for a holiday to enjoy brunch at Galley and Garden, as it serves brunch every Sunday. But Mother’s Day is around the corner. Thus, I recommend making reservations now.
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