We brunched and brunched. And then brunched some more. Because that is precisely what Boston Brunchers do. For the January Boston Brunchers brunch, the brunchers paired up with the Langham Hotel for a contest. Each of the lucky Boston food blogger winners won a seat at the Langham Hotel’s luxurious City Brunch. A detailed menu can be found here.
Where to begin?
Immediately after arriving in the beautiful lobby of the Langham Hotel in Boston’s Financial District, I heard the sounds of live jazz music making their way down the stairs from Café Fleuri. I met up with fellow brunchers Daisy, Megan, Emily, Melissa, Justin, Renee, and Lara near the bottom of the stairs. Did we know what we were in for? There was only one way to find out.
As we ascended the stairs, smells of roast coffee filled the air, and Langham Hotel brunch cocktail menus provided stronger options like the Hot in the City Bloody Mary.
I went the Venetian route with a peach bellini, bubbles and sweet peach the aperitif I needed to prep me for an indulgent brunch Odyssey.
And so the journey began. Round and round the room we went first just snapping photos and marveling at the wonders before us.
From the fresh and healthy granola parfait
And around to bright, summery fruits and a world of cheese
A taste of Italy in summertime with a caprese salad
And an elegant beef carpaccio
Sweet visions tried to disarm us around every corner.
And treats from the sea beckoned brunchers to sail away to Neptune’s lair.
The temptations were many.
The colors downright mesmerizing, almost hypnotizing
Though dared, I could not face my fear of the chocolate fountain (after an unfortunate incident involving a chocolate fountain and a piece of pineapple getting stuck at a conference years back).
So I made my way from the brunch wonderland to the safety of my table and my fellow brunchers.
Round 1- shrimp cocktail, crab salad, bean and tomato salad, and a tasty egg
I caught Daisy as she bravely juggled multiple plates on her own return from the brunch buffet wilds.
Round 2- roasted beets, Lake’s End goat cheese, Marcona Almond
Also known as my favorite dish of the day
Also a favorite, Eggs Benedict with Canadian bacon and chive hollandaise
Megan and I wondered at how, with so many eggs to make, the chef managed to cook these to sunny, runny perfection.
Just when it seemed it couldn’t get any better, and seemingly out of nowhere, a beignet fairy visited our table, depositing warm, sweet, cinnamon-y, beignets for all.
But still we weren’t done! Still lured by the East Coast Catches, I delighted in briny oysters, a bite of sushi, and perhaps the best smoked salmon in all the land, smoked and maple cured in-house.
There was room for just one more. . . one more plate that is. Beguiled by sweets on every table, I could not escape without a few bites, chocolate dipped strawberries and chocolate croissant bread pudding.
For as much ground as I covered, I didn’t visit nearly all of the corners of the beautiful brunch universe that the Langham Hotel has put together.
Truly a paradise for all of the senses, our brunch journey brought together brunchers from Somerville to Dorchester and beyond all with one mission, to brunch until we couldn’t brunch any more. And we did.
Everyone at the Langham Hotel was wonderful and welcoming, and I can’t thank them enough for so generously hosting us. My brunch was provided compliments of the Langham, but that aside, I would absolutely recommend their City Brunch, especially for a special occasion like a shower or reunion.
After looking at my Langham brunch photos, the mister and I decided that an overnight stay-cation at the hotel, followed by City Brunch, might just be the perfect late-winter pick-me-up. Stay tuned!
What is your favorite brunch item? Do you go for salty/savory or sweet?
