Breakfast at Brennan's: A New Orleans Tradition
Restaurant and Bar
by Sonya Vial, Senior Writer
Turn back the clock to the time when the French aristocrats of New Orleans dined in leisurely elegance, when breakfast was served in the patio amidst the soft rustle of exotic plants, a refreshing breeze from palmetto fans and the romantic aroma of magnolia blossoms." This quote, taken from the Brennan's Restaurant breakfast menu, describes perfectly the atmosphere as you enter 417 Royal St. Brennan's opened in the 1950s when Owen E. Brennan signed a lease with Tulane University to rent the building which currently houses the restaurant. This location was later purchased by Owen Edward Brennan's sons in 1986.
There are 12 rooms in the building including the main dining area which faces the courtyard and is donned with sketches following a New Orleans theme. A dining area upstairs pays homage to the King of Carnival, Rex. The breakfast atmosphere was casual as tourists stopped in during a tour of the French Quarter. (During dinner, however, jackets are recommended.)
The brunch began with one of Brennan's "eye openers," Brandy Milk Punch, a delicious blend of milk, brandy, nutmeg and vanilla. The drink was delicate enough for the morning, yet extremely tasty. Other recommended selections were the New Orleans Gin Fizz ($5.00) and Mr. Funk of New Orleans ($5.00), made with champagne, cranberry juice and peach schnapps.
We decided on the Three Course Prix Fixe ($35.00) which includes your choice of appetizer, entree and dessert. To start, I had New Orleans Turtle Soup. If someone was to ask me what "Creole" meant to me, I would tell them to taste this soup. Although it has a definite kick, it wasn't too spicy.
My companion selected the Oyster Soup Brennan, a thick blend of small bits of oyster and spices. The oyster soup was quite good, although first time visitors to Brennan's should try the turtle soup, which has been called the best in the city.
Next, I enjoyed the Crawfish Sardou, a rich compilation of fried crawfish tails, creamed spinach and sliced artichoke hearts, smothered in Hollandaise sauce. My companion chose the Eggs Nouvelle Orleans, poached eggs served on a bed of crawfish covered in a distinct brandy-cream sauce. Also included in the list of entrees is the Brennan original, Eggs Hussarde, touted as "one of the dishes that put Breakfast at Brennan's on the map."
Both dishes were exquisite. The strong flavor of the Hollandaise and fried crawfish in the Crawfish Sardou served as a perfect companion to the delicate flavor of the Nouvelle Orleans, and both consisted of portions too large for either of us to finish (our waiter wrapped both up for us to take home).
For dessert, there is only one option to make the Brennan's experience complete-Bananas Foster. Named for a friend of Owen Edward Brennan, Bananas Foster was invented to use a plentiful New Orleans commodity in a delicious dessert. In a very simple recipe, your server combines brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, banana liqueur and bananas, then flames the dish with rum right at your table. The dessert is then topped with vanilla ice cream to balance the rich sauce. The other dessert choice is the Creole Chocolate Suicide Cake, definitely a chocoholic's dream . The cake is surrounded by a light vanilla bean sauce, a fitting counterpart to the richness of the cake.
If you decide to order breakfast a la carte, there are selections for all tastes. The omelets ($15.75-$ 18.75) are complemented with typical New Orleans ingredients such as tasso, crawfish or andouille. Other selections include meat, fish and other seafood dishes.
With each menu entree comes a recommendation of wine, and hot French bread is served fresh throughout the meal. Also available at the restaurant is a book compilation of the recipes that are found on the menu ($27.50). Brennan's also boasts an award-winning wine cellar.
There are several quintessential events each Tulane student should partake of during the short time they spend in New Orleans-Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras and the Jazz Fest to name a few. Breakfast at Brennan's should also be on that list of things every Tulane student should experience. Brennan's epitomizes New Orleans charm with strong tradition and exquisite culinary creations. It truly can make any special occasion extraordinary.