While Ann may have not realized what she was doing in creating the review below, she was in fact paying homage to one of my favorite public radio shows, This American Life.  She broke it down into segments/acts, just like my boy Ira does.  Did anyone hear the one about "Mean Girls" - I almost wrecked my car I was laughing so hard.  I listen to their podcast - I highly recommend it!    So, read below about our once again, crazy fun Sunday brunch and make up your own mind if Napoleon is the place for you! 


ANN'S REVIEW OF NAPOLEON:
Napoleon Brunch Review
We had a great turnout for the brunch on Sunday and good thing it was raining and a few dropped out or we would have ben squished like sardines!!  Napoleon was really hopping and for good reason!  They do a great brunch.  I want to point out their excellent service that started when I called for reservations on Saturday.  I asked to be seated outside and the hostess warned me that the forecast called for rain.  Very nice.  

When we arrived on Sunday they were very flexible with the seating since we weren’t sure how many we would have.  A usual we all had questions regarding the menu and substitutions.  They did not blink an eye when Jeri asked for egg whites or hot water, as she had brought her own tea. Erica started with a Café de Paris (latte w/amaretto) and was delighted!  The rest of us tried the bloody mary and mimosas which were also delicious.  (I still have to go with Willard and Axis as tops but Napoleon is now at #3).

We had a hard time deciding among all the tempting choice son the menu but we ended up with a variety.  I wanted the cheddar cheese scrambled eggs baked in a croissant, but thought I could stand to pas on the 1,000 calorie breakfast and instead chose the scrambled eggs with french toast ( a mere 800 calories I am sure). Delicious.  The french toast was not too eggy or too squishy.  Good texture with a hint of cinnamon. The eggs were light and fluffy and not overdone or runny.  The portion was just enough, but not too much.  Erica had a mushroom and cheese crepe that we all agreed was scrumptious! When I go back, that is what I am ordering!!  Aaron had a grilled chicken salad in a “crepe bowl” (which is actually just a crepe lining the bottom of the salad bowl) and while it was ok, it could have benefited form a champagne vinagrette instead of no dressing or the ranch style dressing that was provided. The rest of the group had omelets and all agreed that while good, the eggs did not have balanced distribution of filling and frankly not enough filling.  The potatoes that come with the omelet would be better replaced by a green salad or french fries.  They were nothing to write home about.

We decided to break down and try one of the chocolate croissants we saw being delivered to tables all over the restaurant only to be disappointed by the fact that it was burnt and hard.

My club soda was only $1.95 and despite being a loud crowded dining room, the staff do a great job of making you feel welcome. I will go back!!

PART II
So, after brunch Tiffany, Erica and I decided to do a little research down 18th Street.  The nightclub Chloe next to Asylum and Miss Pixies on 18th claims to have a brunch.  I was intrigued by this as I had thought it was a dance club along the lines of  H2O or places where people buy “bottles” and sit in VIP areas.... and, oh, it is.

We walked up the stairs to the sounds of something like a “slow jam club mix” as I struggled to peel my flip flops off the sticky floor (“oh, we just cleaned and the floor is still wet...” explained the hostess/bartended/waitress).  We were the only people there and took a window booth and decided to have a drink.  We ordered mimosa and champagne and quickly realized that the champagne in it’s plastic glass was undrinkable with out OJ to cut it....  The menu, printed on a laser printer, looks pretty grim with things like a “Western Omelet” and “steak and eggs.”  YUK.

PART III
We then moved down to Rhumba Café.  I have had brunch here before and liked it, but that was about 3 years ago.  It is good to know that he food still looks (and smells) great and the service was excellent.  Well, since we were 3 of the * customers there , it was pretty easy to get attention, but the ladies had mojitos, that are probably among the best in the city  - hmmmm, this sounds like a research challenge we should undertake....?

PART IV
We then decided to move to Bourbon, where we had a brunch earlier this year to grab a beer before we wrapped it up.  The Bourbon brunch was still hopping at 3pm.  We sat at athe bar and received great service from Owen and Sean.