Ball Square Cafe, Somerville
I was looking for a place to take A. for a 6 months' married celebratory brunch, and read up extensively online first. Kelly's diner is a mainstay of ours as a place to meet friends, but they are a classic diner in the sense that they have chrome stools and nothing resembling a vitamin on the menu. I always leave feeling much like the balls of dough I have just consumed. Same goes for Paul Revere's in Medford, which I like for the grilled muffins but also has an aversion to the genre of heart-attack prevention. Sound Bites is always a sound bet, but also always a looooonng line and surly servers, so that was right out.
Enter Ball Square Cafe, which has some very excited reviews on Yelp. We walked up and saw some folks standing outside the very teensy storefront right next door to Sound Bites, which made me nervous, but a nice smiling man who I'm assuming is the manager came right outside to hand us a menu and welcome us to come in and serve ourselves tea or coffee at the self-serve bar while we waited. He won my heart right away and we scuttled inside into the warm, bustling and small room. There couldn't be more than 12 tables in the place, but it's bright and cheery and the service is fast, so turnover is quick. We were seated within ten minutes and the pumpkin spice coffee I sipped while we waited was super. I had to try the cranberry pancakes on the menu, but mindful of my mistakes in not asking questions at Summer Winter I made sure to check that the fruit was mixed in the cakes when our server -- I wish I had gotten her name because she was far & away the best waitress I have ever had -- assured me the kitchen would make them either way I liked. She was prompt, efficient, kind, thoughful and constantly had a genuine smile. I gave her the biggest (proportionally) tip I've ever given. A. got a plate with eggs, canadian bacon, a grilled muffin, and home fries. The home fries were interesting; not individual fries but a patty of mashed potatoes much like I tried (and failed!) to make with Thanksgiving leftovers a few weeks ago. They were perfectly seasoned, fluffy in the middle and crispy on the outside. The cranberry pancakes were heaven; buttery and with homemade whipped cream on top. The fruit bowl did not skimp on the expensive fruits, either, and had a heap of berries.
For two juices, two coffees, a big breakfast plate, bowl of fruit and my pancakes we paid $25 (not including tip) and when the waitress came for the check she offered to wrap up my remaining pancake, which I had been planning to leave behind with feelings of deepest regret. She also suggested ordering sides of pancakes next time if I couldn't finish the big three on offer. Pancakes, Challah French Toast and other goodies are all offered as sides so you can customize a plate.
Anybody want some brunch? I need an excuse to go back! I think I'll have a cranberry pancake and some french toast.... mmm...
Enter Ball Square Cafe, which has some very excited reviews on Yelp. We walked up and saw some folks standing outside the very teensy storefront right next door to Sound Bites, which made me nervous, but a nice smiling man who I'm assuming is the manager came right outside to hand us a menu and welcome us to come in and serve ourselves tea or coffee at the self-serve bar while we waited. He won my heart right away and we scuttled inside into the warm, bustling and small room. There couldn't be more than 12 tables in the place, but it's bright and cheery and the service is fast, so turnover is quick. We were seated within ten minutes and the pumpkin spice coffee I sipped while we waited was super. I had to try the cranberry pancakes on the menu, but mindful of my mistakes in not asking questions at Summer Winter I made sure to check that the fruit was mixed in the cakes when our server -- I wish I had gotten her name because she was far & away the best waitress I have ever had -- assured me the kitchen would make them either way I liked. She was prompt, efficient, kind, thoughful and constantly had a genuine smile. I gave her the biggest (proportionally) tip I've ever given. A. got a plate with eggs, canadian bacon, a grilled muffin, and home fries. The home fries were interesting; not individual fries but a patty of mashed potatoes much like I tried (and failed!) to make with Thanksgiving leftovers a few weeks ago. They were perfectly seasoned, fluffy in the middle and crispy on the outside. The cranberry pancakes were heaven; buttery and with homemade whipped cream on top. The fruit bowl did not skimp on the expensive fruits, either, and had a heap of berries.
For two juices, two coffees, a big breakfast plate, bowl of fruit and my pancakes we paid $25 (not including tip) and when the waitress came for the check she offered to wrap up my remaining pancake, which I had been planning to leave behind with feelings of deepest regret. She also suggested ordering sides of pancakes next time if I couldn't finish the big three on offer. Pancakes, Challah French Toast and other goodies are all offered as sides so you can customize a plate.
Anybody want some brunch? I need an excuse to go back! I think I'll have a cranberry pancake and some french toast.... mmm...