Eat Well, Spend Less
Six Spots for Eggs Over Easy, Not Overpriced
Why package-deal brunches rule.
Dropping 50 bucks on a few slices of French toast and a Bellini may be acceptable for those gearing up for an afternoon of browsing $6,000 shower curtains. For the rest of us, getting gouged before noon is hard to stomach these days. At the same time, the idea of brunch—letting someone else cook comfort food for you, socializing over boozy fruit juice—has never seemed more appealing.
Fortunately for the hungry hoi polloi, some savvy restaurateurs are forgoing this meal’s easy payoffs (e.g., turning a $2 carton of eggs into six plates of $11.95 eggs Benedict) in favor of building clientele with wallet-friendly offerings. Since coffee, juice, and the obligatory side of bacon have a tendency to add up quickly, we’ve found that the all-inclusive brunch is the most effective strategy for keeping the tab in check. Plus, it makes the end of the meal go smoother. (Math and mimosas—so not fun.)
OUR PICKS:
MASA
The southwestern-flavored South End hot spot lets you choose from fruit, granola, and a caramelized-plantain empanada before you move on to huevos rancheros or eggs Benedict with green chili hollandaise. A basket of fresh cornbread completes the $7.95 steal.
All day Saturday; Sunday until 11 a.m.; 439 Tremont St., Boston, 617-338-8884, masarestaurant.com.
BON SAVOR
This charming street-corner café’s $13.95 combo sets diners up with a made-to-order omelet, champagne or house wine, a small French press of premium coffee, and a just-baked croissant.
605 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 617-971-0000, bonsavor.com.
THE ELEPHANT WALK
The $19.95 three-course special at this French-Cambodian mini chain makes for gourmet dining at a fire-sale price. Begin with croissants, spring rolls, or fruit, followed by an elegantly seasoned soup or salad and a main course such as poulet à la citronnelle or saiko cha k’dao, a lemongrass-beef delicacy. Teetotalers get OJ and java; tipplers get mimosas.
900 Beacon St., Boston, 617-247-1500; 2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-492-6900; 663 Main St., Waltham, 781-899-2244; elephantwalk.com.
UNION, GASLIGHT, AQUITAINE
Aquitaine Group founder and executive chef Seth Woods takes all-around honors for best brunch value, with three of his South End eateries posting serious deals for the weekend crowd. At Union, a slice of subtly spiced crumb cake complements the savory house-cured salmon egg scramble; the restaurant throws in home fries, toast, coffee, and a glass of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice for $9.95. The same price at Gaslight or Aquitaine nets you a baked-on-premises pastry, beverages, and main dishes ranging from an omelette al Sacienne to vanilla French toast.
1357 Washington St., Boston, 617-423-0555, unionrestaurant.com; 560 Harrison Ave., Boston, 617-422-0224, gaslight560.com; 569 Tremont St., Boston, 617-424-8577, aquitaineboston.com.