out and about: barbarella valentines brunch

Y’all know how much we like our local restaurants. And how frequently we will sneak out to hit them up. Especially those that change up drinks and food seasonally… when you know the quality is there, you know you won’t be disappointed, and the menu will never be old.

Case in point. Barbarella. And you know I’ve waxed poetic before about their amazing seasonal decorations. You just can’t help but feel festive.

And valentines is no different. But, if you have kiddos, like we do. You’ve no doubtedly learned that valentines is not about a day… because finding a sitter who doesn’t have plans of their own is no joke… it’s a whole season. We learned that it doesn’t matter what day you celebrate — just that you make the time to do so. And that’s where Barbarella’s valentines brunch comes in. Let’s celebrate in the morning… less crowds, less people, but a festive feel nonetheless.

french kiss: gin, strawberry, topped with bubbles
alpine duet

So I saw the word french in the name, and immediately thought this drink would be a play on my beloved french 75. This was not. My bad.

The french kiss instead, is a very gin forward drink… for which thankfully, I am a huge gin fan. The strawberry was not a puree, but instead fresh strawberries, and the bubbles, were a slight float. The drink was not bubbly at all.

It was a clean and crisp drink, just not what I had been expecting based on the name and description. But if you are a big gin fan… this is definitely the drink for you.

avocado toast: brioche bread, organic crushed avocado, fresh cilantro, burrata cheese, topped with olive oil and balsamic glaze, served with marinated olives (add egg and/or smoked salmon)

Pro tip: add both the poached egg and the smoked salmon. You can play which is the burrata and which is the poached egg. But also, it’s a perfectly poached egg and adds just the right amount of extra creaminess to the dish.

The fresh smoked salmon takes the avocado toast from avocado toast to avocado toast. You don’t want to miss the elevation of the dish.

peach mimosa
be mine shooter: bailey’s strawberries & cream, vodka, whipped cream

Cheers. Don’t miss on this shooter. It comes in an adorable heart shaped shot glass, and just feels like a decadent valentines dessert.

Also, brunch at barbarella has an assortment of mimosas at the ready - and if you are so inclined you can get the unlimited mimosa option.

breakfast burrito: scrambled eggs, bell peppers, bacon, potatoes in a spinach tortilla, served with fries

I love a good breakfast burrito. And this? Is a good breakfast burrito. Seriously. The spinach wrap makes it. The bacon was perfectly cooked, the eggs not overdone. Just a great overall brunch bite.

Another mimosa offering, and one of my personal favorites. Plus, what feels more valentines that a pink drink?

steak sandwich: grilled new york steak, carmamalized onion, gruyere cheese, tomato, lettuce, housemade chimichurri aioli, with a side of fries.

Obsessed with this steak sandwich. The meat was so tender - which so often doesn’t happen in a steak sandwich - no cutting necessary, you could just take a bite. No tearing the meat with your teeth here.

Love the aioli - not over powering, and just the perfect addition.

Such a great day date with my valentine. Definitely one you should consider.