Which Came First: The Many Egg Dishes of Brennan’s Brunch

When faced with a tough dining decision, I always lean towards ‘all of the above’.  Which is how I came to try not one but three different signature egg dishes at New Orleans’ famed Brennan’s on Royal.

There are ten–count them, ten–different unique egg dishes offered on the Brennan’s breakfast menu.  Sadly, I was unable to taste all ten (that would have been it for me for the day–possibly the week) but thanks to an extremely helpful server (and a dining companion who was willing to share) I was able to sample three of them.

Eggs Sardou

Do you know what makes amazing creamed spinach even better?  Hollandaise sauce and egg yolk (yes, I realize that Hollandaise is mainly comprised of egg yolk; I guess what I’m saying here is ‘egg yolk and creamed spinach–great combo).  Truly, the creamed spinach was the star of this dish–until I discovered the artichoke bottom hidden under everything.  See that broiled, Parmesan-coated tomato in the background?  I didn’t even pause in my egg-devouring to sample it.  Which kind of makes me sad, now that I think about it.

Eggs Portuguese

I’ve included two photos of this dish–one before I dug into it and one after–to illustrate the beauty of the sauce-co-mingling.  On the menu, eggs Portuguese is described thus:  flaky pastry shells filled with freshly chopped tomatoes sautéed in butter with parsley and shallots, topped with poached eggs and covered with Hollandaise sauce.

In my notes, it is described thus:  Yes.  Yes, yes, yes!

Eggs Hussard

I didn’t think anything would top my eggs Portuguese–until I tried the eggs hussard.  Eggs hussard is an upgraded eggs Benedict; with the simple addition of a Marchand du Vin sauce (a rich red wine-based sauce), this diner-staple is elevated to a new level.  The vinegar in the wine sauce is a fantastic foil to the richness of the ever-present Hollandaise (I tried to come up with a punny title for this post playing on the word ‘Hollandaise’; it’s harder than you’d think.  Go ahead–try it.)  And the ham was the carnivorous-kick I didn’t even realize I was missing in the other two dishes.

So which egg dish won my heart?  All of them.  That is, if by ‘won my heart’ you mean ‘put me *this much* closer to needing bypass surgery’.

Brennan’s is located in the French Quarter, on Royal between St. Louis and Conti.  They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the classic dining rooms and stunning central courtyard. 

Disclosure:  While I was hosted by Brennan’s, all thoughts and opinions are, as always, my own.