Spork and Knife

Brunch: The meal for the indecisive and/or the slow moving. Party of one, right here. (At least on Sundays)

It seems that for a city with so many dining options, DC falls short in the not quite breakfast not quite lunch category. Sure there’s brunch at one of the cities $500 a night hotels, but what about the folks that just want to relax on a Sunday, recap the weekend and enjoy a meal without taking out a loan?

With a few years of living here under-my-belt, I’ve discovered a few gems, including one this past Sunday.

After taking part in the time-tested tradition of the bachelorette party a weary group of 10 girls headed to Bourbon to recap the night.

Bourbon’s prowess as a weekend brunch spot is not a secret, yet the Glover Park bar/restaurant had eluded my search for a go-to location until this point.

Our group showed up in casual dresses and other “trying to look presentable after a long night” outfits and seemed to fit right in with the dressy casual crowd. We were seated in the upstairs section that had a smattering of booths and table settings perfect for groups such as ourselves - needing to laugh-out-loud about the night’s antics.

The decor was sparse but calming with a pale palette throughout the restaurant and a few flat screen TVs as decoration. Read: Nothing showy here. My still under the sunglasses eyes were grateful for the lack of shiny objects.

We ordered a round of coffees and dove right into the menu. Things like the Kentucky Hot Brown and the Ostrich burger caught my eye (or possibly curiosity), but I went for an egg sandwich with Turkey, Avocado and Swiss on a grilled bagel. Others very wisely ordered the classic grilled cheese with a side of tomato soup and I quickly had food envy. (They even cut it into strips. Pure genius) Never underestimate the power of a childhood classic when putting together a menu. This includes the tater “tots” that one of the girls ordered. Ohh memories.

Other selections included a tuna burger with a side green salad, “scrambled selections” and a B.L.T. Did I mention the curly fries covered in old bay?

All of the food was good and satisfying. The bagel on my egg sandwich was a little dry, but I always prefer dry to dripping in grease or butter. Since I’m a person who likes to brunch on the healthy side I like Bourbon’s array of choices that allowed me to get something light while those who like to go greasy satisfied their needs with “tots” or burgers.

I’m putting Bourbon on my list of brunch spots to take friends. The staff is a bit on the slow side, but when you’re catching-up that’s not usually a problem. Since our coffee cups were filled frequently, we were happy to keep chatting. I wouldn’t take visitors or family here that are looking for a DC experience, but for those looking for a relaxing meal that’s under $10, Bourbon is a great spot.

Bourbon (Glover Park and Adams Morgan)

Other places around the city that serve a good brunch:

Luna grill (Dupont) Another cheap spot that is very casual and has something for everyone. Vegetarians will have plenty to choose from here.

Belga Cafe (CapitolHill) A little dressier than Bourbon, (Think Khakis and dresses) this is a great spot to take family and visitors or meet for a brunch date. Just make sure you don’t plan on lingering because a long relaxing brunch could really add up here.

Perrys (Adams Morgan) Drag Queens and desserts. Need I say more? This DC institution requires some dress up and isn’t overly impressive for it’s food, but makes for a very entertaining Sunday! A DC must.

Le Chat Noir (Tenleytown) Dressy Casual, this little french bistro serves some of the best frites in town and their crepes are always satisfying. Other draws are their hot and fresh baguettes served with fresh and creamy butter. A rare treat. Stick to the crepes, salads and desserts as the main dishes are hit-or-miss. Prices are in the $10-$20 range.