Brunch at Russell House Tavern

brunch, Cambridge, cheese, restaurants, review

posted on October 2, 2012 by Bianca Garcia

There are very few things that can sway me away from Nutella.

Russell House Tavern’s Crispy Poached Egg is one of them.

We went there for brunch last weekend and I really wanted to order the Nutella Stuffed French Toast. But then I saw the Anti-Benedict. Garlic spinach and breakfast sausage, creamy hollandaise, home fries, and two perfect crispy poached eggs.

I wrote about Russell House Tavern’s crispy soft poached farm egg before – it was the first time I used the word “magic” to describe a menu item (the second time I called a food magical was when I encountered Mei Mei food Truck’s kale salad, but that’s a whole different story).

If you haven’t had these crispy poached eggs yet – and if you find yourself in the Harvard Square vicinity – you must try it. It’s served as a small plate during dinner, and as a substitute to the regular poached eggs in Eggs Benedict during weekend brunch.

The texture of the crunchy exterior and the soft velvety yolk is exquisite, and the other components of the dish make each bite burst with flavor: the garlicky spinach, the creamy hollandaise, the salty breakfast sausage, all atop a sturdy English muffin to mop up the plush sauce.

The Anti-Benedict, along with a glass of fresh orange juice, made for a nice, luxurious, rainy day brunch last weekend. (I know what you’re thinking – I didn’t order a mimosa. Believe it or not, my dear readers, I don’t drink cocktails with every meal! I only do that when I’m on vacation…)

The kitchen sent out a complimentary fruit and cheese plate for our table (thanks, Chef!) and we enjoyed three kinds of cheeses with slices of crusty bread, an almost cake-life loaf of buttermilk bread, and fruit salad.

I don’t remember the types of cheese, but we had a soft cheese with hints of gorgonzola, a crumbly salty cheese, and a milder raw milk cheese. I liked them all (but then again, I never met a cheese I didn’t like).

My dining companions ordered meatier items: the R. House Grass Fed burger – 8 oz of Maine Co-Op ground beef, griddled English muffin, sharp cheddar, bacon, and caramelized onions.

And the Hickory Smoked Pork Loin Sandwich – slow roasted pork loin, melted sharp cheddar, sweet apple, crispy onions, and maple ginger aioli.

I’ve had both of these dishes, too, on different occasions, and they are excellent.

But to me, the best dish was mine:

The Anti Benedict. So good, that I don’t even regret not getting the Nutella French Toast. (But that doesn’t mean I’m not already planning on ordering it the next time I’m back.)

Do you like eggs benedict? What’s your favorite place for it?

One more thing – remember this?

That’s the salted olive oil brownie from my Chile Olive Oil Dinner Party. I’m actually going to be at another Chile Olive Oil– sponsored event and I’d love to meet some of you there if you’re available.

I’m going to be judging the Boston Bakes Bake-Off next Tuesday, Oct. 9th. It’s going to be at the Armory in Somerville from 6 pm to 9 pm. Registration is FREE. Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer is a fantastic charity, and I’m sure the bake-off will be a fun time. There will be lots of delicious desserts, olive oil tastings, raffle prizes and gift bags for everyone. I hope some of you guys can make it!

posted in brunch, Cambridge, cheese, restaurants, review

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27 Responses to “Brunch at Russell House Tavern”

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1

Joanne posted October 2, 2012 at 8:17 am

Those are some serious eggs if they swayed you from nutella! Delicious!
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2

Claire @ Live and Love to Eat posted October 2, 2012 at 8:27 am

Crispy poached eggs sound like an oxymoron – but look amazing!
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3

Meghan posted October 2, 2012 at 9:09 am

This looks like brunch perfection!
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4

Erica @ In and Around Town posted October 2, 2012 at 9:11 am

This picture of a crispy poached egg has my mouth watering! Definitely will have to make a trip to Russell House Tavern for brunch!
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5

Jenny @ BAKE posted October 2, 2012 at 10:26 am

this looks delicious!
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6

Nicole @ The Girl Who Ate Boston posted October 2, 2012 at 10:58 am

I love Russell House Tavern! I reviewed it on my blog recently when I went there for a friend’s birthday party and fell in love with the crispy soft-poached farm egg. I also happen to be a huge eggs Benedict fan, so I will definitely be trying the restaurant for brunch. Thanks for the recommendation!
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7

Colleen @ Culinary Colleen posted October 2, 2012 at 10:59 am

Wow, I need to get there ASAP and order this. I love poached eggs, so I can’t think of anything better than a fried poached egg!
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8

Sues posted October 2, 2012 at 11:11 am

OMG. I LOVE benedict but think I could love the anti benedict even more if I were to try it. I’ve been meaning to go to Russell House FOREVER and this might be exactly the push I need!
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9

Megan posted October 2, 2012 at 12:11 pm

I can’t believe I didn’t order those crispy poached eggs when I went. They’re on my list now, for sure. Looks incredible!
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10

Amy @Macncheesenpeas posted October 2, 2012 at 12:15 pm

I’ve eaten there before! It is quite amazing! The Bake off sounds so fun, you are so lucky you get to be a judge and taste all those yummy baked goods!
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11

Ashley posted October 2, 2012 at 1:09 pm

I would definitely choose your Anti-Benedict over the other sandwiches, though that maple-ginger aioli intrigues me. Maybe a dip for roasted sweet potato fries? The crispy poached egg looks awesome, especially dripping in hollandaise. Yum!
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12

Daisy posted October 2, 2012 at 1:41 pm

I have had that pork loin sandwich and can concur with it’s amazingness. Next on my list is the anti benedict, wow.
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13

Michelle Collins posted October 2, 2012 at 1:45 pm

Russell House Tavern is one of my favorite restaurants right now. I haven’t been for brunch yet though – sounds like that needs to change ASAP!
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14

Sue/the view from great island posted October 2, 2012 at 2:56 pm

I love the Russell House Tavern—and those brownies aren’t too shabby either!
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15

Allie posted October 3, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Crispy poached eggs?? Oh my gosh, I’m sold. My mind is already spinning to determine if there’s ANY way I could make something similar at home…
- Bianca Garcia replied October 4th, 2012 at 9:29 am
  
  Hi Allie! If you figure out a way, let me know! ;)
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16

CCU posted October 3, 2012 at 7:52 pm

Oh wow I agree, Nutella cannot beat everything ;)

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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17

Jen L | Tartine and Apron Strings posted October 4, 2012 at 1:34 am
I saw a crispy poached egg post on the net some time ago and was eager to try it…until my procrastinator nature got the best of me once again! But your post just reminded me that I should be making it! Let’s see how long that takes me.
- Bianca Garcia replied October 4th, 2012 at 9:29 am
  
  Ooooh let me know if you end up making it! I am too lazy… (Plus I live so close to Russell House Tavern so it’s easier to just go there hehe)
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18

Emily @ A Cambridge Story posted October 4, 2012 at 5:44 pm

Wow. Just wow regarding that eggs benny. The French Toast does sound pretty tempting though! RH can usually do no wrong!
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19

cassie posted October 5, 2012 at 9:39 pm

i love the idea of the anti-benedict. i love the crispy egg, sounds and looks phenomenal
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20

grace posted October 6, 2012 at 3:16 pm

brunch is my favorite meal, hands down. i mean, look at that variety! what a bunch of delicious food.
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21

Kerstin posted October 7, 2012 at 10:30 pm

I’ve been meaning to go there – looks like an amazing brunch!
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22

Shannon posted October 9, 2012 at 9:12 am

what an amazing benedict! i’m drooling, and adding that to my list of places to get to… soon!
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23

Judy posted October 9, 2012 at 12:14 pm
I feel like taking a trip to beantown just to get the food at the Russell House Tavern!
- Bianca Garcia replied October 11th, 2012 at 9:38 am
  
  Hi Judy! You should def check it out if you make it to Boston. While I love brunch there, I am partial dinner because of the bigger menu :)