Brunch at Townsman
#caketable
I only needed that one word (hashtag, to be specific) and I was calling Townsman to make a brunch reservation for me and my friends.
Townsman has quickly climbed up my list of favorite Boston restaurants. I’ve been there multiple times for dinner and lunch, and each and every single visit has been fantastic. I heard they were debuting brunch service (but only once a month) and I knew I wanted to try it. Then I heard there was going to be a cake table and I was a goner.
When we got there, there was a cake table indeed, and there was also a chunky monkey donut (!), grits with CHICHARON, and THE BEST. BACON. EVER.
But first, #caketable. As soon as we walked in, I saw it in all its entire beauty. Layer cakes, mounds of cookies, sweet pastries, yogurt parfaits, buns, crumbles, bread, and everything my sugar-covered heart desires.
My friends and I sat down, and then waited to put our orders in. And waited. And waited some more. Then 30 minutes passed and I realized that service was particularly spotty (it was their first brunch service after all, and it was crowded) but I could see the cake table just a few feet away and I just wanted a pastry and I was so hungry because I didn’t eat anything the whole morning and then I crossed the line to HANGRY and I almost lost it. Sorry friends and Townsman staff that you had to see me get all fidgety and wild-eyed and starving.
I took a bite of the coconut raspberry layer cake and everything was alright in the world again.
I proceeded to try almost everything at the cake table (I didn’t order “regular” brunch food okay! Don’t judge me! I only ate dessert… And every side dish that was offered that day, but more on that later) and it was all perfect. Just perfect. I was so happy.
I took pictures of some of the dishes that my friends ordered. Some didn’t make it to my camera because they were hungry (not hangry, that was just me, apologies again to everyone who was affected), and the side dishes we shared. I’m not kidding, we ordered all the sides available that day. Behold, the (rest of the) glory of the Townsman brunch:
fried chicken and waffles
latkes
muhammara hummus
chicken fried steak with a soft egg, english muffin, and buttermilk gravy
house smoked rasher (our group of six agreed that this was the BEST BACON WE’VE EVER HAD)
GRITS WITH CHICHARON!!
Sorry for shouting, you guys should know I’m obsessed with chicharon (it’s a Filipino staple). If you’re not familiar, chicharon is deep fried pork rinds. I’m sorry/you’re welcome.
Something something salad. Sweet potato?
Cinnamon bun grilled cheese. (It’s exactly what you think it is.)
At the end of our meal, the kitchen generously surprised us with the special donuts of the day:
Chunky monkey donut – with chocolate ganache, a banana cream filling, and caramelized nuts
They also gave my friend Kim a special gluten-free treat: a tart fresh raspberry sorbet. It was much appreciated.
Then I went back to the heaven table for one last round of dessert.
Get yourself to Townsman if you’re in Boston, and check out their next brunch – it’s the last Saturday of each month. Sorry if I’m a little incoherent on this post. Cake table.