Greenstreet Cafe

There's always something special about Coconut Grove, sunny Sunday mornings, and brunch. I don't know if it's the sunlight shining on the lush trees lining the street side cafes, or the bohemian, laid back atmosphere that fills the air, but Coconut Grove just makes me want to put on a sundress, a pair of sandals, and head on over for a Noonish brunch. Didn't take much thinking about where to go either. There is one place in the Grove that epitomizes what a friendly and comfort-food laden Sunday brunch should be, and that is Greenstreet Cafe, located at 3468 Main Highway.

Greenstreet Cafe was founded 23 years ago and it has become an iconic part of the Grove. Tourists and locals alike flock to Greenstreet for a mouth watering breakfast, lunch, dinner or happy hour, every day of the week. The place is constantly buzzing with patrons, many of who are daily regulars, enjoying their food, drinks and friendly service. While there are several places offering Sunday brunch in Coconut Grove, Greenstreet is perhaps the most popular; not only because of their appealing a la carte menu, but also because of the vibrant  ambiance you experience throughout your meal.

We sat down in a nice table outside, shaded from the sun by a row of umbrellas. Perfectly situated for some interesting people watching, we sipped our Mimosas; toasting to another beautiful Florida day. While Mimosas are my brunch vice, I have to pause and mention that Greenstreet also offers a mean Bloody Mary, one that will perk you up and bring you back to life on any given post-partying Sunday.


Mimosa



Eggs Benedict

I knew I wanted eggs and they had a whole list of preparations on their menu for me to choose from: Eggs scrambled with Jerk Spices, Cheese, and Caviar, to name a few. Further down, interesting omelettes called out to me: Goat Cheese and Tomato Omelette and Spinach and Feta Omelette. But as I continued reading...Woop! There it was! I found what I was looking for: Eggs Benedict, either Florentine (with fresh spinach) or Nova (with smoked salmon). They both sounded good so why choose? I ordered my Eggs Benedict with both ingredients and let the good times roll. Since the omelettes sounded so interesting as well, we thought, "Ah, what the heck? Aren't eggs an important part of a balanced diet?" Alas! We ordered the Chives and Cream Cheese Omelette. Both dishes came served with potatoes; square little tongue teasers that were so good, I found myself gulping them down faster than I could swallow.

Chives and Cream Cheese Omelette

The Eggs Benedict were classic. The carefully poached eggs were prepared sitting on two halves of a toasted English muffin; sinfully smothered in a smooth and creamy Hollandaise sauce. I absolutely loved the taste of the Hollandaise sauce which was rich and buttery, with just a hint of lemon juice . I pinched the egg, and the yolk oozed out over the plate in the most appetizing volcanic eruption.  By the time it was all over, I pretty much had completely cleaned my plate with every fiber of my being. Shameful I know! The omelette was just as delicious as I thought it would be. The chives added a hint of mild, garlic flavor to the warm cream cheese, totally adding a new dimension to both the texture and the flavor of the dish.  We chose a baguette to accompany the omelette and it was fresh and crispy. Absolutely scrumptious!

When they cleared our plates, I looked over to the side and saw the family next to us had ordered one of the fabulous-sounding pancakes on the menu. Were they Steve's Banana Pancakes? Whole Wheat Pancakes? Blueberry Pancakes? I don't know! I just know they were huge! I found myself staring at their plate like a hungry puppy, wishing I could start again; but I knew I wouldn't be able to take another bite after the enormous amount of amazing food I had just consumed. So, I hesitantly looked away; the only thought in my mind being... next Sunday is only 7 days away.

Penne Tetrazzini

Mini Lemon Ricotta Donuts

But wait, you don't really have to wait seven days to enjoy Greenstreet Cafe. To see if this nirvana could be repeated, I came back for their lunch as well - and it rocked! Their lunch menu offers a variety of dishes including a mix of appetizers, soups and salads, wraps, and pastas. In the mood for pasta myself, I ordered the Penne Tetrazzini, served with a light pink cream sauce, chicken and topped with pine nuts. The pasta itself was good but what made the dish for me was the chicken. The chicken is marinated overnight in ginger, yogurt and cilantro; sealing the flavor until it is ready to burst in your mouth. Yum! The sauce was delicious also and went well with the chicken. Saving some room for dessert, I asked  the waitress her recommendation. Since they have their own pastry chef,  she suggested a couple of selections that were her favorite. I went with her first one: The Mini Lemon Ricotta Donuts with chocolate sauce. They were good and I liked the subtle hint of lemon in the donuts when dipped in the chocolate sauce. For a finishing touch, I ordered a delicious Capuccino and sat back to enjoy.

Capuccino

As for the service at Greenstreet Cafe, it was top notch each time. Everyone was friendly and attentive, and when out of their way to make me feel at home. At this point, all I can say is that I have to go back soon because I have some unfinished business to take care of.  It's almost Sunday again, the weather is looking good and I'm still thinking about the pancakes. For more information, you can contact Greenstreet Cafe at 305-444-0244 or visit them online at http://www.greenstreetcafe.net/.