Brunch Club: Avert Brasserie
Welcome to the second installment of Brunch Club - our roundup of the best brunch spots in Connecticut!
Brunch: best used as a verb.
Imagine yourself on the bustling streets of Paris, perched at a small vintage table outside a quaint brasserie, with a fresh pot of French Press in front of you and the smells of delicious food all around. Now, take all of those thing but put yourself in West Hartford Center: and here we have A’vert Brasserie.
A modern interpretation of traditional French comfort food, A’vert Brasserie does an amazing job at taking simple dishes and plating up something delicious, often with an unexpected twist. Start off your morning with a pot of freshly brewed French Press before moving on to one of the many great cocktails served here (I highly recommend the Deconstructed Bellini - try it and you’ll see why). Bottles of wine are also half-price on Sunday - so really you have to indulge - it is brunch after all!
I can rarely go past any option that involves maple syrup at brunch, so the Pain Perdu called to me - classic french toast made with brioche, served with berries, walnuts and maple syrup. This is hands down the best French toast I have ever had - the combination of simple things that work so well together. The presentation was also spectacular (who knew you could make French toast look this enticing?), with the syrup served in its own silver jug to the side, which for some reason makes you feel so much better about the amount of syrup you're about to consume for breakfast.
On the other side of the table (where those who can control themselves around maple syrup sat), was the Oeuf Poche - poached farm eggs, sliced ham, toasted sourdough with bernaise sauce. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the ham was lightly pan-fried so the edges curled up with a slight crisp - perfection. Served with home fries on the side, this was a classic brunch dish done well.
One of the most talked about dishes at A’vert has to be the Duck Waffle - that combination of sweet and savory that for whatever reason just works. A duck leg confit served with a waffle, fried egg and maple syrup - the perfect dish if you can’t decide which side of the brunch debate you’re on (are you team sweet or team savory? Where does your brunch loyalty lie?). If you’re looking for something different to order at brunch - go for this!
From the decor, to the food (of course), cocktails and the atmosphere - A’vert Brassiere makes itself such a pleasant place to start your day. Perfect for both seasons - the patio is beautiful in the Summer, and the inside is cosy and comfortable to escape the cold Winter weather. If you’re looking for a new brunch spot, give A’vert a try (and make sure you leave room for dessert - it’s worth it!).
A’vert Brasserie
35 La Salle Rd
West Hartford, CT 06107
(860) 904-6240 / www.avertbrasserie.com
@avertbrasserie
Open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week, and brunch on the weekends.
Monday-Thursday 11:30am-10:00pm
Friday 11:30am-11:00pm
Saturday 11:00am-11:00pm
Sunday 10:00am-9:00pm
