L’eggo your Eggos. Waffles just got a whole lot more interesting. Chefs are transforming the triangular breakfast staples into dishes worthy of dinner and dessert. Some of are sweet, some are savory, and all of them will make you do a double-take. Here are 10 wacky waffles that you won’t find at your local Waffle House.
MAX’s Wine Dive, Austin, Texas
Executive chef Mason Rodgers clearly doesn’t believe in restraint. A cheddar and bacon-enriched potato waffle comes topped with both a chicken fried lobster tail and porcini rubbed filet mignon. It gets a ladle full of green chili gravy for good measure. Make a reservation at MAX’s Wine Dive.
Kapnos, Washington, D.C.
Your caffeination routine just got waffle-ized. Greek coffee amps up these tasty triangles. They’re capped with buzz-boosting chocolate-covered espresso beans, cinnamon butter, and sour cream-style crema. If that’s not enough of a pick me up, you can always order a coffee spiked with becherovka liqueur. Make a reservation at Kapnos.
Yona, Arlington, Virginia
A pair of waffles comes decked out with Greek style taramasalata, roe, and briny tongues of uni. Chef Jonah Kim calls the dish “upscale stoner food.” We aren’t going to argue with him and will make sure to prepare accordingly. Make a reservation at Yona.
Abigaile, Hermosa Beach, California
Who needs buns? This bacon burger with a bonus egg uses waffles instead of brioche. It’s the star of the Twenty Spot Munchie Box, which comes with fries and tots drizzled with whiz-style cheese and a Mexican Coke float. Make a reservation at Abigaile.
Avenue Kitchen, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
Crème brûlée, now in waffle form. We love cracking through the scorched sugar crust into the layer of custard, which fills the crags of the griddled round. So you feel marginally better about eating dessert for breakfast, they’re topped off with fresh berries. Make a reservation at Avenue Kitchen.
The Southern Gentleman, Atlanta, Georgia
After sundown to sunup party weekends, we want nothing more than a super sweet treat to help us reboot our system in the morning. That’s why we love these crispy anadama toffee waffles with slices of caramelized bananas, rum and vanilla syrup, and whipped butter. Goes down best with a pot of black coffee to cut the sugar rush. Make a reservation at the Southern Gentleman.
MOzen, Las Vegas, Nevada
Green tea powers these Asian-accented tri-cornered treats. The Sunday brunch special come with lychee compote and passion fruit crème. Don’t worry; they’re happy to bring you maple syrup and butter if you’d rather go the traditional route. Make a reservation at MOzen.
B Too, Washington, D.C.
“Double double cheese cheese burger burger, please! Oh, yeah, and if you could serve it on waffles, that’d be awesome. Thankyouverymuch.” If that wasn’t enough, it comes garnished with chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato, and strands of crispy onions. Warning: Requires two hands and two napkins. Make a reservation at B Too.
BOA Steakhouse, Santa Monica, California
Putting a straight up bagel and lox on his menu would have been too obvious a route for executive chef Jose Melendez. Instead, he makes a potato dill waffle and piles on smoked salmon, herb-garlic cheese, and pickles. Your bubbie might look at it askance, but tell her to defy tradition and give it a go. She’ll thank you later. Make a reservation at BOA Steakhouse.
Macon Bistro & Larder, Washington, D.C.
Executive sous chef Ryan Hackney puts his spin on chicken and waffles. He uses deep fried citrus-marinated sweetbreads in place of the classic cluckers, places them atop bourbon vanilla waffles, and drizzles them with cayenne pepper gastrique. A little sweet, a little savory, a little spicy, and a whole lot of awesome. Make a reservation at Macon Bistro & Larder.
Have you tried any of these uber-creative waffles? Let us know here or over on Facebook, G+, Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter.
Nevin Martell is a Washington, D.C.-based food and travel writer and the author of several books, including Freak Show Without A Tent: Swimming with Piranhas, Getting Stoned in Fiji and Other Family Vacations. Find him on Twitter @nevinmartell.
Photo credits: Lanewood Studio (Abigaile); B Too (B Too); Greg Powers (Kapnos and Yona).
The post Wacky Waffles: 10 Surprising Sweet + Savory Takes on the Brunch Bestseller #WaffleWednesdays appeared first on OpenTable Blog.