Lyon Hall Brunch
A couple of weeks ago, hubby and I woke up to a cold and rainy Sunday morning. We had nothing exciting to eat in the fridge, and didn’t want to venture away from Clarendon. After a few minutes of looking at brunch menus online, we settled on Lyon Hall. We had been to Lyon Hall for dinner before (both times excellent), and decided it was time to give brunch a try.
I must first say - I don’t know what the host/manager’s name is, but there is a guy that works the front of the house who has never failed to give us the warmest welcome upon our arrival. He treats us as if we’ve traveled for days. Always finds the best table for us, seems sincerely interested in what we have to say, never gives the impression that he’s after “business” or money - it just feels like you’re walking into his own home, and he wants you to kick your shoes off, relax, have a drink, and enjoy your meal. (I’ve confirmed with others in our building who have also had great experiences with this particular host/manager. I will get his name one of these days.)
Now onto food and drink - it was a bit past 10 AM, and a handful of patrons were already working on their pint jugs of Belgian beer. We weren’t quite ready to start drinking, so we ordered a large pot of French press coffee. With the coffee came a basket of fresh bread with delicious sea-salted butter. I still salivate thinking about that butter.
For our brunch entrees, I ordered ‘3 Eggs Your Way’, served over a short rib/potato hash. I asked for the eggs to be prepared over-medium. I honestly wasn’t expecting the plate that came out. The meal that was prepared for me made me feel special. It was plated nicely (nothing like a diner), the eggs were perfectly cooked to my specifications, and the hash - oh that hash. The hash made my day. My hubby kept looking over with hash-envy in his eyes. The braised short-rib in the hash was juicy and tender, and the potato chunks that made up the rest of the hash weren’t too hard or too soft. There was also a type a mildly-spicy remoulade sauce served over the hash.
When I broke into the yolk of the eggs, and the yolk escaped into the hash, my dish was 10 times better than when the server brought it out. It was my perfect brunch. This is one of those dishes that “screws” me, because I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to veer away from ordering it and trying something new. Even 2 weeks later, I can still taste those perfect egg & hash bites.
My husband ordered ‘Sausage and Eggs’ and he cleaned his plate, as well. All of Lyon Hall’s sausage is house-made, and they certainly know what they’re doing when they make it, so you can’t go wrong.
Over brunch, we also made the executive decision as a couple that Lyon Hall is our favorite restaurant in Clarendon - there, I said it. No question. I have yet to see a restaurant in Clarendon put out such an interesting menu with the same quality of food, the same lively ambiance, and the same level of personable customer service as Lyon Hall. Everything Lyon Hall is doing is right.
