“Veni, comedi, vici.” – Julias Caesar(ish)

The second round of the Halftime Brunch Bracket is upon us! So far, we have completed 7 of our 10 brunch outings. Here are the highlights so far: 

Leo’s versus Castano’s Backyard:

These two spots are the definite underdogs of the competition, perhaps because of how easily each of them can be overlooked. When looking for exquisite brunch, it is rare to turn to the school dining hall, or one’s own backyard. Halftime will not overlook these opportunities, however, and the outcome was a showdown of the most eccentric sort.

“As I delved into my dish, I was greeted by a wonderful array of textures.  The slimy eggs, the grainy pancakes, and the plastic bacon were all new and exotic consistencies that provided a fun challenge to my senses. The textures were beat only by the beautiful rainbow of colors, creating a comforting summertime feel to the dish.  The vibrant yellows of the eggs, and the earthy browns of everything else led to an Insta-worthy plate, no filter necessary.” -Alex Boyd, Leo O’ Donovan Dining Hall

“Mr. Castano gladly accepted the role of ‘bad brunch cop.’ I politely requested a glass of water while waiting at the table, to which he responded, ‘Get off your ass and do it yourself. It’s a unique interactive experience.’ Furthermore, Mr. Castano’s treatment of Ms. Baker left much to be desired. When Ms. Baker could not locate the salt and pepper to season the delicious scrambled eggs she was preparing, Mr. Castano informed that they were, in fact, ‘right in front of your goddamn face, Liz,’ to which she responded, ‘This is a hostile work environment.’ ”-Graham Piro and Kenneth Lee, Castano’s Backyard

Under normal circumstances, the two wouldn’t stand a chance against these other brunch greats; however, because of their fortuitous match-up, one has emerged victorious: Castano’s Backyard, with a final score of -2, trumped Leo’s, which finished with a dismal -18 points.

Kafe Leopold versus Cafe Bonaparte:

Both Kafe Leopold and Cafe Bonaparte feature regional menus: while Leopold is unique for it’s Austrian cuisine, Cafe Bonaparte has a decidedly french spin.

“Alongside some Austrian coffee neatly served on a personal tray with miniature vases, the pancakes were rich, yet delicious as tangy lemon complemented subtle hints of raspberry, and the recommended avocado toast received nothing but the highest of praise…A quick glance around the restaurant has convinced me to come back and try the plethora that Leopold’s has to offer from an elaborate cucumber and salmon sandwich to chai oatmeal with figs.” -Mike Bergin, Kafe Leopold

“The experience only gets better once you take a look at the menu. Cafe Bonaparte has several delicious options for brunch, ranging from exquisite omelets (all named after artists) to succulent crepes (named after European cities). Of course, you can also order brunch staples, such as eggs benedict, french toast, and so on.” -Liz Baker, Cafe Bonaparte

The French trumped the Austrians in this battle, with Cafe Bonaparte earning 41 points and Leopold barely losing out with 38.5 points total.

Farmers, Fishers, Bakers versus Founding Farmers:

These two restaurants are owned by the same manager, but feature vastly different menus. While Farmers, Fishers, Bakers takes the “buffet style” approach, Founding Farmers has menu staples that add fresh ingredients at every turn.

“The diverse, wide array of food goes far beyond the typical pancakes, waffles, pastries and fruit. What stood out most to me was how colorful and vibrant every station looked, from the deep rich greens of the salad station to the crimson red of the berry jam by the French toast.” -Garett Hinck, Farmers, Fishers, Bakers

“The menu at Founding Farmers is filled with familiar breakfast items, elevated with fun and fresh ingredients. Founding Farmers prides itself on using local and environmentally friendly ingredients in all of their dishes. From their red velvet pancakes to their roasted vegetable pan scramble, there’s something for everyone.” -Danielle Hewitt, Founding Farmers

All in all, Farmers, Fishers, Bakers will be moving onto the next round, winning 36 points over FF’s 33. 

Martin’s Tavern versus The Tombs:

Two Georgetown classics, one brunch bracket slot. Who will emerge the victor? Martin’s Tavern earned 34 points towards a potential win; can the favorite restaurant of newly-turned-21-year-olds all over campus beat out this historical dining spot? Next week, Daniel Varghese will review The Tombs— stay tuned to find out. 

Mark’s Duck House versus El Centro:

The two “wild cards” of our brunch bracket: a beat-up Dim Sum joint in Virginia, known for its dumpling selection, and a popular nighttime bar and taco locale, with a Mexican-themed brunch menu. The two restaurants will go head-to-head next week: Tim Annick will visit Mark’s Duck House, and Liz Malatesta will evaluate El Centro. Which wild card will be entered into the second round of Halftime’s Brunch Bracket?

Next week, the first round of the Brunch Bracket will come to a close, and a new set of battles for the best brunch will begin. And so we say, in the pseudowords of the Great Julius Caesar, to the rest of our fearless brunchers: “Go. Eat. Conquer.”