Brunch spots are an emerging trend in dining exploration and with so many original and diverse options, making a decision can turn into that conversation. Enter Brasserie Max and Julie.
Located on Montrose, it’s sequestered in a charmingly architected little strip, the Brasserie is shaded and bedecked in elegantly disheveled horticulture with live music trickling onto the patio.
Inside the atmosphere is quaint and authentically French a la a Parisian café as opposed to Americanized ‘French Provincial’ décor of common trend. It’s shady and cozy. Their menu is large and covered from top to bottom, front and back, with all manner of French cuisine.
Croque Monsieur and Madame are the brunch sandwiches (although they had a couple lunch selection sandwiches that were unavailable during brunch that looked as though they might require a second visit) and there’s a large selection of sweet and savory crepes—all very reasonably priced.
Duck (‘Canard’ in French) is everywhere and in a place this authentic, it promised to be excellent. I was very tempted by the duck and wild mushroom salted waffles but, I settled instead on Duck Two Ways, made with lavender and honey. I also had half a bleu cheese salad for an appetizer (with poached pear, walnut, and arugula) and a bit of the honey and lemon crepe. Plus, a bottomless cup of coffee was hard to resist. Needless to say everything was exquisite.
But that’s not even the best part of someone as one-of-a-kind as Max and Julie’s—this is the kind of place you come to over and over again. The hostess was shocked that she didn’t seem to know us; the waitress had all manner of great stories and the whole mood was easy and familiar. I got to talking to the table next to ours and it turned out that they had just come back from their honeymoon—that morning. The first thing they did was go to Brasserie Max and Julie. Their friend noticed me taking pictures and offered to take one of me. This was the result:
It ended with an exchange of business cards and a “See you next Sunday for brunch!” Then all the waiters said goodbye to them by name. It was rare and unpretentious and, above all, delicious. Make a reservation or stop on by!
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