Lunch Break - Old Habits Die Hard
Sampling dishes and diners in and around Miami County
In the last month of my NYC residency, I would use my free Saturdays as an opportunity to walk from Harlem to Zabar’s on the Upper West Side. I would grab a Nova bagel with lox and take a short walk to eat it and enjoy a sweltering July morning at Riverside Park.
I was craving a Lox bagel, like the Zabar’s special, when I noticed Vandalia gained a new brunch restaurant while I was gone.
I was excited to try Toasted Brunch Bar and Cafe, especially since it had arrived at the Fairfield Mall and I never made the effort to try it out.
I do, however, recognize that it is nearly connected to the breakfast place of the Midwest that will always have my heart. Although I am nervous about the possible repercussions of Toasted’s opening on Waffle House, I still decided to give it a shot.
Toasted has a modern vibe that I surprisingly really enjoyed. It almost feels as though they were inspired by a flower crown for the interior. There were lots of florals and sage-green decorations that felt very Pinterest-esque.
The menu was large, and there’s a great Mimosa pitcher deal that I didn’t take part in, but instead sipped a single Mango Mimosa, which was deliciously sweet and unique.
Naturally, I ordered the “NYC Bagel” with home fries. I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived with a side of gravy for dipping.
The bagel wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t Zabar’s. I’m starting to think nothing will match the sloppy mess of fish and tomato that I used to scarf down religiously.
The bagel itself was huge, lightly toasted, and smothered in plain cream cheese. Toasted opted to add white onion, instead of red, which was interesting. I mainly was just sad at the lack of capers. I know you either love them or hate them, and I’m a lover.
The gravy stole the show, and I found myself completely abandoning the ketchup I had asked for and almost wiping the gravy dish clean. It was savory, and perfect, and I’d return to Toasted for the gravy and potatoes alone.
I snuck a peek at my mother’s dish, and the waffle looked incredible. In comparison to the large paper thin greasy waffles one is usually served at a breakfast establishment, the Toasted waffle is thick with a fluffy inside and crunchy exterior.
Although advancements in the Tipp cityscape are being made, and we’ll earn the pleasure of no longer being a food desert soon, visiting Toasted still made me jealous of new beginnings, that aren’t just another chain or fast food restaurant. Wishful thinking.
Toasted Brunch Bar and Cafe, 352 East National Road, Vandalia, 45377.
Interested in becoming a Site Sponsor? Your ad will run at the bottom of EVERY NEWS STORY. Click HERE for more details.