loafology

loafology
109 jinnah avenue (blue area), islamabad, pakistan 44000
tel: 051-2804044

what was consumed: coffee, grilled cheese, bagel with cream cheese, loafology omelet, mini lemon tart, lemon bread

looking for a nice place to grab a good cup of coffee and some delicious treats? check out loafology! a western style bakery, started by some expats, offers delicious fare in addition to quite a selection of breads and other baked goods; loafology has become one of my go-to brunch/sandwich places. 

and when they have it, be sure to try their lemon tart-lettes. a nice combination of tart and sweet in a delicious and flaky mini crust ... DELISH. but be sure to get there early, or call in your orders. once their supply is gone, their supply is gone for the day ... and you don't want to miss out!

online: http://loafology.com/ and on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loafology/

chaaye khana

chaaye khana
shop # 11, block b united bakery plaza super market, F-6 markaz, islamabad
tel: 051) 8312192

what was consumed: stuffed french toast, omelet, coffee (with donut)

looking for a bustling place to enjoy some tea and brunch-y foods? put chaaye khana on your list! 

the first time i visited, it was for a farewell brunch for a good colleague/friend. we were sad to see her depart from post, but happy that we got to try chaaye khana in her honor.

the food is tasty (be sure to get an order of the stuffed french toast, to share at least. it's a little rich/sweet for my liking, but i was happy to enjoy bites of BJL's ;) the stuffed french toast also seemed to be the most popular, as quite a few of them passed our table. the toast is crispy on the outside, deliciously filled on the inside with a light cream). their pakistani options are quite a treat as well! 

chaaye khana is proud of their very large tea selection. tea drinkers, rejoice! chaaye khana takes it very serious, and i'm glad that they do; their selection is amazing and the tea looks (and smells) delish. but for an avid coffee drinker like me, my palate isn't accustomed to the subtle notes of delicate teas. lucky for me, coffee is also an option (phew!). they serve coffee in french presses (just as they serve all of their teas). if you order coffee, you also get a donut (for better or for worse). i'll just take the coffee, please. a lots of it!

be sure to get to chaaye khana early (or just test your luck. not sure if they take ressies) because it's always super packed.

online: http://www.chaayekhana.com/

classic rock coffee co.

classic rock coffee co.
#6-7, first floor, shaukat plaza, school road, F-6 markaz, islamabad
tel: 051) 873-6437

what was consumed: omelet, nutella french toast, bottomless (drip) coffee

yay for coffee and classic rock!

if you're looking for a fun place to brunch, put classic rock on your list! they have a nice selection of eats, along with fruit juices, smoothies, and coffees (including pour over - nice). and, really, you can't go wrong with a place that offers an all-you-can-drink drip coffee option (imo). the mexican omelet i ordered was really intersting, with the eggs inside of the bread. coupled with what seemed to be a cross between a tostada salad and nachos, it was a perfect meal with a bit of tex mex spice i had been looking for.

the slabs of bread that the pakistanis use here for french toast is different from what i'm used to, but a welcome surprised. and when topped with dollops of nutella, it's a delicious and sweet brunch option.

and be sure to pay attention to all of the little details they put in with the decor and music. classic rock lovers (loose definition, of course) will definitely appreciate all of the little things - the decorated walls, the guitar chairs, even the bathroom!

i didn't know that this islamabad location is just one of many. i'm glad to see that whoever it was that loved coffee and classic rock brought it here for us to enjoy. thanks so much!

online: http://classicrockcoffee.com/locations/islamabad-pakistan/

the loft

the loft
plot 15, bhitai road, F-7 markaz, islamabad, pakistan
tel: 051) 8317589/90

what was consumed: brunch! nutella stuffed french toast, huevos rancheros, shakshuka

the loft! after struggling to find its location (the motorpool driver didn't know and i couldn't find an address online! lucky for me, friends knew where it was and brilliantly directed me), i was happy to be sitting with new friends about to enjoy delicious food:

i want to go back to try their "korean bowl," whatever that is. people seem to love it, but i will be the judge! but if it's like the brunch i had, then i have a feeling i'll enjoy it very much. yaaassssss~~~

street one cafe

street one cafe

diplomatic enclave, islamabad, pakistan
tel: 051) 2832246/48

what was consumed: brunch! omelets, stuffed french toast, and lots of coffee.

yay for street one cafe!

the running group that i'm part of sometimes runs by street one cafe, the location that is on the diplomatic enclave. but it wasn't until a few weeks after that that i got to try out street one cafe's breakfast/brunch. and i'm glad i did!

street one cafe offers a variety of dishes, but most people i've spoken with tell me that street one cafe does a nice breakfast/brunch. so, when i got my chance, i opted for brunch options, instead of my usual lunch/dinner food preference. friend J and i decided to split a omelet and the stuffed french toast. and i am glad that we did! 

street one cafe does a pretty good omelet. the eggs are cooked well and if your omelet comes with cheese, there will be a lot of it (cheese, that is) - hooray! the stuffed french toast was also delish. for some reason, i thought it would be more sugary; i'm glad it wasn't. half a savory omelet and half a sweet stuffed french toast (with lots of syrup!) was just what this runner needed.

the diplomatic enclave location is also nice as it accommodates larger parties. in addition to the main floor, they have an upstairs seating area (though i've never sad there ... yet). be sure to graba few extra minutes as sometimes service is slow. but that's ok - it gives you more time to enjoy the company of your friends and fellow diners.

a few things:
- though the name of the eatery is street one, they're actually on street seven.
- they open early-ish (for brunch, anyway) which is perfect on those days we go for long runs and are then looking for a nice lace to grab brunch-y foods.
- they also serve lunch which, from what i understand, is also delish.

online: https://www.facebook.com/Street-1-Cafe-457757980927364/

the original pancake house

the original pancake house
서울특별시 용산구 이태원로 153; also, 서울특별시 용산구 이태원동 172-2 덕흥빌딩 1층
tel: 02) 795-7481

what was consumed: italian hash, apple soufflé

yes, yes, i know that the original pancake house is an american chain (and one that i first enjoyed in so.cal!), but there was something about my experience, there, while in seoul, that warrants talking about here.

the (sort of recently) opened a branch of the original pancake house in itaewon (there was already one in sinsa, on garosu-gil. but, really, who goes south of the river when s/he lives to the north? hahaha) and friends and i were hankering to try. have you had their potato pancakes? that was the firs thing i'd ever had at the original pancake house in the US and i was ready to enjoy them again. of course, this time, we enjoyed with with a hash.

we entered the original pancake house a little later than a usual lunch hour, though a reasonable boozy brunch hour (we hadn't planned on boozing, but perhaps this creates some context?). we were fully anticipating a long wait, after reading others' blogs and about their experiences. maybe we were just lucky because we were directed to our table immediately, and one next to an outward facing window at that!

the decor at the original pancake house is just like i would have imagined, just like at home, just like an american diner serving breakfast all. day. long.

the additional reason for our visit was because a had seen, over and over again, some souffle dish that she wanted to try. i was happy to oblige.

we ordered the apple souffle, though without ice cream. we thought it a good idea to add some fruit to an already decadent dish option. what we were not prepared for was the size. we should have just ordered the apple souffle on its own as it was large enough to feed the both of us. of course, we consumed almost the entire thing (and after we enjoyed the potato pancakes with the hash, of course). and this doesn't include the countless cups of coffee and soda we consumed as we sat, chatting, and enjoying ourselves.

looking for a little bit of american while in korea? yes, you have lots of options in itaewon. be sure to include the original pancake house to your list!

online: http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/

the baker's table

the baker's table
244-1 Noksapyeong daero Itawon dong Yongsan gu
tel: 070) 7717-3501

what was consumed: brunch!

t is in town! and considering is 6am arrival (he actually didn't make it to seoul proper until a little later, but it was still pretty darn early), we didn't have difficulty nabbing a table for an early meal (note: it became difficult to nab a table soon after we sat down). 

the baker's table (and mira's bakery) has become the go to place for many expats when it comes to delicious and varied breads. they also offer a variety of different cakes that are great on a rainy day, with coffee, or at any other time of life. yum. it makes me glad that i don't have a glutton allergy and that i can enjoy (within reason? in moderation? oh, who am i kidding ...)

t and i went for brunch and we were not disappointed. mind you, we probably ordered for 4 people and did not hesitate in devouring the entire thing. but it was delish and would definitely be worth a wait. nom nom nom nom nom ... 

online: http://blog.naver.com/mirabakery and on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bakers-Table/166508706726020

cracker barrel

cracker barrel
17115 dumfries road, dumfries, va 22025
tel: 703) 441-2764

what was consumed: traditional breakfast favorites, including eggs over easy (my preferred), potatoes, fried fish, sausage, bacon, grits, biscuits and gravy, applesauce (?), and lots of coffee! YES!

i grew up on the west coast (the o.c., to be exact). so while we had lots of different delicious options, cracker barrel was not one of them. that might explain my obsession with wanting to go to a cracker barrel (any cracker barrel!) asap ... !!!

fab k and i got together for some "american" fare out of the bubble that is no.va admittedly, it was more about playing with k than it was to eat at cracker barrel. the awesome-ness that is cracker barrel was totally icing on the cake. that said, i was happy to do the drive.

and so, after some perusing through the cracker barrel store and sitting in some fantastic rocking chairs (i could've sat in those chairs all. day. long), we head inside for some good 'ol american treats. and i couldn't get enough. will i be back? very likely. very very likely. hehehe ... 

online: http://www.crackerbarrel.com/

kangaroo boxing club

kangaroo boxing club
3410 11th street nw, 20011
tel: 202) 505-4522

what was consumed: brunch! with a side of mac & cheese and a big house salad.

after a few years on the BMENA region, i can't help but cry out for delicious pork dishes. how do others who have entire careers there do it?! good question. anyway, c and i were on a quest for a delicious brunch and pork on the menu was preferred.

kbc has a nice selection of dishes for brunch. some are classic (eggs, bacon, toast, etc.) and some twists on classic favorites. i was most in to the pork options: breakfast-zed pulled pork, lots of bacon, all with a side of some sort of potato, coupled with bottomless drip coffee. and when the fare is delicious, i can't help but to cry out - i'll have s'more please!

in addition to some of the delicious brunch options, they have a slew of sides that i'd highly recommend. in particular, mac and cheese. while you generally can't go wrong with this comfort food, there's something about being able to enjoy it 1) with breakfast, and 2) as cheesy (literally) as possible.

and for the michigan (university of, not state) fans, we understand kangaroo boxing club is your place. that is, if you missed the gigantic "M" that hangs on the outside of the eatery. hahaha. and even if you're not a fan (or a fair weather fan), be sure to come and eat! yummy~~~

online: http://kangaroodc.com/

nurish food & drink

nurish food & drink
1231 good hope road, se, washington, dc 20020
tel: 202) 903-7134

what was consumed: lemon zest belgian waffle (belgian waffle infused with fresh lemon zest, served with fresh fruit & syrup); mushroom & gruyère tartine (open sandwich with tomato sauce, sautéed mushrooms, gruyère cheese, and fried egg added); indian spiced pork loin (slow-roasted, curry spiced pork, red cabbage & carrot slaw, jalapenos, fresh coriander on ciabatta); aaaaaaand spicy grilled cheese sandwich (cheddar cheese, hot peppers on pain au levain)

i've known kera carpenter for quite a few years now, both as employer and friend. i continue to frequent domku (it's a usual stop for me when in dc, especially for brunch) as i enjoy both the food and the company. over the years, i'd also heard that she was embarking on a new venture, this time in anacostia.

nurish is located in the anacostia arts center. i like that i can go, see some local art, and enjoy some delicious food. for now, the only quip i have is that i, as someone completely reliant on public transportation but less familiar with the bus routes, find it hard to get to without a vehicle (yes yes yes, i should spend a few minutes figuring out the bus situation ... !!! will do). but i imagine that will change as dc continues to change.

i've read and heard that nurish does a tasting menu/family dinner sort of event. the next time i'm in dc, i'm going to for sure check it out. can't wait!

online: http://www.nurishfoodanddrink.com/wordpress1/