Wine: it’s a wonderful thing, isn’t it? It always comes at the right time – after long days at work, or beautiful days outside on the porch, or while binging your favorite Netflix series (On My Block fans, where y’at?!) The sound of a cork being screwed out of a bottle is my favorite sound, second to the POP it makes when it’s time to pour dat wine.
I love a good glass of wine, about as much as I love a good brunch. And guess what, y’all?
I found both of my loves in a not-so-hopeless place: Martin Wine Cellar. Martin and I go way back – it was my mother’s wine store of choice when getting wine and cheese and whatnots for her dinner parties with her friends when I was a little girl. And now, it’s my go-to place because the people there are so nice and so knowledgeable about wine, they’ve got the best priced Veuve Clicquot in the city, and they serve a brunch that knocked me off my feet.
I heard through the grapevine that Martin Wine Cellar (both locations) had a brunch for a few years now and couldn’t wait to get there and try it. And just like I imagined – it didn’t disappoint.
The Martin Wine Cellar Metairie location was filled with lots of families for brunch on a Saturday. And because Metairie, there were also a few dogs…even a dog in her own bed sitting in the sun on the porch with her owners having brunch.
As soon as we ordered and waited with our very aggressively loud buzzers, I sipped on my $10 bottomless mimosas and my homegirls exclaimed how delicious the spearmint tea was. Once our food got to the table, we almost let our food get cold because we couldn’t stop gushing over how GOOD everything looks.
What We Ate
BBQ shrimp and grits: This was probably the most flavorful bowl of shrimp and grits I’ve ever devoured in all my 29 years of brunching. It was the perfect ratio of grits to shrimp, and I actually finished my entire plate – which NEVER happens.
Brunch sandwich: Have you ever met a turkey sandwich that disappointed you? I didn’t think so. The Brunch Sandwich this past weekend was a smoked turkey sammich with bacon jam, a fried egg, alfalfa sprouts, and avocado all on an onion roll. Big and bodacious, this sandwich became a party in the mouth due to all the different flavors and they all worked so well together. And the fried egg was soft and really set it off just right. 10 out of 10 – would get again!
Quiche + salad combo: The chef’s choice of quiche was another fun party of flavors – this time bacon, asparagus, goat cheese, roasted garlic, and peppers were invited and it was the place to be. Not only did the quiche come with a salad and fruit, but the entire meal was only $8 and some change. It took us by surprise because we just knew something that delicious had to be more than that.
Strawberry + goat cheese crepes: Y’all know that I’ll order anything including lemons, sweet potatoes and…here’s a new one to add to the Angie’s Brunch Go-Tos list, goat cheese. There’s just something so comforting about goat cheese and how it’s smooth and hearty and basically goes well with anything. Including strawberries and crepes. The crepes we ordered were amazing, a perfect combination of the sweetness of the strawberries mixed with the creaminess of the goat cheese. We ate them together as we caught up on tea and stories and talked about real estate. A perfect conversation piece, if you may.
Cheese plate: You cannot go to a wine shop without getting a little cheese board, honey. And that’s just what we did! The plate came to us with Gouda, brie, prosciutto, honey, fruit, olives and tomatoes. I love a good cheese plate and can confirm that Gouda pairs well with a mimosa.
Martin’s brunch is one of those brunches that I would call a “catch all.” It’s a place where you can go to celebrate a birthday – there enough room for large groups, a place where you can have brunch in your yoga pants or a fancy jumpsuit, or a place where you can stop for a quick brunch during your Metairie errands day. Whatever your need may be, get there soon. It’s just as good and comforting and delightful as a glass of wine.
