Sail 250 & Meril's New Brunch
What a boon for the local service industry in the typically
dead beginning of the summer season. Sail 250 brought thousands of
families and friends to the New Orleans riverfront this past weekend as the
kick-off site for giant sailing vessels and even bigger naval destroyers, both
of which could be toured for free.
While lines were long, event organizers brought other
activities to the festivities, including a firework show on Saturday night and
a family-fun day on Sunday. At times, there were up to 12 different ships to
tour, so fans could come and go more than once. My partner and I caught the
fireworks on Saturday night and toured the ships on Sunday.
It was an opportunity for a mini-staycation for many, and
ours included a brunch at Meril in the Warehouse District. They recently
introduced a new brunch menu focusing on traditional breakfast staples and
local favorites in a contemporary setting. Our server, Lauren, was exceptional
and attentive, starting us off with a tasty house-mixed Bloody Mary and Irish
Channel coffee. We passed up inviting entrees like Barbecued Shrimp, Blue Crab
Omelet, and Steak & Eggs, and settled on the Huevos Rancheros and the Double
Brunch Burger with a side of Breakfast Potatoes. My dining partner doesn't eat
meat, so he got the huevos without chorizo, which was tasty, but I think missed
its carnivore component to put it over the top. The brunch burger was
excellent, topped with bacon, fried egg, American cheese, and special sauce.
The Breakfast Potatoes were a standout, topped with bacon, caramelized onions,
and chives. We finished the meal with one of their three dessert options, the
Strawberry Shortcake, a sugared biscuit, macerated strawberries, and crème
Anglaise.
New Orleans was the perfect start for the Sail 250
celebration in the U.S. before it heads up the East Coast. Brunch at Meril was
the perfect ending to a hot summer weekend in New Orleans, not to mention that
it kept me full all the way through the evening. We recommend giving it a shot
on your next visit downtown.
