Last Sunday, I woke up in the mood for some good brunch. Sherman simply would not satisfy this craving. So, I set off for nearby Newton, Massachusetts, to enjoy brunch at Cook Restaurant. I have been to Cook before, for lunch, and have always enjoyed my experience. It’s a relatively small place, but its modern vibe and varied menu more than make up for the size. Cook serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10:30am to 2:30pm. Ravenous and determined not to wait, I arrived promptly at 10:28, and was seated right away.
Once seated, the next step was the most challenging: deciding what to eat. The brunch menu is very extensive. There are a solid amount of breakfast offerings, as well as lunch offerings like salads, sandwiches, and pizza. Figuring out what I should get took way longer than anticipated, as everything looked so delicious. I debated for a while with the ricotta pancakes served with blueberry compote, which I saw on other tables looking scrumptious, and the brioche French toast topped with glazed apples. However, I decided to go savory and picked the mushroom omelet. My cousin, whom I was dining with, went with the shashouska.
When the food arrived, I was instantly excited. My omelet was a perfect, sunny, yellow and filled with the right amount of caramelized onions, sautéed spinach, and gruyere cheese. There was even a little drizzle of truffle oil over top, giving it a richer flavor. Alongside the omelet were perfectly crispy and seasoned potatoes tossed with caramelized onion, and a side salad lightly dressed in a simple, but delectable, vinaigrette. It was heavenly, and the perfect portion to start my day. My cousin’s shashouska looked equally delicious. Neither of us knew what to expect from it, but it was presented beautifully on a plank. The eggs were baked in a spicy tomato sauce and served in an individual-sized skillet, alongside a fresh salad, several sauces, and individual pitas for dipping.
I will definitely be returning to Cook soon for more brunch, since there were so many items I wanted to try. But at the same time, that omelet was so good that I know I’ll be tempted to get it again. Maybe next time, I’ll order multiple dishes!
All images provided by Heather DeNoble