“Welcome back!”
One of the waiters at Cru said to me enthusiastically as I sat and waited for my table. It was a strange thing to say, considering I’ve never been there before, but I responded with an equally joyful, “thanks!”
But then Beyonce came on.
And that’s when it hit me. Maybe I had been to Cru before in another life or dimension or something because let me tell you – it felt familiar.
Before I even got to Cru, located in the former Feelings Cafe in Bywater, I had my eyes set on one particular cocktail on their Instagram.
Cru Brunch Cocktail: Coupe Glasses & Old Fashioneds
A satsuma Old Fashioned.
And truth be told – it’s not a traditional brunch beverage. It’s the beverage you order when you’re wearing dark lipstick and in the mood to flirt (this is my story; this is my song). But when I got to Cru with my girls, I had a fun time double fisting my coupe of mimosa + satsuma Old Fashioned. Get that vitamin C, girlfriends!
Cru Brunch Atmosphere: Drag Queens & Lush Greens
We were seated out in the beautiful courtyard where lush green plants were placed about, creating a sweet brunch oasis. I felt like maybe after brunch, I should go buy a plant.
After meeting the host of the every Sunday drag brunch, Vanessa Carr Kennedy, my friend smiled and said, “Nothing bad ever happens at a drag brunch.” And she was right.
When Vanessa left to get ready for the show, in walked in the man himself, celebrity chef, owner of Cru, and overall nice man, Chef Marlon Alexander! And behind him – two folks with three tiny bottles of Moet champagne! Y’all, I felt like I was on a Publisher’s Clearing House commercial. I lost it. So many grateful giggles. Then poured my champagne in my coupe like the bougie lady I am and got ready to really brunch.
Cru Brunch Menu: Short Ribs & NYC Bagels in Nola
There was really only one thing that was on everyone’s minds from the menu – the braised short ribs hash with fingerling potatoes and an egg. I LOVE SHORT RIBS (in my Oprah voice) and will take advantage of any moment to devour it. So, we ordered the short ribs and the New Yorker, which was a traditional bagel plate with smoked salmon, capers, cream cheese and arugula.
While we waiting for our meal, we enjoyed an amazing drag performance where we danced and sang along to Whitney Houston’s “It’s Not Right But It’s OK” and talked about how we really definitely didn’t care about the Super Bowl #WeWereRobbed #WhoDat.
And before we knew it, our food arrived and I… almost cried.
The short ribs melted in my mouth. I honestly only chewed because, safety first, but it was so tender and the reduced sauce was ridiculously flavorful. The New Yorker bagel was also a hit and now, I’m trying to get “flewed” out to New York and eat bagels and lox and champagne all day.
We all cleared our plates and stayed at Cru for almost another hour enjoying more of the drag queens’ performances and talking about Mardi Gras plans and serendipitous love stories. We didn’t want to leave. We were too comfortable. And full.
My favorite kinds of brunches are the ones that feel like home.
And at Cru – we were home again.
Click your heels three times and get to Cru, y’all.
Good brunch vibes always,
Angie
