Blue Plate Ceramic Cafe – “Last Holiday Season”

Blue Plate Ceramic Cafe - Last Holiday Season

Blue Plate Ceramic Cafe – Last Holiday Season

Blue Plate Ceramic Cafe in Burlington Vermont, is closing in the spring. Subtitle of this post is “places that are closing that make me sad, part II.”

So get your custom pottery, and espressos while you can.

Leunig’s Bistro – Vermont Pancake Napoleon

Leunig's Bistro - Burlington Vermont

Church Street in Burlington Vermont is home to the only French restaurant that I’m aware of in the city of Burlington. Notice the the outdoor seating and pedestal heaters, Leunig’s Bistro even uses a tent to extend their outside seating in the fall.

Leunig’s is a bit of an institution, so much so that the owner renamed the building (I love the Art-Deco look of the building):

Leunig's Building - Burlington Vermont

In the spirit of ordering something “Frenchy” I tried their Vermont Pancake Napoleon, brunch menu here.

Leunig's Bistro - Vermont Pancake Napoleon

Visually this is awesome, and slightly whimsical dish. Usually when I think of a napoleon I think of the French pastry. The pancakes are very fork tender, however I couldn’t decide if I should apply maple syrup? I of course tried it with and without. The Vermont Pancake Napoleon is rich enough that it doesn’t need maple syrup, but it does add to this dish.  It also fun to pour some syrup spilling over the edge of this tower.

The savory Vermont meat and cheese were very nice as expected. The Napoleon proved to be a little small, and at $14 it’s the highest priced item on the brunch menu. It’s fun to try and look at, but over priced.

The double espresso size however was generous (sorry forgot to take a picture). A valid complaint my brunch-buddy voiced was Leunig’s doesn’t offer any pastries with brunch. I will be back to try something things on the brunch menu, and I do recommend Leunig’s for dinner.

Blue Plate Ceramic Cafe – Double Espresso & Brownie

Blue Plate Ceramic Cafe - Burlington Vermont

My close second choice for espresso is the Blue Plate Ceramic Cafe on College St in Burlington Vermont. The main business is a pay to paint your own pottery studio / cafe, the espresso here is an undiscovered secret, until now!

Blue Plate Ceramic Cafe - Double Shot

As far as caffeine content, this espresso is the winner, also the crema is plentiful. This Blue Plate Ceramic Cafe potion is a little more bitter than Speeder & Earl’s shot, but this may be related to the strength.

The espresso is a little pricey at $2.55 (leading to its relegation to second choice), however the quality is excellent and the $/caffeine ratio is also good. Early coffee drinkers be warned, BPCC doesn’t open before 8am and is closed on Tuesdays.

Blue Plate Ceramic Cafe - Brownie

Crispy micro top layer is a sign of a good brownie.

Blue Plate Ceramic Cafe - Brownie (bottom)

This brownie also has milk-chocolate chips interspersed in the moist fudge-y interior, Finally the pan-touching edge is chewy but not crispy.

Could this be simply brownie mix with chocolate chips stuff in it, baked correctly? Yes. Is this delicious? Yes.  Brownies are one of those odd ball foods, where a mix will often times produce a superior version than a from scratch rendition. Either way, real or boxed, these brownies are good. I think it’s $1.75 for these choco-blocks.

Speeder and Earl’s – Double Espresso

Speeder & Earl's - Church Street, Burlington Vermont

I’m taking a few classes this fall, which means I will be drinking caffeine; I like mine in espresso flavor. Speeder & Earl’s are local Burlington Vermont coffee roasters, they have a narrow little cafe on Church st.

Speeder & Earl's - Double Espresso

$1.85 will buy you a smooth double-shot, nice crema. Depending on who the barista is, the shot may be slightly imperfect but the average result is excellent. My only complaint is they’re not open before 8am.