Easter eggs and Bonnets, Mandela Style

Photo - Skye Von Der Osten

Easter Sunday always brings back great memories for me of the older ladies walking up the hill, with brilliant bright colors reflected from their grandiose church hats, entering the church, seeing all the pews filled with plastic daffodils and hibiscus flowers, sometimes so high, that you couldn't even see the alter.  That's the image I wanted to re-create for boozy brunch this Sunday.  OK, not the church, but definitely the hats.

And so it was, that the crew got together for another brunch in the grand Brooklyn town of Fort Greene.  Where else to get dressed up, get a reservation for 18 peeps, and reign over the restaurant for hours.  What an amazing day!  I do have to revisit the weekend however, before diving into Brunch #14.

Photo - Skye Von Der Osten

Friends were visiting, again, this time from Austria, and the week was a mash-up of reunions, gallery openings and ladies night rendezvous.  There were a couple parties thrown in, and dub-step ruled the night.

However, I was bright as a button for a lovely sunny Sunday morning, and with my Audrey Hepburnesque Easter Bonnet, we traveled to Brooklyn, to  a South-African favorite in Fort Greene, called Madiba.

white bread

Now, just a bit of history.  Madiba is the name the locals call Mandela, and this restaurant is dedicated to him and is all about where South Africa is headed.  So, it's a positive, delicious slice of everything good about South Afrique.  Got it!

My family joined the crew for a good old-fashioned get-down, and I have to say, fun was had by all. The first thing we enjoyed was being able to sit at the long table in the middle of the restaurant, and our complimentary bloody marys were quickly delivered to us.  Then the crew started to show up, and extra tables and chairs had to be brought to us, which was the beginning of a good time.

quiche

Now, New Yorkers kinda lose our minds when the cold weather FINALLY loses the battle, and there was definitely a wistful wish that the damn table was outside, but we overcame that struggle and spent some much devoted time over what to eat.  The menu is extensive, but with brunch on the mind, the choices each sounded more delish than the other, with vegan and vegetable choices for , well the vegans and vegetarians, and lots o' meat for the meat lovers.

Photo - Skye Von Der Osten

Orders were finally placed.  Now, I have to say this, it took a while to get the food.  Some time was taken indeed, but I think I was more stressed out about it than anyone else, but you know it's kinda crazy that we had to go to the bar ourselves to place the second order of bloodys.  Anyway, although the service was a bit slow, the bloody marys and marias were divine, and the food, my lovelies, the food was totally delish.

There was sweet potato quiche with asparagus tips, eggs Benedict, seared salmon, lamb with onions and apricots (oh my), and meat pie, vegetable curry, fried bread, and lots and lots of yummy sauces and fries.  When all the food arrived, everyone was satisfied.  Since peeps arrived at different times, the food did the same, and yes, it was Easter Sunday, so I kinda think the restaurant should have been more prepared, HOWEVER, you can't knock a beautiful day with friends, hanging out and spending some real time together.

So, I def give Madiba 3 out of 5  HGHs and 4 out of 5 duh, WINNING!

Photo - Skye Von Der Osten

OK, after the brunch, things got even more interesting.  Why not explore Fort Greene, with a stop at a local wine bar, Stonehome Wine,  for some amazing French Bordeaux, then back to the city to Minetta Tavern , where I was complimented on my hat by a super yummy gentleman of the salt and pepper variety - YES.

Then on to Cuba for dinner....yes dinner.  And finally to plop in front of the TV for a late nite viewing of Eddie Murphy's "Delirious"  Now, I'm not Aunt Bunny, but I could have fallen down any steps  if they had been in front of me.  Thank eggs, they weren't,  only my bed,  and it was good night to another freaking amazing day, and finally, my bonnet and brunch #14  went to bed.

BRUNCH #14

PLACE:  Madiba Restaurant

EATS: Sweet potato quiche, vegan samie with avocado, vetkoek, yebo burger, seared wild salmon, meal in a pie, vege curry and yes, lots of bloody marys and maria and mimosas.
TRACKS : Ded Prez % WTF- It's bigger than hip hop ,  Michael Jackson - Off the Wall
OUTSTANDING WORDS: one team, one dream.
OUTSTANDING QUOTES: 
'Hey, do you have that picture of me with the eyeball in my mouth?"
"you guys look cool, and we're kinda square..."