twenty-two for 22

I should play poker more often.  After being in Las Vegas all this week, I've felt the pull of the cards calling me every time I walked by the tables, listening to the heavy breathing of human bodies bluffing, and upping their way through another game.  I think the feeling came from the last brunch, and really I'll never have another brunch #22 with exactly 22 attendees, so I pour a shot on the floor to Cafe Luluc, as a nod to another great freaking time.

The first thing  was the weather, as in glorious, sun shining, no humidity, a drift of clouds, and a city surprisingly light on tourists, in other words, near-heaven.  Our good friends, Kathleen and Mark had again made to trek up 95N to bless us with their energy and sheer beauty, and there were plenty happenings happening to keep the up up.  Unfortunately your local bruncher is on a quest to complete a 6 week cleanse.  Yeah, methinks my liver finally said " Hold up, wait a minute...I need a break , yo!" and so it was, that I was determined to have it all... my boozy brunches without the booze, for me anyway.  Let's see how that worked out.

Therefore, although there was THE party on Friday nite, I chose to hang at the Shanghai-La, then head home early.  Then there was the Mermaid Day Parade on Saturday,  but I went to the gym instead and hung with my brother and niece at the park -  let's see how long the convent-style behavior lasts.  Then finally, it was brunch-time on Sunday,  and the spot for this week was Cafe Luluc in Gowanus.  (that name needs to change btw.....Gowanus makes me think on gangrine for some disgusting reason.)

The restaurant is on the lovely-gentrifying Smith St, and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from, but Cafe Luluc won with a lovely backyard garden, vintage tin ceiling,  and the flexibility and ability to accommodate our ever-changing and growing group of folks.  "No, that will be eight for brunch..no, ten..no, twenty (thanks, Kathleen)."  Not a blink or eye-rolling was had, our host just kept bringing the extra chairs and tables.

The food was almost home-made style;  light, fluffy omelets, creamy hollandaise sauce, fresh vegetables, salads, and french toast.  Inexpensive and worth coming back.  One MAJOR gripe however, there were NO french fries.  For brunch.  With alcohol.  On a Sunday.  In NYC.  In America.  NO FRENCH FRIES.  OK, enough said.

And there was the incident of the shower of blessings.  So, I'm sitting in front of Kathleen, and drinking at the same time, when she said something that I found very funny. So, i tried to laugh, but all the champagne got stuck in my throat.  So, I kinda tried to take some air in, but my mouth was full, so everything  came out in a sprinkle, a gush as it were -  of love, all over Kathleen.  Shower of blessings.

So, good brunch, good food, good friends.  Then after, it was back to Mr Sunday Day party for some sweet deep house tracks , perfect music for a beautiful sunset over the ripe smell of the canal, and yummy sangrias to watch the hula-hoopers, jugglers and dancers end the night in one united movement of sound and love.  OK, I gush, but yeah, it was another good day.

BRUNCH #22 -Cobble Hill/Gowanus

PLACE: Cafe Luluc

EATS: Open-faced western omelet, Eggs bene, Mesclun Salad, Luluc Steak frites (no french fries), and yummy sangria, bloody marys and marias.
TRACKS : Pepe Braddock - Deep Burnt
OUTSTANDING QUOTE: "The fresh smell of Gowanus."