Outside of Center City, there are few impressive menus and drink specials for brunch – Derek’s Restaurant is one of them. For months, I planned to have a classy, laid-back boozy breakfast to celebrate my 22nd birthday with my friends. Derek’s $3 mimosas and selection of traditional breakfast fare, with a fine dining twist is what sold me.
Located in the heart of Manayunk, Derek’s Restaurant offers American classic cuisine with an upscale-casual vibe. Sleepy twenty-somethings and gal pals crowd to the eatery on weekends for their drink deals, including mimosas and Bloody Mary’s for $3 until 3 p.m., and half-priced wine list on Sundays. The exquisite brunch menu also draws in families for special occasions, and is sure to impress mom and dad when they visit.
As a big fan of poached eggs, the Crab Benedict immediately stood out on the menu. The crab salad didn’t taste as fresh as I hoped it would be. The overall eggs benedict was scrumptious with the perfectly runny egg, generous amount of hollandaise sauce, paired with home fries.
Every plate looked incredibly filling and satisfying overall. My group also ordered the Bananas Foster French Toast with dark rum syrup and Southwestern Turkey Sausage Wrap served with fresh salsa.
The Brunch Burger, a ground sirloin or turkey topped with a fried and bacon and cheese, seemed to be the clear favorite.
Inside, customers chat over intimate lighting and cozy couches. Even though the décor screams Parisian brasserie, the atmosphere is relaxed and casual. The host led us to our table seconds after I finished checking in for my reservation. As soon as we ordered our meal, the waitress returned with a fresh bread basket with garlic pita bread, chocolate bread, and pumpkin bread. Careful though. In mere minutes, we filled our stomachs with carbs.
You can still expect the high-quality service usually found in fine dining. The host offered to bring my jacket to coat check. The waitress checked in every several minutes to fill our mimosas. And we were seated right next to the heater – a perk of making a reservation. One thing to note is that they do not split the bill for each individual. We were only allowed to split the bill equally four-ways. This was inconvenient for my friends on college-student budgets.
Each person spent about $20 for a plate and one glass of mimosa – probably the best deal for an impressive brunch in the North Philly area. Plus, after jump-starting the day with a full belly, you can take a nice to stroll through the Main Street shopping district.
If you’re parents are taking you out to brunch or you want celebrate your 21st birthday on the down low, Derek’s Restaurant is the way to go.
