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Brunch at Casa Maura: What’s in that pancake?

March, 2011

This was not our first visit to Casa Maura. Since they opened at 6290 Somerled, corner Madison, we have sampled most of their menu.

We had a successful dinner party for 30 people in honour of Irwin’s daughter’s graduation from medical school. It was in June and Casa Maura was the perfect venue for us. We were treated like family by owners Reza and Maura, and our guests loved the food and the classy atmosphere.

One recent Sunday, we tried their weekend brunch. I have my favourite at Casa Maura, the only place I ever order pancakes. I have to admit that I’m slightly addicted to their pancake, a 12-inch round, light but crispy on the ends delight, topped with a sprinkle of icing sugar and served with a small bowl of fresh fruit for $7.95. A small bottle of maple syrup can be added for $1.50, well worth it because the size of the bottle is 10 times the usual amount you pay for. Of course, we don’t want to waste and are careful about pouring it onto the pancake. I really don’t know what the magic ingredient is in Maura’s pancake, but I allow myself the calories every time I walk in, be it a Saturday after garage sales or for Sunday brunch.

Irwin chose the Mexican eggs ($12.95), a light and delectable mixture of scrambled eggs with jalapeno peppers, finely chopped tomatoes and onions, served with a small dish of refried beans. Irwin asked if he could exchange the tortillas that normally accompany the dish for brown toast and of course, his wishes were met with a smile. He also enjoyed the small bowl of fresh fruit.

Although it is not on the menu, main breakfasts include orange juice and coffee, a rarity for Montreal restos. Neither of us sampled the Huevos rancheros this Sunday but they did look heavenly on the table next to ours—two sunnyside-up eggs topped with salsa and cheese and served on a tortilla. Coffee is limitless and water is placed on the table immediately. Feel free to practice your Spanish and Iranian. Maura is from Mexico; Reza is from Iran.

The service is individual and personal. Everything from cooking to serving is done by the family and you feel this when you enter the sunny room with big windows and a piano at the entrance. If you’re in the mood for a pizza brunch, Casa Maura has a wood-burning oven. Now that I mention it, we may just go back for pizza tonight.

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