I wanted to return to
Ripple to see how Ripple's Chef Marjorie delivered brunch as I was already a fan of several items on the dinner menu. I was also delighted to see Chef Marjorie listed as
2014 James Beard Award Rising Star Chef Semi-Finalist.
Two colleagues and I setttled on Ripple for brunch to catch up and enjoy the warmer than norm temperatures forecast for a Sunday in February. Road traffic delays and Metro weekend train work made me wonder if we would convene at Ripple at all.
As I disembarked from the metro train at the Cleveland Park station I noticed that my
Open Table account showed no record of my previously submitted reservation, In fact, the Android Open Table application showed that Ripple was closed! I continued up the escalator and began thinking of other options.
The dining gods were gracious to me! Ripple
was open, may colleagues hadn't arrived and despite no record of my previously submitted reservation request I was able to get a table immediately. After 15 minutes my colleague and I determined that two of us would explore Ripple's menu and the third person in the original trio was a no-show.
Beatrice, our gracious and patient server, suggested the brunch combination if we were going to have a beverage featuring bubbly for brunch ( Ripple's term, not mine). The combination is less expensive than ordering the items a la carte and the combination includes bottomless bubbly beverages.
We tried the chocolate scone, cinnamon roll, egg white frittata, and pastrami hash.
The cinnamon roll was recommended by Beatrice. It's made in house as well as the glace that is generously poured over the roll. The roll is just the right size , soft and light with just the right amount of sweetness.
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| cinnamon roll |
The chocolate scone was Beatrice's second brunch pastry recommendation. I expected a scone with a chocolate batter, but found this chocolate chip filled, chocolate glazed scone satisfied our need for chocolate just as well.
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| chocolate scone |
The egg white frittata was also recommended. The combination looked good and healthy.The frittata was very salty tasting but the salad complemented the frittata well and reduced the frittata's salty taste.
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| egg white frittata and salad |
Yes, Beatrice recommended the pastrami hash as well. It is usually served with a sunny side up egg. I admit I am not a fan of eggs and generally eat them prepared as omelets, scrambled or boiled/deviled. Beatrice assured me the egg could be prepared any way I liked. I opted for scrambled. The server who delivered the hash to the table asked me to give him an honest opinion about the scrambled option because he'd never eaten the dish with scrambled eggs and was very curious.
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| pastrami hash |
The hash with pastrami was very good. The dish's harissa sauce onions and potatoes add lots of flavor to the scrambled eggs. I'd order the pastrami hash with scrambled eggs on a future visit.
We did try the bubbly beverages. We liked the bubbly with blood orange, orange, and grapefruit.
Ripple is a short walk from the Cleveland Park Metro. Off street parking in this area is often hard to secure. The staff is easy going and helpful. The restaurant's décor in minimal and relaxing.
Be well,
Technicolor girl
