MEAT!!! You've done it again!!!
I woke my fat ass up early on a Saturday morning to beat the crowd at the Hoof Cafe. Got there about 10:10am and got the last table. Phew.
I went there with a friend, who weighs in at about 90 lbs soak and wet, so naturally we thought that an app and three entrees would just the right amount of food for two lightweights. Bad estimation on our end -- there was waaaay too much food!
First, order the donuts. They're not on the menu. You get six little mini-timbits full of bone marrow and jelly goodness. A steal at $5.
The others:
1) Hoof Hash ($11) - had no idea until I read the review here that the meat in the hash was beef tongue. I am even more amazed. It was super tender and not overbearing or salty.
2) Suckling Pig Eggs Benny ($14 I think) - I hate that yellow goo that most places serve, but decided to give the hollandaise a shot at the Hoof. It was mild and not the buttery glop you get everywhere else. The pig was at the pinnacle of its sucklingness and the rinds were a nice touch.
3) French Toast with Fois Gras ($23 with fois gras, $9 without) - Clearly I'm not an animal activist because I could really taste the inhumanity in this dish. My motto is "everything tastes better with fois gras". It's no different in French toast. The combination of house made peanut butter, jelly, and honey mixed with the savory taste of fois gras was a symphony of taste in my mouth. My favorite dish!
Overall, a great alternative spot for brunch, but not quite as good as the mighty flagship restaurant across the street.
Complaints? Brunch for two came to $75+ tip. It ended up being a $45 brunch a pop. Ouch!