The Breakfast, Brunch, and Lunch Palace…First Watch

      When one is looking for a breakfast and lunch restaurant, First Watch is an automatic thought.  Morphed from a Le Peep franchise in Kenwood many years ago, the national chain has been known to share menu items with a local restaurant, the National Exemplar in Mariemont.  Now, it maintains its own identity and has evolved into a smooth and consistent operation.  

The Kenwood First Watch

      Ann was off work a few weeks ago and we went to the Kenwood location for lunch.  WIth a few dietary requirements shared with our server, Ann ordered an altered version of the Fruity Chicken Salad.  The name acknowledges the generous scoop of chicken salad alongside fresh fruit on baby spinach with poppyseed dressing for dipping or drizzling.  The salad was light on the mayonnaise and covered with white meat chicken, diced celery, and raisins.  Ann's choice for bread was English muffins in place of the usual ciabatta toast.  (TMI on why the substitution.)  I chose the Beefeater…roast beef with cheeses grilled on a parmesan-crusted sourdough.  A tasty combination, especially with the accompanying horseradish sauce.  It was served with a marinated salad (I could have had a bowl of soup instead) and a cup of fruit.  This place is definitely a good value!

Fruity Chicken Salad

The Beefeater

The Greek Fetish®

      Eric and I went to the Rookwood location a couple of weeks later for brunch.  I was on a special diet and knew I'd be able to find something on their menu.  The Greek Fetish® Omelet satisfied with a filling of roasted red peppers, spinach, and feta topped with onions and black olives.  I opted for the marinated salad in place of the potatoes (both are great) and the usual buttered English muffin.  Eric likes their Skillet 

Avocado, Bacon,
and Tomato Skillet Hash

Hashes and decided on a new one—the Avocado, Bacon and Tomato.  It's a dish that didn't make a particularly pretty presentation (it was rather lacking in color) with his choice of two over easy eggs atop the mixture with seasoned potatoes and melted cheeses.  Fresh fruit and an English muffin completed the plate.  Definitely a winner, as is most everything on their menu.

http://www.firstwatch.com

I hear the guys talk about First Watch a lot, but I never see any "kitty bag" from there.  Oh well–time for another nap between breakfast, brunch, and lunch.