Lincoln Tavern’s Test Kitchen Brunch whips up some of the most delightful brunch items in town like these Butternut Squash pancakes with all kinds of deliciousness on top (toffee caramel sauce, nuts, cream)
Shrove Tuesday, also known as pancake day, always falls 47 days before Easter and is always February 3 and March 9. In some English churches at noon on shrove Tuesday the pancake bell is rung signaling that it is time to prepare the pancakes. It signals the first day of lent a day when traditionally you would use up ingredients that will not be indulged in over lent.
I must confess that we are a pancake loving family. At home I make crêpes, have made sourdough pancakes from my Mass MoCA Canada exhibit sourdough starter, Dan makes the dairy free pancakes, and I make my mom’s Canadian buttermilk blueberry ones.
We have also enjoyed and continue to enjoy pancakes all over town and sometimes halfway across the world. Our local regular spots for pancakes are: Deluxe Town Diner, Sarah’s Market & Café, The Breakfast Club, Uncommon Grounds, Praliné (for crêpes), and more. Here is a slideshow to peruse of some of the pancakes we have been enjoying in Boston and beyond including some nee favourites that you can enjoy for brunch this weekend if you haven’t chosen pancakes as the thing to give up for lent.
Il Casale in Belmont (totally unexpected I know!!!) makes the most perfect silver dollar pancakes I have ever had.
Diners are a sure bet for finding pancakes. Boston, Somerville, and Cambridge as well as some suburban spots have pretty much perfected the brunch scene. Brunch is full of classic comfort foods as well as creative test kitchen creations. In addition to the usual spots for brunch and breakfast these restaurants are putting out some incredible pancakes.
Trade in Boston, has these incredible Falafel Pancakes that are served on top of a slather of tzatziki. Over the river at Alden & Harlow you can get my favorite savoury pancakes because I have a thing for popcorn but also because they are the tastiest pancakes ever.
These corn and pepper pancakes are so good. Alden & Harlow makes some really interesting, perfectly put together flavours and textures in all their small plates. This isn’t the most beautiful picture but you get the idea. This isn’t on the menu as is anymore but there are still pancakes for dinner they just change with the seasons and chef’s whim.
Not exactly a pancake but definitely still a variation on the theme are crêpes, so I want to be sure to include Praliné who serves crêpes starting at 7 a.m. with some delicious fillings made in house, or you can go for our simple favourite sugar and lemon. This may be pushing the definition a bit far, but I’ll include Lady M Confections because they are just a beautiful stack of pancakes filled with some delectible layers of everything from cream to chesnut paste.
Lady M Confections makes milles crêpes which are stacks of crêpes with thin layers of filling.
Breakfast at ArtBar at the Royal Sonesta hotel. The Royal Sonesta does a great job making families feel like VIPs.
These pancakes from Village Inn in Orlando Florida are pretty darn cute. We prefer the monkey to all things mouse that can be a bit overwhelming in this part of the country.
Pancakes at the Lazy Lobster in Chatham, MA.
These corn and pepper pancakes are so good. Alden & Harlow puts together some really interesting, perfectly put together flavours and textures in all their small plates.
When you get real Maple Syrup it comes in these cute little containers at Amore in Ogunquit, Maine.
Making crêpes at home. This old Maxim electric crêpe maker is the only reason I make crêpes on a regular basis.
Pancakes at our beloved Deluxe Town DIner. They also have Ployes made with buckwheat. They have dairy free pancakes as well as these beautiful buttermilk pancakes. That’s just to name a few of the pancakes available.
Sofra’s pumpkin jam is something worth seeking out when Fall comes around.
No longer around, but still pretty to look at M3’s pancakes were crave-worthy as were so many of their dishes.
Trade in Boston is not the first place you think of when you think “pancakes”. These falafel pancakes are so tasty and a unique appetizer.
Breakfast at the Wicked Oyster in Wellfleet. It isn’t a complete trip to Wellfleet without at least one breakfast here on the porch.
Pancakes on the way to Wellfleet at Café Chew, Sandwich.
Sofra Bakery and Café doesn’t serve their delicate sweet pancakes anymore, but you can still get these delicious, seasonal spoon sweets. I look forward to the rhubarb ones in the spring and the pumpkin jam in the fall every year.
The only other corn and jalapeño pancakes I crave. These are from Lone Star Taco Bar in Allston. I haven’t been yet but there is also a Lone Star Taco Bar in Cambridge too now.
Not on the menu any more, but Puritan & Co. is a fab spot for brunch. Waffles, pastries and a cocktail that will make your weekend sing are all available for Puritan & Co’s brunch.
Oak Long Bar and Kitchen in the Fairmont Hotel in Boston’s Back Bay has this incredible stack of pancakes topped with ham and cheese. Pancakes for the brunch menu change frequently, but you won’t leave hungry. The perfect thing to enjoy with one of their brunch cocktails.
Bill’s in London was a fun spot for breakfast. There are several locations. Henry prefers powdered sugar to syrup and they came through for him.
Crêpes at Praliné in Belmont.
Pancakes at Black Eyed Susan’s on Nantucket. A perfect Nantucket weekend includes breakfast here.
A gorgeous Milles Crêpes cake from Lady M Confections on Newbury St. in Boston.
Making crêpes at home.
You have to get brunch at Il Casale and try these perfect pancakes. They were light and fluffy silver dollar pancakes with just the slightest tang.
Lady M Cakes makes milles crêpes which are stacks of crêpes with thin layers of filling.
Crisp and perfect for Chanukah and every other day of the year. Potato pancakes from
Lincoln Tavern Test Kitchen Brunch’s Butternut Squash pancakes with all kinds of deliciousness on top (toffee caramel sauce, nuts, cream)
Lincoln Tavern has a Test Kitchen Brunch on Fridays but some of those treats end up on the regular brunch menu. This is the fruity pebbles pancakes with creme Anglaise. It is perfectly balanced (yes even with that rainbow-coloured cereal) and delicious. Have a little fun!
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