Do we have to even say it? All right, sure — Sylvia Louie is a morning person.
As a founder of the Westchester Breakfast Club, we’d expect that. But she rises even earlier than her fellow members, and if she had things her way, they’d be out sampling eggs, bacon, waffles and pancakes at 8 a.m. sharp.
But, she says, “the earliest I can get everyone together is 9:30. On weekends, it’s kind of tough.”
Somehow, they’ve soldiered through, eating breakfast at more than 50 Westchester restaurants in about a year and three months, and chronicling them all on their blog. The club consists of Sylvia and her two brothers, Andrew Louie and Jeffrey Louie, and their friends, Shelley Gazes, Patrick Gallagher and Reid Aaronson. (Sorry, membership is not open to the public. But you’re welcome to comment, and make recommendations on the blog.)
Here’s how it works: Louie and whichever of the other members can attend visit a place, and then each writes a short review, all in the same blog post. At the end, Sylvia Louie writes a one-sentence wrap-up that summarizes the takeaway. It always starts with “The czar says …”
“We look for a variety of foods,” says Louie. “And we each individually have different takes. I look for something exciting — fresh ingredients, good quality food and cooked well."
On all the blog posts, you’ll see both sweet and savory dishes — plenty of French toast, plenty of eggs — and even though the club sometimes goes to brunch rather than breakfast, they generally try to stick with “breakfast-y dishes on the menu,” says Louie.
And if you read their posts, you see who loves what kind of breakfast. Louie may be a morning person and an adventurous person, but waffles? Not her favorite.
“Pancakes definitely,” she says. “French toast occasionally. I’m not a big waffle person.”
Here is a look at five favorites of this breakfast club!
