LEO/LHB: Breakfast, tapas? Have it your way at North End

[Robin Garr]

LEO's Eats with Louisville HotBytes.com
(LEO photo by Ron Jasin)

Where is it written that eggs must be reserved for breakfast? In my culinary Day Timer, an omelet makes a splendid date for dinner. Scrambled eggs go down well anytime. And bacon! There's no hour of the day or night when the thought of smoky, salty bacon won't inspire a hunger pang.

On the other hand, I'm equally flexible about non-traditional savories at breakfast time. A slice of pizza, a piece of cold fried chicken or a scoop of cottage cheese filched from its tub while I stand in front of the open refrigerator door: These alternatives, too, make a perfectly acceptable way to start the day.

Now, to huzzahs from breakfast lovers everywhere, North End Café makes all-day breakfast easy. North End's new menu still features its popular favorites, but there's no longer a time limit: Whether you prefer to tickle your taste buds with tapas, eggs and hash or a full-bore entree, it's all available to you whenever the restaurant is open: breakfast, lunch or dinner Tuesdays through Sundays.

Read the complete report in LEO, and on LouisvilleHotBytes.com.

North End Café
1722 Frankfort Ave.
896-8770
http://www.northendcafe.com
Robin Garr's rating: 88 points

Nice Article!!!

I tell people time and time again that North End Cafe has the best breakfast in Louisville. I told Chef Seckman the same thing a few weeks ago when he told me about the new menu. I really think their new menu will be a big hit for them.

That was a very nice review Robin for North End. As a very big breakfast fan, North End used to be one of my favorite haunts for morning prepardeness. However the last two times that I have gone, both on a Saturday, I was surprised at the lack of customers they had. I had no qualms about the breakfast, it was spot on, but what used to be a 30 or 45 minute wait was non-existant. We walked right into North End and it was only a quarter of the way full, and that was at 9:30 on a Saturday morning. And that happened on both occasions. I didn't know if it was because of the economy, the downturn in restaurants business in gerneral, or the rise of additional competition such as Toast, Wild Eggs or Meridian Cafe. As I stated before, the food and service were great, it was just surprising to see the restaurant so empty on a Saturday morning.

[Robin Garr]

it was just surprising to see the restaurant so empty on a Saturday morning.

Maybe it's serving a later brunch crowd, David? We were in for a late brunch on a Sunday, maybe 1:30 or 2, and just about every table in the front room was filled. Can't speak for earlier, but like everyone who's spoken up here, I'm a fan of their fare, and maybe we'll sneak over early on a Saturday sometime soon to help swell the crowd.

We were there this past Tuesday.

3 of us shared 7-8 tapas, which included Skirt Steak, Goat Cheese Ravioli, Meatballs, Calamari, Emapanadas, and Spicy Shrimp.

The food was outstanding...

...the service? Very disappointing. It was borderline empty, and after dropping off our first 3 tapas, ther server did not come back for a full 20 minutes. (Our plates were empty after about 5 minutes )

We eventually, had to order more from the bartender.

After our next plates arrived, it was basically the same deal.

When our server FINALLY returned, we asked for dessert menus. Another 15+ minutes lapsed.....and we are then informed as the other two desserts arrived that "They were out of Strawberry Shortcake", which is what I ordered. I asked why I was informed of this 15 minutes after my order, and as the other desserts arrived, but didn't really get an answer.

Sensing our growing frustration, our desserts were 'comped' without any request from us......which was a nice gesture.

Overall, the food was A+++, and the atmosphere is very cool. Robin's use of the word 'spacy' for the service definitely applied in our case too, unfortunately.

[Robin Garr]

Robin's use of the word 'spacy' for the service definitely applied in our case too, unfortunately.

Note that this problem pertained to only one of our meals there. We've had fine service on many other visits.

The food was outstanding...

...the service? Very disappointing. It was borderline empty, and after dropping off our first 3 tapas, ther server did not come back for a full 20 minutes. (Our plates were empty after about 5 minutes )

I don't have stats to back this up, but empty restaurants can lead to poor service it seems.

I don't have stats to back this up, but empty restaurants can lead to poor service it seems.

Agreed. Perhaps it's because when servers are not very busy, they actually have down time to sit or do other non-service related tasks. Perhaps it's easier for them to lose track of how much time has lapsed than it is when they're going nonstop. Just a theory.

I don't have stats to back this up, but empty restaurants can lead to poor service it seems.

Agreed. Perhaps it's because when servers are not very busy, they actually have down time to sit or do other non-service related tasks. Perhaps it's easier for them to lose track of how much time has lapsed than it is when they're going nonstop. Just a theory.

As a former server, I'd agree with your assessment. For me, the crossword puzzle on the breakroom table was the cause. When I was busy, I just never made the breakroom table. When I did make the break table - when I had few tables - it was very easy to lose track of time.

And unfortunately, some servers will "purposefully" provide poor service as "having one table is just not worth it." Never quite understood that thinking or why it was tolerated. Not that I'm in anyway suggesting that happens at North End or any other specific establishment.

Now maybe I can get those soup spoons I've been snarking abooot . It's killing me I didn't
Wait on u when you and Mary came in, but I'm glad u where so complimentary about the food! Maybe the feedback will help with the über casual service you and fouramites are describing. Thanks for the kind words!