My First Encounter with English Bacon

So, I’ve heard mixed reviews about English bacon but have never had the opportunity to find out for myself. That is until I decided to stop in for a few drinks and a bite to eat at Black Horse Pub. This place is filled, but not packed, with crazy Brits screaming at the big screen above the bar during some football match. They serve a full English Breakfast here but seeing as how it was well past lunch time I opted for English bacon on a roll. (Please excuse my crappy photo as my real camera is broken and my phone doesn't take the best pics.) I honestly didn't think I’d love it—considering how much I adore good old American thin, crispy, streaky bacon—but I was actually quite pleased. It's much thicker, a bit sweeter, and served simply on a buttered, toasted roll. It's basically just meat & bread... but I have to say, it’s one of my new favorite sandwiches!

Earlier this week I found out that a good friend will be moving to London in a few months. This of course devastated me as she is someone who would go to great lengths to help me discover new places to eat pigs in a blanket (what I am I going to do without you??). But now that I know English bacon is so dope, the news is now rather exciting and I can’t wait to go visit (so please hurry up and move already)!

Best Bacon Breakfast (from a truck)

With food trucks being all the rage, it’s hard to keep up with all the tweeted locations. I have yet to try more than half of the trucks I follow (it certainly does not help if you are technically challenged and work in Westchester!). But I must start making a serious effort to track down Wafels and Dinges. Acording to Serious Eats, their truck is soon to be offering the bacon waffle! This wonderful breakfast would make my commute just a bit easier to bear if only they parked near Grand Central in the mornings...

Thanks to Karen & Charlotte who simultaneously sent me this story!

West Coast Wake Up

California restaurants seem to be specializing in some very bacon-y breakfast treats. There are of course the maple bacon donuts in SF that I have been pining over. Another great way to wake up is to this amazing bacon crusted french toast being served at Santa Monica bar West 4th/Jane. Owners Lieberman and O’Brian (former New Yorkers) named the bar in honor of NYC’s popular Corner Bistro which I’m sorry to say, is a bit overrated. Besides, the bistro doesn’t serve brunch—much less this delicious looking french toast! LA Times talks to Leiberman about his creation:

“Bacon with maple syrup is one of the greatest flavor combinations ever invented. I've had every kind of crusted French toast out there, from Captain Crunch to corn flakes. But no one had ever done it with bacon.”

I have to say, Captain Crunch-crusted french toast is pretty tasty so I can only imagine... Someone please tell me this dish in some way, shape or form exists in the real W4th area—or anywhere in NYC? Until I make another trip over, ILWTR will have to let me know how it is. 

Bacon Cures Hangovers

In college, the preferred food option (for those dwelling in SVA’s GW dorms) after a night out was MT Deli’s bacon, egg & cheese on a roll. Even to this day I still crave a bacon, egg & cheese—but on a croissant and usually from John’s Bakery—whenever I’ve had a bit too much the night before. But that rarely happens...

Now it has been scientifically proven that bacon cures hang overs! Food in general helps to speed up you metabolism which helps your body deal with the after-affects of boozing it up. But bacon, more specifically, is full of protein which breaks down into amino acids. Getting wasted depletes neurotransmitters but bacon’s high level of aminos tops these up, giving you a clearer head. Research shows that even the simple smell of bacon cooking is a comfort to all of us alcoholics. 

The weekend is here. It will be a sunny 83° tomorrow (in NYC)—which means barbecues, picnics, and outdoor cocktails. So drink up! Bacon will be waiting for you Sunday morning (or afternoon...)

Beautiful BLTs

Make your next BLT extra special. Via whatever-the-weather. 

(Ooo... this toast would be perfect on a breakfast plate with Mr. Singh’s Bangras!)

“Is your breadmeat lackluster?”

For only $7.99 you can have your very own bottle of Squeez Bacon! Each bottle contains 16 servings—that’s like 64 slices of bacon! Scary part: a 12 year shelf life, no refrigeration needed. But hey... even bacon is made better with a squirt of Squeez Bacon.

Review: Willard Street Inn

Breakfast at the Willard Street Inn in Burlington, VT.

Applewood smoked bacon:

Afternoon snack at the inn.

Broccoli and bacon soup:

Why, NY??

Why is the west coast getting all the bacon donut love?? In LA, Nickel Diner’s Maple-glazed Bacon donuts are making news. And lucky SFers can get Maple-glazed Bacon Apple donuts at Dynamo Donuts. Why didn't someone take me there when I was in SF in November? (Yeah, I'm talking to you ILWTR!) Someone PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong—but it seems there are no bacon donuts in New York!