Pub alternative
Delish serves tasty, fancy fare for breakfast, brunch
Delish, a breakfast and brunch spot tucked away in a strip mall near Cottonwood Mall, is like a sports bar for ladies: instead of flat-screen TVs, there’s a fancy wall of repurposed, painted doors; instead of bar stools, there’s a large communal table under a crystal chandelier and strings of lights; and instead of hot wings, the menu is full of indulgent foods with European names.
Delish is, in fact, the answer to the neighborhood pub: quieter, brighter, just as relaxing, and with much better food.
Some of the food may seem foreign, but the taste will be familiar: “Aebleskivers” are traditional Danish pancakes shaped liked golf balls and are usually the province of bakeries and hipster food trucks, but Delish serves a version ($11) dusted with powdered sugar and set atop homemade strawberry jam that would make the Danes envious. An order comes with seven spherical pancakes and a side item, definitely a meal but also a surprisingly shareable appetizer.
Skip the maple syrup on the aebleskivers and let the delicate taste and strawberry jam redefine the pancake for you.
For a stellar main course, try the croque madame, an open-faced sandwich served on a thick slice of toasted French bread, topped with thin slices of Boar’s Head ham, topped with cheese and a perfectly poached egg and then smothered in an amazingly rich hollandaise sauce.
The sauce is housemade, and Delish isn’t sharing the recipe.
The croque madame ($11) is a delicious,
filling entree for any appetite, but the highlight of the dish turned out to be the side item: the breakfast potatoes.
Greasy spoons might burn the potatoes or concoct a version with undercooked, starchy insides, but Delish’s potatoes are spectacular. And perfect. Each big cube is baked to a crispy, dark brown with a soft, gooey interior. They’re like bits of fried mashed potatoes without the guilt of a deep fryer. Homemade ketchup is served on the side, but a better dipping sauce is the hollandaise with its buttery, citrusy kick.
The service was excellent on recent a Friday afternoon, but the Sunday brunch crowd is probably considerable. Delish offers menu items for children, as well. Parking is ample.
The coffee and tea menu is extensive, with exotic offerings like oatmeal
latte; also available are specialty drinks, including Rocky Mountain Soda, and lots of local beer and wines.
Delish is an offshoot of the Sassy Apron, a highend catering company with headquarters next door, so large groups or off-site events are welcome.
For an indulgent breakfast or brunch with European flair and a cozy interior, Delish is a great bet. You’ll leave feeling full — and a little fancier.