THE BREAKFAST CLUB

 REVIEW

The Breakfast Club is located at 30600 John R Road, Madison Heights, MI and is regarded as one of Madison Heights best kept secrets. This renovated former residence is the home to some of the finest breakfast and brunch treats available. I searched on the web to see photos of what they had to offer and was impressed by the variety of French Toast and other tasty looking dishes they have to offer. Specializing in selective versions of French Toast, Eggs Benedict and even Crepes, they do have a small number of lunch items which includes, but is not limited to, Salads, Quesadillas, sandwiches and waffle fries.

I went there yesterday for lunch and wanted to try their Lobster-Crab Roll. As it turns out, it was the most expensive thing on the menu, but I figured that I'd splurge a little and get my Lobster Roll on. Prior to ordering I asked if the lobster and crab were real and not an imitation. The server assured me it was the real stuff. I then asked if it was fresh or frozen half knowing what the answer would be. I couldn't hold it against them knowing it was frozen because I knew it would have been prohibative for them to store and process live shellfish on a daily basis. I was born in Maine and know a good Lobster Roll when I taste one, but I gotta say that in this regard the Breakfast Club should steer clear of serving up this particular item. It may be a popular choice for some, but there is nothing special about this sandwich at all. It was bland and overwhelmingly under-seasoned. The dressing wasn't as creamy and velvety as it first might appear. Instead, because the shellfish were frozen there was a watery quality to it. It had little taste and even less substance. 

On a bright note, the waffle fries were superb. Golden crispy on the outside with a nice crunch, but soft and billowy on the inside. They were a potato lover's dream come true. My server came by to check on me to see how the Lobster-Crab Roll was. I sheepishly remarked that it had no taste. Immediately he asked if I'd like to try something else. (Give that man a gold star). I decided to try the Creme Brulee French Toast that had caught my eye among the photos posted on the web earlier. This was an excellent choice.

I'm not a sweet freak, so it doesn't take much of a sugar overload to put me off. But, this dish was superior to any French Toast I've ever had (and I've even had French Toast in France). It was decadent, smooth, silky and piping hot. It was also big. Not too rich, and the bread was as fluffy as a cloud. It truly represented what Creme Brulee should taste like. It was complimented nicely with a tall glass of Blackberry Iced tea.

My meal may have started out with a foul tip, but it ended up being a home run because not only did they make it right by not charging me, they followed up with a dish that screams quality that I was happy to pay for. One of their signatures is they bring you the check with a big dark covered strawberry on a paper doily. Nice touch.

This was only my third visit to The Breakfast Club, but it won't be my last. If you're in that area and want to have a surprisingly pleasant breakfast or lunch, be mindful that they're only open til 2 p.m.
  
I would highly recommend The Breakfast Club, but would caution true Lobster Roll lovers to sail past this particular dish. I don't know if they've featured this dish in the past, but I would suspect that a good Bagel, Cream cheese and Lox sandwich would be a perfect fit for the Breakfast Club menu. 

Happy noshing,

~Bobby