Weekday Brunch at Verdigris Portland

Verdigris Portland, a French-inspired restaurant on Northeast Fremont Street, expands their delicious brunch menu to weekdays!

Portland Loves Brunch

Portland, Oregon is a brunch town.

People line up at the crack of dawn – un-showered, un-caffeinated – so they can stand in line for anywhere from 25 minutes to an hour and 45 minutes (yes, seriously). All this in order to have coffee and eggs that were made by someone else other than them and to welcome in the weekend with friends.

And of course, to Instagram and Snapchat it all. Because the Portland brunch scene is where it's at – if you have the stomach for the wait.

There are a few brunch unicorns in the land of long lines, however. One of those unicorns is French-inspired restaurant Verdigris, in Northeast Portland, which not only has very reasonable wait times, but also has just expanded their brunch menu offerings to Tuesday through Sunday from 9am - 2pm. 

Verdigris

Verdigris is the kind of neighborhood spot you wish for when you move to a new 'hood. It's an inviting bistro space with a cozy and casual vibe.

The small kitchen is run by Executive Chef Johnny Nunn, who opened Verdigris with his wife Kristina in 2014. Together, they aim to create a "warm, personalized, and memorable experience" for each diner, and I think they accomplish that. It's a feat that helps set Verdigris apart from other brunch spots in town.

Weekday Brunch Menu

"Eggs. People in Portland just want eggs." - Executive Chef/Co-Owner Johnny Nunn

It's true. When we go out for brunch in Portland, no matter where you dine, the majority of people order eggs. Eggs Benedict. Omelettes. You name it. We love eggs. And I love that you don't have to wait forever and a day -and now, you don't have to wait until the weekend! - to get them at Verdigris.

While they do serve some mighty delicious daily specials here, if you want a dish that exemplifies the character and heart of this lovely restaurant, I highly suggest trying the 60-minute egg with Smithfield Ham Duck Fat Fried Hash Browns, Brown Butter Hollandaise ($13, pictured above). Anything cooked in duck fat is delicious, in my experience, and these hash browns are crisped to perfection on the outside while the brown butter hollandaise is a nice lighter feel (although, probably not lighter calorie) alternative to the traditional thick mayo-based Hollandaise sauce.

They also have a Country Sausage Frittata with Fingerling Potatoes, Roasted Shallots, Cherry Tomatoes, White Cheddar ($14) and a Veggie Omelet with Asparagus, Roasted Red Peppers, House Ricotta, Basil ($12).  

A fellow diner enjoyed this Smoked “Pastrami” & 60 Minute Eggs with Cippolini Onions, Sauerkraut, Rye Croutons, Russian Hollandaise ($15).

If eggs aren't your brunch game, you have plenty of other options from which to choose, including salmon cakes, ricotta pancakes, a shrimp po' boy sandwich, and more.

In fact, you could just order the Duck Fat Fried Hash Browns with Brown Butter Hollandaise ($6​) without the eggs.

Or go minimal and get the Pommes Frites with Herb Dust and Meyer Lemon Aioli ($6) and a side of House Cured Bacon ($4). This would totally be my son's order. Bacon and fries - maybe with a side of fruit - and he's a happy brunch kid!

The salads are also delicious at Verdigris. One of the new brunch menu items now available is this beautiful Tuna Confit Salad ($12).

Table-side Soup Service

Verdigris also offers something that you really don't see at many similar restaurants: table-side soup service. I love this!

Your soup "filling" ingredients (I want to call them "guts" but that's not as appetizing, but really that's what they are!) are served in the middle of your bowl. Then at your table, the soup is poured over the ingredients so your soup is fresh, hot, and delicious.

I have a Snapchat video of this in action and will try to add it to the post later, but right now my video uploads are being wonky.

Brunch Desserts

What's NOT wonky, is finishing off your brunch with one of Verdigris' many tempting and equally delectable desserts.

These Chocolate Madeleines with Creme Anglaise and Hazelnuts ($6) were the perfect amount of sweetness and hint of salt to wrap up a hearty meal.

Brunch Drinks

Verdigris also offers a nice drink menu with select cocktails and wine. Because what's a brunch without mimosas, right? Or, a bottle of wine.

Like I said, we're pretty serious about our brunch game here in Portland.

Verdigris is also open for dinner as well, so you can take a nap after brunch (as you should) and then head right back here for more!

Dine at Verdigris Portland restaurant

1315 NE Fremont St
Portland, Oregon
503-477-8106
Dinner Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 5pm-close
Brunch Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9am-2:00pm
http://www.verdigrisrestaurant.com/

Bonus behind-the-scenes shot

Many thanks to Verdigris for the invitation to this media brunch. Below is a bonus behind-the-scenes shot which captures one of my favorite things about dining with fellow bloggers, writers, and photographers: you don't feel so weird and awkward taking a hundred photos of your meal and setting up shots when you're with a whole table full of people doing the same!

As always, all opinions and photos are my own. I only write about places, experiences, products, and services I/my family have personally enjoyed that I believe YOU will all enjoy, too!