by Leah O’Donnell
Healthy Planet Lifestyles Editor
Recently my family had the pleasure of dining at the Piper Palm House’s Café Madeleine. The experience was one we will remember and will look forward to having again. Located within the magnificent Tower Grove Park, this gem is a place to enjoy the perfect brunch. The outside plaza at the Piper Palm House, with tables available for dining, overlooks lily ponds and fountains and the inside is adorned with several different palm trees and enormous windows looking out to the incredible views. The setting alone is worth a visit but the brunch available here has to be one of my favorites in St. Louis.
Brunch is really an understatement for what is offered at Café Madeleine every Sunday. The array of choices available, catering to every kind of taste or preference are plenty. Once seated at the linen covered tables, we ordered from a variety of drink choices, from fresh squeezed OJ (my five year olds favorite) to something with a little more kick such as a French “75.” This is a delicious option with champagne, gin, simple syrup, & lemon juice. After drink orders are placed, the expansive brunch buffet beckons. Whether you are in the mood for a solely breakfast array, or lunch only or maybe even both, you will not be disappointed. Most of my family happened to be in the breakfast mood but I just had to sample the full brunch experience. Café Madeleine has a complete made to order station with freshly prepared omelets and waffles. This is an absolute must when dining here. The fresh, healthy ingredients available to go in the omelet made my mouth water.
The waffles are light, but so filling and also offer a variety of fresh fruits and toppings that are divine. Be sure to try both on your visit! To go along with all of this are fresh potato wedges, sausage (that was a family favorite), egg and spinach casserole, and more. There are literally so many delicious, fresh options for the breakfast lovers, I can only provide an example of all there is to be had.
The seasonal salads, entrees, pastas, and desserts available at Café Madeleine are incredible. My favorite salad is the whole grain salad of maize orzo, tri-color cous-cous, and quinoa roasted tomatoes. I also loved the grilled and chilled balsamic vegetables. The flavors in these two salads are rich, yet taste light. There are many entrée and pasta choices available and I happened to like them all, however the one I had to get a little more of was the penne pasta in a sharp cheddar cream sauce. Absolutely amazing! Now when it comes to the desserts and breads, it took quite a bit of restraint to only sample a few. Picking a favorite in this category would be impossible but I do love Cannolis and anything chocolate. Several different varieties of each were available in addition to twenty other choices I just could not attempt to indulge in. There is something for everyone in this department.
Do not take my word for it. Make plans to enjoy brunch at Café Madeleine at the Piper Palm House today. Brunch is available every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information or to make reservations call 314-575-5658. You can also view their web site at www.palmhousestl.org/cafe-madeleine or stop in while visiting at Tower Grove Park. The Piper Palm House is located at 4256 Magnolia, St. Louis, MO 63110. You will leave this experience saying, “we have to do this more often!”