09/28/2011 - QC Foodie - Bix Bistro Jazz Brunch

Bix Bistro Jazz Brunch

by QC Foodie

Last year I was fortunate to get a tour of the Hotel Blackhawk, as the renovation was near completion. Standing there amid the dusty construction with a hardhat on, I watched a worker painting the ornamental trim gold. I was amazed at the changes visible to that point. So it was no surprise when I returned as a party guest and spent the night in one of the fabulous rooms in January, that the hotel had been polished into a splendid shining gem. The Josh Duffee Band was playing as we arrived and were greeted by the hostess. We were seated and I took the liberty of sitting on the comfy couch that was decorated with purple throw pillows and Ricardo graciously sat in a regular chair. We were invited to visit the buffet, which was set up on all sides of the bar. It wouldn't be possible to list all of the food available but some highlights were: a roast beef carving station, lasagna (chef's entree feature), golden hash browns, five cheese mac & cheese, garlic mashed potatoes with gravy, omelet station, fresh fruit, soup, salad, and biscuits and gravy. Our server brought us our giant cinnamon roll. The frosting looked and tasted amazingly wonderful and the roll itself was just average.

The Mimosas sat on the bar in neat sparkling orange rows, looking cool and tempting next to the Bloody Marys. Of course, I took one of each drink in the name of research. Later, I had to go back to get another Mimosa just to test the “bottomless” Mimosa and Bloody Mary policy. I'm glad to inform the public that the bottomless cocktail policy works just fine! The Mimosa was crisp and delicious, I have never met its equal. I was a bit afraid to try the Bloody Marys, since my spice-threshold is low on the spice barometer so I asked the server and she said they weren't spicy. She was correct, it was a wonderful cocktail that Ricardo and I shared. It was a full-flavored tomato juice packed with a great blend of (my best guess) lemon juice, vodka, pepper and what else I couldn't tell. I was happy to be getting my fruit and vegetable juice requirements for the day all at once!

My top selections among the outstanding choices were the deep-fried-oat-encrusted French toast, an omelet with my favorite ingredients, applewood-smoked bacon and I could go on, but again, I'm making a long, boring list. I thought the bacon was as good, although not at thick, as the applewood-smoked bacon that ranks number one with us at a restaurant in (sorry, Iowa) San Francisco where we ate breakfast twice during our four-day stay. Ricardo ranks Bix Bistro's as a close second. I am definitely going to try to recreate the oat-encrusted French toast at home. However, it won't be the same since I don't have luxurious, beautiful surroundings and Josh Duffee and his band playing in my living room. Too bad.

After we ate we sat for a while on the couches in the lobby appreciating the music. I can best sum up the Blackhawk this way: is it a landmark destination with a gorgeous, contemporary atmosphere nestled within elegance of the past. That morning the hotel was alive with overnight guests checking out, brunch-goers, and patrons of Beignet Done That. The website states: “Since it first opened in 1915, the hotel has served as a home away from home for families, romantics, presidents, movie stars and legendary athletes alike.” I would like to humbly place myself in the category with the romantics. I am fortunate I was able to enjoy my experiences of dinner and an overnight stay and recently, the jazz brunch, with the love of my life and my future husband. Welcome back “grande dame” of Davenport, Iowa,* we missed you.

*From the website hotelblackhawk.com