Brunch at Fleming's ... This isn't your grandma's brunch (thank goodness)

Flemings Steakhouseis known around the country for many things--succulent steaks,
fine wine, fresh seafood, and a commitment to fantastic service--
but they're not necessarily known for the one thing my husband and I went to sample on a recent Sunday morning.

Brunch.

Sunday brunch is a staple around these parts, but you're most likely to encounter a large buffet style operation in most establishments, replete with pastries, potatoes, soggy-to-overdone scrambled eggs, and if you're lucky, a waffle and/or omelet station.

Put those thoughts out of your mind. You are now at Fleming's Sonoma Sunday Brunch, served 11am- 3pm.

The atmosphere of the place, all mahogany wood and deep red leather banquettes, conjures a ton of old world charm, and you know you're in a special place from the time the smiling host or hostess greets you and you are promptly seated.

Your waiter or waitress arrives soon after, offering you a complimentary breakfast cocktail of freshly squeezed orange juice, pomegranate puree, and fine champagne, and hands you a menu.

You might be inclined to raise your eyebrows. Yes, you can get an order of (absolutely delicious, fluffy, and perfectly cooked) pancakes, and my husband quickly availed himself of these.

You can also get a delectable crab-meat omelet. You can start out with fresh, succulent berries smothered in sweet house-made whipped cream. But those aren't the only items available, by a long shot.

Instead, why not try eggs Benedict--made with filet mignon, crisp fried potato cakes, and perfect hollandaise, instead of the old tired canadian-bacon-english muffin duo? 

Or a rich, deep prime rib hash, made with potatoes and fresh vegetables, and served with some of the creamiest scrambled eggs I've ever tasted?

Or, if you're feeling adventurous, you will not be disappointed with the miso glazed Chilean sea bass, light and flaky with a delicious Asian tang.

And the side orders--rosemary sugar bacon, sweet, crisp and chewy. Goat cheese grits, smooth and creamy with a light, earthy flavor. Spicy, meaty sausage links that would make certain breakfast-sausage icons hang their heads in shame at what is offered at their eponymous restaurants.

By the time my husband and I were finished eating, we were full to bursting. The entire time, our friendly, knowledgeable waiter ensured we were comfortable, had hot coffee at the ready, and refilled our delicious cocktail.

He was never far away, but he never intruded either. Fleming's seems to have mastered the balancing act that is great service--be available, but not in your face.

All in all, it was a fantastic experience and neither my husband nor I can wait until we return for another Sonoma Sunday Brunch soon--and neither one of us will ever look at the traditional brunch buffet the same again. 

Fleming's is located at 555 Lancaster Avenue, Radnor, PA.

Cookie Cakes to Sweeten the Election

Most people would agree that this week's Presidential Debate only made the American political atmosphere more bitter. 

Given the unsavory election process that continues to affect the nation, GourmetGiftBaskets.com, a popular food gift e-retailer, has decided to sweeten the deal for the electorate with its own Presidential Cookie Cake Campaign.

The company has designed original caricatures of the candidates on huge sugar cookie cakes. These can be fun gifts or treats at debate-watching or other election-related rallies and parties. 

Beyond sweetening the proceedings, the company is inviting all Americans to voice their choice at its own election-predicting page. GourmetGiftBaskets.com has recruited companies in all 50 states to host its own Electoral College, as well. 

Ultimately, the New Hampshire company is hoping to accurately predict the winner a week early on Nov. 1.

This more “tasteful” election, which includes the company’s own versions of the Electoral College and the popular vote, invites members of the public to voice their choice among a new line of original Presidential Cookie Cakes. Each 10-inch sugar cookie cake features its own frosting caricature of Democrat Hillary Clinton, Republican Donald Trump or Libertarian Gary Johnson. 

“Many Americans don’t know what they’ll ultimately do on election day,” said Jason Bergeron, Vice President of Sales and Marketing forGourmetGiftBaskets.com. “That’s why we’re hoping to offer weary voters a fun distraction, making their experience sweeter as they brace themselves for Election Day on November 8^th.”

The Power of Community: Guest Post by Paul L

Humans are social beings, we flock together and create relationships.  This is not news to anyone.  However, an article by my friend Michael Patrick on Suicide Awareness and Prevention sparked a conversation between the two of us.  The conversation, lead me to the awareness of how powerful our relationships really are.  Ringo Starr may have said it best, “…I get by with a little help from my friends, I get high with a little help from my friends, I’m gonna try with a little help from my friends…”

As the discussion progressed, I said this, “They say it takes a village to raise a child, but that is only the start. Members of that same village have to, collectively, sustain the community. This means they need to produce and fulfill the basic needs, such as food and shelter.  It also means that they must be able to support each other in times of danger or times of need.”

Early in human history, this may have meant fighting off wildlife or invaders from another village.  These were real and true dangers in those days.  However, today our governments and military are supposed to provide those securities and in most places, wildlife is not considered much of a threat anymore.  

These days the relationships that we make get us through things like, work stress, loss and financial hardships.  They may seem less life threatening but they are not.  These are just as much a threat as the invaders from other villages and wildlife.  Problem is, these new stressors come from within the walls of the “village”.  This is where building a sense of community is SO important.  Anyone who has played a team sport knows that the team bond is essential to winning.  There can be a full roster of superstars but without the leadership to bring everyone together as one, that team will still have a hard time winning.  

Community allows us to share our experiences and learn from one another.  We take the lessons from others and can therefore, avoid the same pitfalls.  Community gives us a sense of identity.  When there are shared beliefs and values, individuals become a group.  This group can focus on a goal and by working together it can be achieved.  This is the mentality that the military uses to build its forces.  Each unit is trained to work together toward a common goal.  Military units have overcome impossible odds, hardships and even face the potential of sacrificing one’s self for the overall achievement of a goal.  That is how powerful a community can be.

Most of all community allows for the sharing of joy among many individuals.  The common theme of most holidays is that people come together to celebrate.  Holiday celebrations are rooted in a ceremony of some fashion but that is not where the true joy is experienced.  The joy comes from the people within the group being together to re-establish or strengthen bonds.  

Every day we go to work and speak with our coworkers we are forming alliances to get through whatever stress the job has waiting for us.  These relationships add joy to what could be a miserable situation.  How many times have you heard someone say, ‘It was the people at that job that made it great.’   When we have a meal with our family or friends we share the joys and hardships of our lives.  Through this sharing we experience the closeness that makes us feel secure.

My overall theme to this article is that we need each other, maybe now far more than ever before.  With all of hatred and injustices going on in America and the world, I am challenging everyone to be a little nicer to their family, neighbors, co-workers and most of all the people you don’t know.  

You never know what someone else is going through and how much a kind word can mean to someone.  It can literally change their life.  It doesn’t take much to smile at someone and wish them a good day.  

You may be surprised at the reaction you get.

As a Life Coach and Leadership Coach I will help you build the skills that will increase your awareness and show compassion for people you family, friends and strangers.  Contact me for one-on-on or group coaching.  Classes are being set up all the time.

paulledebur@yahoo.com

paulledebur@JohnMaxwellGroup.com

www.JohnMaxwellGroup.com/PaulLedebur

King of Prussia Beerfest Royale Rocks

A celebration of local craft and international beer, the 5^th Annual King of Prussia Beerfest Royale is the suburban Philadelphia region’s must-attend beer festival of the fall.

The event features over 100 craft and international beers, inspired dishes from King of Prussia’s most popular and newest restaurants, as well as live music on multiple stages. 

Produced by the King of Prussia District (KOP-BID), all proceeds from Beerfest Royale are used by the organization for physical improvement projects throughout King of Prussia.

Donnerstag is a night of fun- perfect for client outings, date night, or a company happy hour. 

DONNERSTAG’S FEATURED RESTAURANTS:

o   b.good

o   Bahama Breeze

o   Bonefish Grill

o   Cantina Laredo

o   Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse

o   Dia Doce

o   Maggiano’s Little Italy

o   The Melting Pot

o   Mission BBQ

o   Morton’s the Steakhouse

o   Paladar Kitchen & Rum Bar

o   Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery

o   Ruth’s Chris Steak House

o   Seasons 52

o   Shake Shack

o   Sullivan’s Steakhouse

o   Sweetgreen

o   The Pub by Wegmans

BREWERS:

o   Brooklyn Brewery

o   Conshohocken Brewing Company

o   Evil Genius Beer Company

o   Kurant Hard Cider

o   Levante

o   Lost Abbey

o   Murphy’s Irish Stout

o   Neshaminy Creek Brewing

o   Sly Fox Beer

o   Staub Brewing Co.

o   Two Roads Brewing Company

o   Weyerbacher Brewing

Don’t miss this amazing event this weekend!

Cooney and Lecki drink up!