Brunch Bets: @Union

Customers can design coffee sleeves and learn about local events at @Union’s Community Board. Photos by Alexandra Wimley (COM’17)

When @Union opened in 2009, its goal was to provide great food and coffee to a diverse community that includes college students, families, artists, and young professionals. It’s still making good on that six years out, its American fusion menu and fresh house-roasted coffee attracting long lines, not to mention a weekend brunch that’s a major draw among locals.

We visited early on a recent Saturday afternoon and found a short line to get a table. The moment you enter, the restaurant’s commitment to fostering a sense of community is apparent. Patrons are greeted by a Community Board filled with photographs of customers and coffee cup sleeves designed by customers. Under the board is a table full of flyers promoting local events.

One look at the extensive menu told us why every table was taken. The breakfast side orders alone top out at over 20 items. Brunch offerings include oatmeal, breakfast sandwiches, eggs, French toast, pancakes, eggs benedict, omelets, sandwiches, and salads.

The menu’s first page has seasonal specialties, ranging from a lobster benedict ($12.99) to pumpkin pancakes ($8.25). We were torn about what to select, but the wine rosemary French toast ($8.99) sounded too intriguing to pass up. We also opted for an iced pumpkin pie latte ($4). When we ordered, our waitress assured us we had made the right decision.

The wine rosemary French toast looked delectable: four pieces of French toast covered in powdered sugar, oozing with French brie, garnished with raspberries, and served with a red wine rosemary syrup. It exceeded our expectations. The combination of ingredients was bliss and packed a flavorful punch. We were equally glad to have ordered the latte. We’d been afraid the pumpkin taste might overpower the drink, but the flavor was light and delicate and balanced well with the coffee.

Brunch patrons can choose from more than a dozen omelets (there’s also a build-your-own omelet option). Choices range from a Mediterranean omelet with sautéed spinach, kalamata olives, tomato, pepperoncini peppers, and feta cheese ($8.95) to a ricelette omelet with sautéed steak and onions, green peppers, white rice, and cheddar cheese ($8.25). We wanted to try something a little different, so instead of a traditional omelet we chose the shrimp frittata ($10.95), with sautéed baby shrimp, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, cheddar cheese, and homemade salsa. It was obvious we’d made the right choice—patrons around us turned their heads to get a better view when our meal came. The frittata tasted hearty and fresh, the shrimp well-seasoned and a nice contrast to the flavorful salsa topping. The soft and cheesy texture was offset by the crunchy toast and potatoes, which were tasty, but could have used more seasoning.

The drink menu has fresh fruit smoothies, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and traditional alcoholic brunch beverages like mimosas. But the coffee is a real standout. The restaurant roasts its 100 percent fair-trade Arabica coffee beans on the premises, and a bottomless cup comes with any meal. You can also buy the coffee by the half pound to take home.

It’s easy to see why @Union has become a staple in the Allston community. It offers a relaxed setting for families and friends to gather over a leisurely and delicious meal.

@Union, 174 Harvard Ave., Allston, is open Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; phone: 617-779-0077; all major credit cards accepted. Take an MBTA Green Line B trolley to Harvard Avenue.

Kyler Sumter can be reached at kssumter@bu.edu.

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