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South End brunch comes to Roslindale

Geoffrey's Cafe

Geoffrey's Cafe on Washington Street opened for brunch yesterday (the Rosi-Kessels were the very first customers), so we made a point of heading down to the Square this morning.

Good food and so, so different from what long-time Rozzie residents could expect from breakfast at the old Roslindale standby - the Blue Star on Corinth. And yes, it's the same Geoffrey's that used to be in the South End and Back Bay.

To start, the decor feels oh so South Endish - bold mauve, Italian posters and art on the wall (no doubt holdovers from the Saluté days), shiny wooden floors. If it ever gets warmer, the outside "patio" looks surprisingly nice (it's amazing how a tall wooden fence and some evergreens can make you forget there's a bottle redemption place and oil-change garage right next door).

There's a rotating disco ball over the bar and '60s-ish Motown and R&B blaring over the loudspeakers - the brunch is officially a "disco brunch." Those of you used to quiet at breakfast will find the loud music disconcerting; as one of the first sets of customers today, we were able to persuade them to turn it down.

They have some adventurous items on the menu, but aside from the kidlet, we weren't feeling adventurous, so I got corned beef hash with scrambled eggs and Nancy got French toast. The kidlet ordered biscuits and gravy, which doesn't sound particularly outre - unless, like her, you've never had it before.

The corned-beef hash was a good change from the usual eatery hash - it had more corned beef than usual and some spice that I couldn't identify, but which was very nice. Also kinda cool that you could actually chew on the beef, rather than simply having an smushy (if yummy) shot of saturated-fat to slurp down as you'd expect in most places.

If you like sausage, you'll love the biscuits and gravy - the biscuits each come with a sausage patty and the gravy (which to me tasted like Thanksgiving turkey gravy) is filled with sausage bits. The kidlet likes sausage, so it was a hit. The French toast was OK, nothing spectacular.

Very good coffee and OJ.

All three meals were filling - none of us had any room left for any of the desserts. $41 for three.

Brunch hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays. Next Sunday, maybe we'll try MaSona in West Roxbury, another South End-like place that now also serves brunch.

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Comments

I was a huge fan of the South End Geoffrey's and was so sad when they closed (I never liked the one in the Back Bay). I can't believe they are back. I will have to get over there soon.

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Love Love Love Geoffrey's! And note the sign on the patio -- the big, pretty, hand painted sign: Dogs Are Welcome. (P)Awwwwwww, now that's a nice touch.

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But kids aren't - Michael never wanted kids at either of his two precious places - and unless he's off the E, he won't want em here!

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We had drinks and dinner there yesterday. Brian was super-sweet (and cute) and made us feel welcome. Bartender Amy was charming, sincere, funny and really down-to-earth. The food was top-notch, and for someone who grew up in Roslindale & West Roxbury--this place was a welcome change to the standard. We had a wicked good time and my friend made the statement "I think I am going to make this my new haunt." Good for them!

p.s. Tell them you want to sit inside, in the back next to the windows. They open up competely and you get the benefit of open air with luxury seating!

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God, I hope she went to bartender school since - in the Back Bay she was frantically looking up how to make a gin and tonic!

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FYI-Brunch is great. Dinnner menu is ok. Brunch hours, begin at 10 on Sunday's and probably Saturday's. So, don't show up any earlier than that...

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Well, I don't know about the previous diner's experience with kids but I can tell you that no kids are ever welcome in any establishment if they are ill behaved. I have been to Geoffrey's on several occasions with my own kids aged 9 mos. and 3 1/2 yrs. and we have always been served and treated with respect. Just remember, not everybody has to think your kids are adorable. Even if yours are...

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