The Good Fork
The Good Fork is a reliable multi-level spot with an upper level patio for all-day breakfast, featuring rotating pancake specials.
Moving past your average bacon and eggs, Turkish influences also creep into the menu here, which balances out epic brunch creations with healthy hummus bowls and smaller-portioned savoury breakfasts.
Put the Lime in the Coconut ($18) is the cheeky name for the pineapple coconut pancakes that are on deck during my visit. There’s no lime in them, but tons of sweet shredded coconut and huge, firm, juicy chunks of pineapple throughout the fluffy stack of three.
These monsters are served with a rich creme anglaise, and all pancakes are served with pure Hockley Valley maple syrup.
A Hummus Bowl ($18) is on the more well-balanced side of things, a generous swipe of hummus on the bottom of the bowl topped with chopped cucumber, onion and tomato, grilled broccolini, and a frill of pickled cabbage, all finished off with a light vegan vinaigrette.
Firm but tender house everything bagel pita is zesty and perfect for scooping up hummus. Take this bowl up a notch with additions like a poached egg, fried chicken or halloumi for an additional charge.
Green Eggs n’ Ham ($15) is a smaller and lighter but still filling savoury option, one of those house pitas topped with a fresh sorrel and basil omelette, thinly sliced porchetta, a delicate shaving of ricotta salata and a bit of dill oil to finish. It’s a simple but lovely combination of stark texture and flavour contrasts.Brioche F*&%!h Toast ($19, and yes, that’s what it’s called on the menu) puts a Turkish spin on an excellent rendition of a classic, thick Fred’s Bread brioche perfectly caramelized to a crisp on the exterior, moist and eggy inside.
It’s topped with a tangy labneh frosting, house strawberry plum jam, aromatic crushed pistachios and shreds of pishmaniye (a unique kind of Turkish cotton candy).
The Brunchie Burgie ($16) tops a sturdy chuck and brisket blend patty with bacon jam, cheddar, remoulade, red eye BBQ, a perfect sunny egg and the classic fixin’s of shredded lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle.
The way the shiny Fred’s Bread bun is toasted on the inside helps keep the interior of this burger from getting soggy.
Of course you can also get your benny on here with a short list of standards given The Good Fork touch for around $17.
A Gin Smash ($12) made with house cardamom syrup and house strawberry jam joins a list of fun brunchy cocktails like bacon Caesars ($14) and mimosas for the table ($60).
Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day, The Good Fork is run by Ali and Tolga Yalcin.
Hector Vasquez