Going to The Elysian is always a challenge as this popular Hoboken restaurant is always crowded and it is often that a line would form outside on week ends, specifically for brunch. Owned by Joyce and Eugene Finn who also operate Amanda's, another popular spot, it is the oldest continually operated restaurant in the city. The adventure started in 1895, when the restaurant opened as Dillenger & Jeffson's. During the prohibition, it went from a restaurant to an ice cream parlor and hair salon. I am not sure when they took that name that sounds French, but is not.

I went there for dinner quite a while back and we did not plan to go there for brunch when we passed next to it on a Sunday, a little after 11am. As there seemed to be seats available, we decided to change our plan and eat there.

I love that place: the decor is antique, with molds on the ceiling, old furniture and a vintage chandelier. Their menu is French, but for brunch, it is more American as the concept of brunch is not really known there.

I started off with a fresh squeezed orange juice that was quite good, not watery with the taste of orange diluted.

fresh squeeze orange juice at Elysian Café, Hoboken, NJ — fresh squeeze orange juice at Elysian Café, Hoboken, NJ

I admit that I was expecting a bread basket, maybe with muffins while we waited for our food, but it never came...

We just ordered an entrée. Jodi went for the omelette au fromage:

omelette au fromage at Elysian Café, Hoboken, NJ

There was definitely a lot of fontina cheese in it, but, unfortunately, the eggs were slightly overcooked and dry.

On my side, I hesitated between the lobster roll and the eggs Benedict. I finally went for the eggs as I wanted a brunch dish.

Salmon benedict at Elysian Café, Hoboken, NJ

It was salmon Benedict in fact, the salmon being on top of an English muffin and topped with a poached egg that was also overcooked.

At that point I was a bit disappointed as I love when the yolk is runny and I can dip the salmon and muffin in it, while it mixes with the Hollandaise sauce, creating an interesting combination.

With our dishes, we decided to order French fries over Lyonnaise potatoes. And I have to say that they were pretty good, not too greasy and a bit crispy.

I have mixed feelings about this place after this brunch: they have a nice menu, with good prices, but the execution was not there that day. I doubt that it was because of the number of orders coming at the same time as it was not that crowded at the time we went. Who knows...
Would I go back? Maybe for the burger or croque Madame...

Enjoy (I did)!

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And Remember: I Just Want To Eat!