Sabrina’s Cafe has been known for its brunch presence in Philadelphia for some time now, drawing both suburbanites and city dwellers into town for bites from challah french toast to farm fresh eggs.
With locations near the Italian Market, Art Museum and University City areas, a large clientele base was missing from the equation–the Main Line.
A lifelong resident of these Philly suburbs, I was excited to hear the brunch hotspot was opening a location within walking distance of my home, and I’m sure many other suburbanites, reluctant of driving into the city for a two-hour wait for brunch, were equally as happy.
Opening just a few weeks ago, my dad and I decided to check out the hype. We arrived on a gloomy Sunday around 12:30p.m., thinking the brunch crowd would have quieted down a bit and we were sorely mistaken.
Our wait was estimated 45 minutes to an hour, but were told if we waited around the small lobby area we could be seated quicker than that. I was surprised when we were called about 20 minutes into our wait.
The restaurant interior itself did not undergo major renovations and still appears to have the same layout that the previous occupant, Sam’s Grill, had. The only major difference is that all booths were taken out and replaced with bistro style tables that are stacked as close to each other as possible. Other differences include chic lighting fixtures made from mason jars and vintage-looking fabric, and Pinterest-inspired wall decor from framed burlap with Main Line town names to a large chalkboard drawing on the back wall of Sabrina’s Philly locations.
We were seated practically on top of another couple. Being a European traveler, I didn’t mind this too much but I can not see too many Main Liners being content with the close eating quarters. (I mean bumping elbows close).
As we dined, cheery 80’s music played overhead, but the loudness of the music paired with the brunch chatting was so loud I felt like I was practically screaming to communicate with my dad who sat across from me no more than three feet away.
We both agreed it was the loudest brunch we had ever encountered. And I am used to college-town loudness at brunch and even The Waffle Shop in State College, Pa. is not this loud.
Regardless of the atmosphere, our meal was great. My dad ordered whole wheat blueberry pancakes with a side of sausage and I got the Wisconsin cheddar and apple omelet with a side of hash brown potatoes and onions as well as a stack of sourdough toast.
Update
My sister tried the stuffed French toast today, in honor of National Pancake Day and gave them a rave
review. Stuffed with cream cheese and cinnamon and topped with bananas and powdered sugar, she said the flavors were a perfection of sweetness cut mildly by the cream cheese.
We ate rather quickly because it is definitely not a “hanging out” type of brunch place. If you are looking for a good hangover brunch where you can lounge in a booth this is not the place for you. Hymie’s Deli is definitely a better place for that.
I will definitely be going back though to try the interesting menu options. I was eying the Blue Cheese and Bacon Fritatta and Barking Chihuahua in particular. I am curious to return once the hype of the “opening weeks” has quieted down. Oh and next time I will be taking advantage of the BYOB option. Champagne for mimosas? Yes yes yes.
kieroyal 