Sun, February 1, 2009

Haus of the rising sun
UPDATED: 2009-02-01 06:29:44 MST

By DAVE DORMER, SUN MEDIA

Sometimes the best brunches are found in the most unlikely places.

Like a bier haus, or roughly translated, really cool pub.

In the three years we've lived and explored downtown, 1410 Bier Haus has remained steady in my Top 3 places for a pint.

The atmosphere is laid back, the servers are friendly and fast, and with eight flat-screen TVs, there's no bad seats.

Plus the tables and chairs are the proper pub height, not to mention the garage door-style windows that get rolled up when it's sunny.

And if you're in need of a gambling fix, there's even a few VLTs.

But that's not what drew us there on this weekend morning.

I was there for one thing only -- the stuffed French toast.

Ever since seeing they offer a brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays, I'd been been dying to give it a try.

But I should have known better than to walk in thinking I knew what I wanted.

When a place offers 90 beers on tap and in bottles, it's a pretty sure bet their menu is going to be diverse too.

And not only is the fare varied at 1410, several dinner experiences have taught me it's all delicious, too.

After scanning the menu, I suddenly wasn't so sure about my original choice.

Steak and eggs ($11) are always good on a Saturday morning, and the benedict wrap ($9) with scrambled eggs, ham, cheese and hollandaise, was enticing.

The Spanish pan skillet ($9), made with bacon tomatoes, peppers, red onions, sour cream and salsa came close to changing my mind, but in the end, I stayed strong and stuck with the stuffed French toast ($9).

It was worth it.

Nearly two-inch thick French bread is sliced and stuffed with smoked Gouda, strawberries and proschiutto.

The flavours worked together surprisingly well.

The strawberries were mellowed by the Gouda, allowing the proschiutto to come through. And for a side, I chose the hashbrowns, a pleasant homemade mix of regular and sweet potato.

Andy had a three egg omelette ($9) with cheese, ham and onion -- along with a side of fruit.

Omelettes are made with originality at 1410 -- the egg is made into a cup and the ingredients poured inside, then the egg is folded overtop, like a hot pocket.

It's just too bad we were there before noon, otherwise I could have marked another one of the 90 beers off my list.

1410 BIER HAUS
1410 17 AVE. S.W.
403-229-1410

FOOD
Sun Rating: 4 stars out of 5

AMBIENCE
Sun Rating: 4 stars out of 5

OVERALL
Sun Rating: 4 stars out of 5

RECOMMENDED
Stuffed french toast

PRICE RANGE
Reasonable
Via/Mastercard/Debit

HOURS
Brunch served Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m.

Wheelchair accessible