Happy December, One and All!
Macski’s has decided to review and rank Sunday brunches in southeastern Wisconsin because we love brunch, AND, we are interested in providing honest, unsolicited, every-day-Joe opinions on local brunch hot spots.
This month’s brunch was at ZISTERS (www.zisterselmgrove.com) in Elm Grove. Before I go into all the reasons why, I’ll give you my rating upfront: Solid A+. On a scale of 1-5 stars, ZISTERS gets a Macski rating of 5-stars (*****). In no particular order, here’s why:
1. We were greeted with a smile, seated immediately (we arrived at 9 am), and we were given what looked to us to be the best table available without asking.
2. Our server, Mathew, was prompt and knowledgeable about every item on the menu we (there are four of us who brunch together, each with different tastes) inquired about, and he was very attentive. Didn’t hurt that he was pleasant and not stingy with his smile.
3. The coffee was excellent. The restrooms were well-stocked, clean, and welcoming. The atmosphere in the dining area was also pleasant, welcoming, spotless, and not too noisy.
4. THE MENU: please take a look at ZISTERS’s brunch menu. It hits all our group’s immediate needs—there’s something for everyone, even the picky pescatarian (seafood-eating vegetarian) in our group. Hint—the picky one is also a Benedict snob; more on that later. I got to pick the place this time. I did so based solely on the menu, the pricing, and the location—Elm Grove is a lovely little village. None of us had eaten at ZISTERS before. What drew me in about the menu was that one of us who has a sweet tooth and loves blueberry pancakes could order his pancake ala cart and still have a savory main dish.
Brisket Benedict Flight
Salmon/Florentine Benedict Flight
Berry French Toast Flight
Traditional Ham Benedict Flight
5. THE FOOD. Three of us had Benedicts. One of us had berry French toast. All of us agreed the Benedicts were outstanding. We tried four different versions—traditional with black forest ham, Salmon with dill hollandaise, Florentine with spinach, mushrooms, and Swiss cheese, and the special of the day (not on the regular menu) brisket benedict. The stand-out here was the salmon.
The eggs were perfectly done on each. The breakfast potatoes were hot, not overly done—as is often the case—and they were perfectly herbed without being salty. The hashbrowns, which I had with cheddar on top, were pretty great, but the breakfast potatoes were better. The berry French toast was beautifully presented, not overly sweet, even with the berry cream on the side. The person, we’ll call her Karen, who ordered the French toast, loved it, but when she tried the traditional benedict, she thought that it was truly exceptional. Next time we go, she’s opting for that!
The one blueberry pancake was also exceptional—loaded with giant, sweet, super-flavorful blueberries. He thought the blueberry pancake took the cake, as it were. He loved it more than his benedict.
Our experience was fabulous from beginning to end. The prices are competitive, even lower than many. You can order a “flight” of benedicts or a “flight” of French toast, making for a tailored-for-you breakfast experience.
I loved it! By the way, I’m the picky pescatarian Benedict snob. ZISTERS tamed this beast with the best Benedicts I’ve had in years.
FIVE STARS. EXCELLENT VALUE. WILL RETURN.
Morganne L. MacDonald, President
Macski’s Highland Foods & Gear
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