El Vez restaurant in Philadelphia

By Munia Islam

Starving on a Saturday morning with no idea of what to eat is not a fun way to start the day. Recently, in a haste of studying for grad school midterms (ick!), we needed a quick and filling brunch.

Our saving grace? El Vez! With its flashy signs and mix of formal and informal decor, the ecclectic restaurant is a must to visit if you’re ever in Philadelphia. I’ve been there on several occasions–once on my own birthday–but always at night. I did learn from these dinners though that the queso fundido de hongos (truffled wild mushrooms with chihuahua cheese and huitlacoche served with flour tortillas, $12.50) is a must for my appetizer. Luckily, that’s also available for brunch so it’s exactly what I ordered.

Queso fundido de hongos

The days are getting colder which in my mind translates to soup season. So, we ordered the roasted corn soup (pan seared scallop, tomatillo and jalapeno mermelada, $9). I think this would the best soup I’ve ever had! It was just the fix that I was craving for days. If you’re a soup lover, you have to try it!

Roasted corn soup

For our entree, we shared a steak and eggs dish (carne asada with two fried eggs, grilled scallions, guajillo steak sauce atop green chile potato hash, $12). Personally, I’m not a fan of eggs, so I skipped over that part (sorry!), although the steak, sauce and steak eaten together was a burst of flavor. And that sauce — I’m on a mission to find the recipe of that sauce.

Steak and eggs

Lastly, to get us through the rest of the day, we needed a sugar-rush of mexican chocolate ice cream ($7). Yum! I ended up taking a nap after my brunch, but it was worth it, and I was full right up until dinner which means I clocked in even more time to study.

Mexican chocolate ice cream


Restaurant Info:
El Vez

121 South 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 928-9800

REPORT CARD

Meal: Brunch
Occasion: Hunger
Price: $$
(Out of three stars)
Ambiance: ***
Food: **
Service: ***
Would I go back?: I always do!


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1 Comments

  1. looks amazing! i love all queso fundido variations, just soooo amazingly yummy. that steak and sauce looks incredible

    Posted 11.22.11

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