Book It To Brunch!

Central Social Hall Downtown recently teamed up with Unilocal to put on a wonderful elite event called Book It To Brunch. Not only were we able to enjoy some of the food that Central Social was presenting, we also had a great time exchanging our favorite books with fellow Unilocalers.
The Central Social menu kicked off with a lovely pineapple mimosa. After that and a nice black coffee, they brought out an Italian sausage and mushroom skillet. It had poached free-​range eggs, potatoes, caramelized onions, avocado, arugula with a roasted poblano and white cheddar sauce. The flavors were very nice and I especially appreciated the arugula as a unique contrast.
Up next was a Belgian waffle with Chantilly cream and what was called a seasonal fruit compote, which essentially consisted of peaches. All in all, the waffles were prepared perfectly and a very good flavor was here as well. Our table couldn’t get enough of the fruit compote. It truly was fantastic.
Must to my (pleasant) surprise, they offered an «intermission» beer from their own brewery called Postmark Session Blonde. It struck me as light and slightly spicy; similar to an IPA. Also, I had never thought of beer as a brunch beverage before. Well, when in Rome…
Next, they brought out the Oil Country Benny. This was basically an Eggs Benedict with Italian sausage, bacon, caramelized onions, topped with poached eggs and a poblano cheddar sauce served on an English muffin. The trophy wife ordered the Veggie Benny which was basically the same thing, only served on a mushroom and chickpea patty. Both were outstanding!
Lastly, they brought out «The Cure.» This was a breakfast poutine made with shoestring fries, fresh cheese curds and a red wine gravy. They topped it off with the poached eggs and poblano and cheddar sauce. Mmm… breakfast poutine…
Overall, this was a very enjoyable experience and really enjoyed the good food of Central Social. I am very stoked to be involved in this again sometime, for I thought the book exchange, along Miss Marshall and Central Social Hall was a great combination. Watch out St. Albert Central Social… we’re headed your way!

Clearly, everyone’s already said what needs to be said about Book it to Brunch! — it was a great event. Who doesn’t love a book exchange? Happy someone took my book (imported straight from Cambodia, no biggie) and I was able to snag a copy of a book that I’ve been meaning to read for a long time. Bonus it was the first book too!
As for the food, I’ve only been to Central Social Hall for a night out with some friends. The place is bumpin’ on the weekends. Good scene, especially if you’re looking for an older crowd (20 – 30’s).
We were able to sample a couple different dishes along with a few drinks (pineapple mimosa and Postmark beer). My favourite was the homemade waffle with a peach compote and Chantilly cream (yum!). The other dishes were heavy on the poached eggs (poutine, eggs benny and Italian sausage with mushroom skillet) — I was all egged out after that. A greater variety of dishes to sample would have been nice.
It was pretty interesting to hear Jesse (quite the honest and entertaining guy) and Chef Reuben talk about their vision and plans for the future of Central. They must be doing well with a second location out in St. Albert!
I was able to grab the last bro soap (thanks to the bro who pointed it out to me). Rum and coke scent reminds me 5 cent candies.
Thanks Jennie for killing it as usual! Can’t wait for the next one.

A GREAT idea! Brunch and a book exchange. Plus, a pineapple mimosa — that’s now my favourite brunch drink!
The food was great, hot, and eggs amazing and perfectly soft poached EVERY time! The company and conversation always a treat.
I really appreciated the involvement of our hosts Central Social Hall, and the contact with each and every Unilocaler in attendance. Genuinely wanted feedback, and really do have a heart in the business. Meeting Chef Reuben Major… give a great insight into philosophy and that he does this for love of food. Glad to have a wider perspective of the restaurant and their philosophy of locally sourced, fresh food, and cuisine that isn’t standard «pub» food. Did you know they don’t serve hollandaise sauce? Their option of a roasted poblano cheese sauce is delicious and I think it’s better! It also doesn’t hurt that Jesse gave us his email address for future reservations and feedback! That’s open communication!
Wine on tap? Not just an Enomatic for a few bottles, but serious kegs that stay fresh and temperature controlled. Not just one, but a great huge selection of them.
And Bro Bars for the gents?! Thank you Jennie for organizing a treat for the gentlefolk. They need pampering too.
Let’s do it again soon!

OMG ! This was another amazing event!
Hmm… What can I say that wasn’t said before?
Food, drinks, service was exceptional. Books… Love it!
I am so glad the event was held here otherwise I would never have ventured in. I’m not a huge fan of the downtown area because of parking but what a bonus of their our parking lot that’s free on weekends.
I am definitely coming back here for brunch and happy hour.
Thank you Jennie for bringing us Unilocalers altogether again to enjoy good eats and drinks at a fabulous restaurant/​lounge.

Book it to brunch in central social hall dt was an awesome concept. Parking was sweet with tons of free parking on the weekends in the back!
We were greeted by jennie! The amazing edmonton Unilocal manager who made this awesome event happen. After checking in we got to leave our books at a table for a book swap later in the day.
Central social hall really spoiled us with an amazing tasting menu of everything on the brunch menu! Including pineapple mimosas and a beer intermission! What! How fabulous was this!
Our first dish was the italian sausage and mushroom omelette. Which was a savoury delicious start. The veggies were fresh and despite being drenched in a creamy sauce the potatoes in the skillet were crispy. Delicious. The portions were large and plentiful for sharing.
Next we had the belgian waffle with fruit compote. The apples were tart and sweet and topped with a chantilly cream tasted like a sweet apple pie with a fluffy soft made from scratch waffle.
For intermission we enjoyed postmark session blonde beer which was a great crowd pleaser at our table. Light and refreshing it was a perfect mid meal drink.
Our third course was my favourite. The oil country benny. An poached egg on top of italian sausage and bacon and a english muffin. Topped with a delicious smoky pablano cheddar sauce. It was a surprisingly smoky sweet combination that tickled my tastebuds and will be the stndout dish that will make me want to come back for. Delicious. Looking around i noticed every plate was clean without a morsel on the plate. That is definetly a marker for an outstanding dish!
Lastly we had the cure. French fries poutine with poached eggs on top. This is called the cure for a reason. It would be a delicious dish post hangover.
The food was over the top with huge portions that left me stuffed by mid day. The service was outsanding. With drinks topped up quickly and food paced perfectly.
Best of all the soap made out of beer for the men which had tasty combos like beer and wasabi or rum and coke or good ol fashined beer.
An amazing elite event that i am so fortunate and lucky to be a part of!!! I really am proud to be an edmonton elite bc our events rock!

Unilocal’s first Elite Brunch event in Edmonton!
Loved the Book It theme — who doesn’t love a good book swap? The Elites brought it all from Sci-​Fi to Children’s literature, we had it all!
Jennie had s special treat for the men today, awesome soaps from BroBrick in scents like Beer!!! What??? Yes, Beer Soap!
Chef Ruben, from Vancouver, flew in to tell us all about the menu he consumted on for Central Social.
We started off with a Pineapple Mimosa — Yum!
Next up was the Italian Sausage & Mushroom Skillet with packed free-​range eggs, crispy potatoes, caramelized onions, avacado, arugula, roasted poblano & white cheddar sauce? Need I say more?
Then came Belgian Waffles made from scratch with seasonal B.C. Peach fruit compote and Chantilly cream.
For intermission we had a Postmark Session Blonde — Seasion beer is light on the palette and less than 5% alcohol which is great for a Brunch. Brewed in Vancouver inside Chef Ruben’s restaurant/​craft brewery –Belgard (in Railtown at 55 Dunlevy Ave). Hubby loved this but I’m not a big beer girl; I think he was more than happy to have mine. I loved that the can had their social media handles and sites right on the can! #SmaryCookiePostmarkIs
Then of course we needed to have a classic, Oil Country Benny — made the same as the Italian skillet above but served on an English Muffin. The flavours were great and def something if order again. (My egg was cold and my muffin a bit tough… But I have a feeling this has more to do with serving a huge group all at once than the actual norm for execution…)
The Veggie Bennie option was a surprise and Delish! Mushrooms, chickpeas, avocado, poached free-​range eggs, roasted poblano & white cheddar sauce gave this veggie option a very hearty feel.
Last but not least was The Cure consisting of shoestring fries, fresh cheese curds, red wine gravy, poached free-​range eggs, roasted poblano & white cheddar sauce. This for me was the real winner and exactly what I’d want when coming to a pub for Brunch. The red wine gravy was Delish!
I appreciate the focus on local — buns baked locally, sausage from Little Italy, local free-​range eggs… The little things do really count. Even the honey is from Richmond, B.C. & was perfectly smooth in my tea :-)
The restaurant itself is situated on the corner of Jasper & 109 street with floor to ceiling windows (that open to extend dining space in nice weather). I really liked the bright and airy feel. There were plenty of televisions to keep current on any important game.
Thanks Central Social and of course, Miss J. For an absolutely fabulous first Unilocal Elite Brunch! I will def be back!