THE DRINKS
We’re definitely coffee people over here, and Winds’ freshly made coffee is dark and strong, ready to help you brace yourself to tackle the week ahead. Big props too to the restaurant for leaving a small pitcher of water on the table for you to refill your glass as needed: no flagging down your server every time you need more.
We tried two of Winds’ summer cocktails: the Blood Orange Gin and Tonic ($11) was a refreshing take on a classic: Watershed Gin was mixed with blood orange puree, crushed mint leaves, a small dash of orange bitters and topped with organic Fever Tree Tonic, and the result is fresh and decadent; tough to replicate at home.
The signature summer cocktail, the Lavender Daiquiri ($9) was subtle and smooth; the lavender doesn’t hit you in the face if you’re iffy about herbal cocktails, but rather gives just the perfect amount of depth to a drink that goes down easy. Perfect for a hot summer Sunday!
THE ENTREES
It wasn’t an easy choice; Winds’ whole brunch menu looked amazing and draws on many culinary influences, from the Spanish-style calypso stew, to the Italian summer omelette, to the Mexican chilaquiles dish.
The Summer Croque Monsieur ($12) is a take on a traditional French breakfast: an open faced sandwich made with a thick slice of sourdough bread, topped with a white Béchamel sauce made of butter, flour and milk that serves as a base for many French recipes. Add onto that some thin slices of Nueske’s smoked ham, grilled zucchini and tomato, and a generous amount of melted Comté cheese (a salty type of Gruyère cheese, similar to Swiss), finished off with thyme and cracked pepper. It’s crunchy, melty, salty and savory all in one delicious bite. We couldn’t get enough of the herbed fries, almost shoestrings, that were perfectly cooked and then shook up with sage leaves and salt — yum.
The brunch pasta special rotates every week, and this week’s was a bowl of Strozapretti (a type of cavatelli) pasta tossed with smoked salmon and fresh spinach in a lemon cream sauce, topped with crunchy breadcrumbs ($15). The Strozapretti noodle doesn’t get enough widespread recognition for how tasty it is, and how well it goes with the dish. The smoked salmon was fresh, salty and was mixed well with the spinach and cream sauce. In addition to the breadcrumbs, flake salt was scattered across the dish, which almost wasn’t necessary with the decadent cream sauce and salmon providing enough saltiness between the two of them. Needless to say, both dishes were very nearly licked clean.
Winds does an excellent job with their portion sizes; both plates were just the right amount to leave us satiated without being overstuffed. But we saved room to split the day’s scone special from Winds’ bakery: the Peach Melba Scone ($3) was the perfect brunch dessert with sweet chunks of peach and raspberry in a warm and soft scone topped with sugar crystals.
We left Winds Café two hours later with full and happy bellies, and guarantee you’ll have the same pleasant experience.
HOW TO GO
WINDS CAFÉ
Where: 215 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs
Hours: Tues-Thurs 11:30 a.m. -2 p.m.; 5 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.; 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Saturday at the bar 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday brunch 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
More info: Call: (937) 767-1144; windscafe.com.
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