Brunch at Kendal

Of all the meals at Kendal, the one Susan and I most enjoy is Sunday brunch. It's served from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., thus accommodating both those of an active bent who want to have a late-morning meal before setting off on an afternoon excursion, and those of a more leisurely cast of mind who prefer to spend their entire Sunday mornings and early afternoons at home, pajama-clad perhaps, drinking their coffee while reading their way through the multi-sectioned Sunday paper or catching up on email and web offerings (often with the TV chat shows purring in the background). Happily, the range of hours also suits the needs of church-attenders of all stripes. Susan and I tend to be part of the noon-hour crowd at brunch.

The fare at each brunch has its predictable features. There are muffins, bread, rolls, and bagels. There is an array of jams and jellies. There's an egg-bar, where a staff member stands ready to prepare eggs to order. And I shouldn't omit the omelets, the waffles, and the selection of vegetables, berries, melons, and fruits. But each brunch also has its special treat on offer. Yesterday it was a juicy roast beef, but some Sundays it's fish or fowl, and sometimes the staff complements the scheduled menu with an option of blueberry pancakes.

Another joy that brunch brings is the arrival of many visitors into our midst. It is, of course, not uncommon for friends and relatives of residents to be dining with the community on weekdays, but on weekends their numbers proliferate. The families become larger, as the children of residents arrive together to enjoy Kendal cuisine, and still younger children – grandchildren and great grandchildren of residents – arrive on the scene to take up the challenge and fun of navigating their way among the various food and dessert options. These guests lend a vibrancy to our brunches that is palpable and exciting.

Susan and I tend to be predictable in our choice of brunch foods. We go first for bread or muffins, toasting and buttering and jamming them to taste. Then we like to get our eggs, usually scrambled but occasionally fried over easy. To go with the eggs we generally choose from among bacon, sausage, and home fries. After that, we like to get a bowl of fruit. If we're feeling hungry or just adventurous, we might top the meal off with a dish of ice cream or a piece of cake or pie. Meanwhile, though Susan and I usually prefer to choose a table for two, we have conversations with friends who are seated nearby or making their way from one serving station to another. At brunch, as at all meals, there are staff members standing ready to help residents who need assistance in getting their dishes to their tables.

It's hard to put my finger on what makes a Kendal brunch so satisfying. In part, it's the food itself – ample and delicious. In part, it's the atmosphere of relaxed friendliness, the opportunities to swap thoughts with neighbors (and it turns out that lots of Indian fans are suddenly emerging in this spring of baseball wonders). In part, it's the evidence that the Kendal family includes a whole range of people who, though not seen here on a regular basis, want and mean to be part of a community that is home to people who are dear to them.