The Local Flavor

Author: Rachel Durfee, Francesca Filippelli

Looking to avoid that awkward morning-after confrontation in the dining hall? Tired of holding your cumbersome tray as you wait for your made-to-order Ross omelet? Turned off by the prospects of yet another cup of acidic "Central Highlands Brew"? Might we suggest Sunday brunch at Tully and Marie's - it's a tasty option if you're looking to get off campus and away from the usual choices of Ross and Atwater. Located within walking distance of campus (at least while the nice weather lasts) and situated right on Otter Creek, the restaurant offers a pleasant atmosphere for entertaining parents or just hanging out with friends.

Brunch starts at 10:30 a.m., so don't expect to be served any earlier (though we imagine most students won't have this problem on a typical Sunday morning). If you do manage to crawl out of bed early though, you won't be alone - other hungry breakfast goers were crowding the stairs before the doors even opened. Promptly at 10:30 the manager unlocked the door, posted the delectable menu and warmly invited us in.

The restaurant can handle large parties, so don't hesitate to bring your whole hall. The staff is very accommodating and will find the necessary number of chairs for your party, though we do recommend a reservation. Most tables on the main and upper levels have a view of the creek, and during the summer months the outside deck is open to diners. The décor is somewhat reminiscent of an old-fashioned diner, with a bright color scheme and colorful paintings and mirrors lining the walls.

The menu offers a variety of eggs, pancakes and other common breakfast dishes at reasonable prices. The Eggs Any Style ($4.95), which includes two eggs (any style), toast and hash browns is a perfect option if you are looking for a satisfying brunch on the lighter side. If Saturday night has left you with a large appetite we suggest the Huevos Rancheros: eggs any style on crisp corn tortillas, with black beans, jack cheese and hot salsa for $6.95. It's a zesty plate that's even big enough to share, though we recommend a serving of home fries on the side to satisfy starchy cravings. For a taste north of the border, the Smoked Salmon Benedict ($8.50) rules supreme. The creative mix of poached eggs and smoked salmon in a hollandaise sauce is sophisticated, yet pleasing. Fluffy and warm, the homemade English muffins are the best part. If eggs aren't what you crave on a Sunday morning, Tully and Marie's offers blueberry, pecan and buttermilk pancakes ($4.95-$5.25) and other more lunch-like fare.

To quench your thirst and re-hydrate, the fresh-squeezed orange juice beats Proctor's watered down concentrate disguised as juice anytime, although the small might leave you longing for more. Since there's only a dollar price difference, we'd suggest opting for the larger size. We unanimously decided that the Bloody Mary (only $3.00!) had quite a kick. For the caffeine addicts in the group, the waitress kept the coffee flowing. We chose the featured brew, Tres Mariposas, produced by Julia Alverez's coffee farm.

At the end of the meal we were satisfied and, after putting off our work long enough, we were ready for the walk back to campus and straight to the library. Tully and Marie's is a tasty Sunday option and definitely worth the trek into town. Best of all, you can eat with a conscience (even if you haven't completely regained consciousness) - the restaurant is part of the Vermont Local Farms network that supports local producers and suppliers. Even the artwork adorning the walls is created by local artists and is for sale. Check out the price list by the bar area near the entrance for more information. Though we're normally Ross brunch die-hards, Tully and Marie's proved easy on the wallet and we'll certainly be back again soon.