Chicken and Waffles

There is some debate as to how this traditional breakfast food was started. Despite its popularity in the South this was supposedly started in NYC's Harlem neighborhood as a very late night/very early breakfast for jazz musicians and singers after a long night of entertaining. They need a breakfast with sustenance so fried chicken was served alongside a waffle.

Well, no matter how it started I'm so happy that it did. This combines two of my favorite foods on one plate.

Blue Smoke is a barbecue restaurant located in NYC's Flatiron District at 116 East 27th Street. The lower level houses the Jazz Standard - the jazz music portion of the restaurant.

Chicken and Waffles is served only at brunch - for $17.95 you receive two large pieces of chicken atop a belgian waffle with pecan butter. There is a 15 minute wait because the chicken is fried to order. The chicken is very juicy and although the crust was flavorful and light I wish it was a little crisper. The waffle is a standard belgian waffle and the maple syrup is from New York State.

"T" and I both had the mimosa made with prosecco and the chicken and waffles. Then we shared the Dessert Sampler. For $15.95 we received a small portion of 5 desserts: key lime pie, banana cream pie, toffee pudding, pear and cranberry crips with cinnamon ice cream and chocolate blackout cake.

My favorite was the key lime pie. "T" 's favorite was the toffee pudding. We both agreed the chocolate cake was pedestrian and our least favorite.