Get Your Pig On: Cane Rosso Brunch

by Steven Doyle   photos by Joy Jangles

Saturday mornings are typically a time to complete mundane chores around the house. The lawn gets a nod, and a few rounds of laundry are completed. Not terribly exciting, at least until now.  Il Cane Rosso is wanting to make a change in my weekly routine by offering up a new and satisfying brunch — but only on Saturdays.

Stopping in this past weekend to join a few friends at the Deep Ellum pizza Mecca we congregated to devote a few hours to understanding most of the brunch menu at Il Cane Rosso.  There we caught up with owner Jay Jerrier as he was taking on dad duties and heading off what would be a daughter-filled sports day of lacrosse and soccer.  

Before racing off Jerrier made the rounds in the rapidly filling room to make sure everyone was comfortable and highly suggested we try the Hot Soppressata and Braised Pork Hash.  We would, along with all the other offerings on the brunch menu. But by far the hash is the shining star of the line-up.

We started the morning meal with the Biscuits and Gravy which is served with lighter-than-air massive ricotta biscuits and Jimmy’s spicy sausage gravy. This is the same Jimmy’s served on many of the pizzas and made across town at Jimmy’s Food Store.

The biscuits were mammoth in size and flavor. You could sincerely share this between two hungry people, and I even recommend that so you may try some of the other offerings as well.

Next we tasted the Cane Rosso Benedict that is served with  2 over easy eggs with fried polenta, crispy pancetta and Calabrian chile gravy and oven-roasted potatoes. The polenta and the chile gravy were quite amazing and married on the plate really well, but the eggs had room for improvement. In all sincerity, the egg is the simplest item any cook can make, but is the most maligned ingredient unless properly cared for.

The Ricotta Pancakes are made with Nutella marscapone, fresh berries and crispy pancetta. This is a simple dish, but without a doubt a must-try when hitting Il Cane Rosso for brunch. The lacy riccota pancakes hold well on their own, but with the addition of the fruit and side of extra crispy pancetta the dish will set you for a day of activity without weighing you down.

Finish any brunch offering with a shared plate of Coffee and Donuts, the zeppole with powdered sugar, chocolate, blackberry and espresso sauces. Tender and flavor-packed, this plate of cherub-pleasing fried goodness will send you on your way with a smile.  Well, those and the addition of a few requisite mimosas or micheladas.

With the breezy patio, fun offerings and fantastic price points, the Il Cane Rosso brunch is a must try for your Saturday morning leisure time. Laundry can wait.