When you think of brunch, do you think of White Pie? It’s OK, you’re not alone.
“People don’t always think about us for brunch,” says Sarah Phillips, general manager. “The Denver White Pie doesn’t do brunch, so maybe that’s part of the confusion.”
We get it. We love the New Haven style pizzas at White Pie. The artisan offerings are creative, and the charred asymmetrical crusts come from a sourdough starter. But while leftover pizza can make a classic breakfast, a pizza place isn’t always the first to register when we think brunch.
It should — especially with White Pie’s newly revamped brunch menu, which we stopped in to sample. And especially when it’s a Colorado Springs exclusive. (Who says Denver gets all the good things?)
You Had Me at Frosé
Yes, you can do bottomless mimosas at White Pie. You can also do a mimosa flight. You can even get $6 mimosas or bloody marys during Brunch Happy Hour, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. But you should not miss their frosé. The flavor changes seasonally, and this summer’s menu kicked off with lavender — just a sweet kiss to keep it delightfully balanced for the hot weather. Just beware: These rosé slushies are deliciously dangerous.
That’s why we also opted for a seasonal mocktail: the Lavender Mist. It’s hard to beat the freshness of lavender in the summer, especially when it’s so well blended in this zero-proof cocktail. Nothing syrupy here — just a bright, crisp and subtle lemonade soda experience.
On the Plate
We got the bites started with an Everything Puff. This appetizer is on the regular menu too, but you can think of it as a lighter everything bagel. White Pie’s version is, of course, pizza dough crisped and brushed with rosemary-garlic butter. It’s a nicely savory counterpoint to those subtly sweet drinks and an excellent entry to brunch.
I’m always a fan of a good egg sandwich, and White Pie’s Egg Sammy delivers multiple elevated touches. The housemade focaccia and romesco sauce provide the signature Italian style. The brie, avocado and arugula add fresh notes to the moderately spiced sausage and scrambled eggs. Altogether, this egg sandwich is a brunch standout in our book.
The Frittata Affogato is a blend of breakfast and dinner. Meaning “drowned frittata” in Italian, this hearty dish eats more like lasagna than quiche. You can thank the whipped ricotta cheese and Napoletana sauce for that. It’s a rich and savory egg-based dish, flavorfully done. If you’re wanting to keep the meal light, this is a good one to share.
Of course, White Pie pizzas are on the menu for brunch too. Many cross over from the regular menu; some are modified for brunch. For example, the standard Paulie Walnuts becomes the Good Morning Paulie with the addition of a sunny-side up egg. The signature White Pie already includes bacon and a sunny-side egg, so it’s practically breakfast, right? But don’t count out the Burrata Boom. Its burrata, pesto, prosciutto and arugula are perfect anytime. And if deep-dish Sicilian style is your jam, you can get those too.
Just leave room after all that for a Mini Cini Pie. The cinnamon dessert takes that White Pie dough to a fully sweet decadence. It’s topped with toasted pistachios and, of course, cinnamon and served with warm marscarpone frosting you can drizzle over it. Pair this pastry with coffee.
White Pie’s brunch is only served on weekends: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. But that makes it just right for lingering on that big, bright downtown patio — while still leaving time to get out and work off all those delicious carbs.
Get all the details at whitepie.com.
Did this article make you hungry for more brunch or pizza? Here are some more of our brunch favorites. And here are our People’s Choice winners for Best Pizza Restaurant in the Springs.
