Back to the Bay: Sweet Maple

To be honest, I’ve never been much of a brunch person. If someone mentions going out for brunch, the only place I think of is IHOP … However, this place in Walnut Creek has really shifted my perspective on the idea of brunch. Sweet Maple, “home of millionaire’s bacon and San Francisco’s most talked about brunch,” is a cozy brunch spot offering classic American breakfast foods with a slight Asian fusion. 

Located just a short walk away from Broadway Plaza, this restaurant looks so curated and well decorated, perfect to take cute pictures and enjoy some yummy food. However, you’re not going to be the only person who has this idea as there is generally a pretty long wait for a table. But if you join the Yelp waitlist, you’ll be able to cut the wait and be seated pretty quickly. My friends and I joined before driving there, and were seated almost immediately upon arrival. 

The menu is extensive, I’m sure even the pickiest eater would be able to find something they’d enjoy. From savory egg dishes to gourmet twists on sweet dishes, you’ll definitely be satisfied with your meal. 

Between the four of us, we ordered the Marnier French toast, coconut moffle with brie, a side of the potato medley and the “Millionaire’s Bacon.” In total after tip and taxes, our meal cost $77.71, so around $19.50 per person. 

The star of the show for me was definitely the Marnier French toast ($18); thick, fluffy milk bread soaked in a Marnier cream custard and bruleed on top. This was so rich and perfectly balanced, not overly sweet in my opinion. The bruleed top added a really interesting crisp bite you don’t usually get with regular French toast. It was sweet and so satisfying to crack into. I can’t explain it, but the bruleed top has genuinely changed my understanding of breakfast foods; I’m going to start bruleeing everything I cook. The bread was pillowy soft and slightly sweet, this French toast really was probably the best French toast I’ve ever had, truly a 10/10. In fact, reflecting on it and writing about it now has me craving it SO BADLY.  

The coconut moffle with brie ($21) wasn’t necessarily my favorite thing I’ve eaten, but I’m just weird with cheese, so take everything I say with a grain of salt. It’s a coconut mochi waffle topped with brie, housemade raspberry marmalade, raspberry and a truffle honey dressing. The first bite really surprised me. I was expecting it to be sweet but it was actually really savory. The texture of the waffle reminded me of the texture of the donuts from Kin Bakeshop back in Santa Barbara  — super soft and chewy. I think the texture of the dish was my favorite thing about it. I will say though, the coconut flavor was lost on me; I think someone who enjoys brie would appreciate this dish a lot more than I did. 

Sweet Maple is known for their trademarked “Millionaire’s Bacon” ($15) which was featured on Discovery’s “United States of Bacon.”. Listed on the menu as thick, free range bacon, baked with brown sugar, cayenne, red and black pepper. I usually don’t eat pork but after seeing all the accolades this bacon seems to have, I decided to give it a try. Honestly, I liked it a lot more than I thought I would (a reminder I need to stop being so picky!). It was a good mix of savory and sweet, and I really liked how thick the cut of the bacon was. It was chewy but also melted in my mouth, I kind of get why so many people love this. 

The potato medley ($7) was unique because it featured regular white potatoes, sweet potatoes and some kind of purple potato. They were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, seasoned to perfection and everything a breakfast potato should be. That being said, $7 for some potatoes? Maybe not something you’ll see me ordering the next time I go (the things we do for our vegetarian friends …). 

Overall, I really enjoyed this brunch experience and I will definitely be going back. While it was maybe a little bit on the pricier side per item, you really can really tell these chefs know how to cook. Yeah, French toast priced at $18 does kind of blow my mind, but just try that bruleed top and trust me, that’ll be a price you’ll be willing to pay again. The food was beautiful to not only taste but to look at. I will be back to try the souflegg skillet and have the French toast again. I cannot recommend Sweet Maple enough. If you’re ever in Walnut Creek, go check it out!