One thing we at Taste of Belgium think about is that breakfast and lunch should provide an artisan experience, beginning with the smell of roasting ciabatta and ending in memorable sandwiches and comfort.
We are excited to let you in on our world where ciabatta holds the limelight from dawn to noon. Yes, we do have dinner: vegetarian dinners, and Cincinnati dinners, all spruced up with the same care.
From breakfast plates to handheld sandwiches and perfect drink pairings, this blog takes you through all the ways our house-made ciabatta shines at Taste of Belgium.
Our Artisan Approach to Bread at Taste of Belgium
We love our bread! Our house-made ciabatta is baked daily, following time-honored methods, with fine-grade flour and just the right hydration for that characteristic airy texture. The crisp crust protects the tender interior and works well for anything with avocado and eggs or smoked ham and Brie.
Taste of Belgium also keeps the Belgian tradition alive. Bread is hardly ever an afterthought in Belgium; on the contrary, the bread, which could be anything from one egg to one of three salads, is the core of any meal.
Plied with meats, cheeses, and spreads to make meals that feel comfortably simple, village bakeries and small cafés sell fresh loaves of bread for the sole purpose of bringing this tradition over to Cincinnati and making a shared space for two very distinct cultures over one of the most basic foods, away from homely fare.
While bread may seem humble, we know it has the power to elevate. The right bread can turn a simple breakfast into comfort, a quick sandwich into a signature dish, and even make a dinner or vegetarian dinner feel more satisfying. That is why ciabatta has become so popular at TOB!
Breakfast Favorites on Fresh-Baked Ciabatta
Our breakfast menu shows how versatile ciabatta can be with different flavors. Whether it be for plain, simple plates or something fresh from the oven, this artisanal bread adds a bit of elegance to the morning.
Its versatility ensures that whether you feel like having something fairly heavy on your palate or something crisp and wholesome, the ciabatta somehow makes it all go well.
Classic Morning Comforts
Our Breakfast Plate comes with two farm eggs, breakfast potatoes, and your choice of protein: Eckerlin goetta, pork sausage, turkey links, applewood smoked bacon, or a black bean patty. Plus your choice of bread, including our house-made ciabatta.
Then we have Avocado Toast, another favorite for the patrons. The crispy ciabatta slab goes under the piquant cucumber salad and a sunny-side-up egg, making for a lively yet filling dish that gives one the choice to have it for either breakfast or an early lunch. There you go, a testimony of healthy and sinful usage of ciabatta.
Hearty Brunch Options
If hunger strikes a bit more, then Chicken Biscuit & Gravy ripens with the comfort foods. Yet, seemingly, it is served on a biscuit; many of our breakfast sandwiches can be served with our rustic ciabatta for a heartier twist.: chewy, crusty, and just right for absorbing flavors.
If handhelds remain your favorite treat, then ciabatta sandwiches can surely hold a torch for the McWaffle. A mere difference in bread and the whole palate changes, changes-the less sweet, more rustic and equally satisfying.
Ciabatta Stars at Lunchtime
Mid-morning is when ciabatta does its thing. Our sandwiches demonstrate their versatility while featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients:
- Belgian Turkey Club: Roasted turkey, Havarti, smoked bacon, cucumber, shredded carrot, hard-boiled egg, and aioli all layered on ciabatta. A well-loved sandwich, quite balanced and filling.
- Farmer’s Fresh Ciabatta: A vegetarian dinner sandwich stuffed with fresh cucumber, shredded carrots, spinach, herbed farmer’s cheese, and lemon vinaigrette. Light yet satisfying, a testament to what ciabatta can do for a vegetarian dinner treat.
- Ham & Brie: Smoked ham joined with creamy Brie, Granny Smith apples, and pesto on ciabatta. Sweet, savory, crisp, and chewy, it’s lunch with a gourmet twist.
Each of these sandwiches highlights how ciabatta pairs well with bold flavors.
Pairing Ciabatta Sandwiches with Belgian-Inspired Drinks
Good drinks have a way of turning good food into unforgettable. For this reason, craft cocktails, Belgian beer, and refreshing mocktails are offered to perfectly go with the ciabatta sandwiches.
- Craft Cocktails: The Belgian Mule offers ginger-lime refreshment that counters the heaviness of the Belgian Turkey Club. In contrast, Drop of Sunshine overpowers citrusy brightness that goes well with creamy cheeses, such as Brie.
- Beer Pairings: Our Baptist Wit is light, with hints of citrus, and goes well with the Farmer’s Fresh Ciabatta. TOB IPA, a Belgian-style IPA with fruity, creamy notes and a spicy finish, is the perfect bold pairing for the Ham & Brie.
- Mocktails: For the non-alcoholic selections, our Rainy Days blueberry lemonade mocktail is an invigorating cocktail for breakfast favorites such as Avocado Toast on ciabatta.
For more excitement about food-beverage pairing, host a Belgian beer tasting at home.
The Perfect Breakfast-to-Lunch Transition
Ciabatta is really special because it can fill the void between breakfast and lunch. It does well holding down heavy eggs and bacon, yet is just perfect with light veggies and vinaigrettes. At 10 a.m., it’s the Avocado Toast; at 1 p.m., it’s the Belgian Turkey Club. Ciabatta just feels right.
This versatility is what makes it a favorite at Taste of Belgium, and guests simply love ordering it any time of the day.
Why Ciabatta is the Star of Artisan Breakfast Sandwiches
The ciabatta is chewy, flavorful, and uniquely versatile. It stands in harmony with subtle vegetables, bold meats, and rich cheeses, never overpowering any of them. It is also strong enough to stand up to more textural spreads, like aioli or pesto, thus making it a wonderful platform for sandwiches that require contrasting mouthfeel and flavor. One bite assures you that it isn’t just an ingredient; it’s the very base of the meal.
Planning Your Artisan Bread Experience at Taste of Belgium
For breakfast, ciabatta is best served with eggs, avocado, or goetta in the mornings. For lunch, the sandwiches shine brightly alongside the craft cocktails or Belgian beers the Belgian Turkey Club and Ham & Brie call home.
For anyone who has just walked into the place and taken their first step toward some selections, we recommend trying out the Farmer’s Fresh Ciabatta while going lighter, or the Belgian Turkey Club if looking for heavier fare. Pair this with a Belgian Mule or the Rainy Days mocktail, and you are set for the final round of greatness.
Come and taste it for yourself at Taste of Belgium, Cincinnati!
