Waffle Brunch in Williamsburg

If there's anything that will motivate us to go out on a Sunday morning, walk over to the G train, and head to Williamsburg, it's a vegan waffle brunch. Joshua Katcher has yet again put together a not-to-be-missed vegan foodie event. You might remember the time that we attended one of Joshua's Gracious Gourmand dinners, which was coincidentally one of the evenings featuring Chef Ayinde Howell, who is the very same chef cooking up the most amazing waffles every Sunday now at The West Cafe.

The West Cafe is a sunny, cute little place with many vegan offerings on their regular menu, in addition to the all-vegan waffle brunch on Sundays. They have vegan muffins and pastries from Champs Family Bakery, and even Mast Brothers chocolate bars. But the waffles...oh, the waffles!

The waffle menu changes somewhat each week, but there is always Le Classic and a gluten-free variety. This week's offerings included Pumpkin Spice, Orange Chocolate Marble, and a Mocha Waffle. Deciding which flavor to order may very well be the most difficult decision of your life.

Ayinde makes & tops each waffle himself. Just look at how skillfully he pours the syrup!

No matter which waffle you get, you absolutely have to order a side of Ayinde's secret recipe mac & "yease." We tasted this for the first time at the Gracious Gourmand dinner, and it remains one of the best and most unique macaroni & cheese recipes I have ever tasted. I know there's nutritional yeast in there, and some lemon juice, and... I don't know what else. But it's so good. It's you-have-to-taste-it-to-believe-it kind of good. Get it.

This is the gluten-free corn waffle that I ordered. Joshua swore that these gluten-free waffles tasted just like the Eggo waffles of his childhood memories, and I agree! Crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, and with just a hint of sweetness, these were light yet incredibly flavorful and satisfying. They might be gluten-free, but there was nothing missing from these waffles.

And this was the incredibly decadent Chocolate Orange Marble waffle. Topped with chocolate sauce. And vegan whipped cream. I could wax poetic about this waffle, but really, just look at it. That is a thing of perfection.

And last, but certainly not least, is the Pumpkin Spice waffle. Warm, fragrant, and perfect for a chilly Sunday morning. I think these were even in a vegan-friendly cow shape. They were heavenly. So where are you going to be next Sunday?