Victoria Hall

 I've been meaning to get here for some time and check this place out.  My
 sister and I went this past weekend and really enjoyed it.  The building
 was formerly a mansion, and has been the Ursuline Academy for the last
 100 years.  The building has been restored in keeping with the "Painted
 Lady" tradition--a la lots of colors--and is quite interesting to walk
 around.  Hard to imagine nuns living in such a house!

 Anyways, they are open to the public for brunch on Sundays and other
 semi-regular occasions.  Since there is a small theater on the premises,
 they occasionally have a combination dinner/theatre performance.

 We enjoyed brunch.  The selections were interesting and well prepared,
 considering it was served chafing dish/buffet style.  There was a poached
 fish stuffed with (real) crab, a curried rice dish, a tortellina alfredo,
 smoked salmon, various salads, and traditional breakfast items.  The
 surprise for me was their "peaches and cream french toast" which is made
 with croissants (yum, egg-dipped, fried croissants--now there's a health
 food :-).

 I've missed many of the details, since I'm not a food critic, nor do I
 play one on TV.  But I'll go back for special occasions (it's not inexpensive,
 although brunch does include a mimosa, at $17.50 per person).

 BTW, the same owner owns Victoria Cafe in the North Side.  Victoria Hall
 is at 201 Winebiddle St. in Bloomfield (off Penn Ave.).  The phone is
 363-8030.  Reservations are recommended.

 Beth Mazur               Slogan under construction...check back soon.
 MAYA Design Group
 work: http://www.maya.com/      play: http://www.maya.com/Local/mazur

 Kelly P. wrote:
 >
 > Has anyone been to Victoria Hall in Bloomfield?  I have to find a place
 > for lunch/brunch for after my graduation ceremony in May and saw this
 > place in a book.  (There aren't many places that are open until about
 > 3:00pm on Sundays for more "formal" occasions).  Any
 > recommendations/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 I was there a little over a year ago for my birthday.
 I was very disappointed with it, considering what
 they advertise.  The "extensive" buffet was not what
 I would consider extensive.  Also it was poorly
 maintained and the waffle and omelet stations were
 abandoned a good portion of the time so that you
 couldn't get anything without a very long wait.  The
 food was just "okay".  The dining room is not very
 "Victorian" in decor or atmosphere.  The outside of
 the building is downright shabby looking with flaking
 paint, etc.  I would never recommend it to anyone
 and would in fact recommend that they avoid it.

 Kate

 Just for an alternate viewpoint on Victoria Hall: I've had brunch
 there three times, and in contrast to Kate was quite impressed with
 the selection and quality of the food.  Given what buffets usually
 cost ($20+) I always find that it's hard to eat enough to feel like
 I've gotten my money's worth, but I don't consider the one at Victoria
 Hall unreasonably priced as buffets go.

 On two of the occasions, I was with a large group that had booked the
 entire dining room, so perhaps those experiences are not
 representative.  I can see that they'd be more careful about keeping
 the omelet and waffle stations attended for a large group like that.
 I agree that the dining room itself is not particularly Victorian in
 feel, and not actually that distinguished in any way.  But my
 recollection is that it's pleasant enough, and the decor in some of
 the other rooms (which seem to be open for viewing all the time) is
 pretty spectacular.  It is true that the outside does not look
 completely spiffed up -- I hope they're planning to do more.  It's
 also not in the most savory-looking part of town (in
 Bloomfield/Friendship, but just across Penn Ave from Garfield).  That
 sort of thing doesn't bother me, but it might concern you if your
 guests are not used to urban settings.

 If you're not inclined to spend the money to try the place out before
 your graduation, perhaps they'd let you just drop by on a Sunday so
 you could see what it's like without eating.  Or perhaps they'd be
 willing to tell you over the phone about what they usually serve.

 Tony Mauro