Sicilian Breakfast at Brelundi (Waltham, MA)

First, let's talk about the name. Brelundi may sound like an Italian word to some, but it actually just refers to "breakfast lunch dinner" - the three meals this Italian cafe in Waltham serves. They actually have quite a unique breakfast offerings. Breakfast, Sicilian style. Brelundi is open from 7am everyday and it's close to the T station, so it's great stop for locals on their way to work.

The unassuming eatery actually has quite a few surprises, like their breakfast arancini ($4 each). If you're not yet familiar with it, arancini is a fried risotto ball and it is said to have originated in Sicily back in the 10th century. They're usually filled with cheese, meat, or vegetable, but Brelundi takes a unique approach with their breakfast versions!

The breakfast arancinis, which were quite big - two might fill me up, are filled with either eggs and spinach, or eggs and sausage. They're also great for a grab-and-go breakfast since it's easy to hold and eat them with your hands.

I really enjoyed these since I usually like both arancini and eggs in general, why not put them together, right?

There's also a 12" breakfast pizza for $8, topped with fresh, housemade mozzarella cheese, bechamel sauce, eggs, and a choice of spinach, prosciutto, or sausage.

I was impressed by the thin crust of this pizza - usually I end up not eating the edges of pizza because it's too doughy or too plain or something, but this one was nice and crisp.

Frittatas are $6.95 each and the options include potato, vegetable, and cheese,

or all of the above plus sausage. 

We also tried another Sicilian item called panelle. Panelle are fried chickpea fritters and are apparently a popular street food in Palermo.

Coffees are also solid at Brelundi, and I have no complaints about the price! I got a Cappuccino for $2.50

Of course, with coffee comes dessert (or a sweet breakfast). Another Sicilian specialty that we tried were the Iris ($2 for a small, $3.50 for a large)

It's like a filled brioche donut. Iris is made with brioche filled with sheep's milk ricotta, chocolate, and lemon peel, then covered in cinnamon sugar.

This is another typical food of Palermo that's hard to find elsewhere.
Brelundi will be opening a bigger restaurant in a couple of months, but the current location is a great place to come for Italian food that is approachable and affordable and yet still holds surprises and offer unusual, traditional items. All the pastries and gelato are also made in-house, accompanied by Italian soft drinks.

Brelundi
16 Felton St
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 788-8805
http://brelundi.com/