The best brunch I nearly never had...

While at 'Nova, I was intent on hitting up all of my favorite food joints on our quick 36 hour trip this weekend. These included primarily Campus Corner and Wingers. I mean seriously, I could never go to Villanova and not re-live the "double chicken parm on garlic bread". CamCo still had my phone number registered to my name when I called. Too bad I didn't have my wildcard...

Our food journey also included the staple Gullifty's - I had a delicious cajun burger with some kind of tangy ranch dressing and a Hoegaarden. Boy had a steak sandwich topped with guyere cheese and onions completed by a dunkelweizen. We love our wheat beers. Saturday night we also indulged in some boneless wings and the famed chicken ceasar wrap from Wingers. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. However, and surprisingly, none of these were the highlight of the weekend's food adventures.

Meet Nudy's Cafe

Howard has been talking about this place called Nudy's since we graduated. I can't recall why or when its come up, but on occasion he gets that look in his eye and tone in his voice and starts a rant about the wonder that is Nudy's. I had never heard of this place in all the years I went to Villanova, so naturally I was a skeptic. The only breakfast place I knew and supported was Minella's. Well, forget about Minella's. After eating at this place, I don't think there is a better breakfast place ANYWHERE. Yes, a bold statement, but I am feeling quite passionate about this place right now. Before I jump in, let me tell you a bit about myelf: I'm not a breakfast person. I don't eat eggs, I don't like breakfast meats, I get sugar crashes from the syrup on pancakes and french toast, waffles are burdensome to tackle. Its just not my favorite meal, and that is a-okay with me. When Howie says, "lets go out for brunch," I'll go, but I go begrudgingly. In my mind, why not just wait for lunch?

Fast forward, here we are at Villanova for our pre-cana weekend and its Sunday morning. Part of me is rooting for bagel factory since I know what to expect and am feeling groggy. I know how pointless this thought is, Howard's mind is made up - to Nudy's we go. He keeps talking about this french toast and I'm sitting there wondering who names their breakfast joint "Nudy's." We pull up on the gorgeous morning that was this past Sunday. I was immediately comforted by the smell of the grass and flower perfumes mixed with the smell in the air just after it rains while everything is still moist. The sun was starting to melt the haze and the people was loitering in the gravel parking lot waiting. The place was hopping. The outdoor patio in front was filled, the innside, tiny dining room was a hustle and a bustle with people, and the noise emanating from the back patio was enough to tell us the place was packed. I was okay with it... the hostess said only a 10 minute wait, and it was exactly that. We sat, got our coffees and started perusing the menu. It looked great, complete with anything you could ever want for breakfast or lunch. I asked Howie how lunches were since I was eyeing a few of the sandwiches. He looked at me straight faced and said - "I only get breakfast here." He said it as if I was a fool to get anything otherwise so I flipped back to the breakfast selections. I was not in the mood for an all-carb, sink to the bottom of your belly kind of breakfast. I noticed they had crepes. I'd only ever had a crepe in Africa, and it was pretty good. The menu said it was filled with sweet ricotta and topped with fruit and whipped cream. I'll take it.

There are no words to describe how wonderfully scrumptious this breakfast was. 

This is Heaven. 

It was phenomenal. The best breakfast I ever ate. It was the definition of perfection. Period. End of Story. 

But it's not the end of the story, because Howie also ate breakfast. He ordered the Cinnabon French Toast. What is that all about? It is literally the most enormous cinnabon you've seen dipped in french toast batter, griddled up and served to you with love and tenderness. Oh, and they give you TWO enormous cinnabons. I could only have a bite of his because I was far too infatuated with my own breakfast, but let me tell you - this was awesome. 

Buttery and sweet, it was french toast on a whole different playing field. It couldn't even compete with french toast, really. 

Moral of the story: If you have never been to Nudy's and you live on or near the main line YOU MUST GO. I cannot believe I missed out on this joint for so long. It is worth it. You will not regret it.

The Lowdown on the new NovaNation

Welcome back! And welcome to the new Villanova University sign on the corner of Ithan and Lancaster. If you are facebook friends with the University (or if you "like" the University?) you probably saw posts about this a while ago, but I couldn't help but take a picture of it myself as I walked on to campus for the first time in 2.5 years. The picture does not do it justice at all - the thing is huge! It actually makes it challenging for students who trudge up from south campus to walk around it, it's that big. Of course, this wasn't the only change. Here's a few comments I have about what we saw on our mini-tour of main campus this weekend.

I will admit, I was very nervous to get back on campus knowing changes were afoot. I wasn't sure what to expect and I wasn't sure that it would still be "my" Villanova. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised!   The only change I did not love (or really like for that matter) was the pop-out colored pavers they decided to place in front of Connelly and Dougherty halls. They may look harmless in this picture, but with the back drop of the beautiful light gray stone of the Villanova-defining buildings, it is much too harsh of a contrast. My hope is that the will fade a bit overtime, I guess we'll see.

~  side note: I like to think I was being artsy taking this photo of Howie's feet and shadow ~


 Despite the stone pavers, the patio area in front of Connelly was wonderfully done. There were two levels of brand new outdoor tables and chairs nestled close to the building and out of the way of passersby. I would also add, had I had enough time, that this would probably be an ideal people watching location while chowing down on some great Bell Air Terrace food.  Sadly, I do not have a picture to share. There were some Nova girls sitting outside eating/reading and I felt odd taking a picture of the patio while they were there... I'm not that much of a tourist/creeper. Upon departing Connelly from the first floor, we were greeted with an excellently placed staircase and new walkway to sneak over to Sullivan. It was very well done and quite unexpected.

We meandered out way towards the church and stumbled upon out class' gift to the school as well: this quaint and well-placed clock! This was the point at which Howard rolled his eyes at my touristy behavior. I say, never be ashamed of being a tourist (to a point... read: I did in fact refrain from taking a picture of the Connelly patio, I do have some self control). Memories only last for so long in tact - we live in a great age of technology, take a picture, it will last longer than your memory.

In closing, I'm sure you are all wondering where the Oreo is if you read the hub-bub on your newsfeed each time its been moved over the past couple of years. I'm standing in its expected location while taking the picture as if I was walking towards the grotto. Here it is:

I wish I had a thoughtful comment, but when I look at this picture I feel sad it is all wrapped up and closed off.... Right now, I'll just be hopeful that next time I return it will be back in its rightful place where I can sit on it and be properly nostalgic.

To Villanova we go...

V for Villanova, V for Victory
B for blue and W for white,
with the blue and the white we will fight!
Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight....
For Villanova, Fight for victory,
For we're out to win the fray, Villanova leads the way
With a capital V for Victory!

I LOVE my alma mater. The very first time I visited back when I was a lowly junior in high school I actually was sick and fought with my parents to stay home. Of course, I didn't have a fever and wasn't vomiting, so in my mother's book I was not sick. First stop was a teeny tiny school up near Scranton, PA. It was cloudy and drizzly and my mother's pick. Naturally, I had no interest in it. Then we drove the 2 hours down to Philly. Fortunately the sun was shining and it was April so the flowers were in bloom. We got to campus and my world changed. It was vibrant, people were everywhere, and they were having fun. My dad and I were solicited at the Oreo (space in the middle of campus where people gather) to participate in various on-goings being hosted by different groups on campus.

On our tour, we got the traditional Villanova speeches and dramatizations. The most memorable for me: "Pick your date before you pick you mate" There was a ubiquitously known rumor that the waiting list to get married at St. Thomas of Villanova was 4 years. Yes, FOUR YEARS. So the tease was to put your name down because, also a ubiquitously believed rumor, Villanovans often marry other Villanovans.

I was in love! All I could talk about was Villanova. And that church - it was the most beautiful parish church I had seen. White stone, pink marble floor. I was convinced I would attend this school and I was convinced I would get married in that church. It was the first dream and goal I had as a person (as opposed to a child). Everything to that point in my life was step-wise and determined; Villanova I would choose. And I did. I applied early action, was accepted and cried in a way I had never cried. I was not sad, I was not hurt. I was so relieved this dream was coming true, and the tears came rolling. It was the first time I cried out of happiness.

I could go on and on about Villanova ad nauseum. Mostly because it is the place were I became me. It is also the place I will be getting married to another Villanovan next year (2013). So why am I writing about this now? Because we are off to Pre-Cana tomorrow at Villanova! I am so excited to be going back after not having visited in 2 years. I don't know what is in store for us as far as pre-cana goes, but I have already begun preparing for the nostalgia that is about to ensue and planning how I will hit up all of my favorite stomping grounds while I am there this weekend. Wish me luck - there's a lot to accomplish!