Tiramisu French Toast at 'Project Brunch' on Staten Island

CHARLESTON, Staten Island (WABC) -- Who doesn't love a good brunch?

Brunch all the time is the idea behind the restaurant we're featuring in this week's "Neighborhood Eats".

"Project Brunch" features pancakes, waffles, bacon, sausage, but so much more.

They also have inventive versions of your favorite brunch dishes and brunch items you didn't think even existed.

It's brunch every day at "Project Brunch" located at 4553 Arthur Kill Road in the Charleston section of Staten Island, where the two owners live as well.

"Project brunch is an experience, more of an experience than it is just going out to eat," a customer said.

She may be referring to the overly decadent items on the menu from s'mores waffles to s'mores drinks.

"I like how their food comes out nice and fancy and anything you get is delicious no matter what," another customer said.

The two owners have lots of experience in the food world.

Jodi Guagliardo and Nick Granata are best friends who plotted about launching "Project Brunch" for 10 years.

"We started creating all this fun food, a little twist on breakfast and lunch ideas," Guagliardo said.

The menu came together and they found space in the Charleston section of Staten Island.

"It's nice seeing the people who you grew up with now come in and enjoying something you're serving them and seeing them smiling, to be a part of the community, such a bigger way makes it that much better," Granata said.

"The whole community has come out but not even our community, people from all of the boroughs have embraced us, and New Jersey as well, so the fact that everybody is willing to pay tolls is pretty cool," Guagliardo said.

The reward is something like tiramisu French toast.

A batter of eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla is mixed, and the white bread dipped into that and placed on the griddle.

Lady fingers are soaked in espresso and layered on that French toast along with mascarpone, and it's topped with whipped cream. No maple syrup on this one.

There are healthier options and a huge coffee menu, but those creative items captivate.

"Project Brunch" opens at 7 a.m. and the last customer is seated at 3 p.m.

The only day you can't get brunch is Monday.

Tiramisu French Toast Recipe

Ingredients

Country White Bread: 2 Slices

Eggs: 2

Cinnamon: 1 Tablespoon

Sugar: 2 Tablespoons

Vanilla Extract: 1 Tablespoon

Milk: Cup

Mascarpone Cheese: Cup

Lady Fingers: 4

Espresso: 3 Shots plus 1 Tablespoon Sugar

Whipped Cream (fresh or canned)

Cocoa Powder For Dusting

Powdered Sugar for Dusting

Directions

Mix eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon & 1 tablespoon sugar in bowl.

Dip bread until both sides are well coated in mixture.

Place on hot griddle with butter.

Cook until golden brown on both sides.

Plate side by side on dish.

Dip lady fingers into espresso & sugar mixture quickly or it will break, and place on 1 piece of cooked French toast.

Top with Mascarpone cheese, other piece of cooked French toast to make a sandwich.

Top with whipped cream and dust the cocoa powder and powdered sugar.

Enjoy!