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BY LISA KAMPETER
Never before have I spoken here about my addiction to a chain restaurant that specializes in waffles, whose name I’m not going to mention. This space isn’t about my addictions or chain restaurants. It’s about the Dining Diva outings and cool new restaurants we’ve tried out. It’s about the fun more than the food.

But this month, I’m talking about the food. This month’s restaurant was shameful in the eyes of the Divas, and it has reconfirmed my belief. No place can top “Good Food Fast” and that chain restaurant. It’s very addicting.

Like every January, the Dining Divas enjoyed brunch together instead of our usual Thursday night dinner. This year we were excited to have a Jazz Brunch at the Geyer House in Soulard. Resembling a saloon, the Geyer House has high ceilings, a bar, and a cozy fireplace. In a corner of the room sat a guitarist strumming along as we chatted away and anticipated a fabulous brunch. At this point, “Good Food Fast” never crossed my mind.

After a half hour of chatter about the latest dating shenanigans of a few of the singles, including one single Diva contemplating putting the kabosh to her new relationship with a man who admittedly loves Celine Dion, the pack headed to the buffet. We were excited to see an interesting array of breakfast and lunch food. Salad with poppy seed dressing. Biscuits and gravy. Mexican casserole. Bacon and sausage. Mini-pancakes. Mashed potatoes and gravy. French toast breakfast sandwiches. Roast beef and ham. Glorified macaroni and cheese. At this point, I could have cared less about waffles.

We sat down at our seats with our plates piled high and tasty mimosas at our sides to celebrate Sunday, a new year, and another great time with the girls. At this point, I am reminded of the typical resolutions we tend to make. Like the one about losing 25 pounds. “The diet starts tomorrow.” Or the one about finding the good in everything. “She sure was a crab today.” Oh, and the one about not complaining. Obviously, this didn’t apply at the Geyer House.

“I can’t even cut the beef,” said the Culinary Diva. “My casserole is cold. My biscuit is frozen,” just after the basket of biscuits had been refilled. She was on a roll, and it didn’t stop there or just with her.

The hotcakes were cold cakes as were the eggs, the sandwiches, the mac and cheese, the casserole, and most everything else. It’s ashame because the Mexican casserole with beans, cheese, and rice tasted great. The scrambled eggs with ham and peppers were anything but ordinary. And the macaroni and cheese was good enough to wrap up and take home. For this Diva, I was able to find the hot spots on the platters, but for many of the others, this wasn’t the case. In defense of the management, once it was brought to their attention that the food was cold, they made a decent effort to remedy the problem; however, in some Diva minds, the damage was done.

Which brings me back to that chain restaurant that specializes in waffles. We paid $13.95 for brunch at the Geyer House, which included a non-alcoholic beverage and dessert (bread pudding that day). Not too pricey for brunch. But for less than half the price and twice the taste, I could have enjoyed a delicious waffle (preferably dark) with hash browns (preferably well done) and a Diet Coke at my favorite chain.

I can still hear music, as there’s a jukebox in every location. I can sit at the counter just like I’m sitting at the bar. And really, who needs a fireplace when you’ve got an exposed kitchen right in front of you!

As I recall, I wasn’t too pleased with my first outing for “Good Food Fast”, but now it’s always Diva-worthy in my world.

But I’m reminded again of New Year’s resolutions. Like the one about giving everyone a second chance. “I would try it again,” said one Diva. And the one about finding the good in everything. “There were three really cute guys that walked in,” said another. Now that’s what I call addicting! Then again, you can get that at my favorite chain, too.

With this battle of the “Houses,” I’m always going to recommend the waffle one first. That House feels more like home.

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