Eggspectation Ballantyne North Carolina Brings Unique All Day Brunch Concept

As a self proclaimed 'foodie' I'm always aware of any new restaurants opening.  And, ever since I heard about Eggspectation Ballantyne North Carolina opening I couldn't wait to try it.  According to WBTV, the unique all day brunch spot opened officially on January 30 in Ballantyne Village where Terrace Cafe once stood.  So, here's what happened when we finally tried it this weekend.  We love breakfast.  But, I think we love brunch even more!

The menu for Eggspectation Ballantyne caught my attention because it was fairly large.  Of course, there was everything from the standard eggs, meats, pancakes and french toast fare to other more unique offerings.  And, since the original location of Eggspectation got its start in Montreal, there's a slight French influence.  The vibe is bright and inviting with a bit of 'bienvenue' or 'welcome.'  And, the spot also offers a big menu of lunch and dinner options throughout the remainder of the day, too.

We started with an option from the 'tear & share' portion of the menu.  And, if you don't order anything else from Eggspectation Ballantyne, please do yourself a favor and order the 'Gooey Goose Bread.'  The menu describes it as 'freshly baked bread, coated in house-made salted maple caramel sauce and dusted with cinnamon and sugar.'  It arrived in a skillet type dish like a pull apart bread.  There was plenty for three of us to have a couple of pieces each.  It was a little crunchy on the bottom and fluffy on the inside.  The bread had a great sturdy texture while remaining airy.  And, the sauce was something I could drink with a straw.

Next, we selected our entrees.  My son chose the 'Nashville Hot Benny.'  It was fried chicken breast with Nashville spices and two eggs.  They come poached.  However, he chose to have them over easy.  They easily granted the request.  In standard benedict fashion, it came over English muffins with Hollandaise and served with Lyonnaise style potatoes.  Picture large oval shaped flat french fries.  And, there were lots of pickles.  He gave it a solid review.

I chose the Huevos Rancheros with two over easy eggs on tortillas with refried beans, ground chorizo, jalapenos, pico and cilantro lime aioli.  I cut the avocado since I don't like it.  I enjoyed mine.  I wished the tortillas had been a little crispier.  They were almost like flour tortillas that had been fried.  But, they weren't quite crispy, yet not soft.  It seemed like an element that needed to commit to one side or the other.

My husband decided on the Prime Rib Benedict.  It was served on ciabatta with horseradish aioli, Hollandaise and au jus.  It also came with potatoes.  He enjoyed the dish.  However, the poached eggs were a bit overdone leaning a little toward medium boiled eggs.  He also had a spicy Bloody Mary.  While it was a decent cocktail, he hoped for a little more spice.  It didn't blow us away.

It was a pleasant first visit.  However, it didn't knock our socks off.  But, I feel we will definitely return to try some of the other dishes on their all day brunch menu.  And, I would order that bread again for sure.  So, give Eggspectation Ballantyne a try and see what you think.  And, browse the menu for more information on this unique franchise open in North Carolina.

I had no idea until I happened upon this story that April is National Brunch Month. Ahhh, brunch is that perfect combo of breakfast and lunch for those of us who like to sleep in yet still dine on "breakfasty" type foods. I always catch grief from our fellow brunchers because I rarely choose traditional breakfast foods. And, I usually lean savory rather than sweet. Although, I do love some fluffy pancakes.  But Yelp helps us navigate brunch with their "top benedict in every state list."

I like breakfast to be a little more adventurous than the typical eggs and bacon. And, I like some spice if it's available. And, benedicts fall into the more interesting category. So, when I saw Yelp ranked the top benedict in every state I had to check on North Carolina and South Carolina.

In checking out the complete list, I took note of those neighboring states as well. And, of course I had to throw my two cents in with a pick for North Carolina and South Carolina from my personal experience. Plus, I'll go ahead and tell you that I like a benedict with a little bit of a Southern twist. So, feel free to take a look at the complete list from Yelp for every state. But, we'll start with the North Carolina breakfast spot making Yelp's top benedict in every state list.

Sunrise Grill is located on NC 105 in beautiful Boone, North Carolina. And, in looking at the website I can certainly see why it made Yelp's top benedict in every state list. Benedicts appear to be the specialty at Sunrise Grill. They offer at least four different varieties, including the traditional. But, others look amazing featuring smoked salmon or brisket and even flank steak. There's one with spinach and another on a biscuit with sausage patties. I'm in!

The Lost Dog Cafe, Folly Beach tops Yelp's list of top benedicts in every state for South Carolina. Their website says "we like to think Lost Dog Cafe is to Folly as biscuit is to gravy" They're located on West Huron Ave. Folly Beach. And, the International Eggs Benedict I saw on their menu pleases me just fine. It includes Canadian bacon, fried green tomatoes and of course poached eggs with hollandaise sauce. Lost Dog also has plenty of other Southern favorites on the menu, too!

The Collins Quarter in Savannah made the list of top benedict in every state for Georgia.  The description of their Eggs Benedict on the menu includes, pancetta, arugula, rosemary garlic potato roasti's and an option of smoked salmon.  In browsing other items I think if I did go sweet, I'd choose the "Cannoli French Toast."  Wow.  They have two locations, and in looking at the Forsyth location it seems they offer a crab cake benedict.  This spot seems like a solid choice either way!

Eggstravaganza Cafe's website says the concept came from a passion for fusing different flavors and cuisine.  The benedict looks pretty straightforward and delicious.  A quick look around shows Shakshuka, French Toast, Skillets, Crepes, Pancakes, Pierogies and more.  It seems they live up to their concept of flavors from around the world.  It appears to be another solid choice from Yelp's top benedict in every state list.

Bay Local Eatery in Virginia Beach made Yelp's top benedict in the state of Virginia.  Their "Original Benedict" includes black forrest ham, poached eggs and hollandaise over a toasted English muffin with home fries, garlic parmesan tots or cheese grits.  They also offer a version with fried oysters or crab cakes or the fried chicken bennie as well as a smoked salmon variety or the smoked sausage or veggie kind.  According to their website, the owner spent years living and working around the water in the region.  And, they describe their style as "coastal southern."

And, now we get to my picks!  We love Stack's Kitchen on Broome St. in Waxhaw.  And, they also have a location in Matthews.  But, it's just good, friendly home cooking.  And, Stack's serves breakfast all day.  Of course, the traditional breakfast items are done right here.  And, if  you're looking for great pancakes and french toast you'll find it.  But, they have several benedicts.  And, my favorite is the Country Benedict.  It's a homemade biscuit with sausage patty, topped with scrambled eggs and country gravy.  It's amazing and enough for at least two people!  They're open each day until 3 p.m.  And, they just might be my choice for one of the top benedicts in the state.

This isn't the first time I've written about my love of Blueberry's Grill in North Myrtle Beach.  They serve great breakfast until 3 p.m.  And, I love all their skillet specialties.  Plus, they have great chicken and waffles and bloody mary's.  But, I think they have some of the top benedicts in the state.  The variety is amazing ranging from smoked salmon to chorizo to pork belly and crab cake benedicts.  And, they also have a Country Benedict with bacon or sausage on biscuits with fried green tomatoes.  This one's always a winner for any beach visit.