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!
About Eggspectation Ballantyne
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.
What We Ordered
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.
Our Final Thoughts On Eggspectation Ballantyne
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.
North Carolina Spot Makes Yelp's Top Benedict In Every State List
4. Tennessee: Eggstravaganza Cafe in Antioch
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.
