Half & Half for Brunch

Half & Half

If you are looking for a wonderful place for brunch, then Half & Half in Clayton should definitely be high on your list. When you first walk in, you will start to feel the vibe of this place. A fully stocked bar, an open kitchen, and a variety of seating options of high tables, bar, booths, and regular tables/chairs. This was my third trip to this restaurant, but my first since starting this blog. Naturally, it has become one of my favorite destinations for starting my day. With four in our party we arrived on a weekday around 8am and were met with a wait of about 20 minutes. The receptionist quickly offered to get us coffee as we waited, an early sign of what we could expect for service. This place is popular (for good reasons!), so expect a wait when you come. If you are dining on a weekend, it is best to arrive close to opening - the crowds will pick up quickly.

Once seated we ordered the doughnuts, a treat of sugar, cinnamon, crunchy outside, soft inside delicious goodness. They are decadent and addicting. For entrees, we ordered Veggie Hash, Sausage Biscuit, and two omelets (Brussels Sprouts and Cheddar; Beans, Cheddar, and Avocado). The Veggie Hash consisted of perfectly sauteed brussels sprouts, potatoes, onions, and spinach, with two eggs sunny side up. The brussels sprouts were slightly charred while still maintaining that crunch you want in cooked veggies. The potatoes were well-seasoned and cooked to a dark brown. The Sausage Biscuit consisted of a flaky biscuit, mildly spicy sausage, scrambled eggs and gooey cheddar cheese. The waitress asked if she should bring some sausage gravy with it. Though the diner initially turned her down, she offered to bring it at no charge because she KNEW that he would want it. He relented, and we were all glad that he did! Both omelets were a nice size, bulging with the selected ingredients. One omelet had the brussels sprouts, adding a nice crunch and a change of pace from your typical omelet veggie. The second omelet had just the right amount of beans with a slight kick, and generous slices of avocado to add yet another texture to the meal. With each omelet there was a nice balance among the eggs, cheese, and veggies.

Veggie Hash

 For drinks we had orange juice (fresh squeezed!), a batch-brewed coffee (Buziraguhindwa Burundi), and a 24oz carafe of their signature pour-over coffee (Cerro Azul Geisha). If you are a bit of a coffee snob, this is a good place to go. The batch-brewed coffee was excellent, but the pour-over is by far the best. The waitress was especially helpful in describing the coffee, even going so far as to encouraging one of our diners to omit her normal splash of cream because "I don't think you will need it." She also described how the flavor profile would change as the coffee cooled, taking on a silkier texture as the flavors intensified. Well, she was spot on with everything!

 Half & Half has everything you would want for a brunch spot.

Summary of Ratings:
Yelp: 4 (out of 5)
Urban Spoon: 86% likes
Google: 21 (out of 30)
tripadvisor: 4.5 (out of 5)