Sacred Sunday Brunch in The Village

Ahh, Sunday Brunch: all one has to do is utter those two words and a smile will creep onto my face as my eyes become wispy and nostalgic. With mouth-watering anticipation I mentally calculate how long before the next Sunday morning finds its rightful place on my calendar. For me, brunch is sacred, something that only Sunday can truly claim. I prefer a combination of sun and shade on a private patio with light music playing and a nicely spiced bloody mary for starters. If you're perceptive you will spot me: large dark sunglasses, crisp button-down, jeans, and Hungry.

This Sunday, blessed with perfect blue skies and a cooling breeze, we selected a quiet outdoor dining area annexed by a thick hedge from bumbling Biltmore Village at none other than Corner Kitchen.

This Southern-with-a-Gourmet-Twist concept is already a favorite among locals as well as the many tourists who tend to migrate to The Village around this time each year. It's cozy and comfortable, with a sort of homey feel. In fact, the building itself is an old house, once a dwelling for middle class long before the shops and restaurants appeared. Outside, a tranquil waterfall trickles in the background, enhancing the ambience the mountain breeze and fragrant spring flowers inherently create. Large umbrellas centered at each table produce a sort of roof, all pieced together just so, reluctantly allowing slivers of sunlight here and there to appreciative diners.

As I read and re-read the menu, it became quite obvious that choosing just one of their many delicious dishes was going to be impossible for us. We managed to narrow it down to three and dove into our bloody marys, remarking about their house-made mix as self-proclaimed connoisseurs. The piercing rays of warm morning sun added to the laissez-faire attitude already permeating the patio and before long our delectable brunch arrived on colorful Fiesta plates begging to be devoured.

Despite how anxious I was to try the Chef's twist on the classic Eggs Benedict, we found ourselves quickly cutting into a shared F.S. Carbon Waffle with fresh strawberries, bananas, blueberry compote, and real maple syrup. So fast, that I was truly unable to hold back long enough to even snap a photo of the beautiful presentation! Admittedly, I had to ask about the name of the waffle, as I was completely unfamiliar with "F.S. Carbon". As explained by our knowledgeable server and an incredibly friendly manager, F.S. Carbon is a waffle maker company and they manufacture and sell the gourmet mix as well. Apparently, these waffles are somewhat famous in certain areas of the country. I can see why!

Being an obvious slave to traditional brunch and since the now-eaten waffle had only aroused my appetite, I shifted my attention to my orignal selection: Eggs Bennie. This particular take on a classic dish traded the original English muffin for a homemade biscuit, bringing appropriate southern comfort to my plate. With expertly made, spiced hollandaise, perfectly poached eggs and succulent ham, Eggs Bennie proved to be the best executed, best tasting, most fulfilling Benedict I have tried in the entire city. And, I must say, that is a bold statement.

A brunch could not be complete without a light and fluffy omelet, and this one was no exception to the rule. The Chef made it just the right size, full of red and green bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes plus creamy havarti all paired with roasted potatoes. Considering this is a combination of some of my favorite ingredients of all time, I was quite pleased! Despite my stomach being overly full, I continued to eat until almost every bite was gone, not sure as to how long it would be until I could return and wanting to relish it all.

Among the many shops and few tasty eateries of Biltmore Village there are many places that you may pass by. Perhaps you'll peer into the window of a boutique or glance at the menu posted outside a restaurant before moving on, unsure of its true colors. Believe me when I say: Corner Kitchen is not one of the places you should choose to pass by. There is a reason you'll wait half an hour for a table, and for you own good, remember that your mother taught you to be patient. Yes, there are other places to go. Yes, they may even satisfy your hunger. But they may not leave you telling others about how amazing your experience was for days to come, as I am doing now. I don't know about you, but on Sunday morning around noon, I'll be the one in the sunglasses, waiting, anticipating, proud that I know I'm at the right place.

G.