The Beauty Shop

Price Range: Moderate $-$$ Entrees range from $10-$20
Stars Awarded: 3.5
Letter Grade: B-, Above Average
Portion Size: Small-Medium

The Food: The menu selection on Sunday morning was limited to breakfast fare and was somewhat uncreative. Most of the items could be made by a decent amateur cook at home, though the quality of my food was excellent and my personal portion was medium, though for $15 I would expect a bit more. Some of my companions had rather small portions that a large man like myself would not have been full after. In fact, one of my smallest companions ordered $8.00 French toast and received one piece of toast with warm banana's foster-like compote. She was still very, very hungry and I think would have liked a side of bacon or sausage and some hash browns with it, had she ordered again. I, on the other hand, ordered the Ham Hash: potatoes, sweet potatoes, sweet onions and red peppers, fried ham, fluffy scrambled eggs that were heavily peppered, and herbs. It was salted perfectly and served hot and the flavors mingled well, though did not "pop" in your mouth in any certain way that makes you remember a meal. The potatoes were roasted perfectly and were still firm enough to stick with a fork. The peppers and onions were lightly sauteed and were fresh and tasted like sun-kissed veggies from a farmer's market. The eggs were nothing out-of-the-ordinary but were cooked well and were adequately fluffy in the American style and paired well with the lightly fried country ham. Dessert, however, was absolutely delightful. Full points awarded here and well worth the premium price charged for them. The Red Velvet Cake was the same recipe from the Waldorf Astoria, I believe and was moist, chocolatey, and the icing was buttery and so silky I was made jealous that my own similar icing could not be that same texture. The coconut cake was heavenly as well. Tender white cake was abundantly served with rich, fluffy whipped-cream frosting covered in shredded coconut. The two cakes were served with berry puree and fresh unsweetened whipped cream. Ah, delight.

Overall impression: beautifully unique place to take friend or special guests, though no somewhere I would go ever week if I were anywhere near gifted in the kitchen and could re-create these items in my own home. Have a mimosa Sunday morning like the many patrons who we saw today. The were everywhere and looked luscious!