NOFO @ the PIG

Sunday funday, a day for relaxing. Not so much in our household. Sunday is our day for OMG we have so much to accomplish before tomorrow. But before we succumb to a full freak out we usually indulge in some Sunday N&O reading- and this past Sunday our fridge was empty and on our to-do list was grocery shopping. So what is a young couple to do? Why Sunday brunch that is! We hopped over to 5 points where we decided on NOFO. 

As the website notes this used to be a Piggly Wiggly grocery store! In fact there used to be 6 all located in downtown- even one on Bloodworth! It being no secret that downtown lacks a grocery store- we spent a good chunk of our brunch deciding on the logistics of bringing one to our area.

The inside has both the restaurant downstairs and a gift store upstairs. I love this place because there are pigs everywhere! Above you can see the blown glass chandelier with pigs that are literally LINKED together with sausage.

The gift store upstairs has a random mix of items- most of which have a southern flare.

Mason jar wine glasses anyone? I can't help but automatically hear Toby Keith's lyrics from I Love this Bar: "And we like to drink our beer from a mason jar..." Well my American gun toting compadre- now you can drink your pinot grigio as well-keeping it classy! (or maybe he's more of a merlot guy?)

Upstairs also has a rather extensive selection of chocolates- rather tempting because the few times we've been here there is always a wait. So maybe we tried a few?

WTC is enjoying a red velvet truffle- if I enjoyed red velvet cake I may be able to say this looks delicious. But sadly this is where I am a failure of a southerner- I do not enjoy red velvet cake- At. All. WTC loves it. Oh well. I tried this salted caramel chocolate and a dark chocolate truffle- they were indeed delicious. I ate them before I could snap a photo- you'll just have to go see for yourself!

So what did we have for brunch? It was traitor Sunday so we both had Benedict's.

WTC had the Coastal Benedict- crab cakes with poached eggs, Edwards country ham and hollandaise with fruit and biscuits. If you read the reviews online- this dish is mentioned specifically- WTC noted that while the crab cakes weren't quite as lump as you'll find in say Maryland- they were definitely not all filler either. And make no mistake about the it hollandaise is amazing- do not order this on the side- you want it on top!

I opted for the Florentine Benedict- spinach patty with tomato slices, 2 poached eggs and topped with hollandaise, fruit and biscuits. This was so good!

And the fruit was fresh! I asked how they make their spinach patties because from first glance they just look like molded spinach rounds. Upon closer inspection- they were indeed seared on the grilled. The tomato was ripe and thinly sliced so that it didn't over power the rest of the dish. And both WTC and I can confirm that the biscuits are fluffy and buttery and you WILL eat both.

 I asked our waitress who noted they make theirs with spinach, egg, bread crumbs, a little mayo and onion. I want the make these pronto. Check out their dinner menu where they feature sandwiches with these patties - for your own inspiration.

Pig Crossing!

So verdict? Loved it. Reasonably priced and delicious and I was full all day (bonus).  We would definitively eat here again for brunch and are hoping to come here for other meals as well.