quirky treats on maryland avenue. the new restaurant half and half in downtown clayton can be defined solely by the modern word “hipster.” when i walk into this breakfast, lunch, and brunch nook, i automatically feel the creative vibe and “foodie” culture. mustaches, mirrors, and mason jars encompass the room. students sit at the bar studying and chatting with friends over a mug of coffee, which has a carefully articulated flower fashioned of foam within. the owner’s goal is to “provide a marketplace for culinary curiosity and enjoyment.” half and half has multiple breakfast competitors in the area but is able to stand out because of its culinary curiosity and “hipster” vibe.
i have had the pleasure to experience this restaurant twice, and it hasn’t failed to impress. on my first visit, i ordered the blueberry pancakes, which come as a stack of three burly, blueberry-filled, fluffy slices of heaven drizzled in high quality maple syrup with a scoop of creamy blueberry butter situated on top. powdered sugar is sprinkled over the pancakes as a final touch. i was hesitant to try something different when i returned.
however, i chose to order the sunday brunch special of lemon curdfrenchtoast when i eyed this creation on another table (part of a new mini brunch menu presented each weekend). it includes two extra thick slices offrenchtoast sheltered by lemon curd and plump blackberries and strawberries. it is a delightful dish, but the curd was a bit too sweet for my taste. my family also ordered the cornbread stick as a side dish. i am not a huge fan of cornbread, so i cannot fairly judge this creation (although the candied walnuts on top were delectable). my parents said that they enjoyed the cornbread’s fluffiness. the breakfast selections include starters, sweets, and eggs. the lunch menu offers salads and sandwiches (either breakfast or lunch can be ordered at any time of day).
overall, the menu selections seem to all be the chef’s unique take on classic dishes. for example, instead of serving regularfrenchtoast, half and halffrenchtoast is made with briochefrenchbread and is lavished with mascarpone cream cheese and blackberries. the grilled chicken sandwich is vitalized with avocado slaw and served on a brioche bun (my friend ordered this creation and couldn’t stop talking about it). establishing one-of-a-kind dishes is required in order for a restaurant to survive, especially as a restaurant geared toward a younger generation of hipsters and foodies.
prices are fair (around $10 per entrée), especially considering the generous amount of food given. unfortunately, this is not true of the coffee menu; special coffee can cost up to $8, but is worth the price if the taster has a keen appetite for the drink. the service is exceptional; workers are always on their game and are attentive to maintaining a clean and orderly environment.
glancing around the elongated dining area, i notice the collections of mirrors hanging on the back wall. each mirror is a different style, shape, and color, and the arrangements are nonpareil. mason jars dangle in groups from the ceiling. these unconventional light fixtures brighten the room. menus appear printed on college-ruled notebook paper. this is a noteworthy menu design as it contributes to the “hipster” feel of the restaurant, adding a subtle touch of wit.
observing all the happenings of the restaurant, i must admit that there are some unsatisfactory aspects. the kitchen area is open to the restaurant (not concealed at all), which i think looks awkward, although some people might like this aspect since they can see their food prepared and be entertained by the ferociousness of the chefs. additionally, the bar is a bit cluttered, the noise level is high, and parking is not ideal. unfortunately, there is a long wait time around noon on weekends. however, these details are negligible to the multitude of favorable aspects of the restaurant.
since it is difficult for restaurants that only serve for the first half of the day to survive, they must find ways to set themselves apart and bring customers back time after time. half and half has certainly managed to do this by creating new dishes weekly and keeping in touch with popular trends such as the organic craze (half and half only uses cage-free eggs). the restaurant has also succeeded in relating to the younger generation of foodies and hipsters, which creates a strong base for their service. furthermore, the owners turn the breakfast nook into a fine dining dinner location at nighttime called little country gentlemen, which brings in extra revenue. i am not sure of the origins of the restaurant title, but it may have a connection to the alter ego. half and half certainly has the tools to stick around longer than most restaurants have in the past on the maryland walk.
the breakfast place is similar to some other cafés in the area such as crushed red (a pizza bistro right down the street), which is also geared toward a younger crowd. the atmosphere in the city coffeehouse and crêperie is similar to the upbeat character of half and half. similar to the popular crêperie, i have no doubt that half and half will continue to attract new and old customers interested in unrivaled dishes, a friendly environment, and a peculiar body of people.