Sunday, July 31, 2016

Hutch & Harris

I hadn't been to Hutch & Harris in downtown Winston-Salem in nearly 10 years. This wasn't intentional of course, it's just not one of the few places I MUST visit when I find myself in Winston, which is not nearly as often as I'd like it to be. Their renovations and expansion of the SideBar got me interested in a repeat visit, as well as a few photos of their brunch Bloody Marys in Winston-Salem Monthly Magazine. The expansion is beautiful - it would be a great place for happy hour or game-watching, and at Sunday brunch, there was some lovely live guitar - not too loud, quite enjoyable. At H&H, you get prompt and friendly service, and best of all: a basket of breads! Biscuits, cornbread, banana muffins - all three were delicious, and a great sampling for those who want to taste a little bit of everything (moi).

This past Sunday, I was determined to have one of those beautiful Bloodies. I opted for one made from Tomatillos, resulting in a beautiful garden green color. Notes of cilantro, celery and cucumber made this especially flavorful, with a smoky salt rim, and special garnishes including celery, cucumber, lime and a wedge of smoked gouda cheese! It was incredibly easy to sip and really tasted like a serving of vegetables. I'll take it. My dining partner's was more traditional, but with a habanero-infused cocktail sausage.
The brunch menu is fabulous, with an extensive selection. I finally settled on the Barcelona Breakfast Tostada after much back and forth. I'm so glad I did - it's unique, with a layer of white chicken chili on a thin, 12 inch tortilla, which reminded me of a flavorful and texturally exciting refried beans. Two fried eggs, pico de gallo, cheese and a spicy Ranchero sauce round out the dish, and every bite has a little bit of runny yolk - it's delicious. You can get spuds or pimiento cheese grits, and while the cheese flavor in the grits were lacking, they were thick and creamy.
For those who like the classic eggs benedict, you'll be tickled with H&H's preparation. You get grilled ciabatta as your base instead of an english muffin, and several layers of thinly sliced ham rests underneath two medium poached eggs, a nice change from too runny of a yolk.
If you're in the mood for lunch, H&H might just have one of the best burgers in town. It blends Ground Chuck and Ground Sirloin, grilled to order, and topped with bacon, cheese and a fried egg. I'm no burger queen, but this was outstanding. The seasoning was just right, and the money bite captured all of those rich flavors. My dining partner smartly chose sauteed spinach as a side, with briny olives, tomatoes and parmesan cheese to boot.

Everything I tasted at brunch was excellent, and I'll be very likely to return on another Sunday, as well as during the week to try their regular menu. C&S very much approves of H&H. If you have been swept away with all the new hot spots in town, you should check out H&H again. This place has stuck around for a reason.

2 comments:

  1. I love H & H. Side Bar is definitely an improvement in the ambiance when you have to sit inside. If you go at night, hit the Smoked Fish Platter. It is EXCELLENT.

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    Replies
    1. I will definitely do that! I love dining al fresco there, when it is not so awfully hot!!

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