I’m on cloud nine. I ate the Crab Benedict at brunch this afternoon at The Majestic Grille.
It was fabulous. Not only the crab dish, made of toasted English muffins, sliced tomatoes, sliced avocados, poached eggs, hollandaise, and lump crabmeat, but the fact that The Majestic Grille, at 145 South Main Street, is relaunching its Ultimate Weekend Brunch as well as its Sunday Dining Service on September 16th.
I was at a soft opening on September 10th at the restaurant, which is owned by chef Patrick Reilly and his wife, Deni. Fare at my table also included eggs Benedict with ham and hollandaise, cornmeal crusted calamari with cherry peppers and spicy marinara, beignets, and the soup of the day — chicken artichoke with bell pepper and touch of cream. “A nice, elegant, Sunday sort of soup,” Deni says.
According to the news release, Majestic Grille decided to reopen Sundays “after taking a much needed year-long break in response to staffing shortages, and supply chain issues.”
The brunch will include familiar dishes as well as new dishes and elevated classics. New dishes include “Harissa Chicken Hash, a Carbonara Flatbread, and an Asparagus, Roasted Red Pepper & Goat Cheese Frittata.”
And, according to the release, the classics are “Steak and Eggs, Eggs Benedict and Shrimp and Grits. And expect some changes to these as well.”
Diners will be able to choose cuts of steak. The release continues, “Sausage has been added to the Shrimp and Grits. And the chunky country potatoes of brunches past have been elevated to elegant, crispy Brabant potatoes. A selection of sweet and savory breads and pastries from new neighbor, Hive (Bagel & Deli) will also be available as a tasty accompaniment to your meal.”
The Sunday roast is “a nod to Patrick’s Irish roots and his time spent early in his career at Michelin-starred restaurants in London. This offering, which will change seasonally, will debut as a whole bone-in Newman Farms Pork Rack served with Yorkshire Pudding, Apple Sauce, Green Beans Almandine, and Roasted Potatoes.”
Also, the release states, “A robust cocktail and coffee and tea program will complement the food offerings, including Lavazza coffees and the return of the popular Majestic Mimosas and house made Bloody Mary.”
Other highlights include a “Vanilla Espresso Martini topped with chocolate espresso beans from Dinstuhl’s located next door, a Wicklow 75 — a twist on a French 75 with Glendalough Rose Gin, and No-Mosas, non-alcoholic, house made fruit spritzers for those looking for spirit free, yet still festive brunch beverage options.”
Asked how she thought the brunch’s soft opening went, Deni says, “It was so great. It cracked me up. I was constantly running around making sure everything was set. And I turned around and the entire bar was full of our brunch bar regulars.”
Among those at the restaurant at the soft opening were “friends who now live in Hernando, friends from Marion, friends who live out east, downtown, Midtown. Everybody was so happy to be back. And we had so many people thanking us, which was so gracious. But we thank them for supporting us through all this. It’s been a wild ride the past three years.”
The Majestic Grille, which serves lunch and dinner as well as the Weekend Brunch, will now be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Brunch will be served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays with dinner from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. both days.
For more information, call 901-522-8555 or go to info@majesticgrille.com and www.majesticgrille.com.
