BEST BRUNCHES !
40
THE MENU : Available weekends from 10 a . m . to 2 p . m ., Back 40 ’ s brunch menu is divided between savory fare , sweet courses , assorted omelets and lunch favorites . Each category serves up retro American comfort cuisine for the brunch traditionalist and adventurous alike . We ’ re talking everything from avocado toast , housemade doughnuts and loaded nachos to breakfast tacos , burger omelets , Buffalo cauliflower and a Nashville chicken sandwich . VIBE CHECK : Owned and operated by the Culpos ( yes , as in Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo , her dad Peter , and cousin Josh Culpo ), as well as Justin Dalton-Ameen , Back 40 certainly lives up to its down country name . The eatery ’ s barn-red exterior is a beacon for foodies amid its rural North Kingstown setting , with a casual-yet-classy interior to match ( picture the occasional farm animal mural and bull head mount intermixed with dark wood trimmings , a massive stone fireplace and charming farmhouse chandeliers overhead ). GET : If you ’ re in the mood for something savory , don ’ t pass on the hash Benedict . This Southern twist on the classic breakfast dish has a little kick to it , with chipotle aioli sauce drizzled over a bed of poached eggs and corned beef hash . If you have a sweet tooth , though , there ’ s a reason Back 40 calls its stuffed French toast “ legendary .” Bursting with honey ricotta cream and topped with sugared berries , syrup and whipped cream , this fan-favorite will have you calling all other bread-based breakfast treats subpar . BOTTOMS UP : One mimosa , two mimosa , three mimosa , floor … Isn ’ t that what brunch is for ? Just be sure to have Uber preprogrammed on your phone or bring a nondrinking friend to do the driving . Take advantage of the mimosa flight for four tasting glasses filled to the brim with various juices . Or you can make your own by asking for a bottle of bubbly in an ice bucket accompanied by an assortment of fresh juices . Other a . m . -appropriate cocktails include the Fully Loaded Mary ( vodka , house bloody mary mix , peppered beef jerky , pickled veggies and more ), the Nutty Irish Coffee ( Jameson , Baileys , Frangelico and coffee ) and cereal-themed shots like the Cinnamon Toast Crunch ( Fireball plus RumChata ). BRUNCH FOR TWO : $ 40 –$ 50 plus tip . FINE PRINT : Look out for can ’ t-miss festivities like drag brunch , where the gals will serenade you while you enjoy a three-course prix fixe meal ( warning : the improv standup between performances may cause laugh-spitting , so plan your mimosa sips accordingly ). ● 20 South County Trail , North Kingstown , 667-4869 , back40ri . com — Kaitlyn Murray
The stuffed French toast with honey ricotta cream topped with berries , syrup and whipped cream with Nitro Cart cold brew . slices of Newsom ’ s Kentucky ham are layered over a warm , toasted house English muffin and doused in a cheesy , piquant hollandaise ( you might be tempted to lick the sauce off the plate once you ’ re done , it ’ s that good ). Just make sure you give the whole thing a shake of hot sauce before you dig in .
BOTTOMS UP : Beyond the killer bloody mary , Hunky Dory offers up an array of simple brunch tipples , both alcoholic and booze-free : think mimosas , mules and spritzes , or if you ’ re still waking up , a hot cup of Borealis drip coffee . The wine list is also simple but chock-full of great selections : There ’ s a floral , juicy gamay that would pair well with the RI Local Veggie Hash , or perhaps go for the unoaked chardonnay ( clean with a mineral freshness and notes of pear , peach and hazelnut ) to sip in between bites of the fried green tomato B . L . T . After all , who says you can ’ t have wine for brunch ?
BRUNCH FOR TWO : $ 50 –$ 60 plus tip .
FINE PRINT : The menu changes frequently , so some items might not be there the next time you visit . All the better to try something new every time !
● 40 Market St ., Warren , 245-1809 , hunkydoryri . com — G . K .
DANTE ’ S KITCHEN THE MENU : You could go the typical breakfast route ( omelets , waffles , French toast ), but why linger on the conventional side of the menu when there ’ s blissinducing Southern comfort food on offer all day ? Think New Orleans-style gumbo , slow-roasted pulled pork with caramelized onion and barbecue sauce and classic
52 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l APRIL 2022