Saint Anejo Brunch

At one time the brunch options in Nashville were very limited. And of the ones offered, they were usually overcrowded and not worth the wait. I mean, I can make some mean scrambled eggs. However, in the last year most of the Music City hot-spots have added a Sunday (and sometimes Saturday) brunch menu to accompany their offerings. So it was no surprise that M Street Entertainment, the restaurant group who also operates a handful of successful establishments in town, are launching a new brunch menu at Saint Anejo — the group’s least successful — this weekend.

Saint Anejo launched in 2013 with a promising menu that included their take on a tex-mex taqueria and respectable tequila bar. The space, large and flawlessly executing the signature M Street cool factor, also has a great outdoor patio and oversized garage door windows making for a great place to enjoy a margarita or two on a warm day. A sprawling patio and 2-for-1 drink specials couldn’t keep locals interested long enough to keep coming back for more though. The space often sits quiet during lunch and dinner hours, when the group’s other locations are thriving. Perhaps it’s the rotating menu that has seen several makeovers since its launch, all of which have failed to compete in Nashville’s growing restaurant options.

Late in 2014, I got word about another menu facelift for their lunch and dinner that seemed to find a comfortable stride and included some inventive, and much needed, fusion dishes that appeal to the city’s masses. When I got invited to the soft launch of Saint Anejo brunch this past weekend, I was eager to see what they had in store. Being from Denver, I miss a Mexican flare in brunch options in the Music City and was hoping to see some of my previous Sunday Funday faves return.

When we arrived to the test meal on Saturday, I was instantly satisfied to find a breakfast burrito and huevos rancheros on the menu. Both seemed traditional and basic, so I opted to try something a little more signature. Starting with the Chorizo + Jalapeño Cornbread and Candied Bacon. I’m a sucker for anything served with, on, wrapped in, or cooked in bacon (see: “Fat Jeans”). Unfortunately though, the side serving was really just a slightly sweeter version of traditional Applewood Smoked, nothing to write home about. Certainly not competition for Bricktops’ version that comes with their order of deviled eggs. (Yum!)

The cornbread was poorly advertised on the menu, so I was surprised to discover the dense skillet-cooked jalapeño cornbread smothered with the restaurant’s chorizo queso. I was very pleased with the overall taste and presentation of the dish, although worried that diners may want to know what they’re walking into with this one.

As we sipped our Blood Orange Mimosas, a familiar drink from the restaurant group’s Tavern location, we discussed the average rating of the meal thus far. Until our entrees arrived. The Smoked Salmon Benedict with avocado hollandaise was exactly what I look for in a benedict. The flavor profile was on point, the egg poached to perfection and the unique hollandaise was a superb topping.

The star of the show though? The Hot Chicken & Waffles served with habanero syrup and a cream cheese drizzle. A fluffy Belgian waffle with a pile of the crispy hot chicken. It was mouth watering from first bite. The cream cheese drizzle offers a nice cool down from the medium spiced chicken and syrup choice as well. When the location launches its full brunch service this weekend, each table will have their choice of five unique syrups on the table ranging from the spicy habanero to a sweet vanilla syrup that came highly recommended.

After shoveling the last bit of hot chicken on my fork, feeling satisfied with the new location for my weekend debauchery, I was already fantasizing about my next trip (see you this weekend?). Dark Chocolate Waffles. Steak + Eggs Diabla. So many options that I cannot wait to try, so you know I will be back to check out more of the savory meets sweet menu… and drink my way into another week.

It remains to be seen if brunch will be the saving grace to this struggling establishment, but with a couple minor tweaks to the menu and Tavern’s 2-for-1 drink special continuing for Saint Anejo brunch, I feel confident that it very well could be mucho gusto.

You can experience Saint Anejo brunch every Saturday and Sundau from 10am-3pm beginning January 17th. Comment down below on your experience and let me know what I should order next!