Rosebud

Just in case you wondered, I love food.  Which is why I was delighted to be part of a party who brunched at Rosebud in Virginia Highlands on Saturday. 

Corn muffin

Most of us started with a steaming cup of hot coffee, which was endlessly refilled by our kind waitress.  For those who are not coffee drinkers, there are carbonated treats like Mexican Coke made with real cane sugar and Grown Up Sodas that come in a variety of delicious blends - like cranberry lime. The beverages were accompanied by the most delectable sweet corn muffins with a hearty, crumbly texture and melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

House-cured Salmon Slider

One among us had connections to The Angry Chef via her job, and so we were kindly treated to an array of appetizers - housecured salmon sliders, the eggrolls and chicken liver toast.  Having never dined on chicken liver toast before, I was pleasantly surprised by the smooth textured spread topped with bacon crumbles and pickle relish that added a little tartness to the savory slice.  I would definitely partake of it again.

Mama's Belgian Waffle & Country Ham

As an entree, I ordered Mama's Belgian Waffle served with whipped cream (the real thing) and Rosebud's Breakfast Syrup with a side of country ham.  The waffle arrived warm and golden, and the whipped cream was so sweet and luscious that I barely to dip each bite in the syrup that held hints of orange blossom honey.  What I loved best about the waffle was its lightness - some waffles are so dense, it's like eating cake.  But this was fluffy buttery yum.  The country ham was very thinly sliced, thoroughly salted and wondrously non-greasy. 

Not Your Mama's French Toast

Sausage Benedict with Cheese Grits

Others at the table noshed on sausage benedict served with cheese grits (which she graciously allowed me to sample) and Not Your Mama's French Toast, an enviable confection of French toast stuffed with Nutella and cream cheese and topped with rum-braised pineapple.

Cranberry Lime Grown-Up Soda

Instead of dessert, I opted for a brunch cocktail - the pomegranate sea breeze which included a puckering dash of pink grapefruit.

The company was marvelous; the food was rich but not cloying, as brunch should be.  Should you take yourself to Rosebud, you may find yourself like Citizen Kane muttering the word longingly for the rest of the day.