We love Half & Half. If The Royale moved to downtown Clayton and became a brunch place it would be much like this place. You get a wide variety of people from all walks of life that come here and wait up to an hour to have some of the best breakfast/lunch in the area.
Eggs Benedict with Ham and Spinach
Hipsters with their smart phones, upper-class housewives with their many, many children, and blue-collar workers with their flannel shirts all stand shoulder to shoulder for a chance to have some eggs benedict or whatever is on special that day. The food is classic breakfast fare with a modern sensibility that is simple yet inventive.
Tinga (Special)
Every weekend they have brunch specials, many of which you will never see offered again. I generally try to get one of these when I go, as you never know what they are going to have on the menu.
The Namesake
Their coffee is top notch, featuring cold-brews, french presses, and even simple drip coffee for the unadventurous. Their Namesake it a very simple concoction that both of us like. They also have a wide variety of cocktails, if early day drinking is on your schedule. I like the “Bacon, Egg, and Cheese”, which has bourbon, egg, and mascarpone whipped together to make a surprisingly smooth drink.
Salmon Hash
The only thing I do not like about Half & Half is how popular is has become. If you do not arrive just as they open or at an off hour you can expect to wait a while to be seated. Also, the crowd has gradually been homogenizing to be mostly upper-middle class families with babies and small children. But who can blame them? The food is incredible and will appeal to a wide variety of people both young and old. If you have not been to Half & Half yet, do yourself a favor and grab a good book to read for the wait and come on down for the best brunch in town.
- Pros: Amazing food and coffee. Great breakfast cocktails and hip atmosphere. Kid and baby friendly.
- Cons: Overly popular, can be a long wait to be seated. Kid and baby friendly.
- Charlie’ Favorites: Eggs Benedict with Ham and Spinach, Brunch Specials, Bacon, Egg, and Cheese cocktail.
- Christine’s Favorites: Salmon Hash, Clara Cakes, The Namesake