PHOTOS BY LAUREN SEPHTON
Located in the heart of downtown Winston-Salem, you’ll find the latest spot for a simple yet timeless breakfast and lunch menu that features fresh ingredients with a modern twist. From Candied Pecan Pancakes to Canadian Bacon Benedict, whether enjoying the cool morning breeze on their outdoor patio or chilling inside, the Young Cardinal Cafe and Co. makes for an impeccable brunch! And if starting your day off a little earlier than normal, stop by their coffee bar for an espresso to go or while you work on your laptop.
Our brunch couldn’t have started off any better than with a House Special, The Avocado Toast of the Day. The beautifully plated slices of wheat berry bread, toasted for a little crunch, was layered with a thin slather of creamy goat cheese, fried green tomatoes, thinly sliced avocado, two over-easy eggs, pickled mushrooms and onions, and microgreens for a lemony aftertaste. The hearty, rustic wheat bread was the perfect complement to the herbal aromas from the farm-fresh ingredients, and the combination was impeccable. Brooke, our Forsyth Woman publisher, particularly enjoyed their Very Berry – Absolut Citron, seasonal fresh berries, and lemon-lime soda – with this dish.
The next breakfast-inspired dish was their Veggie Omelette that had a near custard-like texture – soft, rich, and full of flavor. Every bite gave you a taste of savory tomatoes, caramelized onions, sauteed spinach, green bell pepper, and mushrooms. Served alongside a small bowl of fresh fruit, this dish is calling all sweet and savory breakfast lovers.
To follow the omelet was their signature Loaded Hash Browns that were unmatched to any other. The slightly salty, crunchy texture of the hash browns couldn’t have paired more perfectly with their sweet and tangy pulled pork. And because, can you call it a savory southern brunch without a little pimento cheese? The chopped pickles and minced garlic folded into the pimento cheese rounded out the dish without it being overpowering. Lastly, it was topped with fresh, house-made salsa. It hands down would be the perfect starter to share at any brunch out with family and friends!
Moving onto more lunch-inspired dishes, we kept things light at the start with their fresh Arugula and Berries Salad. The baby arugula was bright, delicate, and mild unlike the much spicier flavors of more mature arugula. It was beautifully plated with dried cranberries, fresh strawberries, and blueberries that were wonderfully ripe, candied pecans for a sweet crunch, pickled onions for crisp, salty crunch textures, and edible flowers to make your day a little brighter. Michelle, our Forsyth Mags social media manager, thought their Miley’s Citrus couldn’t have paired better with its bright citrus notes – Tito’s Vodka, Solerno, blood orange.
To round out our lovely brunch outside, we ended with one of my all-time favorite dishes – a fried chicken sandwich – and to say it did not disappoint would be an understatement. The fried chicken batter was whipped with Texas Pete Hot Honey for a local flair that added just the right amount of heat. Layered with a thin spread of pimento cheese, fresh lettuce, and crisp tomatoes, their YC Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich was more than enough to keep you full and satisfied until dinnertime.
The Young Cardinal Cafe and Co. was an exceptional experience that should be enjoyed during the week, in addition to your weekend brunch! Thank you Chef David Swing and Adam Andrews for one of the most amazing brunches. Now, if your stomach is grumbling, here is your sign to head on over to the Young Cardinal and tell them that the Forsyth Mags Foodie said hi!
