Brunch Menu
Karisa: Mint is one of those restaurants I want to love. I've now visited twice, and I just don't (though I do think it has potential.) The location is great, the ideas on the menu are inventive... the execution just isn't fully there. For one thing, the set-up of the restaurant isn't really conducive for a busy eating crowd. The tables are jammed close together in the front third of the restaurant, which made it a little hard to hear Andrea. The menu was a nice change of pace from the standard brunch fare, but there was really only one thing (aside from oatmeal) for this smoked-salmon averse pescetarian. Fortunately the Sullivan's Pond Farm Goat Cheese Omelette sounded great, filled with zucchini, arugula and mushrooms, with a choice of grits or potatoes on the side. The server recommended the "very cheesy" grits, and I happily took his advice. In continued Mint disappointment, my entree suffered from omelette dryness and the grits were a little under cooked for my liking, and certainly not "very cheesy". Andrea loved her dish, and our drinks were quite good (albeit quite pricey); but with all the wonderful restaurants Richmond has to offer, I won't be back any time soon.
Andrea: Mint is one of my favorite herbs and is great for drinks, desserts,and lamb meatballs. However, Mint was not one of my favorite brunch destinations. After looking at the menu for a few minutes as I waited for Karisa to park, I was intrigued. Oooh - duck confit! Oooh - a pulled pork omelette with pimento cheese! The duck confit and sweet potato hash with two poached eggs won that battle, and I will emphatically declare that dish to be one of the best I've had in all of our brunching adventures in Richmond. Atop the hash were two perfectly poached eggs and the whole dish was drizzled with a red wine reduction that was delectable. Note to big eaters, though: the dish was definitely sized for a lady who was moderately hungry, not for a guy. However, that one amaaaazing dish couldn't make up for Karisa's dry and somewhat burnt omelette, and fair/good ratings in the other categories. Although I did like the mint paint on the walls and architectural theme to the art in the main dining area, I was terribly disappointed in the bathroom. Give me one picture, one flower, one jazzy colored wall...something! With so many other delicious places in town, I probably won't be returning very soon to dine in at Mint, but I may order the duck confit hash to go.
Rating: 3
Food - Good. Andrea's duck confit was amaze-balls (as Karisa would say) but the omelette was disappointing. Cheesy grits weren't nearly that cheesy either.
Atmosphere - Good. We felt a little squished next to our neighboring tables. The layout of the restaurant is a little awkward, as the dining area is condensed to the front third of the restaurant. The mint walls and big windows did make it bright and cheery.
Service - Fair. It was hard to get hold of our server. We only got one refill of beverages. He was nice enough, but could have been way more attentive.
Coffee - Good. We each had two cups. Nothing fancy. Not aware if the beans were local or special in any way.
Mimosa (and other assorted adult beverages) - Good. The triple sec added a slightly different flavor. Andrea had a peach schnapps/orange juice cocktail in a redneck wine glass. It ended up tasting like a slightly more sophisticated version of sophomore year of college, and it really hit the spot! Lots of other interesting drink options too (like a really refreshing gin and watermelon one) but they were a bit pricey at $9.50 each.
Bloody Mary - Not rated. No Michele :(
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