Carson Kitchen

It was a beautiful day and downtown was packed with folks. Three of us strolled in for a late brunch without a reservation. No problem since we missed the earlier breakfast/brunch crowds. We had a nice table inside and we were promptly greeted by our server. We started with the Bacon Jam (which was more bacon than jam - definitely not complaining about that), the Crispy Chicken Skins (they were okay) and the Killer Shrimp (really good and just enough heat). Our entrees included the Beet Tartare (interesting if you are into beets), the Secret Sunday Chicken Sandwich (very tender) and the Shrimp and Grits (I wanted to lick my plate in public). Everything was seasoned and flavorful for the most part. We split a Bread Pudding for dessert (so-so compared to others IMO). The service was great, the place itself is nice and bright with outdoor seating as well. I would definitely come back again.

Sunday Brunch was incredible. The menu is the perfect combination of a boozy brunch and southern fine dining. Staff was incredible. Highly recommend the chicken & waffle - the waffle is made of Mac & Cheese! And you can’t go wrong with any of the brunch cocktails. Such an amazing place!

Service was great. Food was unnecessarily spicy. If you like spicy then is a great option, yet most plates like the fried chicken in the Chicken and Waffles, the Italian Sausage Flat bread and the Rainbow Cauliflower were sweat and red cheeks spicy. The Garbage Hash was tasty, and the egg was cooked perfect. The Mac & Cheese Waffle was dry, the Tempura Green Beans was very dense and oily, the Flat Bread was bland and very chard. The drinks were MARVELOUS. We came for brunch and they didn’t have Bacon, Oatmeal or Prosciutto… that was a bummer. Has 2 vegan options.

Great food and nice atmosphere. I highly recommend the baked mac & cheese and pork meatloaf. Perfect comfort food, especially on a cold day. Save enough room for their delicious Bourbon fudge brownie with brown butter bacon. Simply Delicious!!!

Came here for brunch and we had a reservation so were seated immediately. Great cocktails. Good food! The man n cheese waffle was interesting. The fried chicken sandwich was really good. chicken was crispy on the outside but juicy on the inside. Burger was good as well. Service was great!

OMG!!!!! If I can give Carson’s Kitchen 1000 stars I would!!! The food is beyond amazing! Everything is shareable and when I tell you the Chef is invited to the cookout, he can definitely come! The photos don’t do it justice you must come try it for yourself!!! The ambiance and service is superb!!! Definitely coming back!

Bottom line: Great food, but for what they are charging the dining experience needs some work. Pros: We had the pork belly appetizer and shared the chicken thighs, risotto, pork meatloaf, Mac and cheese, and the glazed donut bread pudding. They were all really great, especially the bread pudding. Cons: I think the food justifies the price point (which is on the higher side for the portion sizes, which are intended to be "tapa" style), but the ambiance and service really didn't seem to match the quality of the food. They only have 5 "entrees" and they were out of two of them. If you're only going to have 5 options you had better have them all. Also, while our server was friendly and polite, there were more wait staff than customers and yet people were having to ask for their servers to come to the table. Not deal killers, but in an area surrounded by quality restaurant options, if you want to charge top dollar I feel like attention to small things is what would put them at the top.

This was my second Brunch trip. We arrived at 1130am (open at 11am) and they were out of their deviled eggs and pork belly - how can they be out of two staple foods? We ordered the German potato salad and they were under cooked, crunchy. The Coca Cola - Espresso NY Strip, had way too much peppercorn. The meat was good quality and cooked perfect but way to much on the pepper made it uneatable. And I like pepper. Also had the young beets and the veal meatballs - both were VERY good. Like I said Ive been here twice, the last time the chicken and waffle was over salted. After two times of disappointment on 50% my order I will not be back - ever. There are way to many great restaurants in the area that get it right every time.