Eggspectation - Christiana — Restaurant in Brookside

We visited on 10/19/24. Normally I just allow my husband to review places but this experience calls for this review. I will say first and foremost the host is probably one of the only positives she came over was nice and even allowed us to have a different booth to help with space for my infant. Our server came over did not even make eye contact was looking down and simply said something and all that was able to make out was about drinks.... when it was asked about the drinks she cared to not answer and then before I even drank my soda my husband noticed that it was Pepsi products which was NEVER said by our server. When we pointed it out she said no that's wrong it's coke...... my husband drank my drink because it ABSOLUTELY was Pepsi and if she had been more receptive I would have just gone with a different option but didn't even care to address it cause of her poor attitude. When my husband asked for recommendations for appetizer and entrees you could tell that we were bothering her with the inconvenience and didn't really give anything except lot of people get this or this. She even decided to go over to the bar and talk crap on us with her little friends... how I know all 3 proceeded to look at us... our food the calamari was crispy and the jalapeños were the yummiest part with the yogurt based sauce however lacked the depth of seasoning that would truly bring the dish to it's ultimate level. The salmon crostinis had decent salmon, a good balance of ratio but needed a splash of something to enhance the dish. I got the ducky benny... I am a major lover of duck if made right and Benedict is my fave. However this dish I will not be ordering again... the food was warm at best but I wasn't trying to complain... not that the server would have cared... my sister's eggs were ice cold on her food and the kitchen manager immediately rectified that but couldn't address anything else with him because of course when my husband was speaking to him all of a sudden our waitress was right there next to them and trying to act like she cares. I love all the photos on line but it truly fell very flat in the execution at the restaurant.... my normal 3 strike rule will be a immediate cross off my list for this restaurant.... and mind you... I picked going there and then spent the whole car ride home apologizing for...

From the beginning this was a superior experience. We were a party of 8 arriving from 4 different cities to meet at a central spot and this came up on our search. So until today we were unfamiliar with the operation.

We were greeted and seated professionally by Levar and Bea. Menus and a neatly arranged table awaited us. By pretty much any standard the menu is a standout. Creative, with a broad array of brunch offerings that spurs interest and excites appetite. Too much to highlight now; if interested check the website.

The service was solid and professional. Rose is a dynamite lady with patience, a sense of humor and a killer smile. She kept us coffeed and watered and feeling very much attended. She went about her duties with a sense of mission, but her positive engagement with us never faltered.

I witnessed constant attention to cleanliness in real time, the floor swept consistently but not intrusively, the adjacent tables cleared, reset so that the dining areas were welcoming. Levar was kind enough to offer to photograph our little group, and I took notice that there were a number of other families likewise inclined.

I feel that this restaurant is ably led and that the staff shows pride in their individual and collective contributions. More importantly I observed numerous examples of teamwork and that is very telling - and never happens by accident. Just effective management of processes and people. I believe Levar was the manager on duty at the time and kudos to him. The restaurant business is demanding and the audience fickle. He's a leader.

I define value as the relationship between the totality of the experience and the $$$ paid for same. Eggspectations menu might at first appear pricey. However, the food is well prepared, the orders delivered accurately (pretty good considering the complexity of the menu) and the quality is undeniable. For example accompanying the french toast was a full bottle of 100% pure maple syrup, warmed as well, a noted detail. Free range eggs, fine side breakfast meats, this kind of attention and detail is unusual in a restaurant of this sort. I happily am willing to pay the freight for these differentiating factors, among others.

This location earns my strongest...

What happened? We have been here before a bunch of times and enjoyed it. We arrive at 3:30 so not a busy time at all. Half the restaurant is empty. It takes about 10 minutes for someone to even acknowledge our presence and then says it will be a 15 minute wait. Not bad but the place isn't busy. We should have left then. Our waitress came and greeted us in a timely manner and offered starters but we needed a moment to decide. She then basically writes us off. We waited for awhile obviously ready to order. Finally get our order in and it takes almost about 45 minutes for our food. We didn't order anything extravagant and again, half the restaurant is empty. My husband's meal barely had any grits- which is a cheap food to start with and had 5 tiny shrimp. I ordered sunny side up eggs which is the least cooked option and the yolks were hard and the bottoms were hard fried and brown. As someone else said - when you have EGG in your name you expect them to know how to cook an egg. The ham was good but a small portion and the potatoes were okay. The French toast was alright but lacking in any flavor. My son ordered the breakfast tacos which were the best option but the shells were so tiny everything just kind of fell off them. But by this point we were very hungry and just rolled with it. We finished our meals and sat waiting without a check in from our waitress or any drink refills. The table next to us sat in pretty much the same scenario as well, with the same waitress. When she finally came around and we asked for the check she then asks how was it and my husband was like it was just okay - she kinds of laughs it off and goes you ate it all. Ma'am there was barely any food on there and he isn't a co plainer. For around $100 I feel ripped off. I could have easily made a better breakfast at my own house. Heck, I have had a better breakfast from Cracker Barrel for a fraction of the price. We will not...