I saw a post this week on Hopcat’s Instagram, that they are now serving brunch, and of course I had to go right away.
My husband had plans for the day, so I made it a solo trip. I have also never been to their Knapp’s Corner location, and despise trying to find parking downtown, so I headed to the Beltline.
This Hopcat location is in a spot that has struggled in the past. It’s been through many restaurants, so I was pleasantly surprised to see that they invested in the look of the place, in order to make it uniquely Hopcat.
I sat at the bar and almost started drooling as I saw the beautiful beer-cap mural covering the back wall. It was gorgeous and shiny, and everything a drink photographer ever dreamed of.
I love Hopcat, and it was definitely past noon, but I challenged myself to stay on the “Brunch Menu” while ordering.
I started with a French Spritz and got to work showing off that perfect backdrop. The drink itself was well balanced. I was surprised that it had grapefruit without that abrasive sour after-taste that grapefruit drinks tend to have. Definitely something I would choose over a mimosa any day.
French Spritz - $9: St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Aperol, grapefruit juice & soda water. Served over ice.
For brunch I ordered the “Egg in the Hole” and it was delicious, but I was wishing my husband had come with, because then I would have gotten to sample something else. It wasn’t as “breakfast-y” as I wanted it to be. It felt a little bit more like a burger with an egg on top then a decadent brunch dish. I think it would have been greatly enhanced if they turned it into a fork and knife dish with some delicious hollandaise or béchamel. BUT it was delicious, and probably more of an ordering mistake than a bad option.
I also befriended one of the nice bartenders and asked her to make me something pretty. As a result, I got this beautiful Raspberry Mojito (pictured below). It wasn’t too sweet and gave me a chance to show off the reflective bar.
Egg in the Hole - $10: Fresh custom blend beef patty, rye bread, egg, hickory-smoked bacon, garlic aioli, stout caramelized onions & Swiss. Served with breakfast potatoes & arugula salad.
Raspberry Mojito - About $9 (Not on the Menu)
The staff was the perfect amount of attentive and friendly for someone dining alone, and I appreciate it so much. The employees were great about reminding everyone that Hopcat has a rewards app, and you get a free appetizer the first time you sign up. You also get points for every time you eat there, just give the code to your server!
Overall I will visit this specific location again. For a Sunday afternoon it wasn't;t overwhelmingly busy, and it still has that downtown Hopcat feel. Next time I will try a more “brunch-y” meal, but Hopcat never disappoints in the drink department.
Where should we go for brunch next?
If I make this a regular thing would you read it?
Just putting some feelers out there!