During the brunch rush hour, the door opens straight into a crowd of pierced starving artists and other free vendors, all regulars. You might recognize your grandmother's wallpaper, tea set and hanging lamps. These are paired with '60s turquoise paint and swivel barstools and modern exposed steel beams. One wall reads "Eat EAT." The room is eclectic -- but it works.
The average wait is five minutes and the service is friendly, college-aged and rather attractive. Servers wear what they want to wear. They bring rich coffee instantly and regularly.
Although Honey's serves southern food, it caters to naturalists and vegetarians as well as porkers. Specials range from the healthy (whole wheat granola pancakes) to the sinful (cheddar cheese and bacon fries). Juice, soup, jam and dressings are all homemade, but the hot sauce can also be found in Bui's food truck.
Vegetarian options include white bean salad, tomato coconut-milk soup, cheesy veggie burgers and "vegetarian chicken-fried steak." The crisp vegetable latkes ($4.95) are more appealing. Honey's serves them with sour cream dip and delectable cinnamon applesauce to produce an unbeatable brunch appetizer. The fluffy create-your-own omelettes ($7.95) are equally satisfying. They contain a generous serving of cheese, akin to the portion found in a grilled-cheese sandwich.
French Toast ($7.95) is available in three varieties: "deluxe," "very berry" and "deep fried." The "very berry" is so very laden with berries, sugary syrup and strawberry whipped cream that the bread turns an unappetizing shade of purple as it melds into the toppings.
Highlights of our visit included a bulky, pierced man who carded us at the door, but turned out to be a customer. Another customer pointed to the only child in the restaurant and inquired, "What is that?" The food is hit-or-miss, but the atmosphere is refreshing. If you're going downtown and you're not preppy, check it out.
