During February, Scott Joseph's Orlando Restaurant Guide is featuring restaurants that are Black-owned or that have Black chefs in observance of Black History Month.
As coincidence would have it, Brick & Spoon opened its Maitland location almost exactly one year ago – on Feb. 11 and got a good several weeks in before the bottom fell out.
It has survived and is thrumming along, apparently attracting a loyal fanbase among Maitlanders.
Brick & Spoon is a small franchise operation out of Louisiana. The local franchisee is Orlandoan Kentrail Davis, a former professional baseball player who was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers and played for minor league teams, inncluding the Brevard County Manatees.
Brick & Spoon is a breakfast, brunch and lunch spot, open only until 2 p.m. most days, 3 p.m. on weekends. The restaurant’s mission statement says that it wants to serve “unique meals with a spoonful of southern flair,” and the menu does have Louisianan touches here and there.
Like the Bayou Benedict, a take on the classic benedict preparation (which is also on the menu) that has the poached eggs doused with shrimp and hollandaise on top of an english muffin. The eggs were cooks just right and still had good ooze from the yolks, even with a 15 minute drive home. I chose the corn grits with cheese to accompany instead of the hash browns. I liked the whole kernels of corn included in the grits.
My companion chose the Bacon Cali Burger, a sizable patty topped with thick and crispy rashers of pecan smoked bacon, slices of avocado (anything with Cali in the name is an indication that avocado will be included) and melted jack cheese on a toasted bun. The burger was a bit beyond the requested medium-rare, but that isn’t a surprise. Getting anything other than medium in a takeout burger is difficult. And the flavors were good anyway. It was accompanied by a generous portion of fries.
Brick & Spoon occupies a corner space in the Village at Lake Lily complex. It’s a more spacious space than you might expect it to be, with plenty of distancing between tables. And enough seating that it has a liquor license for all you cocktail needs. There are also some outdoor tables overlooking lovely Orlando Avenue. Zoom zoom.
The young woman who took my phone order and packaged up my food was friendly and pleasant. I arranged to pay for the food over the phone but still had to sign a check slip at pickup.
Happy anniversary to Brick & Spoon and best wishes for a better second year.
Brick & Spoon is at 933 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland. It is open for breakfast and lunch daily. The phone number is 407-790-4345.
