Tipsy Parson

Brunch finally arrived. After about a month of false hopes, J and I headed to 156 9th Ave.

(19th St.) to check out what the Little Giant folks are serving up in Chelsea. Known for their southern inspirations and use of pork, I looked forward to the menu and company even if earlier reviewers were rather disgusted at the rough service start.

I was most interested in their house-made pastries so I ordered the buttermilk chive biscuit, monkey bread, and sticky roll. Even though the sticky roll and monkey bread didn't need condiments, each comes with one so we tried the apple butter, lemon curd, and green tomato preserves. Monkey bread was yeasty but not doughy, sweet and good. If going for a sweet fix, go with to the sticky roll which was packed with cinnamon sugary flavor and crunchy yummy pecans. The chive biscuit is a signature for a reason: perfect outer crust of golden flaky savory flavor with a solid but not dense center. I hate doughy rolls so was delightfully happy to find all three cooked properly. The lemon curd had a nice tart zest, not too strong or too weak. The apple butter was good but nothing beyond what is to be expected from well puréed apples. The green tomato preserves were the standout with their spicy zing; I'd go back for that.

With pastries, one should also serve good tea. Lucky for me, they were serving whole leaf teas from Harney & Sons. While I prefer a cloth or unbleached paper bag instead of a synthetic bag, their 'sachet' at least allows the 'agony of release' - the whole leaves expand to release their flavor. The Paris blend has wonderful nutty, carmel, and bergamot floral notes.

J ordered the deconstructed version of the ham and biscuit with poached eggs. The ham was a bit chewy but at least not too salty. Poached eggs were perfect, no signs of water or gooey egg whites with nice runny yellow yolks. Strange how a perfect poached egg has the outer similarity to stretched fresh mozzarella. I enjoyed the ambrosia with fruit like pineapple, grapes, and a few other things I forgot. What made it stand out was the fresh, homemade marshmallows, toasted coconut flakes, and mint that lightly infused hints of flavor here and there. We also ordered the bourbon glazed Berkshire belly sticks. They were wonderful slices of fatty meat that flaked into good chunks of saucy, caramelized chew treats. Yes, I sound like a dog, a happy dog. I was in pork heaven - better than a bacon fix. Never thought I'd utter those words.

Service was good, super attentive, and very nice. I bumped a glass off a table breaking it into the bench seat spanning the left wall. They were so kind and cleaned it up super pronto. They also have a very good looking man (a wonderful update on the Mad Men masculine profile - hey, eye candy is important, too) working the floor who had no problems jumping in to help out the wait staff. All the staff was hopping and very attentive. Guess they are trying to make ammends for eariler hiccups. Ah, such