Sundays with Wookie

There is an industry term restaurant workers use to describe the best meal of the week: "Brunch sucks."

Never has this been more apparent than during my trip to Station yesterday afternoon. I made reservations for 1:30, owing my company to the two wonderful babies who propped me up on Saturday evening and (not thinking terribly hard at the time) volunteered to drive me home on Sunday morning.

A minute or two post-arrival we were seated at a table on the patio, which is underneath a clear plastic tarp. Perhaps the tarp magnified the heliorays. Perhaps theories on global warming being bullsh*t are not true and there really is no Ozone left - whatever. That sun was hot. (And even though umbrellas for patio dining are somewhat of a standard in the civilized world) This was no one at Station's fault. Here's what was:

(Beverages: 2 of 5) The real problems didn't start until the waiter noticed us. Having wandered into his section, we waited fifteen minutes for him to take our drink order. The rail bloody mary, served in an old fashioned glass, was unremarkable. The two iced teas were cloudy and barely translucent at the outer limits of the glass. Coffee was fine.

(Food: 3.5 of 5) Nothing served before the meal. After about 30 minutes (now 45 total) our food appeared. Frittata was clumsily put together with a slight char and heavy concentration of salt on the edges, registering them inedible. The inside featured a delicious goat cheese that was of an entirely different entity than the eggs that contained it, lying only half-melted between them. Italian benedict substituted a wonderful pancetta for standard Canadian bacon, but carelessness in the kitchen led to an egg with little membrane that spilled all over the plate when lightly prodded. The saving grace was the Eggs Chesapeake, featuring crab crakes rather than Canuck pork. Fresh crab (most likely from next door) in a nice batter under two perfectly poached eggs and a very nice rosemary hollandaise. I felt so bad when I saw my friend's bene that I was moved to relinquish one half of the dish that saved the restaurant's food rating.

(Desert: none) Offerings looked good, but at this point it was time to go. Anywhere else.

(Service: .5 of 5) There was no silverware as the waiter walked away after serving our food. We had to ask for water. When we offered cash and two credit cards for payment, we were told that we would need to wait while our server seperated the checks "to make things easier for him." Overall lack of attentiveness and concern. Left him 12.5%.

(Price: 2 of 5) $45 and change for one cocktail, three beverages, and three entrees.

(Overall: 1 of 5) The most beautiful woman I have ever seen walked in with her parents right after we did. I was so ready to go that rather than wait and catch a second glimpse as she walked out, I actually got up and left. One friend and I were very upset, having gotten EXCELLENT brunch not more than a year ago at the same place.

Thank goodness my afternoon was saved by the easy company of those two beautiful babies who then accompanied me down and up the Mall. And bought me gelato.

New week: Undecided. Still upset.

EDITOR'S NOTE: WookieMania will be reviewing Sunday brunches until he is recognized and banned from every spot in and around Albemarle and the surrounding counties. If you have a favorite spot to munch brunch, let me know here . -KoAW