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Bacon and Pumpkin Bread Pudding French Toast Brunch at Orlean Market

a plate of food on a table

I still have yet to find a place that does soup or a BLT as amazing as chef Nick Forlano at Forlano’s Market. The restaurant closed, so when I got word that Chef Forlano was cooking for Orlean Market in kind of a middle-of-nowhere-Virginia it was worth an outing.

a building with cars parked in front of it

I couldn’t get free in time for his dinner specials, but some friends and I headed out there for a Sunday brunch.  The menu sounded fantastic, if a little expensive. For $45 per person you got your choice of craft beverage, yummy starter, entree, and dessert. I saw bacon, soup, and other tasty options and was in.

a menu with text and words

I wound up ordering the mimosa, though I was intrigued by the IPA based bloody mary. The basket of breakfast breads was kind of fun, berry scones and a variety of different flavored muffins. I think mine was jalepeno cheese.

a basket of food

I’m always tempted by housemade charcuterie, but lucked out with my choice. The curried apple & butternut squash bisque was the standout. Chef Forlano knows how to make amazing soups!a bowl of soup on a table

We split the Pumpkin Bread Pudding French Toast and the Andouille sausage hash. I love pumpkin bread but not a huge fan of french toast, this hit the right balance erring on the side of bread pudding consistency and with only a touch of sweetness. Plus, anytime you add bacon…

a plate of food on a table

The Andouille sausage with poached eggs was good, but not amazing. But as one of my friends put it, it’s hard to glamorize traditional brunch fare.

a plate of food on a table
my half portion

The dessert of poached figs and fresh ricotta was good, but strange. There were a lot of figs (yay!) but the texture with the ricotta was odd and the olive oil drizzled on top worked well but still made for an unusual flavor.

a bowl of fruit and cream cheese

The restaurant itself has a fun ambience with dining tables in multiple rooms and an old fashioned decor that works. The service was a little slow, as if they’re still working out some issues.

a painting above a fireplace

The food was good, but not worth a trek just for brunch unless you’re in the area. I’d definitely go back to try dinner though.

Full Disclosure: I may receive affiliate credit from links in this post or on this site which will help fund my travels. Thank you for your support!

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