Chef Brad Hagler of Savor Southern Kitchen likes to switch things up when it comes to his menus. He takes inspiration from seasonal ingredients and often creates new takes on current favorites.

“I like to give the menu a good reset a couple of times a year,” Brad Hagler said. “I’m from North Carolina so I always like to use NC ingredients as much as possible.”

Hagler also enjoys having some fun naming his dishes. One of his new vegan and gluten-free menu items is The NC Cottontail Bowl – because as Hagler teased, “Rabbit food can be delicious, too!”  The dish features cauliflower rice and seasonal veggies such as Brussels sprouts, mushrooms and peppers topped with an heirloom tomato-basil ragu and microgreens.

Another new dish, The Flo, is a benedict with sautéed spinach, grilled tomatoes and avocado, topped with poached eggs, house hollandaise and micro greens on an English muffin.

“Its name comes from the fact that it’s a Florentine, but it’s also a play on another dish inspired by the TV series, Alice: Well Kiss My Shrimp and Grits,” Hagler said.

The popularity of both the crab and steak benedicts led Hagler to the idea of offering a new surf-and-turf option with one of each.

The fall/winter menu also includes two new biscuit sandwiches, the Dirty Birdie, with three slices of bacon, eggs, Ashe County cheddar cheese and fried chicken smothered in sausage gravy, and the Southern Charm, with fried chicken, bacon and pimento cheese.

For those who prefer something on the sweet side, Savor offers locally baked brioche French toast that is grilled golden brown and served with powdered sugar and North Carolina maple syrup.

And for lunch, Savor is featuring the Carolina Turkey with house roasted turkey, sliced avocado, tomatoes, local micro greens, choice of cheese and garlic mayo on multigrain toast, served with a choice of side. It’s one of nearly a dozen sandwiches and plates the restaurant serves in addition to its more traditional brunch options.

Hagler also offers a breakfast and lunch special daily, and breakfast is served all day. Some of his recent favorites include Belgian waffles stuffed with Nutella and topped with bananas foster sauce, and pumpkin spice pancakes with maple pecan syrup.

Savor is currently open for indoor dining at half capacity and has installed a tent to provide covered outdoor seating. The tent will have heaters once the weather cools.

The restaurant continues to offer carryout dining as well, and orders can be placed online or over the phone.

Savor Southern Kitchen is located at 3704 Carolina Beach Road. Current hours are Monday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesday through Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Tuesday.

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