New Orleans-inspired brunch spot named Ruby Sunshine now open in South End

The restaurant, which is the first Ruby Sunshine location to open in North Carolina, is the latest concept from the Ruby Slipper Restaurant Group — the collective behind the acclaimed New Orleans-based eatery Ruby Slipper Café.

Background: In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Jennifer and Erich Weishaupt transformed an old corner store in New Orleans into Ruby Slipper Café. In the years since, the husband-and-wife duo have expanded across the U.S.

Food: Expect breakfast and brunch classics like eggs Benedict, French toast, and buttermilk pancakes. Here are the highlights:

• Benedicts ($14-$16) – Eggs Cochon, Chicken St. Charles, Bayou Shrimp
• Bananas Foster French Toast ($13)
• French Toast Bites ($10)
• Cinnamon Swirl Buttermilk Pancakes ($12)
• Buttermilk Biscuit Sliders ($15 for four) — hot sausage, fried chicken and gravy, Cochon, cheeseburger
• Breakfast sandwich ($8)
• Build-your-own omelet ($10+)

Drinks: It wouldn’t be brunch without a mimosa or Bloody Mary. Here’s Ruby Sunshine’s offerings:

• Big Easy mimosa ($10) – sparkling wine, orange juice, and pomegranate juice
• Peach bellini ($10)
• Bloody Mary ($10) – this uses bacon-infused vodka FYI
• Morning margarita ($10)
• Brandy milk punch ($10) – brandy, milk, cream, vanilla syrup, nutmeg
• Boozy iced coffee ($10) – vodka, cold-brewed French Truck coffee, milk and cream, vanilla syrup, and whipped cream

Here’s a closer look at the menu and the Ruby Sunshine space.

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