A brunch-time cure: Sovereign Remedies expands hours, menu

Photo by Jonathan Ammons

Since its opening in October, cocktail maven Charlie Hodge’s new bar, Sovereign Remedies, has been stirring up farm-to-table drinks for thirsty tipplers from all over the map. The venue is just under five months old but has already been featured in notable publications such as Imbibe magazine.

It is also already knee-deep in specialty nights like Star-tender Sundays, hosting guest bartenders from area bars, and Recession Proof Mixology Mondays, a service industry-friendly night with affordable cocktails and a $5 house-made punch. Now Sovereign Remedies is crossing another frontier  as it expands its hours to provide coffee throughout the day and brunch on Sundays. The restaurant and bar will now be open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. daily.  (And and if the bar plans on making the same bloody Mary it served at its opening, you’ll want to be there.)

“We want to offer an experience akin to some of the best establishments in Paris or other cities where the atmosphere is impeccable, and the food and drink are rooted in high-quality ingredients, sourced from the local area,” says Hodge.

Some time ago, Hodge integrated his concept for Sovereign Remedies with his partner Sunil Patel’s Urban Patchwork Farms program —  a landless farm that grows produce in under-utilized inner-city properties and yards in exchange for crop shares of the harvest. The bar’s chef, James Albee, who has opened numerous bars with Hodge in San Francisco, Portland and Los Angeles, then takes that harvest and prepares the restaurant’s menu.

“We’re making simple, classic pastries and food,” says Albee. “I’m excited to work with Sunil of Patchwork Urban Farms. … He brings me his harvest, and I create menus from it rather than me dictating what he should grow. It’s taking the farm-to-table concept a little further, and I’m excited to let the farm and the land bring my cooking out rather than the other way around.”

Here’s a press release from Sovereign Remedies about the new concept:

Sovereign Remedies is now open daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m. serving espresso drinks made in a vintage lever-press machine and teas from Dobra Tea, Herbiary, and local growers. They rolled out Sunday brunch on February 1. Featured dishes included Savory Ham and Cheese Bread Pudding, Polenta Soufflé with poached farm duck egg and urban-grown spinach, and Stuffed Brioche French Toast.

Sovereign Remedies is poised to become one of the first to take on a style of serving coffee, food, and alcohol throughout the day, every day of the year. The quality of food and experience is of a high caliber, and the offerings are honest and heartfelt.

 

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About Jonathan Ammons
Native Asheville writer, eater, drinker, bartender and musician. Proprietor of www.dirty-spoon.com Follow me @jonathanammons

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