On my first morning in Alexandria, Virginia, waiting for some lingering showers to clear, I headed downstairs to the restaurant in my hotel, Archer Hotel Old Town Alexandria, in search of a leisurely breakfast.

At HomeGrown, they “cultivate kindness,” the philosophy that guided Jon and Lauren Rolph when they created their eatery. The staff, indeed, do live by this cornerstone, treating each other, as well as their customers, with genuine kindness, on top of smart service and some memorable breakfasts. In fact, my first breakfast was so outstanding that I became a repeat customer on my last morning in town.

The large, open, well-lit space attracts all kinds—travelers from nearby hotels, the 9-to-5 crowd on their way to work, senior citizens meeting for their weekly check-in, and at least one former NBA player who stood at least 6’8” tall. Illustrations of herbs like dill and rosemary hang on the wall, and the gorgeous wood-top tables and benches made in northern Virginia extend HomeGrown’s support of local growers and producers to artisans, too.

“Kind people are our kind of people,” proclaims HomeGrown. It’s the nicest way to introduce you to their splendid menu.

Try This: Begin with fresh-squeezed orange juice, accompanied by a full bottle of cold water. Then find out why Food Network cited HomeGrown as one of the best places for pancakes in the United States when you order the delicious sweet potato pancakes with cream cheese glaze, candied pecans, and a little silver bucket of caramel sauce, accompanied by two over-easy cage-free eggs and crispy Hatfield bacon. Or you can savor the pumpkin bread French toast, battered, grilled, and topped with cream cheese frosting, and served with warm buttermilk sauce, a couple of eggs sunny side up, and a pair of turkey sausage patties.

I’d Love to Hear From You!

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