Not Yet a Habit

South Main is over the Typhoon. Although the Monsoon doesn't seem to be going anywhere. But now a Habit has been developed. The owners of Tangerine restaurant on Yew Street moved shop east and took over the Typhoon residence, installing Habit. Tangerine was a hip, tasty, West Coast-style eatery that I remember best for its weekend brunches. The place was tiny and crowds of Westside hipsters would wait, sometimes more than an hour, on the sidewalk, to sidle into one the undersized tables and nibble on some free range, organic eggs with their side of deep fried hashbrowns, washed down with some good, fresh squeezed o.j.

The food really was good, but I'm glad these restauranteurs have found a spot to accommodate their following because come winter, waiting in the cold is, well, cold. That being said I was informed they would not be cooking up their famous brunches until some time in the new year, if that. One of the co-owners, whose name I forgot to get (very professional journalism here), told me she was a little tired of slinging brunches, especially after a busy Friday or Saturday night and if the evenings are busy enough at Habit they may forgo brunch altogether.

The interior has a very hip cabin feel. There are booths and an interesting wall pieces. A structured wood tri-panel fixture with the printed head of an elk and two birds on each antler hosts some lighting on one wall. On the opposite wall is a interesting textured design.

We ordered the Mezze platter, which at sixteen dollars could have been a bit more substantial. It had a little hummus and pita and some olives. Oh yeah and a couple of tiny chicken skewers which were gone before I had a chance to try them. My "not very hungry" dinner companion scarfed those back almost before the dish had been laid. After that we ordered the free-run ten dollar wings. They came with a Moroccan spiced orange-chile and pomegranate glaze. But with only eight little wings there wasn't a whole lotta opportunity to enjoy the flavor. That's a dollar twenty-five per wing, before tax and tip.

I will go back for dinner. I like the space. I like the people. The menu, although not huge, does look good. There was a veggie shepherd pie I would like to try. I'll just remember to grab a snack first.