Laura's Fruit Cage - Durham

The food resembled diner fare. The Huevos Rancheros were decent but essentially just two chalupas topped with eggs, black beans, and some meat, along with a bit of pico de gallo and jalapeño. The Lemon Ricotta Pancakes were essentially two regular pancakes that somehow missed the blueberries we had ordered. The waitress insisted that the blueberries were cooked inside, even though it was clear they weren’t. They did bring out some blueberries—about an ounce—along with a fresh order of pancakes, which was a nice touch. However, each pancake was priced at a steep $7, and while they were good, they hardly felt worth that price. I ordered the Breakfast Bowl, which was a dish of grits with cheddar cheese, topped with two eggs and a sprinkle of crumbled bacon—maybe equivalent to one slice. All this cost $13. I’m someone who appreciates good food and don’t mind paying for quality, but when the offerings are so basic and plain, it just doesn’t add up for me. Overall, we won't be coming back.

I ordered the Rise and Shine breakfast, which included eggs. I opted for pork sausage along with grits and a biscuit. The eggs were cooked perfectly, and the sausage was delicious. The grits were the standout of the meal, while the biscuit was a bit less fluffy than I had hoped. My daughter, however, raved about her French toast, calling it amazing. I knew it must have been good because she eagerly shared her experience with the rest of our family when we got home. The French toast was thick, topped with fresh strawberries, and the maple syrup really enhanced the flavor. They also had to-go soups and desserts available behind the counter. Overall, it’s a lovely place—simple yet satisfying. This was my second visit, and I will definitely be back again.

I really miss the previous hostess manager! She was fantastic and played a big role in making The Refectory one of the best brunch spots in town. I had been going there for years, and her positive attitude was infectious; she always seemed to be enjoying her job! Unfortunately, she's no longer there, and with her departure has also gone the enthusiasm that once filled the place. The new hostess/manager has a very different demeanor, and I have to say she lacks the warmth and attentiveness that I used to appreciate. The service has noticeably declined, with orders being forgotten and staff displaying poor attitudes. Moreover, the quality of the food seems to have worsened. The chili I recently had tasted like it came straight from a can and barely resembled actual chili. Perhaps the staff misses the previous manager as well. I've given the restaurant three chances, hoping my experiences were just flukes, but it’s clear that it’s not as good as it used to be. What a disappointment.

The turkey Reuben was a little spicy. The challah cinnamon French toast was delicious, my child ate all 3 large pieces. The baked oatmeal, which looks a muffin, was a little dry. Service was friendly and they checked on us often, although the food did take a little while, but it was Sunday brunch. The pastries looked delicious and some great vegan options but we didn't try any. Next time!

My friend and I came here for brunch on a Saturday afternoon around noon. It was rather busy and we didn't have a reservation, so we were ok to sit outside on the heated open patio. It was a decent day for the winter, the sun was out. You get in the line, like at a cafeteria and order your food. At the start of the line are soups and other hot prepared stuff, then there is a dessert case and a pastry case....everything looked so good. You then order everything at the register, and they bring it out to your table. Fostine at the register was great! Neither of us had been there before, so she was super helpful helping us narrow down our choices! The Signature Lemon Ricotta Pancakes were love at first bite. I had them add blueberries and omg! The presentation is basic, but as good as they were it didn't need any extra presentation. My friend had the signature breakfast and subbed the breakfast potatoes for sweet potato fries, which was awesome that she could. I couldn't resist the desserts, so I ordered a ginger snap cookie and lemon bar for later. Both were yummy. Everything was very good. I'm looking forward to going back and trying more things. They are open for dinner too. I also saw that they have wine dinners, so I'm excited to check one out!