Eggs Neptune in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
From May 22 to May 31, I traveled across country, from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco, California. Here's a snippet from that week. —Erin Zimmer
This breakfast sandwich, a cousin of Eggs Benedict, doesn't even have a Wikipedia page. That's how you know it's underground in the breakfast world. At Causeway Cafe in Wrightsville Beach Island, North Carolina, Eggs Neptune have all the Benedictine ingredients (poached egg, English muffin and golden hollandaise), except the star ingredient here is crab meat.
The crustacean can be too overwhelming for some breakfasters, especially at a time when dishes don't veer far from eggs, sugar and butter. (Isn't it too early for crab? Wait, is that possible?!) But at Causeway Cafe, a laid-back eating shack in the four-mile-long island of Wrightsville Beach near Wilmington, Eggs Neptune hit the spot. Especially with the beachy vibe and saltiness of the country-fried potatoes, also served with the dish.
Causeway Cafe
114 Causeway Drive, Wrightsville Beach NC 28480 (map)
910-256-3730
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7 Comments:
Never too early for crab.
Never too early for lobster, either.
lemons at 9:41AM on 06/09/08
When I was growing up, the Causeway was one of our favorite after-Church brunch locations. It has a great view, and the non-seafood options are great, as well.
jenilowrance at 9:57AM on 06/09/08
I lived in a tiny town in Colorado with a restaurant that featured an Eggs Neptune dish. I think that was the most elegant entree offered in the whole county. The trick (like crab cakes) is to season the crab with as little distracting stuff as possible.
chiff0nade at 9:59AM on 06/09/08
This is no big deal. This dish has been served here in Baltimore for years in one place or another. Variations include not only crab meat but spinach a la Florentine and lobster. Generally cottage fried 'taters are included and I like to order a side of sausage just in case the hollandaise doesn't have enough cholesterol.
RichardCrystal at 10:00AM on 06/09/08
In Pittsburgh you can get the Eggs-Benedict-with-crab thing at DeLuca's in the Strip District, but they don't call it Eggs Neptune. I think maybe it's just on there as Eggs Benedict with crab. They also throw some avocado on there. Holy moly. Anyway. It's good. *RICH* (obviously), but good.
ellcee at 10:02AM on 06/09/08
Just chiming in to agree that "Crab Benedict" is nothing new or underground. It's served at breakfast joints all over the place (with different names).
I'll take this opportunity to plug Eggheads in Fort Bragg, CA. They serve a to-die-for crab Benedict, and with some amazing pumpkin waffles. We went to this place by accident on a trip to Mendocino, and now we must make a stop whenever we go back.
Tactful_Cactus at 1:42PM on 06/09/08
Egghead's is a great spot. And with a Wizard of Oz theme yet, as I recall!
lemons at 1:51PM on 06/09/08