Being an early riser, I motivated our gang to meet up for the first gospel brunch seating at 11 AM (there is also another at 1 PM). As we browsed menus, the server brought us fresh coffee, mimosas and house made corn bread with jalapeno jelly and honey butter. 1300's elegant mahogany color scheme, high ceilings and spot lighting evoked the jazzy nighttime supper club feeling of the Fillmore district, but rays of sunshine flooded in through the big windows befitting the uplifting spirit of gospel brunch.
Michael Cheadle, the front man for Sunday's resident r&b/funk band named Future Perfect, welcomed the crowd. Along with bass guitar, drum set, keyboards and two lovely lady voices, he got us moving with a soulful opener of James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend." As the band jived and wailed though their set, patrons around the dining room sang along, chair danced and clapped their hands. One visiting Southern gentleman requested an Otis Redding tune, and he even inspired the band leader to do a special rendition of "Rainy Night in Georgia."Even more legit than the live music is 1300 on Fillmore's soulful brunch food, which is designed by Chef Owner David Lawrence. I went for the Spicy Tasso Cajun Ham and Eggs Benedict with buttermilk chive biscuits and Tabasco hollandaise sauce. The biscuits were beautiful and flaky, and the Tabasco hollandaise added zip. I also got a chance to try the Black Skillet Fried Chicken with buttermilk whipped potatoes and pan gravy, a paired down version of the classic fried chicken from the dinner menu. They were perfectly executed and genuinely delicious. Also noteable were the Barbecue Shrimp N' Creamy Grits as well as the Ribeye Burger with bread and butter pickles, home made ketchup, Creole mustard and house-made brioche bun.
With all this knee slapping goodness, we had to top it off with a final sweet hallelujah. The desserts at 1300 on Fillmore are carefully prepared by the artistic hands of Pastry Chef Curtis McDonald. I have to say, the Lemon Pot de Creme was my absolute favorite...creamy, light, lemony perfection contrasted by a tangy blueberry compote and framed by the cutest micro mint sprigs. The Caramelized Apple Bread Pudding raised up granny smith apples to new heights with angelic notes of house made vanilla bean ice cream and candied pecans. Finally (just like one of those rousing gospel numbers that just will not quit), the house made Seasonal Sorbet Trio sang with notes of local peach, pomegranate and red grape.Gospel brunch at 1300 on Fillmore left us with grateful bellies and songs in our heads, ready to go off into our Sunday afternoons to do the good work. If there is one thing you do for brunch this year, go to 1300 on Fillmore's gospel brunch. I testify.
