Elegant brunch in your neighborhood 

Stone Creek Dining Company has a well established reputation as a top notch dinner destination in Montgomery. General Manager Don Arnold and Executive Chef Jeff Moore have been satisfying patrons in the northern Cincinnati area for years. Now they’re taking their expertise in a new direction.

As I’ve mentioned — more than once — I love a classic diner for a simple, good breakfast. But sometimes you’re looking for something more. Perhaps it’s a holiday weekend and you have family in town, or you want to treat your mother-in-law to a lovely late morning repast, or maybe its your spouse’s birthday and you want it to be perfect from start to finish. Well, you now have a wonderful choice for an elegant weekend brunch.

My wife and I arrived on a sunny autumn morning, when I was immediately taken in by the smiling staff. The setting at Stone Creek has a tailored, refined ambience with comfortable seating in a relaxed atmosphere, just right for brunch. And the menu matches the setting to a T.

Before I dive into the food description, I would like to make one thing clear about brunch at Stone Creek Dining Company. This meal is not a buffet. You don’t have to stand in line, or serve yourself or walk across the dining room with a plate of food. No, as a fine dining room should, Stone Creek offers a short, inventive menu with classics as well as original dishes sure to pique your interest. And manager Rachel Colebrook ensures the service is first class.

The brunch began with warm bread with a delicate crust and a light texture along with a savory dipping oil. Next, my wife and I sampled the two unique versions of Eggs Benedict offered, both of which were outstanding – particularly the perfectly poached eggs.

But Chef Moore wanted us to experience the breadth of his offerings, so he had us sample something I would never have ordered: Fried Chicken & Waffles. As folks know these days, this dish pops up in many forms in all sorts of restaurants, so I will admit, I was skeptical. That is, I was skeptical until I took a bite. The all white chicken was cooked just right — crispy outside, tender and juicy inside with just enough syrup to taste without overwhelming the dish. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised to discover how balanced and tasty this item was.

Other favorites available at Stone Creek Dining Company include Steak & Eggs with beef tenderloin medallions and sunny side up eggs, as well as a Vegetarian Omelette. Both of these items, and most of the meals offered are served with fresh fruit which I found to be an ideal accompaniment. 

My wife and I not only enjoyed our Saturday midday meal, we were fortunate enough to get to chat with Jeff Moore, executive chef. He has been cooking great food at Stone Creek since it opened eight years ago. What I enjoyed about Jeff was his relaxed demeanor regardless of being in the midst of a hectic job. He gave off a sense of pride and confidence as he spoke about this menu.

And Jeff comes by his talent honestly. His mother and father met while both of them worked in the kitchen of the Maisonette. If that’s not quality origins, I’m not sure what is. I have no doubt his parents are proud of his work.

Of course, this restaurant remains a first rate lunch and dinner locale, complete with well trained service, a classy bar and engaging menu. I look forward to returning for an evening meal soon, because Stone Creak Dining Company is a place… where the last taste lingers long after its gone.