By Gina Horan
At the Toasted Yolk in Wildwood, Happy “Hour” Isn’t What You Think
Throughout my travels, I’ve often heard the phrase “It’s noon somewhere” uttered in airports, on beaches and around golf courses. Loosely translated, it means “Hey everyone, please don’t judge me as I pound this beer at 8am.”
At the new Toasted Yolk in The Villages, a similar catch phrase is right in the name and on the T-shirt: “It’s never too early to get toasted.” Here, the menu specifically caters to anyone that enjoys a little breakfast buzz and food that was created around its full, extensive bar.
“The concept was built around drinking at breakfast time,” franchise owner Andy Davis explains. “When people walk in for the first time their eyes automatically go to the bar and they smile.”
Andy says that when he mentions the brand to most diners, they automatically think of a great place for a spirited brunch. But if there’s a place in the world where a weekday alcohol-infused breakfast will take hold, it’s probably The Villages.
Assistant Manager Martha Scales says curious bar patrons started to show up towards the end of summer, but the location’s popularity will most likely get a boost when the snowbirds return.
“We won’t know until full season, but so far, the specials like $5 margaritas and half-price mimosas, are a hit,” she says. “We also make our Bloody Marys in-house and get a ton of compliments on the recipe.”
The Toasted Yolk serves wine and beer, plus six different types of fruit-infused mimosas. The bloody comes in both Mary and Maria with a Tajîn-seasoned rim and garnish. The house special “Jackie’s Morning Rita” comes with Patron tequila. Bombay gin is the main ingredient for the “Rise and Shine Punch.” Boozy coffee drinks are also popular and come with multiple liqueur flavors and hot espresso or cold brew.
Bri Sherrill is behind the bar most mornings, and she says it’s never too early in the Villages.
“I used to work at regular breakfast places and diners mostly serving just coffee and tea,” Bri says. “Here there are a lot more choices so if someone wants a morning cocktail, this is the perfect place to enjoy one.”
Check out www.thetoastedyolk.com for more information.
Photos: Nicole Hamel
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Gina moved to central Florida in August of 2021 from the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and spent 10 years as a fashion editor, columnist and food writer for The Knight Ridder Newspaper group. She was also a photo stylist and covered concerts, fashion shows and festivals all over Northern California. In 2000, she joined KSAN radio as a morning show co-host and produced the news and sports content there for 4 years. She also covered travel, events and the restaurant scene for KRON-Bay TV. She is a veteran bartender and has worked in hospitality on and off since high school. Her passions include travel, road trips, history books, baseball, tasting menus and most of all, landing in a new city with no map or guidebook. Gina lives in Oxford with her mom, cats and baby hamster.
