‘Out of this world’ brunch experience served up
A tasty secret has been taking shape in recent weeks at the rear of The Marketplace, 130 S. Main St., Bellefontaine, which has been transformed from an ordinary cafe style setting into a vibrant and funky spot for an elevated breakfast and lunch experience.
The Morning Riot quietly opened Sept. 24 after a floor to ceiling renovation this past summer. The sister-owned business has been serving up freshly baked breads, bagels and pastries, while offering locally-sourced brunch favorites re-imagined with a fun, maximalist twist.
A full coffee bar serving up Deeper Roots coffee is also part of the mix at the morning and afternoon hang-out spot, featuring everything from drip coffee and espresso to lattes, cappuccinos and Americanos.
Co-owners Hannah Wischmeyer and Carly Bogard and their team of hard-working employees have been enjoying this soft opening and a steady stream of customers gained through word of mouth, as they prepare for a grand opening celebration for the restaurant planned for Oct. 25 and 26.
The alien disco-themed space, complete with extraterrestrial pictures adorning all of the walls and light fixtures evoking a planetary feel, has one commonality, the co-owners said.
“The point of all of the fun, crazy decor and with our food is joy,” Hannah said. “In all of the funky pictures of people and aliens, everyone is smiling and having a good time.
“We want people to walk in here and be intrigued, thinking, ‘What is this place?’ and leave feeling that same sense of joy after enjoying a good meal in this unique setting.”
Since 2019, the cafe space has been home to RISE Bakehouse where handmade bakery items have been available via wholesale orders, on the menu at various restaurants, and at area farmers’ markets.
Now the sisters are joining their expert bread-making and culinary skills in their new restaurant, which they said this week is a longtime dream of theirs.
“It’s something we thought about when we opened RISE, but the timing just wasn’t quite right,” Hannah said, noting she had two young children at that time and then welcomed her third child after RISE opened.
“We’re creating a space where everyone feels welcome and confident in what they’re eating and where their food comes from,” said Carly.
The sisters, who grew up in Tipp City before moving to the Indian Lake area in high school, share a deep connection to their roots. Their parents owned several bagel shops in the region, and a signature bagel sandwich featured at the grand opening, Bogie’s Bagel — a Reuben-style sandwich on a pumpernickel bagel — is named after their father.
RISE Bakehouse customers will also recognize some of the items on the menu, including the Rise and Swine, which previously won the Taste of Bellefontaine Award. It features a slow-cooked pork butt topped with honey mustard aioli, Hull’s Trace, candied jalapeños and crispy bacon, served on a croissant.
In addition, some other returning favorites are the Common Man (a choice of breakfast meat with a fried egg, melted cheddar, and a drizzle of hollandaise on a croissant or bagel), Back to the Garden (a garlic and herb bagel layered with pesto, cream cheese, tomato, spinach and thin-sliced cucumber topped with pickled veggies); and Woke Up Feeling Dangerous (roasted chicken with melted sharp cheddar, red onions, and Riot Sauce on a red pepper bagel).
A variety of other sandwiches, from the Chic Chick Club to the Classic Grilled Cheese and the Spicy Pork Bahn Mi, are on the menu as well. Customers can add an egg to any of the sandwich offerings.
Other breakfast and lunch items include French Toast Croissant Sticks, Avocado Toast and Cronut Holes; soups and salads; pastries; and sides, such as their Riot Fries, crispy potatoes coated in a savory blend of grated parmesan, garlic, onion and paprika, finished with cayenne, black pepper and salt.
The Morning Riot features plenty of gluten-friendly and vegetarian choices. All of their bread is baked fresh, in-house, and several of them contain only three to five whole ingredients, and never any artificial preservatives or ingredients.
To keep their specialty foods locally-sourced, they partner with a number of area vendors and suppliers, including Indian Creek Creamery, The Butcher & Market, Jandy’s Farm, Skidmore Honey, Wild Oats Gluten Free Baking Co., pasture-raised eggs from Muddy Dog Acres, cheeses from Blue Jacket Dairy and Keckler Country Produce, and queso from the Flying Pepper Cantina.
The business and event menu for party-sized orders is now live on their website at www.morningriot.com. These orders must be placed five days in advance.
Online ordering for the restaurant menu will be available soon as well.
In addition, the restaurant space is available as a rental for group events, such as baby and bridal showers, family gatherings and other parties, with the option of food being catered by The Morning Riot.
Currently, The Morning Riot is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Find out more about the restaurant on their website, and on Facebook and Instagram by searching, “The Morning Riot.”
