[upbeat guitar music] - My husband Steven went to school to get his culinary degree, and I got my business degree.

And we knew many years ago that we really wanted to open a restaurant.

- [Deborah] Steven and Stephanie Paulson are foodies from Wisconsin.

They now call North Carolina home, and have become partners on many levels.

They're married, they're parents, in 2012, they started a food truck together, and seven years later opened a brick and mortar restaurant on Church Street in Black Mountain called Open Oven Brunch & Bakery.

- There's like a sense of warmth with that open oven, and we just want it to feel really welcoming to people when they come in.

- Typically a restaurant I go to for the quality of food, right?

- It's consistent, it's just consistently delicious.

- [Deborah] That might be because it's all homemade.

[upbeat music] - We make everything from scratch here.

I mean, I think the only baked item we source out of house is gluten-free bread, and that's just 'cause gluten is everywhere in our place, 'cause we make English muffins, our buns, all of our bread.

- [Stephanie] And you will find in the dessert case, homemade pop tarts, cookies, brownie cheesecake, and some seasonal items.

- [Deborah] And that is just their baked goods.

- [Stephanie] We do shrimp and grits.

We do biscuits and gravy.

We do omelets.

- [Deborah] But these aren't your typical recipes.

- Just really making kind of unique dishes and with kind of a twist on the classics.

- [Deborah] Take for instance their many versions of Eggs Benedict.

- [Katie] The one we always get.

- 'Chokes on Eggs - 'Chokes on Eggs.

- That's what I say.

- 'Chokes on eggs has always been one of our more popular dishes here.

It's a homemade English muffin with some homemade pesto, topped with some eggs.

We do a white wine, rosemary Hollandaise, some fried artichokes, and a Gorgonzola cheese on top of that.

- [Deborah] Then there's their Fried Green Tomato Benedict.

- With poached eggs, goat cheese, chives, roasted pepper, Hollandaise, and some salsa.

- Our Chicken Waffle Benedict is probably, that one will give you a nap afterwards, but it's delicious.

- [Deborah] Two more varieties include the Alaskan Benedict with smoked wild-caught Alaskan salmon and a cream cheese and chive spread.

Plus their Low Country Benedict with pulled pork and slaw, both topped with poached eggs and their housemade Hollandaise sauce.

- [Stephanie] We offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

- [Deborah] And all can be enjoyed with either indoor dining or outdoor that offer spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

But at night and during the warmer months, they strictly utilize their upstairs deck called The Bell Tower thanks to the site's history as a former Bell telephone office and the beautiful church bells that sound across the street.

- [Stephanie] We do a completely different menu from brunch, specialty cocktails, beer, wine.

We do small plates.

- [Steven] Ahi tuna fish specials.

- Pork chops, steak, and then we do some fancier, more upscale desserts.

- [Deborah] It's just one more way Open Oven is making a name for itself, a dining experience with views that are breathtaking and foods that are almost spiritual.

- I think it's the best food in Black Mountain.

- Open Oven Brunch and Bakery is at 102 Church Street in Black Mountain.

For more information, give them a call at [828] 357-8553 or visit them online at openovenblkmtn.com.