New menu at Fern

Fern rolled out a new summer menu this week, with new dishes, among them:
* Summer terrine of cucumber, local squash and almond custard with kombucha-marinated fennel salad;
* Squash blossom hush puppies with caramelized onion "butter";
* Fried green tomato sandwich with house-smoked mushroom bacon (note: "bacon," not bacon, since the place is vegetarian -- this always confuses someone);
* Dashi ramen with coconut froth and a poached farm egg;
* Chiles rellenos with quinoa and housemade spicy "chorizo."
See the whole thing at www.fernflavors.com.

Also of note: Brunch is now served 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; that lineup includes quinoa and spinach benedict; housemade gluten-free biscuits; sweet potato hash with fennel and walnuts; housemade granola and more. 1323 Central Ave.; 704-377-1825.