“Brunch is many things to many people. It can be a sloppy affair, bolted in hopes of forestalling a hangover; it can be a lovely, proper Mother’s Day meal. It can be a chance to fill in the squad on last night’s exploits, or to rehash them if you were all out together. It’s a low-key way to try a new restaurant, a chance to catch the game with superior munchies, or a way to soak up the gorgeous Florida weather and cap off your weekend in style. But when it comes down to it, brunch is just breakfast plus lunch – plus booze. What could be better than that?” – Jessica Bryce Young

What we have here is a few of our favorite brunch hangouts from this week’s cover story, which is all about Orlando’s love affair with the meal that is neither breakfast nor lunch.

Read the full story by Jessica Bryce Young here.

 

Slate 8323 W. Sandlake Road 407-500-7528 slateorlando.com How about mushroom toast, with grilled potato-onion bread, wild mushrooms, soft scrambled eggs and herb ricotta? Photo via Yelp
Se7enbites Bake Shop 617 Primrose Drive 407-203-0727 facebook.com/se7enbites “You really can’t go wrong at Se7en Bites (unless you ask for “something light”); chef-owner Trina Gregory-Propst and her team serve savory and sweet with equal attention to detail. How about the 7th Trimester: a buttermilk garlic biscuit stuffed with an over-medium egg and chewy-crisp bacon, tumbled with a load of five-cheese mac and cheese, then topped with a potato chip-bacon crumble?” Photo by Jessica Bryce Young
Santiago’s Bodega 802 Virginia Drive 407-412-6979 santiagosbodega.com “Brunch at Santiago’s isn’t just a chance to sit down and gorge – it is a spectacle. You don’t even have to leave your table if the [all-you-can-eat] buffet intimidates you. Servers refill bottomless mimosas or sangria until you beg no more, and they’ll take your order for a custom omelet or, if you’re in the know, for their memorable and stellar French toast, which beckons fans back nearly as much as the party that’s always served on the side at Santiago’s Bodega.” Photo by Rob Barlett
Briarpatch 252 N. Park Ave. 407-628-8651
Maxine’s on Shine 337 N. Shine Ave. 407-674-6841 maxinesonshine.com “At Maxine’s on Shine, comfort-food faves like biscuits and gravy, omelets and eggs Benedict are turned up to 11. The brie, shrimp and bacon omelet may not be kosher, but damn is it decadent. The eggs Benny incorporate a fried green tomato for maximum Southernness. And the hash, far from being fried canned corned beef topped with a fried egg, is a rib-sticking, luscious mess of Irish stout-braised brisket, crowned with jalapeño aioli and a pair of poached eggs.” Photo via Rob Barlett
Hamilton’s Kitchen 300 E. New England Ave. 407-998-8089 thealfondinn.com A must stop for brunch if you’re in the Park Ave area. Try the egg white frittata, and the shrimp grits. Just be aware that the menu changes frequently, as the kitchen runs a super fresh farm to table situation. Photo via Yelp
Avenue Gastrobar 13 S. Orange Ave. 407-839-5039 avenuegastrobar.com “The sleek and cozy downtown bar has a real commitment to its menu – they even take part in the Downtown Orlando Partnership’s newly launched Downtown Orlando Food Tours – and it shows in game day-ready items like their tomato toast (grilled tomato and smoked cheddar on sourdough toast) and waffle wings (wings fried in cornmeal waffle batter and drizzled with syrup and powdered sugar).” Photo by Jessice Bryce Young
Teak Neighborhood Grill 6400 Time Square Ave. 407-313-5111 teakorlando.com Teak’s isn’t affraid to offer up some uniques brunch items. They do have standards like chicken and waffles and scrambles, but don’t be afraid to go out on a limb and try the Pure Awesomeness. It’s a grilled flat iron steak served with roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzeralla cheese, bacon mayo, sauteed mushrooms & spring mix, served on toasted pretzel bun. Photo via Yelp
The Porch 643 N. Orange Ave. 407-571-9101 theporchwinterpark.com “The Porch switched over from an à la carte brunch menu to all you can eat, and it’s doing well for them – all the usual suspects for $19.95, plus the option to add bottomless mimosas for another $10. They turn on the sound for big games, but on an average Sunday it’s just on for the first game of the day; after that a DJ takes over. Packers vs. Bears plus a made-to-order omelet? Yes please.” Photo via Rob Barlett
Kasa Restaurant and Bar 183 S. Orange Ave. 407-985-5272 kasarestaurant.com This modern downtown space does a killer all-you-eat brunch buffet on Sundays for $30, which includes bottomless mimosas & sangria. Photo via Yelp
Marlow’s Tavern 1008 S. Orlando Ave. 407-960-3670 marlowstavern.com Marlow’s has a great brunch spread that spans everything from ricotta pancakes, to grilled chicken panini and fish tacos. They also have a pretty huge Bloody Mary bar that features all the fixins like stuffed olives, bacon, all the hot sauces, baby corn and even Slim Jims. Photo via Instagram
Hammered Lamb 1235 N. Orange Ave. 407-704-3200 thehammeredlamb.com “The bloody mary bar at the Hammered Lamb is said by some to be the largest in Orlando – and in terms of ingredient choice, that seems true. The Lamb’s brunch menu is pretty basic – bowls, burritos, biscuits and the like; their BLT plus sunny-side-up egg can’t be beat – but they have that bloody mary bar and one of the best patios in town. And it’s dog-friendly, so it’s no wonder it’s packed every weekend with happy people and their pooches taking in the breeze (and a hair of the dog that bit them).” Photo via Rob Barlett
Soco 629 E. Central Blvd. 407-849-1800 socothorntonpark.com Greg Richie’s imaginative take on Southern classics has made Soco one of downtown’s favorite brunch destinations, thanks to dishes like slow-roasted barbecue-glazed pork belly biscuits, their Soco-style chicken and dumplings and crab-stuffed deviled duck eggs. They also have a hefty “breakfast” cocktail menu. Photo via Instagram
Swine and Sons 595 W. Fairbanks Ave. 407-636-7601 swineandsons.com “If you’re feeling flush, pull together a group between 10 and 40 and order catering like their breakfast biscuit sandwiches, fried chicken waffle-wiches, or go whole hog and order a whole pig, porchetta-style.” Photo by Rob Bartlett
The Boheme 325 S. Orange Ave. 407-581-4700 grandbohemianhotel.com “A new jazz brunch on Sundays allows you to eat roast turkey, omelets and waffles while hanging out around the $250,000 Imperial Grand Bösendorfer piano. Take an extra napkin.” Photo via Instagram
White Wolf Cafe 1829 N. Orange Ave. 407-895-9911 whitewolfcafe.com “Try the fan-favorite crab cake-and-avocado eggs Benedict, a decadent treat guaranteed to satisfy the most precious palate.” Photo via Yelp
Two Chefs Seafood Oyster Bar 743 N. Magnolia Ave. 407-270-4740 twochefsseafood.com “Try not to judge this resto by its decor. Judge it by its fried chicken instead. Did the crackling skin elicit hearty grunts of approval? Did the flesh induce in us a lubricious haze? Were our digits licked clean of crunchy, seasoned residue? Yes, yes and oh hell yes. ” – Faiyaz Kara Photo via Yelp
Sideshow 15 N. Orange Ave. 407-420-1515 wallstplaza.net After drinking here just four hours earlier, come back for brunch! Sideshow serves up a nice $15 bottomless buffet and a $30 one with endless booze. Photo via Yelp
Yard House 8367 International Drive 407-351-8220 yardhouse.com “Pork poutine with fried egg and crispy sage; lobster and crab omelet with fontina cheese and lemongrass beurre blanc; and a cocktail menu including a spicy mango caipirinha and a sriracha ginger bloody mary are just a few of the offerings at this upscale sports bar.” Photo via Yelp
TR Fire Grill 1035 North Orlando Ave, Suite 101 407-857-7244 trfiregrill.com At TR Fire Grill you can expect upscaled brekkie dishes like lemon ricotta pancakes with jalapeño chicken sausage; “morning meatloaf,” featuring green chile sauce, sunny-side-up eggs, and jalapeño hollandaise; and bloody mary and mimosa samplers. Photo via Yelp
The Osprey Tavern 4899 New Broad St. 407-960-7700 ospreytavern.com “Indeed, dining here is a sensuous experience, and the charcuterie board, with its Black Forest duck ham, chicken-liver mousse, soppressata, Armenian cured beef and smoked trout, is an ideal way to release any gastronomic inhibitions.” BREAKFAST POUTINE? Photo via Yelp
Txokos Basque Kitchen 3201 Corrine Drive 321-972-8852 txokoskitchen.com Back in May, Txokos’ was named by Thrillest as one of the “12 Best Brunches in Florida Outside Miami.” Our food writer Holly V. Kapherr summed up why, “Chef Henry Salgado’s Iberian hot spot at East End Market, was also noted for cheap booze ($2 mimosas and $3 Bloody Marys), as well as their signature Baked Spanish Toast, a donut bread pudding studded with Bordeaux cherries and topped with glazed pork belly and a poached egg.” Photo via Yelp
Scratch Tapas and Craft 223 W. Fairbanks Ave. 407-325-5165 scratchtapas.com The menu changes here often, but that’s because the ingredients are always fresh. If waking up before 3 p.m. is a struggle for you, Scratch also serves a late “brinner,” if you still need a brunch-like meal. Photo via Yelp