The best places to have brunch
A friend and I were just talking about brunch, and she told me something interesting: Because of the economy, she and her friends are no longer going out to dinner as much. Instead they meet for breakfast or brunch, which is cheaper not only because of the type of food, but also because they aren't as likely to order a drink or dessert.
I hadn't thought about it before, but that's a natural consequence of not feeling comfortable spending a lot of money eating out anymore -- but not wanting to give up your social life.
I was intrigued because suddenly I'm hearing more about brunch myself. I wonder which is the chicken and which is the egg.
Charm City mom Kate went to brunch at Woodberry Kitchen before a movie at the Landmark, and I hadn't even realized Woodberry had started serving brunch. ...
Another friend said she saw an ad for brunch at the Dizz in Remington. Anybody tried that yet?
And I recently got an e-mail giving me the details of brunch at Mari Luna Grille in Pikesville.
Maybe it's time to do a Top 10 on the Best Places to Have Brunch. Surprisingly, I don't seem to have ever done it, although I did do Top 10 Places for Brunch You Might Not Have Thought Of. I also have a brunch category, if you look to the right on the rail.
Anyway, suggestions welcome.
Here are the details on the Mari Luna brunch:
The buffet includes over 40 items ranging from omelets, eggs Benedict and a waffle station to bagels, lox, whitefish, grilled and smoked salmon, soups and quiche. From the carving stations there are prime rib, lamb and turkey. Also on offer: seafood ceviche de marisco, steamed shrimp, salads and grilled vegetables.
Latin entrees are available (seafood paella, ropa vieja, seafood salpicon and more) with lots of side dishes.
Desserts and mimosas, juice, coffee, tea and sodas are included in the $22.95 price. Kids 12 and under eat for $11.95.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(Amy Davis/Sun photographer)








Comments
REGI'S is far and away a top destination for brunch. It is locally without peers in my humble opinion.
I eschew large places with buffets and prefer a more leisurely "a la carte" menu which is precisely what Regis's American Bistro offers, plus in the warm weather you can sit outside under the canopy.
Posted by: mdtopdad | September 10, 2009 11:49 AM
Nick's Fish House has a surprisingly comprehensive seafood brunch. In addition to the brunch stand-bys (e.g. omlette station, pancakes, plenty of crisp bacon), they offer snow crab legs, steamed shrimp, an assortment of other seafood, not the least of which was their crab soup. In addition to the obligatory Bloody Mary's and memosas.
When I went to meet some friends who were in town for the weekend, I was thinking, "Nick's for brunch???" I came out pleasently surprised.
Posted by: Trouble | September 10, 2009 11:53 AM
Hull Street Blues has a great brunch. Also, Tabrizi's now serves brunch. Have yet to try it though
Posted by: Allen | September 10, 2009 12:44 PM
Had brunch at The Dizz a few weeks ago, The omelet was massive, piping hot and perfect. Good selection of what kind of cheese you'd like in your omelet, too. Quality old school bloody mary served up in a stella glass no funny buisness.. just the way a good bloody should taste with a rim of Old Bay. I could barely finish it..a high recommendation in my little world.
Posted by: Meekrat | September 10, 2009 12:53 PM
I think I mentioned this back during Restaurant Week, but B10 South is also serving brunch now. We haven't been yet, but are planning to go soon. The menu looks great, and we spoke to the chef that night and she said that brunch is her favorite meal to cook, especially because she has a background in pastry too.
Also, I was out for dinner with some girlfriends last night at The Manor Tavern. Their food doesn't blow my socks off, but they have a lovely patio with an awning that would be nice for brunch.
Posted by: Dawn | September 10, 2009 1:03 PM
My fav brunch spot is Miss Shirley's...has been for a long time. I've never been disappointed!
Posted by: BaltBabs | September 10, 2009 1:07 PM
Meekrat...the Dizz brunch sounds awesome, and right up my alley, especially the Bloody Mary!
Also, if anyone knows of Saturday brunches, that would be a huge bonus for us. With football season upon us, no Sunday brunches for us until February....not that I have a problem with that...Go Ravens!
Posted by: Dawn | September 10, 2009 1:11 PM
Saute has a surprisingly good brunch. I could be wrong, but I believe they have Saturday brunch as well.
Posted by: Leigh | September 10, 2009 1:18 PM
When you did the Annapolis Seafood Restaurants Top 10, I looked at Carrol's Creek's menu and saw they had a somewhat affordable Brunch which looked good (from their website):
Scrambled Eggs, Eggs Benedict, Bacon, Sausage, Homefries, Omelette Station, Corned Beef Hash & Eggs, Waffle Station, Danish, Bagels, Assorted Muffins, Salad Bar, Pasta Salad, Fruit & Cheese Platter, Fruit Salad, Seafood Pasta, Rice, Seafood Entrée du jour, Grits du jour, Meat Entrée du jour, Soup du jour, Top Round Roast Beef, Steamed Shrimp, Poached Salmon, Baked Ham, Fruit Cobbler, Assorted Cookies, and Assorted Dessert Cakes
Adults: $ 21.95 per person
(Includes choice of one: Bloody Mary, Champagne or Mimosa)
Children 9 and under: $ 10.95 per person
Posted by: It's Me | September 10, 2009 1:26 PM
Getrudes at the BMA is one of my favorite places for brunch. The food is good and there is live jazz music (at least the last time I was there a few months ago). After dining, you can wander around the sculpture garden and/or the permament collection for free. Dawn, I do believe that Gertrudes serves the brunch menu on Saturday.
Posted by: chris | September 10, 2009 1:28 PM
Dawn, if you go to the D@L Brunch category, you'll find entries on Saturday brunch venues, among other suggestions.
Posted by: hmpstd | September 10, 2009 1:33 PM
Thanks!
Posted by: Dawn | September 10, 2009 1:39 PM
Austin Grill in Canton has a great tex-mex brunch on Saturday's and Sunday's. Never been disappointed. The cornmeal pancakes are out of this world!
Posted by: tracie | September 10, 2009 1:54 PM
Blue Moon is an obvious mention.
I've had brunch at Helen's Garden a couple of times and always left a very happy manchild.
Posted by: Corey | September 10, 2009 2:11 PM
Not technically brunch, but in this economy, Kumari in Mt Vernon has an excellent weekend buffet for $10, plus a full liquor bar for mimosas.
or....Little Havana, if you favor a younger crowd like myself. I may try out Nick's seafood in the next 2 weeks based on the above comment
Posted by: nestee | September 10, 2009 2:36 PM
I reported here on my Woodberry brunch right after they started serving it...3 or 4 months ago?
It wasn't bad at all. My partner was thrilled. The coffee was the closest to right I've seen in Baltimore, although the beans were stale.
That was 10,000 comments ago. EL
Posted by: Lissa | September 10, 2009 2:46 PM
Laughing Pint has a very good Saturday brunch. Only 5 or 6 choices, but good fresh and well prepared.
Oh, and really nice people too.
Posted by: RayRay | September 10, 2009 3:13 PM
For a destination brunch, the Narrows on KI is always a winner ! only warning, the Bloodies are $6.50 so you might wnat to stick to juice LOL . But for a nice treat and water view, you can't beat it !
Plus you can mosey down to Easton or St. Mike's to walk some of it off
Posted by: Claire | September 10, 2009 3:15 PM
Teavolve has an excellent brunch...along with the Marriott Waterfront..they have a brunch buffet and all you can drink mimosa's
Posted by: Tashia | September 10, 2009 4:32 PM
What's the difference between breakfast and brunch? IMO, The Dizz serves breakfast, which I define as less expensive and less time-consuming than brunch. At any rate, it's really good food, big portions and very well priced. Plus you can sit outside.
Also, one time I arrived well after they were scheduled to have stopped serving breakfast, yet I got my omelette with no fuss.
They also have big fruity sangrias, although I sampled those at a different meal.
Posted by: AnneB | September 10, 2009 4:50 PM
I'll second both Gertrude's and Woodberry Kitchen. The food and service are outstanding at both. In addition, Woodberry has a bloody mary that comes with a thick cut of bacon that kicks ass. I know it sounds really strange but it was awesome.
Posted by: Allen | September 10, 2009 5:05 PM
True, Elizabeth, as long as you didn't mean 10k of my comments ago.
But I don't think I was the only one talking about Woodberry's brunch then. On a sunny, cool day, Woodberry's outdoor area would be lovely, even if the food wasn't pretty decent, too.
Posted by: Lissa | September 10, 2009 5:30 PM
Victoria Gastro Pub on the outskirts of Columbia does Brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm.
Posted by: Retired in Elkridge | September 10, 2009 5:40 PM
Little Havanna has a great brunch. Especially when the weather is nice and the doors are open on the water!
Posted by: wendy | September 10, 2009 6:56 PM
Three (on the northeast corner of Patterson Park) does a good brunch. They do the basics (biscuits and gravy, pancakes, etc) and have interesting specials (pulled pork on zucchini bread with mango one week, lobster quiche another week). Prices on food and drink (bloodies and mimosas for $2.50) are reasonable. The Mrs. and I always get out for under $30, including a generous tip.
Lest this sound like a plug... service can be hit and miss, and the waitress always seems to disappear when I want my check. And sometimes they just don't open for brunch.
Balancing the good and the bad... it's a good brunch.
Posted by: Carl | September 10, 2009 9:03 PM
You have to know someone who's a member, but if you can go to the Johns Hopkins Club for brunch, it's delicious!
Posted by: pomme de terre | September 10, 2009 9:12 PM
Ale Mary's has a pretty decent brunch, we were there last weekend.
The only disagreement I have is the Old Bay on the rim of a Bloody Mary. Absolutely ruined the drink for me.. but other than that!
Posted by: NEPA | September 10, 2009 10:12 PM
I think that the best brunch in town is at Abacrombie. Everything is delightful. little breads made in house. great bloody mary. Very relaxing atmosphere. Only problem is I over induge and must take a nap after wards which interferes with football games
Posted by: Hungry Hungry Hippo | September 11, 2009 12:47 AM
Spoons. Fresh. Local. Perfect every time. Reasonably priced. Pleasant (family friendly) atmosphere.
Posted by: vegetarian local | September 11, 2009 5:48 AM
Second Regi's. Fresh, warm muffins, a good bloody mary and/or mimosa, outdoor seating, and a menu to die for. Available Saturday OR Sunday. My absolute favorite for brunch.
Posted by: em | September 11, 2009 7:32 AM
In Harford County you can't beat Mountain Branch Golf Club for brunch. Its open to the public- I can't remember the price off the top of my head but I'd like to say its between 20-25, with amazing desserts, eggs, omelette station, eggs benedict, bagels and lox, pancakes and food and pricing for kids too- a little bit of everything, and the view is gorgeous.
Posted by: Becky | September 11, 2009 10:24 AM
I agree with HH Hippo on Abacrombie and Allen on Hull St. Blues. One thing about Abacrombie: they serve Sunday brunch pretty much all day, which is great for Night Owls and Service Industry folks.
Posted by: JackInEC | September 11, 2009 10:56 AM
Mari Luna, best brunch
has everything you need
Posted by: S k | September 15, 2009 5:35 PM