Brunch is a D.C. institution, and Founding Farmers is a brunch institution in D.C. So, we figured, brunch aficionados (that’s you, dear readers) had been there, done that, and it wasn’t top on our list of spots to review, to be honest. Furthermore, Becca had a horrific brunch experience at Founding Farmer’s sister restaurant, Farmers and Fishers, so we weren’t rushing over. But, everyone raves about Founding Farmers, including beau, so I decided to give it a go. The results? Mediocre.
Due to the restaurant’s popularity it’s tough to get a reservation, and they threaten to cancel your reservation after 15 minutes. We were running late, and they were not very accommodating. (I guess the hostess has never had a hangover.) After being seated, we had a nice server, who was competent, but fairly slow.
We started off with the Mel’s Donuts and Hot Coffee ($8). It’s a great deal: they bring you a big bowl of donut holes and either a pot of coffee or hot chocolate. It was perfect to share between beau and I. The yeast donut holes arrive hot out of the kitchen with three dipping sauces—chocolate, caramel, and a sugary sweet glaze—all of which were top-notch. The icing on the cake, or shall I say donut, was their charming presentation.
The brunch menu is large. You have three options—maple cinnamon syrup, strawberries and whipped cream, or bananas foster—for pancakes, waffles, and French toast. There are hashes, scrambles, four types of Benedicts, and more. It’s quite possible to be overwhelmed by the brunch choices, but there’s definitely something for everyone.
Per usual, I decided on the Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict (determined to find the best one in the city!). It came with leak potato hash browns, a nice departure from boring old potatoes that were crispy and delicious. The presentation on this dish, or lack thereof, however, was unappealing. Furthermore, either the server, or the cook, ignored my request for a firmer poached egg. Instead, my eggs were on the opposite end of the poached spectrum—excessively slimy and runny. The English muffins were burnt, making the Benedict difficult to cut and unpleasant to eat. The crab cakes were oily and seasoned with Cajun spices, which is fine, but it didn’t mention that on the menu. (The oil, however, is not fine.) The Hollandaise was good, but it didn’t make up for the rest of the dish.
Beau, who again ordered lunch (he can be such a pain sometimes), selected clam chowder and flat bread, and wasn’t crazy about the flavor or preparation of his meal. He says:
“The clam chowder was alright, but it didn’t have a lot of flavor beyond cream, salt, and pepper. The flatbread wasn’t flatbread at all, but instead just slices of a loaf of bread. By definition, flatbread is unleavened bread, and theirs was clearly slices of fluffy, white sourdough or something similar (I am no bread expert). Also I take arms with the preparation. Salami, goat cheese, and pesto. Pretty simple right? Well, my problem was with the layering. Why would they not spread the pesto on the bread? Oh wait! That’s because they didn’t use flatbread and it would’ve fallen through the air pockets! I mean, I’m sure it’s prettier to have it lying on top of the salami, but then it falls off and it really becomes half of a sandwich without the spread. Also, I have been trained to expect flatbread to have spent some time in the oven, or a fire, or heat in some capacity. This flat-piece-of-bread (read: not flatbread) was barely toasted, if anything.”
The Bitch and Beau say: C+. We feel badly giving Founding Farmers such a harsh review since only one of us had brunch. However, the fact remains, the presentation and preparation of our entrees were poor (false advertising on the “flat bread” and a burnt, slimy, oily Benedict). The clam chowder was bland. However, the donuts were delish!
There’s a reason Cori Sue ran a marathon and Becca chain-smoked half of the year: We ate our way through 2010 (hey, we all keep our weight in check in different ways. Don’t judge). In our second “look-back-at-2010″ post, we give you the Best Bites we found at brunches around Washington, D.C. this year.
Donuts: It’s a tie between the huge, sugar-coated monstrosities with whipped cream at Tabbard Inn and the delicious donut holes with three dipping sauces at Founding Farmers (review coming tomorrow).
French toast: Granville Moore’s. Labeled as “French Toast sticks,” we envisioned the frozen kind from the fifth grade. Instead came enormous slices of thick bread, coated in sweet sticky eggy goodness, and topped with whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and a maple cinnamon butter concoction straight from heaven.
Pancakes: Bar Pilar. Each pancake is filled to the brim with a different berry – raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry – and cooked perfectly throughout. (We hate it when stuffed pancakes have mushy spots). Pancake perfection, and meets our price preference of less than $10.
Crepes: Napoleon. The service at this French bistro may be awful (coincidence?), but, the fact remains, if you want great crepes, you head to Napoleon.
Eggs Benedict: Brasserie Beck. The most colorful of Bennies we’ve had, the perfectly poached egg came with goat cheese, crispy Serrano ham, and delicious Hollandaise sauce. Review coming later this week.
Eggs Chesapeake: Ulah Bistro wins with a traditional and reliable Eggs Chesapeake: English muffin, real jumbo crab cakes, a perfectly poached egg, and great Hollandaise.
Smoothies: We love the enormous fruit smoothies at Peacock Cafe on a hot summer day.
Fruit plate: J & G Steakhouse. A huge plate laden with a rainbow of fresh and flavorful fruit, we die.
Omelet: The Egg White Omelet at Cafe Saint-Ex. While the selection varies, on our visit the omelet was Mediterranean style- feta, olives, tomatoes, and spinach- with a side of mixed greens. The dish was fresh, full of flavor, and slime-free with a light, fluffy consistency like that of a frittata.
Fries: Granville Moore’s. They’re delicious because they’re twice fried and covered in herbs and spices. Then, dunk them into one of five gourmet dipping sauces: roasted garlic-horseradish sauce, chipotle mayo, curried ketchup, dijonnaise, and our fave, truffle aioli.
Mimosa: Acadiana. The blood orange mimosa is both TDF (read: to-die-for) and cheap: only $2 a piece with the prix fixe.
Bloody Mary: Since we’re not big BM drinkers (bring on the mimosas), we took a poll of our Bitches and found a tie between Ulah Bistro and Commonwealth in Columbia Heights.
Meat-lovers dish: No steak knife needed for the tenderloin Benedict at Masa 14, the meat was so tender. It’s served on kimchi pancake with poached egg and green chile hollandaise. Good God that thing is good.
Chicken and Waffles: The chicken at Marvin was crispy and not greasy. And the waffle was toasted to perfection and not soggy from the chicken perched on it. It really is a perfect mix, only made better by the sweet syrup that balances the savory chicken.
Breakfast Sandwich: The winners of our most innovative menu, Birch and Barley, take the cake for best breakfast sandwich, hands-down. (One bite of the soft, cheesy biscuit explains why). The bagelwich at Vinoteca is also pretty damn good.
Grits: Scoop your grits by the bucketfull from the amazing Southern buffet at Georgia Brown’s. They come served in a skillet and taste so delicious.
Pizza: The wood-fired pies at Red Rocks Pizzeria win first place with thin, crispy crust and house-cured meats and cheeses. Plus, they have breakfast pizzas, combining two of the Bitches’ favorite things.
Dessert: It’s no surprise that the chocolate lounge and boutique CoCo Sala boasts the best desserts. The S’mores Creme Brulee combines two of my favorites seamlessly into a delicious concoction that further tempts the tastebuds with each bite. The molten chocolate cake at J&G Steakhouse comes in a close second.
Gelato: Red Rocks Pizzeria. All Becca wanted for Christmas was an unlimited supply of Red Rocks gelato. It wasn’t under the tree. WTF, Santa?
The wait for a table at Ted’s Bulletin was nearly hour, and all I wanted on that rainy, hung-over Sunday morning was some comfort food. So we waited. And stared at the milkshake machine and the homemade frosted pop tarts behind the retro counter. What is this place? Have I stepped into a 1940s diner? Why is everyone so happy?
I nipped to the restroom to clear my head and nearly ran into a woman who was smiling and gazing at all the old black-and-white photos on the walls of the hallway.
“That’s my dad there,” she said out loud, pointing to a photograph of a young man in sailor’s attire.
“Hmm?” I responded, jiggling the bathroom doorknob. Why, oh why, do big restaurants have single-stall restrooms?
“This is all my family,” she continued, still staring at the walls in amazement, pointing.
Turns out the awestruck woman was Ted’s daughter and the usually-out-of-town sister of Mark and Ty Neal, the brothers who own Ted’s Bulletin, the Matchbox pizza restaurants, and the hot dog spot DC-3. They opened Ted’s in honor of their late dad, who would serve up delish food to whomever happened to come by their house in the 1940s and ‘50s. He was “the cook of the neighborhood,” according to legend.
Mark and Ty eventually came to the hallway to collect their sister, who explained that this is the first time she’s visited the restaurant, and apologized for her emotion. It was a really lovely private exchange between the siblings, who clearly had put their heart and soul—not to mention their family history—into the place. And it made me instantly love it, before I had even sat down with the menu.
The restaurant is decorated just like an upscale diner straight out of the 1940s or ‘50s. All the fabulous Art Deco décor was salvaged from the Philadelphia Civic Center—and it truly is gorgeous. All marble and metal, with oversized wall boards displaying the milkshake flavors. In the small dining room, a big skylight gives the room an airy, open feel. Plus, an antique projector plays old black-and-white flicks on the wall (with subtitles!), just in case your brunch date is boring. Even the menus look like old newspapers. So adorable.
This charming new addition to the strip of restaurants on the Hill’s Barracks Row boasts one big defining factor that sets it apart from the others: the thick, creamy, divine frozen malt goodness that is their milkshakes. They come in a variety of flavors (including caramel macchiato and butter pecan … amazing), and then there’s an entire other menu of spiked shakes, like the Grasshopper, the spiked Thai coffee, or the Mocha Kahlua. Those milkshakes are the crème de la crème of Ted’s Bulletin—a meal unto themselves. It would be totally acceptable (encouraged!) to go there in the evening with your beau, sit at the counter and share a shake.
Here’s the second best thing about Ted’s: Breakfast is served all day. And beyond that satisfying breakfast menu, the rest of the food options look equally satisfying: everything from soups, salads, and sandwiches to supper entrees. The supper entrees look great, too. From homey foods such as meatloaf with Mingo county ketchup glaze to upscale plates like the Rockefeller T-bone steak. “A real American classic joint with a bit of style,” is how the brothers describe Ted’s Bulletin. And I would second that.
For brunch on that rainy Sunday, sadly, most of us strayed from the breakfast menu. Everything else just looked too good (although some at the table could have used the Walk Of Shame Breakfast Burrito)! We did try Nana’s Beer Biscuits and sausage gravy, which was great for a starter to split. Alas, I was craving comfort, so I went for Ted’s Famous grilled cheese and tomato soup, which is served on a dish that is made for it (I must have these soup-and-toast dishes, Ted). The grilled cheese was skimpy on the cheese, but greasy and satisfying enough to dip into the delicious tomato soup.
The burger selection is superbly creative: the Peanut Butter Bacon Burger, the 7 a.m. Breakfast Burger, the Gut Bomb … heh. We went for the Black and Blue, with bacon, Maytag blue cheese, and whole grain mustard on a sesame seed bun. Unfortunately, the burger we got wasn’t as amazing as it read. Ah well, the Reuben sandwich was tasty and toasty. It was everything a Reuben should be, and the bottom wasn’t soggy, which was a plus.
There’s a variety of side dishes to choose from, and they serve them to share. We got the mac and four cheese (delish!) and the brussels sprouts (meh), which was served covered in bacon and blue cheese. For dessert, we took home a homemade pop tart, because how can you not? It tasted like homemade pastry, filled with strawberry gooeyness, covered with a frosted, sprinkled top.
My only bone to pick would be the service, which was erratic and odd. Sometimes they were lovely and on it, sometimes we were forgotten. Also, the fact that you can’t make a reservation irks me, but it’s understandable considering the size of the place (tiny) and the demand. So, with a chocolate milkshake, all is forgiven.
The Bitches say: A. Adorable place and delicious comfort food with heart.
Ted’s Bulletin
505 8th St SE
Washington D.C., DC 20003
(202) 544-8337
Well, Bitches, it’s been quite a year. Since we launched in March, we’ve brunched at 58 restaurants in D.C. and brought the Bitching to Prague, Berlin, Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami, Austin, New York, and other places around the globe. To celebrate, we thought we’d recap some of our favorite (and least favorite) brunches from 2010, and bring you the complete list, from A to Z, so you can relive your favorite Bitching and plan away for 2011. Tomorrow, we’ll be bringing you a wrap-up of Best Brunch Bites from 2010.
Brunch menu: From toffee-bacon donuts to Grand Marnier French toast, the brunch menu at Birch & Barley is innovative and interesting.
Brunch deal: We swear the brunch deal at Masa 14 is too good to last. $35 for unlimited anything on the menu, plus bottomless drinks. Plan on spending hours there.
Buffet: The buffet at POV on the roof of the the W Hotel is well thought-out and deliciously gourmet.
Jazz brunch: A three-piece jazz band—with a husband and wife taking turns crooning away—serenades the dining room during brunch at Georgia Brown’s.
Place for groups: Chef Geoff’s fit our huge brunch party (of 16!) in with no problem, and there was still room.
Outdoor brunch (patio): We love sitting under the big umbrellas on the patio at Peacock Cafe in Georgetown. It’s just so D.C.
Hole-in-the-wall brunch: Walking into Granville Moore’s is like walking into a underground European pub. We love the atmosphere: Brick walls, exposed ceilings, and the occasional beer ad on the wall. The tables are low, the lighting dim, and the brunch crowd pretty scarce.
Best view: You can’t beat the view from POV. I mean, you’re peering down to the snipers perched on the roof of the White House. You’re watching the tourists congregate like ants around the Washington Monument. You can see Lincoln peeking out from his Memorial just over the trees. Quite simply, it’s phenomenal.
Bottomless mimosas: The pros at Vinoteca skip the champagne flutes and serve the bubbly in big ol’ wine glasses. We like.
Posh ambiance: We were totally swept away by the swank at Acadiana, not to mention the food and service.
Cozy ambiance: We were charmed by brunch at the lesser-known U Street gem, Ulah Bistro, which was served in a relaxed and cozy setting.
Decor: The interior at Estadio is all Catalonia romance: heavy iron chandeliers, wood paneling, Spanish tile, terra cotta everything.
Decor: The problem with the decor at Point Chaud is that they couldn’t decide between a sparse modern look and charming French bistro. Either their decorator is bipolar, or they didn’t have one.
Bathrooms: While the brunch menu is fab at Level One, the bathrooms made us gag.
2010 Brunches
Acadiana
The Bitches say: A+
Chinatown
901 New York Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 408-8848
Ardeo
The Bitches say: B
Cleveland Park
3311 Connecticut Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
(202) 244-6750
Art and Soul
The Bitches say: A-
Union Station
415 New Jersey Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
(202) 393-7777
Austin Grill
The Bitches say: C+
Alexandria
801 King Street
Alexandria, VA
(703) 684-8969
Bar Pilar
The Bitches say: B+
U Street Corridor
1833 14th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
(202) 265-1751
The Beacon Bar & Grille
The Bitches say: D-
Downtown
1615 Rhode Island Avenue, Northwest
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 296-2100
Belga Café
The Bitches say: B+
Capitol Hill
514 8th St. S.E.
Washington, D.C.
(202) 544-0100
Birch & Barley
The Bitches say: A+
14th Street Corridor
1337 14th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
(202) 567-2576
When I walked into Cedar in Penn Quarter, I immediately felt like I should be dining with my grandparents. Between the fake-tree wallpaper and white tablecloths on the perfectly-set-but-empty tables, the décor seemed like it belonged in a cheesy conference center or somewhere reliable that your elders have frequented for the last 10 years because they can always get a reservation. That being said, the tacky-yet-sterile furnishings were covered by plenty of Holiday wreathes and garland, making the ambiance festive, rather than atrocious.
Aside from the bizarre setting, our waiter was fabulous and attentive, but not too aggressive. The menu had a fair amount of options, but entrees were on the pricier side for brunch, ranging from $12 to $14. While these a la carte menu prices are equivalent to J&G Steakhouse, Art & Soul, and Tabbard Inn, as a restaurant Cedar is not. Furthermore, I just think pancakes and French toast should be priced at $10 or below.
My second complaint is that you had to pay for bread. Who does that? But, I love carbs in the morning (and all the time), so I ordered the grilled bread with house-made jam ($3). The portion, a slice of bread cut into three pieces, was meager. Don’t most restaurants bring you a basket of unlimited glorious carbohydrates rather than making you pay three bucks for a slice?
However, things improved with the entrees, which were all plain old good food. I ordered the crab cake Benedict with brioche, béarnaise, and mixed greens. The adorable mini crab cakes were filled with fresh, real lump crab meat, and came served on little blinis. The mixed greens were light, crisp and refreshing. Similarly, Christina had the cobb salad, which was enormous but equally delicious.
Laura’s dish, the banana nut crunch French toast with Chantilly cream and maple syrup, stole the hearts and appetites of the table. It was mouth-wateringly good—fluffy, moist banana bread inside with a crunchy coat served with an enormous pile of Chantilly cream. Because, really, who doesn’t like having a mound of cream at their dipping disposal?
The Bitches say: B, good food, good service, bizarre decor. Beyond paying for bread, nothing offensive or bad, per say, but nothing wonderful.
Sometimes a woman wants to feel sexy. This sudden need to put on a fab little number, look in the mirror, and say aloud, “Damn, I’m hot!” may be propelled by a break-up (he’s a moron!), a weight-loss (all those hours in the gym paid off!), a weight-gain (it looks good on you, work it, girl!), a promotion (you deserve the shopping spree, lady!), or a number of other reasons.
And, while we Bitches recommend you feel sexy foryourself rather than for a guy (a bit of Bitchtastic psychology), sometimes, a girl just wants to get hit on at a bar (that’s right, we said it). Or, for a more immediate context, perhaps you’re looking for prince charming when the ball drops at midnight.
Regardless of your motivation, the ruched dresses below answer your sexy-yet-flattering dress dreams. While tight, the ruching on the dresses flatters most figures, as the added fabric always accentuates our favorite spots and forgives in places – like the hips and thighs – where we might need it.
Under the upheaval of H Street’s construction, the potholes, and the dust, there are some true dining gems to be found. And Dr. Granville Moore’s was a hard one to find. Not kidding. We nearly walked past it.
The nondescript wooden door, iron steps, single window with metal rails, and hand-painted sign (Frites-Ales-Moules, it reads) barely gives it away. Had I not been with a friend who frequents the locale for beer, I likely would have spent a while walking up and down the block looking for the place.
Inside, it’s like walking into a underground European pub. I love the atmosphere. Brick walls, exposed ceilings, and a long wooden bar running the length of the place. A nice big chalkboard salutes the day’s Belgian beer specials, and the occasional beer ad hangs from a bit of plaster here and there on the wall. The tables are low, the lighting dim, and the brunch crowd pretty scarce (when I called for reservations, the guy on the end of the line nearly laughed at me, saying while they’ve been serving brunch for a few weekends there hasn’t been much traffic).
This particular Saturday—and take note, Granville Moore’s ONLY serves brunch on Saturdays “because we like to be different” the man on the phone explained—it was a little more crowded than they had anticipated, likely because that week the Tasting Table had tipped off us DC foodies to the new brunch.
The bar was stacked with hangovers, crouched over their newspapers and coffee. The booths were full of friends, gossiping about the night before. Everyone is slightly ragged, disheveled, sort of like the interior of the place. But it’s OK. We’re here for the food. And the Belgian beer (H Street is becoming quite the international beer destination).
The brunch menu is deceptively fantastic and interesting. First, the cocktails. There’s a huge selection of bloody Mary’s made how staff likes theirs – just ask for it by employee name. The Mary Stella has beer, the Mary Teddy Old Bay, the Mary Matt comes with house-infused black pepper vodka, the Mary Corinne is garnished with wasabi powder, and so on and so on.
Skip the normal mimosa and hit the Antidote, which is Granville’s mimosa made with house-made Clementine liqueur, St. Germain, orange juice and champagne. So tasty, and definitely my brunch drink of choice at this spot. If you want something stiffer, there’s the Ginger Rickey, Dr. Granville’s Love Tonic (lemongrass infused vodka, house crafted lychee liqueur, and tonic) or the Jack Ruby (bourbon, ruby port, and rhubarb bitters).
The food menu is just as creative as the drinks. It’s a small brunch menu, but it still manages to fit in a few classic breakfast-egg dishes, some creative specials, a nice spattering of bison, and a healthy dose of vegetarian dishes (even veggie sausage; both of the Bitches were equally pleased).
We started off with a big bowl of their home frites, fresh-cut fries (twice fried!) with caramelized onions and roasted peppers. It comes with a number of different dipping sauces to suit everyone’s fancy at the table. There was chipotle mayo, ketchup, horseradish mayo, and a truffle-infused mayo that set Cori Sue’s heart aflutter with joy. Whether you’re there for brunch or just for a beer in the evening, definitely snag a bowl of the frites.
The Saturday we went, chef Teddy Folkman was offering two amazing specials: the bison burger and a huge bowl of steamed mussels (the moules, of course). The boys at our table snagged the specials. I went for the bison bruschetta, which was a tender braised bison brisket with sunny side eggs on a toasted French bread roll. That meat was pulled, and so tender and juicy, it was unlike any bison, lamb or beef I’ve ever had. The roasted tomato basil salad on top was a lovely touch, too.
Cori Sue had the fried French toast stix, which she casually stated were the best French toast she’s had in her life (rather a grand statement said nonchalantly in shades from the corner). The clincher was the cinnamon-apple butter that was served with the dish. You could have that by the bucket-full, it was so delicious and perfect for dipping, devouring, and smothering your bread in.
The mussels were gone in a flash, and the bison burger was devoured before I could try it. The unusual thing is that they put a sunny side egg on top of the bison patty, which was a nice surprise. If you wanted even more classic breakfast, you could go with The Good Doctor, a sandwich made with scrambled eggs, sausage or bacon, cheese, chipotle mayo and avocado on a kaiser roll. Or you could dig into something a little more adventurous, which is my recommendation.
The servers were so friendly. The chick who was serving us wasn’t usually on brunch duty, but went out of her way to make sure we were set at all times (and rushed to the back to answer all the menu questions we had). The chef even came out to make sure the food was great.
The Bitches say: A. Comfortable, unpretentious and deceptively delicious.
There’s not much else to think about this week besides the impending break, chaotic travel nightmare, requisite family time, and epic gorge-fest. So instead of highlighting all the cheesy holiday festivities happening in D.C. this week (and there are a lot of them), we thought we’d wrap up the best Christmas brunches about town. Because, after all, your family will need somewhere to dine on Christmas, right? (Surely you won’t be slaving away in the kitchen when there’s such amazing brunches to be had!) Here’s where to go.
Blue Duck Tavern
On Christmas Day, this cozy, contemporary hotel restaurant is offering a three-course, buffet-style holiday brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It’ll almost be like eating at home with the family: Starters are set throughout the open kitchen, then you get a choice of entrée and side dishes, followed by desserts in the pastry pantry. $90 per person; $42.50 for children between 6 to 12 years of age; under six are complimentary (exclusive of beverages, tax and gratuity). Make reservations here.
Photo credit: Blue Duck Tavern
The Fairmont
The hosts of the infamous Sunday Harvest Brunch will outdo themselves on Christmas Day with a champagne brunch in the Colonnade. The epic buffet will include seasonal greens and specialty salads, charcuterie and smoked salmon, sustainable Atlantic seafood, local artisan creamery cheeses, breakfast items and more. Not to mention the selection of Christmas entrees: Virginia lamb rack with white bean and bacon cassoulet, Atlantic sea salt-brined tom turkey, maple-glazed Christmas ham, and other selections. Unlimited sparkling wine, mimosas, coffee, tea, and juices are included in the $89 per person ($45 for children under 12) price tag. Call (202) 457-5020 to make reservations.
Photo credit: The Fairmont
The Willard
Impress your family and go classic Washingtonian with Christmas brunch at The Willard. Completely decked out for the holidays, the grand hotel is offering a super exclusive Christmas Day brunch in The Willard Room and The Crystal Room. They don’t divulge the menu, but we’re sure it’s spectacular. Seatings are available at 11 a.m., 11:30, 1:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. $75 per adult and $35 for children ages five through 12. Free for kids under 12. Make a reservation by calling (202) 637-7350.
Photo credit: The Willard
Morrison-Clark Restaurant
We haven’t brunched here yet, but the photos make it look super cute and inviting (and pink!). Plus, the Morrison-Clark Historic Hotel and Restaurant has garnered accolades from Conde Nast Traveler and Gourmet magazines, so we’re willing to give it a shot. Try it for Christmas when, from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., the 75-seat restaurant is offering a three-course meal with a fab menu to choose from. For starters, there are adventurous options, including a pheasant sausage scotch egg served on a frisée nest. For your main course, you could go with the red wine braised oxtail, the baked salt cod, the grilled range steak or the lamb cassoulet. Christmas brunch is $70 for adults, $25 for children under 12. Make reservations here.
Photo credit: Morrison-Clark Restaurant
The Four Seasons
Seasons in the Four Seasons is a fabulous brunch regardless of the holiday. But for Christmas, the buffet menu will be truly special, with stations for every imaginable meat (grilled rack of lamb? Yes, please!), made-to-order omelets, breakfast, amazing seafood (snapper ceviche con leche de tigre … omg), market salads, and sides that run the gamut from foie gras stuffing to truffle potato gratin. Plus, there’s a cheese station and a “Ski Lodge Chili Shack” where you can get any kind of chili from Chinese duck chili to classic five-alarm beef chili—and all the garnishes to go on top. I’m not even going to get into the desserts. It looks sick. Make reservations here.
The true girlie girls among us (like yours truly) wear bows, polka dots, ruffles, and feathers for any occasion without regard to rhyme, reason, or season. (Much to the dismay of beau, who often questions, “Can’t you just wear a t-shirt for once?” Answer: No, no, I cannot.) Thanks to brands like Kate Spade, Whit, Anthropologie, and J.Crew feminine trimmings are now of the moment and embellish all forms of attire.
For rational, more practical ladies, it may take a special occasion—a birthday, wedding, or holiday party to get all gussied-up and girl-ified. Regardless of which category you fall into, there are some great cocktail dresses by feminine designers like Milly and Sue Wong out this season. Below are our top picks for your holiday party.
Helpful hint: If you can’t afford these price points, these dresses, and more that are similar, are available for rental on Rent the Runway.
There are millions of reasons why I love Miami, and Art Basel is right up there at the top. Every year on the first weekend of December I get the perfect Florida getaway: The weather is pristine, there’s so much amazing art to be seen, and all the bars, restaurants, and clubs are taken over by artists. The city that is tons of fun is suddenly infused with tons of culture. And I absolutely inhale it. It’s my favorite weekend of the year.
I’ve gone to Basel three times now, and I’ve never been disappointed. If you don’t know, it’s the largest art show in the country, and galleries from all over the world come to Miami and bring their best pieces to the Convention Center (and to the satellite fairs in Wynwood) to woo the wallets of collectors. For the wannabe collector (one day I’ll be able to afford a piece), it’s the chance to see art that will soon be hanging in someone’s house and might never be seen publicly again. It’s also the best opportunity to see all the newest, craziest, wackiest, off-the-wall creativity that is coming from living artists today. Take a look at some of what we saw …
To fuel up for a full day of art-seeing—or to recover from a night of partying with the talent—there’s only one spot I go to on South Beach for brunch, and that’s News Café. South Beach, as you know, is the place to see and be seen. And in this mecca for people watching, News Café has the best seat in the house.
The majority of the café’s tables are outside, under big umbrellas or trees to shade you from the Florida sun. Everyone faces the breeze coming from the beach and the ocean just across Ocean Drive, and enjoys their coffee and papers while they watch the world (or the bright yellow Lamborghinis) go by. It’s straight up idyllic.
The service is colorful but flawless. Your server, trust me, will be juggling ten tables, seating a line of guests, running food, and pouring coffee, all at the same time and with a Birdcage spring in his step. I’ve never had bad service there. You usually have to wait in line on the sidewalk to snag a table, but the team of servers is quick to shuffle parties and tables and make it happen. Plus, there are so many tables in the courtyard, the turnover is high.
The menu is packed with comfort food, with a spattering of Middle Eastern dishes. Besides that, there are no frills. Oh, and breakfast is served 24/7. It’s not memorable, but it doesn’t need to be. Sitting under the palm trees is memorable enough.
Start with a mimosa or coffee. Just like the newsstand inside the restaurant’s shop, the coffee selection is truly international. Do you want Mexican coffee with Kahlua, Italian with Galliano, French with Brandy, or Jamacain with rum? The list goes on. Next up, you must get one of their fruit plates. Colorful and fresh, it’s exactly what you need for a Miami morning. Plus, the fruit is topped with raisins, which is a nice touch.
I’ve never ventured off the breakfast menu, so I can only speak to those items. For benedicts, you have three options: eggs News (ham and tomato), eggs Florentine (spinach), and eggs smoked salmon. News Café puts its own twist on the benny by putting cream cheese in the sauce, which makes them rich and filling. Of course, the jumbo poached eggs and english muffins helped too. And the egg was poached perfectly, yolk melting into the breakfast potatoes.
The pancakes were good, nothing to write home about. But that’s also the point. The omelets are deliciously satisfying and made to order as you like them. The bagels are fresh, as is the salmon that comes with it. The bacon is perfectly crispy and greasy. Everything is solidly standard. It’s just that touch of South Beach air that makes it perfect. I wouldn’t brunch anywhere else.
The Bitches say: A. The food isn’t fancy and neither is the restaurant. It’s the locale that makes it perfect.
