Brunch Ideas (Miami) - Help me get out of a rut

[jessierandall]

I live in downtown Miami and will be meeting a friend from North Beach this w/e for brunch. I would love to move beyond my usual "Meet me at News Cafe or Ice Box on Lincoln" rut. Anything interesting on or around Biscayne (from downtown until North Miami), Design District (besides Brosia) or North Beach area? Upscale or divey is fine as long as the food is solid. Many thanks!

[mialebven]

Out of the Blue Cafe in mainland Miami's Wynwood district is supposed to do a decent brunch.

[jessierandall]

I tried Buena Vista Cafe (I think that's what it's called) for brunch. I loved the vibe and the energy of the place. I wasn't impressed with the egg dishes (they were mediocre at best) but the pancakes going by looked wonderful.

I also drove past a place called Chelli's that looked like a tiny, one person operation (one person in the kitchen, same person serving up the food.) Anyone been? It's so cheap and it looked adorable.

[dlgc]

The Regent Hotel in Bal Harbour has a jazz brunch on Sunday that has been very well attended...all the usual brunch items, lots of oysters and shell fish, plus a different jazz group each week...it's certainly worth a try...we thought it was quite nice...you can sit out by the ocean, or in One Bleu.

[Marsjt]

I've been going to the Biltmore brunch for years and just recently tried Nemo's. Food-wise, Nemo's definately takes it! The Biltmore wins on setting and ambience, but Nemo's spread is definately more diverse and (I think) more thought out than the traditional brunch served up at the Biltmore.

[Blind Mind]

I really enjoy brunch at George's in the Grove. The eggs benedict are killer and the atmosphere is crazy fun haha. I believe George is bringing in a kangaroo this month too!

[Frodnesor]

Mrs. F was at Nemo for brunch today and said it was a pretty impressive spread. I believe I heard that Larry LaValley (former chef at Marks' South Beach) has gone over to Nemo - maybe he can breathe some life into it, place seems to have been treading water for years and is well off the high mark set when Michael Schwartz was there. I always liked Mark's South Beach.

[flavrmeistr]

Nemo's has a great Sunday brunch. Lots of smoked fish and shellfish. Never been there at any other time or ordered from the menu, though.

[MiamiCPA]

The best Brunch is at the Biltmore Hotel in the Gables.....If its too far try Luna Cafe on Biscayne...they serve brunch on saturday and Sunday, and its very good...

[jessierandall]

I think I am going to face a lot of heat for saying this but I don't love the Biltmore. I think it's absolutely beautiful at the hotel and it's a magical place to take out of towners. When it comes down to it, to me, the quantity of the food is more impressive than quality. Don't hate me.

[miamisweet]

I agree the quality is ok. I rather have a smaller bruch at the Ritz for great quality or brunch at Nemo's for half the price.

[winegirl1973]

I don't hate you - I appreciate you potentially saving me from wasting my time and money. I've heard only great things about it, so now I know that it's probably just the same as most other better quality all-you-can-eat brunches -- more about the hype than the quality. Are the oysters on the half shell good and fresh, or are they mediocre too?

[tpigeon]

I think the food may have gotten worse over the last few years at the biltmore. I think it is still a place you should go once.

[mikek]

On Sundays, Clarke's does a great brunch.

[jessicam29]

I've read on the board that Uva 69 does a decent breakfast or brunch. I can't personally vouch for it, though.

Uva 69 is on Biscayne and 69th.

[advisor_Girl]

Jess>

Twenty weekends - no repeats:

Talula, Clarke's, Nemo, Sardinia, Front Porch, Pelican, Joley, Emeril's, Oliver's, La Marea, Balans, Paul, a la Folie, Provence, Bistro One RC, Blue Door, Soyka, Brosia, Lido @ Standard, Joe Allen's...

I love brunch.

AG

[jessierandall]

Advisor Girl,

You rock.

Jess

[Icantread]

How's Emeril's compared to their dinner. I've had one decent meal there and several poor ones. I wasn't even aware of a brunch. I'd like a New Orleansy brunch

[advisor_Girl]

ican'tread>

Bon Ton Roule...

Emeril's Sunday Brunch has it's own dedicated Cocktail Menu with Gin Fizzzzz (what is the proper pluralification of Fizz?), brandy milk punch, and a Jim Beam Sazerac. Nuff Said.

They do a crabcake n' eggs benny, andouille redfsh, buttermilk fried chicken, and - uh - Grand Marinier French Toast.

As they say on Top Chef, "I have a culinary B@ner!"

Did I mention that I love brunch?

AG

[ankimo]

thanks for the recs!

[dmo305]

Do any of these places have Saturday brunch?