By TIM SLIVINSKI
One of the most looked forward to aspects of a Sunday morning or early afternoon in Ft. Lauderdale is a leisurely Sunday Brunch. It’s fun to gather a few friends to connect over mimosas, bloody Marys, champagne, great coffee, and delicious food. However, don’t plan anything too early as some of your crew may be recovering or recuperating from a long and late Saturday night. We are lucky because we live in an area where brunch al fresco is nearly always available. Fort Lauderdale offers several options at various price points for Sunday brunch, which is a great way to get the day of rest started, no matter what your later afternoon or evening plans may be.
If you desire to throw caution to the wind and go to the top – literally – for a gastronomic late morning brunch experience, then call the Pier 66 at the Hyatt Regency on 17th Street for a reservation (954-525-6666). You will not find a more beautiful view of the beach and the entire Fort Lauderdale area. As the revolving dining room spins, you will be treated to amazing views that truly showcase why the area is known as the “Venice of America.” While enjoying the views, quaff all the Veuve Cliquot you desire or mimosas made from the same champagne that you can handle. The food options – and there are so many – tempt you from caviar tastes, to full-fledged breakfast and lunch and an assortment of dessert options. Everything is plated with attention to detail, and the food matches the elegance of the room and the champagne served. Served only on Sundays from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., this is a great choice, even at $65 per person, if you want to impress out-of-town visitors.
Another classic restaurant with a great “FTL vibe,” due to its location on the Intracoastal, is the Blue Moon Fish Company (954-267-9888). This classic South Florida spot offers its brunch from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. every Sunday. An omelette bar offers so many choices for the classic egg dish, but many diners choose the very well seasoned seafood offerings of Louisiana Seafood Gumbo, Blackened Mahi Mahi, or amazing Lump Crabcakes. A bloody Mary, mimosa, or champagne is included in the price. Watch the yachts meander by as you sit and enjoy the South Florida breeze, blue sky, and sunshine and savor some of the best food in the Fort Lauderdale area. And all this for $34.95 per person.
If you love the Intracoastal as much as your beach-casual flip-flops, your dog, and your tank top, then head to Coconuts for their Sunday brunch (954-525-2421). With a great view of the water, Coconuts is a laid back and relaxing venue that serves a Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. every Sunday. It welcomes your dog, your beach attire, and your hungry palate. The staff are friendly and eager to please as you settle back to enjoy all that South Florida’s weather offers. The menu is amazing, but take a personal hint and listen to your server as he or she explains that particular Sunday’s brunch features. They are creative, fun, unusual, and always delicious. Combinations that sound odd always turn out to be utterly amazing on the palate. Relax, enjoy the view, and when you are satiated, head to the beach to enjoy what makes our area the envy of so much of the rest of the country. The price point for most brunch menu items ranges between $8 and $20.
If you just cannot leave the island, then wander over to Rosie’s (954-563-0123) for a brunch that offers tasty, creative and fun options for a “get me started” Sunday. Beginning at 10 a.m., the Sunday brunch at Rosie’s offers relaxing smooth jazz that picks up the pace as the morning morphs into afternoon. Chuckle at menu items called such bone-tickling names as “the Fat Elvis” or the “Nelly Frittata.” From healthy to purely decadent and rich, the brunch at this popular Wilton Manors’ gathering spot offers great mimosas and bloody Marys along with endless coffee if you need a “kick me in the pants” start to your day. The eggs bene“dicts” are enough to share, while the omelettes, can be wrapped to go for a tasty lunch the following day if you just cannot finish them. Combine all that with Rosie’s tropical patio zen space, and you find yourself easily easing into Sunday morning. Depending on your hunger level, menu options vary from $8 to $16.
Looking for a more traditional brunch on the island? Then maybe you need to venture into Tropics (954-537-6000). Long a staple on the Drive, Tropics offers a traditional Sunday Brunch from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., featuring a buffet of favorite breakfast and lunch favorites. There’s something for everyone from omelettes to prime rib. Served in the quiet and subdued atmosphere of their dining room, the Tropics brunch is a great way to mellow out after a raucous or riotous Saturday evening. Let the world outside go by as you sit back with friends and let Tropics’ friendly and attentive wait staff attend to your whims. At $16.95 per person, it’s a great deal.
Brunch is a wonderful antidote to a late night “party hearty” Saturday night or a great prelude to an afternoon at the beach or the pool. As the weather breaks and cools down, take advantage of these fine establishments and many more as you plan your relaxing Sunday.
