Friday, November 17, 2017

Break for Spirited Brunches on Saturday. It’s Allowed. Really.


Sure, Sunday brunch is divine. Settling in for brunch on Saturday has its own merits. Reward yourself with a brunch boost after that Saturday morning workout. Meet friends for brunch before football viewing. Brunch sustains those shopping adventures, matinees and afternoon outings. And, restaurants are usually less crowded for Saturday brunch translating to a leisurely, laid-back meal. So sit back and order a mimosa, bloody mary or your favorite adult beverage. Spirited bevs before 12:30 p.m.? Always an opportunity at these mouthwatering Saturday brunch spots.

Before browsing the 5Church Atlanta brunch menu, order mimosas and sangria by the glass or carafe and build salad in a glass at the bloody mary bar (counts, right?). Go wild over the wild mushroom omelet ($14), beefy bistro steak “a la Brasa” with chimichurri, french fries and two eggs any style ($23), open-faced salmon croquette buttermilk biscuits ($16), the famed 5Church lamb burger ($14) and lots more. Walking distance to Woodruff Arts Center and just up Peachtree from the Fox Theatre, 5Church serves brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

Stroll into Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland for a please-all brunch menu featuring specialties such as Big Green Egg-smoked beef brisket and eggs ($14), fried chicken pancake sandwich ($12), salmon cakes and eggs ($12), fried green tomato Benedict ($9) and more. Hearty skillets -- chorizo, Cajun shrimp and andouille, Southwestern or vegetarian -- come with crispy potatoes and two sunny-side eggs ($9-$12). Chase the day with beer, wine or a handcrafted cocktail. Brunch service begins at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Fun-loving brunch seekers, swing by Bulla Gastrobar in the heart of Midtown for imaginative cocktails, shareable Spanish fare and communal tables for big groups and sociable folk. Doors open at 11 a.m. Feast on the energy and small plates like crispy calamari, patatas bravas, Serrano ham croquettes with fig jelly ($6-$16), cured meats and cheeses ($6.50-$15), egg-centric specialties of Huevos ‘Bulla,’ Bulla Benedict, garbanzo frito and potato tortilla traditional Spanish omelet ($6-$12). Hazelnut waffles and other sweets ($9-$12) and plates of paella braised short ribs, pollo al chilindron and “Bulla” burgers round out the offerings.

The Federal blesses Midtown with both American steakhouse and French brasserie fare. For brunch, this means chopped chicken liver, black bread and cornichons ($10), beignets with café au lait sauce ($8), avocado toast with smoked salmon, soft boiled egg and shaved shallots ($12), the double-stack Federal burger ($16), the Southern breakfast of three eggs, Anson Mills grits, Patak bacon, pimento cheese and a biscuit ($15) or the Texas breakfast featuring a six-ounce steak, three eggs, home fries and Texas toast ($16). Brunch sippers include classics and innovations such as the grapefruit margarita, spiked Arnold Palmer or chai white Russian ($10). Brunch hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Food 101 in Sandy Springs offers an extensive brunch menu featuring modern morning and midday classics including snacks to share, starters of fried cheese grits with smoked pineapple aioli, White Lily biscuits and sausage gravy and breakfast bruschetta ($7-10); “Stuff with Eggs” including lobster scramble, crab and shrimp cake Benedict, steak and eggs and a smoked turkey and mushroom omelet ($12-$20); a skillet pancake, Belgian waffle or Simply French toast ($10-$11) to satisfy any sweet tooth. Low country-style shrimp and grits, “Skinny Brunch” with organic tomatoes, grilled asparagus, leeks, fresh herbs and soft poached eggs or “Fatboy Brunch” with buttermilk fried chicken, White Lily biscuit, scrambled eggs, home fries and sausage gravy ($13-$17) are just a few signature temptations. Brunch starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern reaches out to Midtown and Town Brookhaven brunchers with a bubbly brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday featuring bottomless mimosas for $17. Wake up with a Wake and Bake pizza, Hangover Helper, steak and eggs, Million Dollar omelet, breakfast tacos, pork belly and eggs, Nashville hot chicken and waffles, grilled cheese with cauliflower and celery root soup and other sunny specialties ($10-$16). The BASE salad is loaded with good stuff ($13), and guests can add shrimp, grilled chicken, steak or salmon for $4-$8. Or, “build your own breakfast” pulling from HOBNOB’s list of breakfast traditions like buttermilk biscuits and sausage gravy, bacon, sausage, stone-ground grits, two eggs any style and fresh fruit. Weekend brunch hours are 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at both HOBNOB locations.

Midtown Takorea and Ssam Bar fuses TexMex, Southern and Korean flavors with flair, leading to shrimp and creamy jack grits in smoky bacon red sauce with fried egg and Korean fried chicken and sweet red bean waffles with sesame maple syrup (or solo waffle); chilaquiles with chicken, pulled pork or pork belly; pork belly Benedict, sesame spinach and chicken omelet with spinach banchan, marinated chicken and jack cheese; churro bread pudding French toast or adzuki bean pancakes. ($8-$14). Drink specials include a $4 mimosa, bloody mary or glass of sangria. Convenient to Georgia Tech, the Fox Theatre, Atlanta Botanical Garden and more. Opens Saturday at 11:30 a.m., Sunday at noon.

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