Monday Brunch

Brunch. It’s the stuff of magic fairy dreams. Big, pillowy pancakes dressed with shiny, sticky syrup and dotted with plump blueberries. Eggs Benedict so creamy that they melt upon contact with your tongue. Deep, dark pours of coffee that seem to go on endlessly... you know, brunch. While many enjoy this meal on a leisurely Saturday or Sunday with mimosas in hand, workers in the hospitality, creative, and self-employed industries don’t always have the luxury of stopping in on a weekend. For us, the weekend doesn’t begin until Monday, which has the unfortunate tradition of also being the day that most restaurants close, leaving our bellies brunch-less. However, dotted throughout Connecticut is a selection of high-quality restaurants that understand our plight; they stay open on Mondays for the non-traditional crowd in search of a Belgian waffle (and bloody Mary or three).

Mamies Restaurant

162 Baker Rd., Roxbury Monday Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Set inside a rustic cabin nestled in Litchfield County, Mamie’s has the sort of charm that lets you imagine sitting in your grandmother’s kitchen. With generous helpings and a no-frills menu (if you call incredibly high-quality ingredients “no-frills”), expect a hearty breakfast that starts your “weekend” right. The Maple Cranberry Granola offers a twist on a healthy standard while the basic pancakes can’t be beat.

Sift Bake Shop

5 Water St., Mystic Monday Hours: 7:00 a.m. – Sell Out

The quality at SIFT is etched into every corner of its space. From the open exhibition kitchen to the airy and clean design of the dining room, you feel as though you’ve instantly walked onto a movie set (a very delicious movie set). The chef adheres to a philosophy of only using fresh, top-of-the-line ingredients and produces a rotating menu daily. Here, it’s all about the baked goods, so we recommend grabbing a few of their muffins, some coffee, the paper, and enjoy an hour sitting in a sunny spot.

Hidden Valley Eatery

88 Bee Brook Rd., Washington Monday Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

While the Stars Hollow references abound this hamlet, Hidden Valley eatery truly does bring Luke’s Diner to mind. Homey, local, and incredibly fresh, they up the decor ante with a fabric-draped ceiling that makes you feel as though you’ve entered a secret bungalow, adding an element of mystery to your Monday.

SoNo Baking Company

101 Water St., Norwalk Monday Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Tucked behind South Norwalk’s main drag, this popular spot gets beyond busy on weekends. Fortunately, come Monday, the families and ladies who brunch have returned to their regularly-scheduled programming and you can settle down to a table with a hunk of crusty bread and a cup of coffee. Bonus: sidle up to the bar along the windows that look into the kitchen and watch as the pastry chefs prepare and bake the day’s fresh offerings.

The Corner Restaurant

105 River St., Milford Monday Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Behind such a simple name is a restaurant with a menu rife with complex and creative breakfast dishes. From a Spiced Indian Duck Tortilla, to African Hash, to Pecan-Crusted French Toast, this is a great place to get something a little unusual to start your Monday.

The Breakfast Nook

448 Washington Ave., North Haven Monday Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Not everyone needs (or wants) a brunch-ified menu. The Breakfast Nook keeps it simple and straightforward with a list of breakfast basics complemented by a smattering of creative specials.

Toast, Four Corners

625 Middle Tpke., Storrs Monday Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 2:-00 p.m.

Near UCONN Storrs, the weekends may see this breakfast spot overrun with college students in search of a hearty (and inexpensive) breakfast. Come Monday, however, the scene is decidedly more sedate. And, you won’t have to fight a co-ed for the last fresh-baked muffin.

Cosmic Omelete

485 Hartford Rd., Manchester Monday Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

There’s something a little trippy about this restaurant’s vibe, which has turned it into a cult-favorite. While plenty of traditional breakfast standards are available, the highlight – as the name suggests – is the omelet menu. Specials rotate weekly (sometimes daily), so you’re always sure you’re getting the freshest of the fresh.

Rise

10 Water St., Mystic Monday Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

With two spots on our list, it appears Mystic is becoming a Monday-brunch Mecca. RISE serves breakfast anytime, especially good for those of us who worked a late shift and need a bit more time to get out of bed. Beyond the staples, the chef offers surprises studded throughout the menu, like the PB&B (egg, peanut butter, and bacon on an English muffin).

By Rebecca Hansen | Photos by Winter Caplanson at Rise