Sunday's Best Brunch

Sunday's Best Brunch

By Emma Cavanagh

Photo courtesy of Emma Cavanagh

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but we have other things in mind. Gone are the days of getting up early on weekends to indulge in thick buttered toast and home fries, for the same price as a Starbucks latte. The modern gluttons now spend Sunday morning in bed, scrolling through their phones to find the best brunch spot in town. So go ahead, stay in bed a little longer while we do the work for you.

Nestled within historic Port Dalhousie lies a hidden secret best suited for rustic lovers, who enjoy an authentic bistro and brewery experience. German inspired bistro Kaiser Haus is home to decadent fares such as pork schnitzel, avocado toast with bacon, and German oven pancakes- think crepe style pancake topped with fresh sweet cream and berries. Best part — you can accompany your meal with German style beer brewed in house at Lock Street Brewing Company — is there anything better?

Marcus Samuelsson, an Ethiopian and Swedish chef said, “For me, brunch is such a versatile meal since you can play on both the sweet and savory in your dishes”. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves Marcus. That’s why Revalee brunch café is next on the list. Made for locals, this quaint spot in Vineland offers everything from sweet honeycrisp French toast, to the coveted savoury dish huevos rancheros. What makes Revalee even more desirable are the local coffee offerings from Pilot Coffee Roasters, The Bagel Oven, and a full vegan brunch menu. It’s all about inclusivity here.

If you consider brunch a fancy occasion, Cannery, located at Queen’s Landing in Niagara-on-the-Lake boasts an elegant atmosphere, a primed and well-selected menu, and a fantastic reason to treat yourself. Tuscan offerings such as applewood smoked bacon, domestic cheeses, and a carving station provide a luxury experience as freshly baked dough from Chef Mark Longster’s brick oven fills the air in Niagara’s most sought after Inn.

Photo courtesy of Emma Cavanagh

Now, picture a relaxed space, comprised of old world charm and fully equipped with rugged stone, warm wood throughout, and velvet seating that will make you feel right at home. This is the kind of dining experience provided at Scratch Kitchen, located at the Flour Mill Restaurant in Niagara Falls. Scratch Kitchen is a made to order kitchen using fresh, organic, and local ingredients produced by the restaurant’s favourite farmers and artisanal producers. Located inside the Old Stone Inn, the brunch menu offers modern dishes such as Atlantic lobster poutine, welsh rarebit, and duck confit cassoulet. Go ahead-indulge!

Photo courtesy of Emma Cavanagh

What about a dish that’s salty and fresh? Head over to Tide and Vine’s Niagara Falls flagship location, and Niagara’s only oyster house, for freshly shucked oysters straight from the ice bed. With daily po-boy features, amazing Caesars, lobster, and poached Eggs Benny delicious enough to convert a non-seafood lover into one, you’re guaranteed a truly local experience with flavours unlike anywhere else in the region. To top it off, the number of awards allocated to Tide and Vine is proof they have successfully brought the sea to Niagara. Who wouldn’t want fresh crab in their Caesar, or local craft beer after a Saturday night out?

Brunch may be a small story in how North Americans are not only eating, but how our weekends have shifted from running errands and spending time with family, to looking for the next hot spot place to eat. This is likely a result of demographics; leave it to millennials to turn a meal in between breakfast and lunch into something trendy. Regardless, brunch is a metaphor for self-care in an age of consistent busyness. So put on your favourite Sunday outfit, swipe a sheer gloss over your lips or gel in your hair, and head out for bottomless mimosas and truffle oil Eggs Benedict. Whatever your preference, these notable restaurants are guaranteed to make Sunday afternoon your favourite time of the week. TM