Haute 5 Brunches in Miami

Nemo
Brunch at Nemo’s in Miami has long been regarded as one of the very best. As soon as you enter the restaurant, the sweet, caramel aroma of Belgian waffles entices your appetite, as you begin to anticipate their homemade marmalades, maple syrup, whipped cream, strawberries, and blueberries.

If waffles aren’t your “thing,” there is also a carving station with butcher blocks of Indian-spiced pork loin and turkey, and across the room there is an area well stocked with traditional morning pastries: Danish, croissants, muffins, sticky buns, assorted bagels with smoked salmon and accompaniments. In addition, the counter running between Nemo’s open kitchen and front dining room is stocked with breakfast meats, hash browns, Eggs Benedict, and more. With a $27 price of admission (kids $13.50), this is a brunch you wouldn’t want to miss.

Nemo is located on 100 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Sunday’s brunch is open from 11 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. For reservations, call (305) 532-4550.

Acqua at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami
With a breakfast station that includes omelettes made with your choice of: ham, shrimp, smoked salmon, swiss, cheddar, tomatoes, scallions, mushrooms, and peppers, as well as a delicious Eggs Benedict with Canadian bacon and smoked salmon, Brunch at Acqua isn’t only gorgeous, it’s simply delicious.

Remember those tea parties you used to dream about as a child? This is that dream, but instead of plastic tea pots, cups, and plates, Acqua serves pancakes, bagels, mixed fruits, and any delicious brunch treat you can think of. Including a Carving station with just about every imaginable meat selection and a pastries section, this is the perfect start to any Sunday.

Acqua at the Four Seasons Hotel is located on 1435 Brickell Ave. For reservations, call (305) 358-3535.

Eos at the Viceroy
With a free Mimosa or Bloody Mary, Brunch at Eos at the Viceroy is simply a splendid affair. These mimosas are made with fresh-squeezed juice and the Bloodys are spicy and well-mixed. Organic eggs and coffee are another nice touch.

Brunch items start at $12 for a cast-iron skillet of roasted eggs, grits, bacon and gruyere. Also a favorite among many is The Mediterranean Eggs Benedict (creamed spinach and kefalotiri cheese) is only $16. Their “New York Power Breakfast” is a generous platter of house-cured salmon with silky deviled eggs, chopped capers and whipped cream cheese. The buttermilk pancakes were recently lauded as the best in Miami by Lee Klein from The New Times.
Also, with the brunch, you get free entrance to the pool party at Club 50, the Viceroy’s 50th-floor club. In case you want to follow those mimosas with amazing views of the city and a good swim.

Eos is located at 485 Brickell Ave. For reservations, call (305) 503-4400.

BLT Steak at The Betsy Hotel
Here’s a brunch on South Beach that has drawn raves for its casually elegant setting and classic American steakhouse fare by acclaimed chef Laurent Tourondel. Available every Sunday from 11:30 A.M. until 2:30 P.M., Sunday Brunch at The Betsy offers an eclectic menu featuring Tourondel’s take on classic brunch items as well as signature dishes from BLT’s lunch menu. The $24 prix fixe menu gives guests a complimentary Bloody Mary, Mimosa or White Peach Bellini and a selection of main plates.

Definite must-haves include the BLT Popover Poached Eggs, a classic eggs Benedict served with spinach, ham, bacon, Béchamel and gruyere cheese on BLT’s signature popovers; the SoBe Burrito with cheddar scrambled eggs, peppers, black beans and onion-tomato salsa. A bevy of sides for just $7 include seasonal fruit, grilled tomatoes, maple chicken sausage, and home fries. For diners seeking a lighter bite, the Oceanside Basket ($14) is the perfect option, stocked with freshly-baked croissants, pain au chocolat, Danish, scone, coffee cake, muffin and lemon pound cake.

BLT Steak at The Betsy is located at 1440 Ocean Drive. For reservations, call (305) 673-0044.

Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
Michael’s weekly a la carte brunch service is offered from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Located in the heart of the Design District, the restaurant leaves the old formulas for the traditional Sunday with an array of delectable small plates, both sweet and savory, and a creative selection of homemade drinks, sodas, and cocktails. The menu, a showcase for Michael Schwartz’s fresh, organic and local fare, is divided into sections including Savory, Sweets, Eggs & Things, Meats, and Snacks.

“We’re serving the best aspects of the buffet experience-lots of variety, but everything is fresh and cooked to order. It’s an easy and affordable way to try and share a variety of small plates in one seating,” says the James Beard award winner. Selections range from $3.00 to $19.00 and include a cross section of breakfast and lunch choices that transcend the usual Eggs Benedict, including wild salmon-fennel hash served with a fried egg; fried egg sandwich on a homemade rosemary crumpet with cheddar and choice of house smoked bacon or homemade sausage; Greek farro salad with French feta; breakfast pizza; Kumomoto oysters; wood oven roasted prawn; and potato and onion Spanish tortilla. You may also want to try Michael’s classic breakfast-two organic farm eggs any style, fingerling hash, choice of house smoked bacon or homemade breakfast sausage with toast.

“The Genuine Bloody Mary,” is comprised of Zyr Russian vodka, fresh horseradish, and honey-one of 10 new specialty cocktails ($7.00 to $12.00) from bar manager Ryan Goodspeed. Traditional with a twist, his sublime selections also include “The Sombrita,” a refreshing blend of Sombra Mezcal, agave, fresh pineapple/cucumber/jalapeno juice, and fresh ground cardamom, and “The Newgroni,” featuring Campari, Calvados, fresh apple/pear juice, thyme infused simple syrup, a splash of soda, and a dash Orange bitters.



Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink is located at 130 NE 40th Street in Miami’s Design District. Reservations are strongly suggested at (305) 573-5550.