Top Spots for Weekend Brunch

Top Spots for Weekend Brunch

Our general love of bed keeps us mostly out of the loop when it comes to breakfast. Brunch, however, speaks our language. Here are six great spots to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Nick's on Broadway, Providence

When Derek Wagner decided to open Nick's on Broadway on the West Side of Providence at the age of 24, he was greeted with the usual skepticism. 24? The West Side? 18 seats? Well, it's eight years later, and as the flocks of people heading to Broadway will attest, Chef Wagner has not only helped revitalize the Broadway area, he hasn't lost a step in the kitchen. Having started as a humble breakfast-only place, Nick's has moved and expanded and become one of the best all-around restaurants in the state. But breakfast and brunch are what many still come for. It’s heavy on the farm-to-table, with Fitzhugh Family Maple Syrup and Baffoni Farm eggs. The housemade granola at Nick's is legendary, and vegetarians love the herb crusted tofu sandwich with red peppers, olives, baby spinach and Crystal Brook Farm goat cheese. All of the classics (like bagels and lox, right) are here also, like eggs Benedict, and the hash browns, made with Yukon Gold and sweet potatoes, are downright addictive. 500 Broadway, Providence, 421-0286.

Edgewood Cafe, Cranston

Folks in Edgewood hold their food finds pretty close to the vest. So when we heard a couple of different people talking about a great new BYOB place a while back, we took notice. The Edgewood Cafe is run by John Walsh, the former owner of the East Side favorite The Bookstore Cafe and Mr. Walsh has brought his comfort-food-with-flair food sensibility to Edgewood. The brunch menu, much like the cafe, is small, but no space is wasted. All of your favorite breakfast dishes are here. We lean towards a couple of old favorites with a twist. The Cajun style eggs benedict is a spicy, kicked-up version that sings. We are French toast purists. We generally like it simple but we have been converted by the Portuguese sweet bread and Frangelico French toast. The hazelnut flavors in the Frangelico are the perfect counter to the sweetness of the bread. 1864 Broad St, Cranston, 383-5550.

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Iron Works Tavern, Warwick

Situated in the refurbished factory of the Rhode Island Malleable Iron Works (dating to 1867), The Iron Works Tavern has quickly become a Warwick hotspot. The tavern's extensive brunch menu is guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters. You've gotta love any menu that starts off with the breakfast cocktail! So hold on a mimoment while we try the tangerine mimosa. Perfect! We love the use of local, organic eggs from Baffoni farms in all the egg dishes. The

seven versions of "benedict" will give you ample opportunity to try those eggs. We like the "Sardue,” with spinach, an artichoke bottom and Bearnaise sauce. The Tavern Burger is another favorite of ours, with freshly ground beef, cheddar and an addictive caramelized onion and tomato jam. Or try the Croque Monseur with ham and cheese in a light egg batter. The chef also prepares a pasta of the day and other specials including Fritatta. Dessert? You've got to be kidding…but they have it! 697 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick, 739-5111.

Perro Salado, Newport

If a traditional brunch isn’t your cup of tea, visit rising star chef Dan Hall, who is opening eyes all over the state with his local, seasonal take on Mexican food. Chef Hall's interesting take on brunch features a huevos con papas y churico – a picture-perfect egg sits atop thinly sliced tomatoes and a potato and chorizo hash. We really hesitate to tell you about this next dish. People have gone to rehab for it! The Lucy Lu features scallion pancakes topped with sweet and spicy pulled pork and an egg any style. We could write 5,000 words on beauty and complexity of this dish without breaking a sweat. We also love that Perro's legendary tequila selection is put to very good use in their take on the Bloody Mary. Tomato juice, tequila, poblano chili and cilantro are all mixed with ice to form that perfect "hair of the dog" wake up. 19 Charles St, Newport, 619-4777.

The Shelter Harbor Inn, Westerly

The Shelter Harbor Inn is a hidden gem on the Washington County dining scene. This historic inn serves breakfast, lunch and dinner 365 days a year in a restored farmhouse that was built in the early 1800's. The menu is a mix of classics, like finnan haddie, an old-fashioned baked smoked haddock dish, and new American style dishes like seared ahi tuna. The brunch menu leans the same way: traditional eggs benedict is offered alongside a smoked salmon eggs benedict and French toast can be ordered plain or in the Inn's signature style with bananas, walnuts and warm maple syrup. For the meat lovers in the group, Shelter Harbor's grilled tenderloin tips with mushrooms and onions is delicious. The menu here hasn’t changed much over the years, which is why many consider it the perfect Sunday standby.10 Wagner Rd., Westerly, 401-322-8333.  

Bay Voyage, Jamestown

If you long for an old-school brunch experience complete with chafing dishes and all-you-can-eat excess, then the Bay Voyage is for you. Throw in a spectacular view of the bay and it’s for everybody. Situated in an old Victorian house circa the 1800's and overlooking Narragansett Bay, The Bay Voyage has been offering one of the best brunches running for more than 20 years. It features carving stations with roast beef and ham, omelet stations, fresh fruit, smoked salmon and dessert stations with freshly made cakes and pies and chocolate dipped strawberries. It’s a perfect place for a family celebration like a birthday or anniversary, or a great way to start off a Sunday of sightseeing on Aquidneck Island. On the other hand, you could relax with a mimosa and enjoy the view for a few hours… 150 Conanicus Ave, Jamestown, 401-423-2100.