If there is a perfect meal, it would have to be brunch. Mixing the best elements of breakfast and lunch, and served at a time that considers the relaxing nature of weekends, a good brunch is a meal to be savored. It’s your reward for having worked all week.
Happily, there are excellent spots for brunch in both Phoenix and Tucson. Encantada residents in either city can wake up late any weekend and enjoy exceptional food at a variety of restaurants.
Tucson Brunch
47 Scott
They’ve garnered national attention in the New York Times for their craft cocktails, but starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, 47 Scott serves a good selection of breakfast and lunch dishes, in addition to soups and salads. While you could order huevos rancheros or a Greek omelet if you’re in a breakfast mood, or perhaps a grilled cheese or hot chicken and waffle if you’re leaning more toward lunch, it’s their selection of hashes that’s the real attraction here. Pulled pork, short rib, southwestern veggie, and bacon and sausage hash all contain wonderful, savory ingredients and come with scrambled or fried eggs. Is it the weekend yet?
The Grill at Hacienda del Sol
If your idea of brunch is a massive buffet with more food than you could possibly consume, then Hacienda del Sol is your new brunch spot. The freshest ingredients compliment everything from prime rib, waffles, custom omelets, blintzes, pasta, and smoked salmon to elaborate fruit trays with produce often grown on-site. Add to that a spectacular view of the Santa Catalina Mountains, and you may not leave until it’s time for next week’s brunch. The feeding frenzy is from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday.
Loew’s Ventana Canyon
The name of the brunch at Ventana Canyon says it all: Blues, Brews and BBQ Sunday Brunch. You’ll find all the traditional breakfast items at this stunning buffet, including made-to-order omelets, but it’s the non-breakfast foods that attract one’s attention. A seafood station has buckets of shrimp, mussels, oysters, and unlimited sushi, while out on the patio, the aroma of barbecue beckons with baby back ribs, pulled pork, bacon-wrapped dogs, and grilled salmon for the taking. If you’re not filled to capacity, don’t forget to stop at the lavish dessert station. You can even eat on the patio to be close to the live blues band while you sip unlimited beer or mimosas. This wonderful brunch takes place every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations suggested.
Phoenix Brunch
The Farm at South Mountain
If you’re looking for brunch in a distinctly different environment, The Farm at South Mountain is where you want to be. The breakfast and brunch menu will remind you that, even though it looks like Iowa, you’re still in Arizona. Selections like huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, chicken enchiladas, and a breakfast burrito supplement the traditional breakfast menu. When you’re done eating, take some time to wander around the beautiful grounds of this Phoenix landmark. Breakfast and brunch are served on the patio 8-11 a.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Wright’s at the Biltmore
Frank Lloyd Wright was the consulting architect in the design of the Arizona Biltmore and, over the decades, it has hosted celebrities, sports figures, and presidents. On Sundays, Wright’s at the Biltmore has a lavish brunch buffet which includes fresh, cold seafood, house-made pastries, fruits, deli meats and cheeses, and crisp salads. Included with brunch is a changing menu of seasonal small plate entrées like the Wright Way Benedict with smoked brisket, or a waffle served with pork belly, passion fruit syrup, and chantilly glaze. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Geordie’s Steak at Wrigley Mansion
Originally home to William Wrigley of chewing gum fame, Wrigley Mansion is now home to one of the Valley’s best restaurants. Since the grounds weren’t originally designed for a restaurant, parking can be a little dicey, but once you’ve tackled that, you’re in for a treat. You can drink endless mimosas, sparkling wine, select red and white wines, or domestic beer while browsing the fresh shellfish, sliced meats, cheeses, fruits, and berries. Visit the omelet or pancake station, have some quiche, and then indulge in house specialties, including prime rib and leg of lamb. Brunch is served on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
