Brunches of distinction

By CHRIS SHERMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 12, 2001

Brunches around Tampa Bay are often crowded and require reservations, and they may already be sold out for Easter, so call ahead. If you want a Bloody Mary or a glass of bubbly with your brunch, remember that Florida law makes you wait until 1 p.m. on Sundays.

The following list is a limited sampler of places that have a special flavor every Sunday. Many other hotels and restaurants serve Sunday brunch year-round or just for Easter; bakeries and bagel shops are often open on Sundays, and many chains, delis and cafeterias serve breakfast every day.

The establishments below are divided into those with brunch buffets and those with brunch menus, where diners are served at the table.

The Castaway

This causeway landmark sets a long tables of eggs, fruit and breakfast fare as well as carving stations for steamship rounds and ham, plus fresh shellfish and sushi.

Price: $22.95 adults, $7.95 children. Hours: 9:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m. 7720 Courtney Campbell Parkway, Tampa; (813) 281-0770.

Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa

The most famous of Suncoast brunches, it offers a view of the gulf and beaches from in and around the fifth-floor King Charles Room. Food includes a long cold buffet of seafood, chilled chops, gourmet salads and mousses, plus a carving station, eggs, pastas and hot entrees such as Asian duck and a large pastry display with crepes and fresh waffles.

Price: $31.95 adults; $16.95 children 12 and under. Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach; (727) 360-1881.

Jackson's Bistro -- Bar -- Sushi

The fresh fruit and cheese table is one of six stations at brunch at the Vinoy in St. Petersburg. The other five are desserts, entrees, breakfast and crepes, seafood, and cold meats and salads.

This waterside night spot is almost as busy Sunday mornings -- and still serving sushi. Brunch lines also include a pasta station, fresh waffles, shrimp, oysters, hot entrees, fruits and desserts.

Price: $14.95. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 601 S Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa; (813) 277-0112.

Oystercatchers

Brunch with a view of Tampa Bay has been a Tampa hit since the hotel seafood restaurant opened. The spread includes egg dishes and waffles, plus pasta, hot entrees and an abundance of the restaurant's specialty: seafood.

Price: $26 for adults; $14.50 for children ages 4 to 11. Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Hyatt Regency West Shore, Courtney Campbell Parkway, Tampa; (813) 281-9116.

Renaissance Vinoy Hotel

The priciest in town, brunch in the Terrace Room includes breakfast items such as waffles and eggs Benedict made to order, plus smoked seafood, carved meats, fresh fruit and a large bread and pastry display.

Price: $34.95 for adults; $16.94 for children ages 5 to 12. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg; (727) 894-1000.

Bec's

A tiny place with big imagination, Bec's stuffs French toast with strawberries and reinvents -- and renames -- breakfast breads and egg dishes for a one-of-a-kind brunch.

Prices: $3.95 to $5.95. Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 6211 S MacDill Ave., Tampa; (813) 837-2700.

The Columbia Restaurants

Chicken and yellow rice, seafood, 1910 salads and everything you've come to expect from the Cuban-Spanish landmark that's nearing its 100th birthday.

Prices: $7.50 to $13.50. Hours/addresses: noon to 4 p.m. at 2117 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City, (813) 248-4961; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 800 Second Ave. NE (The Pier), St. Petersburg, (727) 822-8000; 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1241 Gulf Blvd., Sand Key, Clearwater, (727) 596-8400.

Forbidden City

No eggs or waffles here, just all manner of steamed and fried dumplings plucked from rolling carts. The Chinese like dim sum all the time and especially on weekends, and in many Chinatowns they're a magnet for Sunday morning visitors.

Prices: $2.50 to $2.75. Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; 25778 U.S. 19 N, Clearwater; (727) 797-8989.

First Watch

The biggest Florida chain to make brunch a daily specialty, it serves eggs, omelets, pancakes, waffles and crepes as well as sandwiches and salads.

Prices: $2.75 to $6.25. Hours: 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at all four Tampa Bay locations: 2569 Countryside Blvd., Clearwater, (727) 712-8769; 520 Tampa St., downtown Tampa, (813) 307-9006; 11610 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, (813) 961-4947; 2726 E Fowler Ave., Tampa; (813) 975-1718.

Green Springs Cafe

An arty little restaurant that has fun with eggs as frittatas, quiches and eggs-in-a-crock with various fillings.

Prices: $5.75 to $8. Hours: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 122 Third Ave. N, Safety Harbor; (727) 669-6762.

Gulfport Bakery & Cafe

Breakfast with a small-town feel is always a pleasure at this backyard garden party of a restaurant, and on Sunday, breakfast is all it serves. You can get eggs, pancakes, sticky buns and a rainbow of muffins, or lox, rainbow trout or prime rib with two over-easy -- and a copy of the Gabber.

Prices: $2.95 to 6.95. Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., 3121 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport; (727) 343-4755.

Harvey's 4th St. Grill

This neighborhood favorite serves up most of its menu, from burgers to grouper dinners, plus pancakes, omelets, skillets and poached eggs five ways, from Benedict to tenderloin.

Prices: $4.25 to $7.75. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 3121 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg; (727) 821-6516.

Kelly's for Just About Anything

Kelly's is one of the few creative modern restaurants that does breakfast daily. Sundays are especially playful, with a muffin-of-the-day and other specials.

Prices: $2.99 to $7.99. Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., 319 Main St., Dunedin; (727) 736-5284.

Sutherland Cafe

Innovative kitchen in an antiques-filled old bank turns out omelets, entree salads, gourmet waffles and French toast.

Prices: $6 to $10. Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1024 Florida Ave., Palm Harbor; (727) 787-7734.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright