So. Sunday morning. You finally roll out of bed, grab that first cup of Joe and maybe spread out the Sunday Times and switch on CBS Sunday Morning. (Best TV news show ever and they do a lot of food stories!)
It’s great to relax and have no commitments demanding your attention. That’s what Sundays are made for.
Well, that and brunch.
Brunch in Houston is as mandatory as a mani-pedi and valet parking. The question is where?
Cocktails are a given, but you’ve already had breakfast tacos three times this week and you had biscuits and gravy from Whataburger yesterday. And then it hits you: You want to gorge on pasta and eggs! Yes, an Italian brunch is what you are craving and luckily for you it’s becoming a trend in Houston.
Efisio and Lori Farris’ Arcodoro is well known as the go-to restaurant for true Sardinian food and as a popular Galleria-area spot to sip wines. But the restaurant also offers a fabulous weekend brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Think pastas, poached eggs and watermelon salad.
An Italian brunch is what you are craving and luckily for you it’s becoming a trend in Houston.
“The egg dishes are phenomenal,” Lori Farris says. “Many are traditional Sardinian dishes or are made with Sardinian ingredients. Our son Valerio’s last meal would be the Pane Frattau and it is the oldest Sardinian dish on record. It dates back hundreds of years.”
The dish has layers of Sardinian music bread — a yeast-free flat bread — tomato sauce and pecorino cheese, topped with two poached eggs drizzled with Arcodoro’s own extra virgin olive oil.
“The Ransardo and Salsiccia Peperonata are hearty and healthy dishes and I actually dream about the Salmone in Salsa Rosa (a salmon filet with two sunny side up eggs),” Farris adds.
More Houston Brunch Wonders
Over at the Clark Cooper Concept Coppa Osteria in Rice Village, executive chef Brandi Key is jazzed about some new brunch additions.
“We just started the weekend brunch,” she says, “and I love the breakfast sandwiches.”
In particular, the tomato, arugula, crispy pancetta and soft-boiled egg on a croissant is a delicious way to wake up on a weekend. Another sweet version has fig mostarda, brie, honey and rosemary butter on a croissant. Other dishes that shine are the Italian baked eggs with sausage and the pizzas and pastries (almond raspberry coffee cake anyone?) Try washing them down with the signature bellini.
Over at Tony Vallone’s Ciao Bello they call it “Broonch” and it’s darn tasty. Start with a chopped salad of roasted chicken, salami, pecorino, bacon and Italian vinaigrette paired with a Sicilian blood orange bellini.
Over at Osteria in Rice Village, chef Brandi Key is jazzed about some new brunch additions.
Still hungry? Up the game with some fine Italian wine and an American Kobe burger topped with a fried farm egg plated with Parmesan fries. There’s even a spicy Italian take on shrimp and grits made with polenta, sausage and poached eggs.
Ciao Bello has a casual neighborhood vibe but if you feel like dressing up on a Sunday morning than maybe trek over to Hotel Granduca’s Ristorante Cavour, for some luxury old-world atmosphere and sip some Prosecco. Brunch includes a carving station with roast tenderloin, a create-your-own omelet station plus a seafood bar on ice.
Why not jump start the day with some cold king crab legs, fresh oysters and a plate of penne? And they have a kids’ menu for little ones who crave mac ‘n’ cheese or PB&J sandwiches. Sundays only.
So next time you’re making brunch plans why not think of Italian? It’s good, it’s filling and it will help shake off some of Saturday night’s indulges. And, hey, you can always get a margarita and migas next weekend.
Cia Bello is part of a new brunch trend in Houston restaurants.
