where to brunch on new year's day
These Houston restaurants dish out bountiful brunch menus to toast New Year's Day
With New Year’s Day arriving on Sunday, the natural impulse of many Houstonians will be to recover from the previous night’s excesses with a little brunch. After all, that’s certainly a better way to spend part of the day than watching the Texans defend their home field — or at least cover the spread — against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Of course, people can always choose an old favorite or their favorite dim sum destination, but some restaurants are going all out with special dishes, live music, and other enticements. Here’s some suggestions for a memorable start to 2023.
Axelrad in Midtown will offer hair of the dog in the form of $2 mimosas, $3 select beers, and $5 Frozens, Bloody Marys and Michel-RAD-as (get it?).
D’Alba Craft Kitchen & Cocktails will celebrate the new year with its Day One brunch. Available at both the original in Garden Oaks and the newly opened second location in Midtown, the restaurant will feature specials such as a smoked salmon flatbread, spinach frittata, and a brunch board with waffles, bacon, fruit, prosciutto-wrapped dates, and cheese.
Eloise Nichols will offer brunch specials such as $5 mimosas, Salmon Hoppin’ John and a biscuit Benedict that’s topped with pulled pork.
EZ’s Liquor Lounge will serve a fried chicken special on New Year’s Day. The $15 plate also includes black eyed peas and collard greens. Pair it with the bar’s extensive cocktail options or specially-priced bottles of champagne.
Lagniappe Kitchen & Bar will celebrate the new year with a special hangover brunch from 9 am-2 pm. Dishes include black eyed pea cassoulet, biscuits and gravy, shrimp and jalapeno cheddar grits, roast beef po’ boy, and more.
Savoir in the Heights will supplement its popular brunch menu with with seasonal dishes such as pumpkin pancakes, PB+J cronut holes ($15), and a honey butter chicken biscuit. Pair them with cocktails such as egg nog and a peppermint chocolate martini.
State Fare Kitchen & Bar will supplement its usual brunch offerings with a special New Year’s Board that includes seared pork belly, cabbage and black eyed peas, crab cakes with sweet corn purée, BBQ bacon wrapped shrimp, and red velvet waffles with fried chicken ($65).
Trattoria Sofia in the Heights will offer its Italian-inspired Hangover Cure Brunch from 11 am-3 pm. In addition to dishes such as Italian green eggs and ham and polenta fra diavolo, the restaurant will also offer live music.
The Warwick has been earning raves for its recently introduced brunch service. On January 1, it will feature a Board Room Brunch Platter of butter pecan waffles, candied bacon, sausage, four eggs, green chili hash, cup of fruit, muffins, and croissants ($100). Add a martini tree — six or 12 lemon drops made with Casamigos Reposado — for either $150 or $300.