If there is one thing I love about weekends, it is that skipping breakfast and heading straight to brunch is perfectly acceptable. Personally, I could forgo lunch and dinner and be perfectly content eating waffles, pancakes, and crêpes all day. So when I have the time for a leisurely Sunday you can be sure that a good brunch is on the menu. Last weekend I took my grandmother to brunch for her birthday. It was starting to feel like spring in these parts so I thought a nice morning in Port Jefferson would be enjoyable. We went to the Fifth Season, where I’ve had brunch and dinner before, and snagged a table with water views.
Here are my recommendations for brunch if you should find yourself on Long Island:
Sweet ‘n’ Savory: I’ve posted about this place in Port Jefferson before, but it really is one of my favorite little spots to grab a sweet treat. The sassy decor will certainly keep your mind off the calories you are consuming, but hey, you only live once! Order one of their sweet crêpes–my personal favorites are the Cinnabon, cannoli and broken Oreo crêpes. And yes, they are as decadent as they sound, so I would advise you to go hungry. This is a great spot for an informal brunch. It’s a small space, so seating can be a bit tight during breakfast hours. If you happen to go when the weather is nice they have a patio out front – a great vantage point for people watching.
{Snickerdoodle Pancakes – Fifth Season}
Fifth Season: For a fancier brunch experience, head across the street to the Fifth Season. Go upstairs if you can, and overlook the harbor. This spacious restaurant is the ideal brunch spot and offers both an à la carte and prix fixed menu. The prix fixed comes with a first and a second course (and a complimentary drink!), plenty of food for brunch, while their regular menu has a nice mix of both breakfast and lunch fares. Make a reservation if you are heading to Port Jefferson in the busy season (basically anytime the weather is nice). After brunch, stroll through the Village and enjoy some shops off the beaten path.
Cooperage Inn: Looking to make a day out of brunch? Then the Cooperage Inn is a great choice. Nestled on the East End of Long Island, this quaint restaurant has a buffet that could keep you satisfied all day. With more options than you could ever eat, this place offers a buffet style brunch with everything from eggs benedict to pancakes to a carving station and much more. It’s a great spot to hit if your day later includes a wine tasting, antique shopping, or just trekking around Baiting Hollow. The brunch (which was voted “Best Brunch” by Dan’s Paper) costs $26.95 per person and is worth every penny.
Rothmann’s Steakhouse: When I was growing up this was one of my favorite places to go for Sunday brunch. The building dates back to the 1820’s, although it did not become Rothmann’s until 1907 when Charles and Franziska Rothmann purchased it and opened their doors. Franziska initially did all of the cooking at the restaurant, and it became so well known for its food and ambience that President Theodore Roosevelt would ride over on horseback for a meal. Later, it was nicknamed “The House of Eats.” Today, this restaurant, which was once owned by the famous composer Burt Bacharach in the 1970’s, is still known for its food and historic charm. Located in East Norwich, it’s a great option for a formal affair, and brunch is a real treat. My family would always go for holidays and special occasions and I remember the buffet being truly spectacular. While it’s not cheap (brunch will set you back $49.95 per person), this is definitely a great place to savor food with friends and family.
Wow. All of these look amazing!