Brunch in Woodbury

Photo: Tate Carlson

Three slices of baquette are the foundation of Current RumChata french toast, topped with fruit compote and powdered sugar, and served with maple syrup.

There’s nothing quite like brunch to make a weekend morning feel leisurely and luxurious. This early meal never fails to put you in the mood for something a bit more indulgent, maybe a variation of eggs Benedict slathered in hollandaise or slices of egg-y French toast with real maple syrup. And a mimosa, of course, to wash it all down. Local restaurants cover brunch service at all ends of the spectrum, from an early riser’s café to a veritable brunch destination when it’s time for pulling out all the stops.

RumChata French Toast

Current

The a la carte-style brunch at Current is full of delicious, made-from-scratch items. First up is a favorite that will appease your sweet side. The RumChata French toast is made from three slices of baguette, dipped in a signature batter made with RumChata (a liqueur of sweet cream, rum and cinnamon), topped with fruit compote and powdered sugar, and served with Overview Farms organic maple syrup ($7). The CURRENT Benedict is another must-have, consisting of two cage-free poached eggs, sautéed spinach and hollandaise with a house-made venison sausage ($11, or $9 without meat). The brunch menu, served on Sundays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., also includes sandwiches, soups, salads and burgers. Under the same ownership, Afton House still offers brunch on major holidays but has discontinued the weekly Sunday brunch. 3291 St. Croix Trail S., Afton; 651.436.8883

Spicy Cajun Benedict

The New Woodbury Café

The New Woodbury Café is an early morning breakfast stop known for its mammoth-sized portions. The restaurant serves an eclectic menu of eggs Benedict choices, including a popular spicy Cajun Benedict, made with Cajun andouille sausage, poached eggs, and hollandaise, sprinkled with Cajun spices ($9.50). For vegetarians, there’s the Caprese Benedict, made with tomato, mozzarella and a basil pesto hollandaise ($9.50). Another breakfast item you won’t soon forget is the pineapple upside down pancakes: two buttermilk pancakes with sweet pineapple, vanilla cream and cinnamon butter ($6.50 for two pancakes or $4 for a single). The café opens for breakfast at 6:30 every day except Sunday, when it opens at 7 a.m. 803 Bielenberg Dr.; 651.209.8081

Fresh Caramel Rolls

Lake Elmo Inn

Things start off with a bang at the champagne brunch at Lake Elmo Inn. From the outset, everyone receives a freshly made caramel roll. The rest of the buffet style brunch includes homemade Belgian waffles, eggs Benedict, sausages, a carving station with double smoked ham and roast beef, smoked salmon, shrimp cocktails, salads, fruit and unlimited champagne (with a non-alcoholic champagne available). A special entrée is introduced with each week’s menu. Last but not least, two full buffets are dedicated to desserts like chocolate éclairs, cookies, bars and tarts. The hours of the buffet are from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday and reservations are always recommended. The cost is $21.95 for adults and $10.95 for children age 3-11 (children under 3 eat free). 3442 Lake Elmo Ave. N., Lake Elmo; 651.777.8495

Four-cheese Potatoes

Red Rock Bar and Grill at Sheraton

The breakfast potatoes loaded with four cheeses at the Red Rock at Sheraton are just the kind of indulgence that you reserve for a morning brunch on the town. The potatoes are part of a brunch buffet that includes breakfast pastries, scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, and omelet station and eggs to order, with choice of juice and Starbucks coffee ($14.95 for adults and $8.95 for children). The brunch runs from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sundays. 676 Bielenberg Dr.; 651.209.3293

Keys Original Omelet

Keys Café

Keys Café has received accolades for its breakfast at locations throughout the Twin Cities. The Keys original omelet, which was created 30 years ago, is a breakfast item not for the faint of heart. The three-pounder contains an unfathomable amount of fillings, like ham, bacon, pork sausage, Italian sausage, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, hash browns and a blend of cheeses. The buttermilk pancakes are also famously “hubcap-sized.” The restaurant has a beer and wine license, so you can get mimosas and bloody Marys made with beer. Even though there can be a wait, “we are good at it,” says owner Jean Hunn, so you can expect the staff to get you to a table promptly. 1750 Weir Dr.; 651.488.1828

Blackened Pork Tenderloin

Sunsets

The weekly Sunday brunch at Sunsets is an elegant affair offered from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Specialty items include blackened pork tenderloin, shrimp creole, fresh salmon, beef burgundy, eggs Benedict and fresh Belgian waffles, in addition to breakfast basics like scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, assorted pastries and desserts. The brunch is served buffet style and runs $14.95 for adults, $6.95 for kids aged 5-12 and free for children under age 5, with a glass of juice included in the cost. 700 Commons Dr., 651.735.1997

Southwest Burrito

Axel’s Bonfire

Culinary director Mo Moore puts a southwestern spin on breakfast with the Southwest burrito at Axel’s Bonfire, made with scrambled eggs, cheddar and Monterey jack cheese, spicy chorizo sausage, sweet bell peppers and yellow onion, all rolled into a huge 12-inch flour tortilla, topped with enchilada sauce and baked in the oven ($11.95). The prime rib hash is another delicious option, with chunks of prime rib, potatoes, bell peppers and onions cooked on a flat top until crispy, then topped with two eggs any style, Cajun hollandaise and green onion ($11.95). Brunch is served on Sundays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 1424 Weir Dr.; 651.735.0085

Share this Article

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•