Brunch isn’t for everybody. The Type A personality might bridle at the prospect of noontime lollygagging. The calorie-counter might object to the Hollandaise-drenched excess of the dishes. Teetotalers question why anybody would have a drink at all, let alone at the very moment it’s legal to serve one.

But for those interested in liberating their spirits, it all makes sense. As they say in Russia: “Drink in the morning and you’re free for the rest of the day.”

By Michael Jackman

Two-sided treat that puts the crunch in brunch: Toast; 23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-298-0444; 203 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-258-6278: The Ferndale location has logged in about 15 years now, perfecting a gastropub vibe. From 7 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, it offers an ever-changing menu. Meanwhile, the Birmingham location has become a fixture, especially famed for the Friday-through-Sunday specials that add a bit of gourmet flair to the offerings. The full bar includes cocktails made with Crackalacka Cold Brew, that ridiculously delicious high-potency coffee with the nitro push. The Birmingham joint stays open later, and, in fact, the Toast empire is now so well known for its brunch that you still have to remind people they’re open late. Photo via @toastferndale
Where brunch is casual, on Cass, and in a castle: Parks and Rec; 1942 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-446-8370: This downtown restaurant is something of a Siamese twin to Republic, the restaurant it shares a kitchen with. The hip diner offers breakfast- and brunch-style foods exclusively, and their menu includes items like shrimp and grits, cannoli French toast, and an item called Saturday Morning Cartoons, which is pancakes made with cereal milk, toasted marshmallow syrup, and cereal dust, and served with two eggs. They also have a coney waffle, which is exactly what it sounds like. Photo via @parksandrecdiner
A packed menu on a pleasant patio: Northern Lights; 660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; 313-873-1739: From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, you can get such delicacies as a short-rib omelet, steak and eggs, and a smothered vegetarian hash. The mimosas are $3, but why stint when you can get the $11 carafe with a whole bottle of sparkling wine in it? Photo via @northernlightslounge
A corner on brunch: Mudgie’s; 1300 Porter St., Detroit; 313-961-2000: Mudgie’s has been a staple in Corktown essentially since the deli opened it doors, serving wholesome soups and sandwiches to a faithful crowd of regulars. They only serve brunch on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but their flavorful and filling eggs Benedict variations, egg sandwiches, and bread pudding are enough to pine after all week long. If eggs aren’t your thing, Mudgie’s brunch menu also includes a variety of Reuben sandwiches — including a vegetarian option — plus a smoked salmon board, a beer cheese spread, and a good-old PB&J. Photo via @metrodetroitfoodie
Where they make a more macho mimosa: Bobcat Bonnie’s; 1800 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-1383: Brunch is well-defined at Bonnie’s, beginning promptly at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, and lasting until 3:30 p.m. There’s a separate brunch menu full of breakfast classics and small plates to munch on. Then there are those restoring libations: Bloody Marys and mimosas are $3. But if you dare, there’s the manly “Man-mosa” — 20 ounces of fresh OJ, sparkling wine, orange vodka, and beer, for $8. Photo via @bobcatbonnies
Where to soak in the history: Grand Trunk Pub; 612 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-3043: In the 10 years since Foran’s became Grand Trunk Pub, the joint has developed a loyal following with its weekend brunches, running 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The dishes are as locally sourced as practical, the 24 taps pour Michigan brews, your first mimosa or Bloody Mary is $7, with $2 refills, and it all takes place in a historic ticketing office for a railroad. How can you improve on that? How about with an all-Sunday menu with breakfast and brunch classics that can be ordered until midnight? Photo via @michigandrinks
When you’re feeling chicken: The Block; 3919 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-0892: Since they started serving brunch in January, the brunch menu has already garnered crowd favorites, including a take on chicken and waffles (featuring fried chicken wings that are not breaded yet still crispy, served with sautéed pears). The chicken is the star of the show here: The Block’s Ultimate Bloody Mary even features a chicken wing garnish. Brunch is served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays. Photo by Jacob Lewkow.
Poutine to the people!: Brooklyn Street Local; 1266 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-262-6547: Brunch isn’t all that much different from any other day at Brooklyn Street Local, other than the inventive specials that appear with the weekend meal at 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Standbys include poutine, especially a weekend version with hand-cut fries, caramelized onions, organic cheese curds, beef gravy, lardons, and perhaps even bacon or a fried egg. Photo via @brooklynstreetlocal
When you need a historic setting for that lazy meal: Dime Store; 719 Griswold St., Ste. 180, Detroit; 313-962-9106: Open just a few years, Dime Store has made a name for itself as a destination for scratch-made breakfasts and weekend brunches. All the usual dishes prevail on this restaurant’s brunch menu and there are day-drinking options that include a “beermosa” and Irish coffee. But one of the main thrills must be the inherent snazziness of brunching inside a 100-year-old skyscraper. Photo via @eatdimestore
When you want brunch with a side of mission statement: Gold Cash Gold; 2100 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-242-0770: GCG’s brunch menu is deceptively simple. Sure, it’s all the classics you’d want on a brunch menu: meat and potatoes, grits, and eggs, French toast, hash, ham and cheese, chicken and biscuits. And yet, everything, even the cocktails from the bar, adhere to the eatery’s ethos of food that’s “seasonal, conscientiously sourced, entirely hand-crafted and inspired by the way farmers around the world grow.” Photo via @goldcashgolddetroit
A world away from Woodward: La Dolce Vita; 17546 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-865-0331: Sunday brunch at La Dolce Vita feels like a special occasion. Mostly, it’s the setting — an outdoor patio clad with ivy, trees, and flowers leaves folks feeling far removed from the cars whizzing by on Woodward. Offerings include no shortage of seafood options (think salmon hash and shrimp Benedict) and a French toast stuffed with mascarpone cheese. Brunchy drinks served “bottomless” and a live band help take the occasion from simple meal to swanky party. Photo via @evarohip
Brunch the Northwest Way: Kuzzo’s Chicken & Waffles; 19345 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-861-0229: It’s a stroke of genius, right? You take a breakfast item like waffles and mix it with a hearty dinner item like three pieces of golden-fried chicken. Then add two eggs made to order and creamy grits: That’s the “What Up, Doe?”plate. But the other half of the fun of brunch at Kuzzos is being able to order shrimp and grits or salmon croquettes. The full bar means you can try pairing the spicy marinated and grilled chicken wings with Diamond Falls Sparkling Pink Moscato. Photo via @kuzzoschickenandwaffles
For brunch Spanish-style: Aventura; 216 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-369-3153: Between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, Ann Arbor has an authentic Spanish brunch at Aventura, where influential Valencian chef Raúl Cob recently redid the menu. Expect Spanish-style omelets, flat breads, soft baguette sandwiches, and egg dishes. The bar offers “almost bottomless” mimosas for $16 with brunch, and a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar. Plus, it’s in one of Treetown’s oldest buildings, with exposed brick walls and archways, and plush velvet chairs and banquettes. Photo via @aventura_ann_arbor
When you need red velvet, not blue: Hudson Café; 1241 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-237-1000: If you had only thought of Hudson Cafe as a place where power breakfasters sealed deals between waffles, you can forgive yourself. The menu has it all: From “red velvet” pancakes to specialty coffees and baked goods to all things French, eggy, or Benedict. Photo via @journeyeast
A brunch that’s good for the soul: Maccabees Traders; 5057 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-831-9311: The newly revamped restaurant offers soul food brunches 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. They’re buffet-style — all you can eat for $20 per person — and include fried catfish, fried chicken, homestyle potatoes, shrimp and grits, scrambled eggs. Mimosas are $1 with your brunch purchase. Bloody Marys are more, around $7. Photo via @dennisash_
Everything under one roof: Majestic Cafe; 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700: The Majestic Cafe only opens during concerts and for brunch every Sunday morning from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., so it’s a little bit special to dine here. Their menu include requisites like eggs Benedict, huevos rancheros, and bananas Foster French toast. The place has a full bar, so you can order a little hair of the dog to go along with your eggs and toast. Photo via @fotomatgirl
Transplanted eatery offers transcendent brunch: Rock City Eatery; 4216 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-265-3729: After a move from Hamtramck to Midtown, Rock City Eatery owners Nikita and Jessica Sanches revamped their brunch menu to include items such as shrimp and grits and the very exciting “Death by Cereal,” a smorgasbord of your favorite childhood cereals that can be topped with fresh fruit, crushed Oreos, mini marshmallows, and other such exciting toppings. Classic brunch beverages like Bloody Marys and mimosas are available, but with a fresh twist as all mixes are made in-house. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays only, but a select few of their ol’ favorites are available as well. Photo by Jacob Lewkow.
A brunch with high market value: Russell Street Deli; 2465 Russell St., Detroit; 313-567-2900: Located inside Eastern Market, Russell Street Deli is the perfect place to enjoy a satisfying bite after some tiring produce acquisition. They don’t serve booze, so you’ll have to forgo the Bloody Mary or mimosa, but they’ve got piping hot coffee, Boylon’s Natural Soda, Vernors, house-made seasonal beverages, and fresh squeezed lemonade. Their breakfast menu is served all day, with pastrami hash, hotcakes, omelets, and egg scrambles. Photo via @_celinamurphy
Brunch as opportunity: Soul Cafe; 5586 Drake Rd., West Bloomfield Twp.; 248-788-7400: This Epicurean Group-owned cafe is unique in that it’s part of the Friendship Circle Project, which works to create employment opportunities for adults with special needs. They don’t offer a brunch menu specifically, but they do serve breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and a light and fresh lunch menu comprised of soups, salads, and pizzas from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Drinks are strictly nonalcoholic, but they include specialty espresso, hot chocolate, smoothies, and freshly squeezed OJ. Photo via @chowdowndetroit
Jambon buerre en plein air: Le Petit Zinc; 70 W. Alexandrine St., Detroit; 313-963-2805: There’s the French influence, which means not having to apologize for lingering over your crepes or your cup of tea. The popular spot recently reopened in Midtown after being closed for several months. Photo via @wbknoblock
One haute hash house: Public House; 241 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-850-7420: The most popular dish is probably the smoked brisket hash: flash-fried redskin potatoes and shishito peppers tossed with sriracha aioli and brisket, with two eggs cooked to order on top. The covered patio is open no matter the weather, and the full bar offers brunch cocktails, coffee drinks, mimosas and a specialty Bloody Mary called “The Dottie.”Photo via @publichouse_ferndale
Building a better Fly Trap: Fly Trap; 22950 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-399-5150: When the Fly Trap got its start, it traded in clever names, dubbing the morning-noontime meal “blunch.” But things only got bigger and better two years ago, when the tiny joint expanded into the space next door, expanded its menu, and set up its full bar. It’s open 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends, and closed Mondays. Photo via @nahtano_trah
Build a better Bloody Mary: Bronx Bar; 4476 Second Ave., Detroit; 313-832-8464: Most days, this bar’s smallish short order menu and two stocked jukeboxes will satisfy, but the weekend Bloody Mary bar is the bomb: You get a pint glass half-full of ice and vodka and get to work loading up the perfect drink from an array of ingredients. Photo via @k.evin.j.oy

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