We've all done it — and quickly regretted it. It's Saturday night and you're out with the mates, drinking that last round of beers, wishing the night didn't have to end. "Let's do brunch," you say. And before anybody has a moment to consider the repercussions, the group responds with a resounding, "Yes, let's continue this party tomorrow at brunch!"
Only problem is that, judging by your last asinine outgoing text, you passed out some time after 2:30 in the morning. When your alarm wails at 10:15 a.m., there's only one thing in the world you want to do: Kill everybody. Then you start running through possible excuses: flat tire, Ebola, frozen pipes, sick hamster, social media emergency... After the second cup of coffee, however, brunch begins to sound almost doable. I could eat a little something, you think, but I AM NOT DRINKING.
We've all been there. To make the best of a bad situation, here are few suggestions to ease the pain.
For the Fashion-Challenged
If the thought of picking out an actual outfit physically hurts your brain, the Beachland Ballroom (15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com) is for you. Along with chunky sweaters and flannel shirts, the most fashion-forward article of clothing one's likely to spot here is a Members Only jacket, circa 1983. The expansive brunch menu might be the most indulgent around, offering to make almost any dish vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free. To make the smoky biscuits and gravy vegetarian, for example, simply swap the sausage gravy for one made with mushrooms. A panko crust on the fried chicken manages to lighten up chicken and waffles.
For the "Morning After" Date
You didn't wake up alone, that much is clear. But who? A quick turn of the neck reveals — thank god! —the cute friend of a friend you had your eye on all night. Fan the flames of desire by taking him or her to Le Petit Triangle Café (1881 Fulton Rd., 216-281-1881, lepetittrianglecafe.com), a deal-closingly adorable French bistro in Ohio City. Toast the budding relationship over bubbly mimosas while you steal glances at the tantalizing menu. Oh-so-sweet crepes like the aptly named Chocolate Lovers (dark chocolate, whipped cream and strawberry preserves) join savory fold-overs filled with smoked salmon, Boursin and fresh dill. If things are really going well, you can always grab a couple slices of the quiche du jour and head back to your place...
With the 'Rents
Dante Next Door (2247 Professor Ave., 216-274-1201, nextdoor.danteboccuzzi.com) is dedicated to serving just lunch and brunch, and the setting couldn't be more urbane. Plus, where else can you surprise the folks with a breakfast pizza? The Everything Bagel is what happens when a Jew and an Italian have one too many drinks. Topped with house-cured lox, hard-boiled eggs, capers, onions, cream cheese and fresh dill, this pie is practically kosher. Start with tasteful and gentle-handed peach bellinis, and order the pork sausage patties for the table — unless you keep kosher.
Pre-Browns Brunch
One thousand steps — give or take a few — separate Urban Farmer (777 St. Clair Ave., 216-771-7707, urbanfarmercleveland.com) and Browns Stadium, making this high-end eatery a wise choice for pre-game brunching. Located in the swanky Westin Downtown, this farm-to-table concept nails everything from steak dinners to eggy breakfasts. So why not get both? The steak and eggs pairs farm-fresh eggs with grilled flat-iron steak, sausage gravy and breakfast potatoes. Eggs Bennies get a boost from shaved local ham and house-baked muffins. The craft beer here is likely cheaper than at the game, so load up.
For the Clinically Hung-Over
The biscuits and sausage gravy at Big Al's Diner (12600 Larchmere Blvd., 216-791-8550) have been known to salvage entire days. Those magical muffins topped with pork-studded gravy, two over-easy eggs and onion-laced hash browns can undo a day-ruining hangover simply by being eaten. Also proven to lessen the severity and effects of the tippler's flu is the corned beef hash, sautéed with potatoes and green peppers and topped with a pair of sunny-side-up hen fruit. There's no booze here so you won't even be tempted.
Gang's Back Together
So everybody managed to roll out of bed and now you've got a crowd on your hands. Sure, you could go to the diner and wait until dinner for brunch, but why not go somewhere built for crowds? Emperor's Palace (2136 Rockwell Ave., 216-861-9998, emperorspalacecleveland.com) feeds hundreds of folks for dim sum each Sunday, and the selection and quality rank up there with the best. Commandeer a 10-top and feast on shumai, BBQ pork buns, turnip cakes, chicken feet, ribs in black bean sauce, and pots of calming tea. The food is so exciting you'll forget all about that blinding pain in your noggin.