Sunday brunch/LATE Bfast- on OR off property?

[wildernesslodgelover]

We will be in the WORLD for 3 nights next weekend for our adults only anniversary trip (10 years!) We have a lot of great dinner ADRs in place, but I would love to end the trip with an awesome brunch. BUT...we don't want to feel hurried and it seems most of the WDW restaurants stop serving Bfast at 11 a.m. Is there anywhere you can recommend that serves Bfast later that is OFF property?...I would really like an upscale buffet.

If you know of any restaurants that serve Bfast later ON property, I would like to hear about them also. Thanks!

 

[jdvm]

They don't have buffets, but a couple of the restaurants in downtown Celebration are great late Sunday mornings. There's a farmer's market downtown and the restaurants all have outside seating so there's a nice buzz....and the Celebration Town Tavern serves a mean bloody mary.j

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would go to Solaris in the Marriott World Center. They have a buffet that is about 70 feet long and serve until 1:00 on Sundays.

Technically it is a breakfast buffet, but in addition to over a dozen types of fruit, they have egg, waffles and pancakes to order and a large selection of meats including Parma Ham as well as lox and really lots of other stuff. I try to hit it about once a month. Current price is $18.95 and if you use valet parking it is $5.00 plus tip.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thanks so much for the replies!

jdvm-You had me at "bloody marys!" I have never been into Celebration, so maybe we will check that out.

Thanks Fig! We are planning something on our way out of Disney. I am going to look into it ( I want to make sure if we get a late seating we won't be rushed out of there.) But it sounds perfect, I like the breakfast and lunch items on a buffet.

I just discovered the HOB Gospel lunch. I did a search and most of the reviews are good, but I hate a crowded buffet line and wondering if the 1pm Sunday brunch would be crazy crowded. I think that may be too much "activity" (and LOUDNESS) for a lazy Sunday Brunch. If anyone has opinions on that, let me know!

 

[vancesmom]

I've been really wanting to go to the HOB Gospel Brunch. I've heard it's wonderful. Unfortunately our timing just never seems to work out. Give us a review if you end up there.

 

[oybolshoi]

I was going to mention the Gospel Brunch at HoB, but someone beat me to it! We're trying this next month and I'll post a review when I get back but that won't be until early June (our trip is over Memorial Day).

For what it's worth the brunch in New Orleans and Las Vegas are really good!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thanks guys! I would expect the food to be good...I am just afraid it may be a little too much "activity" for us. If we were with DD, it might be fun, but I think we are looking for a quiet and lazy Sunday brunch. I still "may" do it...and if I do, I will report back, promise!

oybolshoi-I look forward to hearing your Orlando HOB Brunch review!

 

[kribit]

The House of Blues is supposed to have a fantastic Blues Brunch. We really wanted to do it last time, but it interfered with our park time.

Ok - sorry now I'm the 3rd one to post this...apparently I can't read.

 

[wilma-bride]

In my opinion, you can't beat the Sunday brunch at the Renaissance opposite Sea World - fantastic

 

[Robert P]

Relaxed Sunday brunch, eh?

Fresh, at the Dolphin. Search the review forum for my review from last Fall.

The HOB Gospel brunch was good food, but lines were very long at first, and it definitely is a place of 'activity'.

 

[disneyjunebug]

HOB Gospel/Blues Brunch is great! Every HOB has one and I've been to New Orleans, Vegas and WDW. All have great music, and good food. It can get crowded (I know at one time they were marketing them to tour groups because that's how I went to my first one at WDW. I don't know if they still do that.)

There are lots of places off-property that have very good Brunches. Check the Gaylord in Orlando. I know the Gaylord Opryland here in Nashville has one of my all time favs. It's not cheap (about $25-30 per) but lots, lots lots to eat and nice atmosphere.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

LOL, Kribit...that's ok! I do that too...I post first, and READ later !

Wilma-I have been looking at the Renaissance brunch...and it looks great! I am concerned because it is in the opposite direction of our drive home...and a review on Chowhound.com from Jan 07 said it was closed for refurbishment. I need to make sure it is open again and decide if we want to drive a bit north before driving home.

Robert-Well, I am afraid Fresh is not open past 11 a.m. Maybe it is on Sunday...is that what you are saying? Anyway..we tried it ince for breakfast and did not like it. This was about 2 or 3 years ago...it was the darling of the DISboards for awhile so I told DH we just HAD to try it. We were quite underwhelmed. The omelet station was run bya WDW "soup nazi" (from Seinfeld) that would take your order then insist you step aside. There were a bunch of non english speakers in front of us, bearing the brunt of his wrath. By the time we got to the front of the line we were terrified!

I didn't really care for all the cold pastries in the middle section. Other than that, I remember a pancake station and a juice bar. It just was not that great for us. Maybe it is better now, I will have to check out the menu. But again...we want a later time than I think they serve until.

junebug-I have been looking at the GP brunch, since we drive right by there on the way home. My price range is under $40, so it fits in perfectly!

Decisions, decisions......

 

[Robert P]

Yes, that's what I am saying.
Fresh had a Sunday brunch offering last Fall. I hadn't heard about it on the boards, or other sites, until we got thee. We had to wait till 11 until the 'brunch' began (only breakfast til then), but it was well worth it. The fresh crepe and waffle station was outstanding, and they had a full line of desserts out (including flan). We didn't try the fresh juice area or the parfait/granola things, but they looked vey good.
As I recall, the lunch part of the 'brunch' had fresh grilled swordfish, a steak/beef carving area, risoto triangles, and grilled panini sandwiches. Those are the ones that stood out the most, but there were other item as well. Absolutely one of the top brunches I have had anywhere. The food selection at Fresh was, IMHO, much better than the HOB brunch we attended (louded and crowded). It was a very laid back and relaxed atmosphere, especially for WDW.

Whereever you decide, please give us a review when you get back. Brunch isn't covered very often in the review forum.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Well now...this sounds more like it! I have poked around a little and have not found any info on a brunch there, but I will investigate further. I would LOVE to be able to check out and then stay at the hotel to have our brunch. I am doubtful that it is still offered, because I would have thought we would hear more about it on this board.

I am surprised WDW does not offer a nice Sunday brunch somehwere. Even if it was not a buffet...somewhere you could order eggs benedict, biscuits and gravy, etc well into the day...not just morning.

Thanks for the tip, Robert...I will definitely report back to you all after my trip.

 

[DVC Grammy]

ITA! Fresh is terrific. We've eaten breakfasts and lunches there and the food is special. I don't remember their hours of operation, but a call to the Dolphin will get you that information.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Bad news... I just spoke to a hostess at FRESH...they no longer serve the brunch, the stopped in February. They serve breakfast until 11:30 and start serving lunch at 12 noon.

DVC Grammy-We did not care for the breakfast we had there about 2 or 3 years ago. It seemed there was not a lot of breakfast hot foods...Ilike a lot of egg dishes and meat selections. It seemed to be more about pastries and bread items. The line for the eggs (omelet station) was a mile long. It just was not for us.

Anyway, we are looking for a later seating...somewhere serving breakfast items in the early afternoon.

Thanks to everyone for their help!

 

[mousebit]

I have to second the vote for Gaylord Palms!

It's been a while, but if I remember correctly it was the largest buffet I've ever seen, very good fare, lovely & relaxing atmosphere. And then you can always stoll around that huge atrium before you hop back on the highway and head out of town. Nice way to end a trip IMHO.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

*sobbing*

Well, I decided on the Renaissance brunch, after doing serches and reading rave reviews. I called today to make a reservation...and it has been closed since last summer! It is scheduled to reopen in July, but now I must go back to the drawing board!

I keep hearing about a hotel in downtown Orlando..."boheme" or something like that, but it is too far of a drive out of our way.

Mousebit-For some reason, the menu at the Gaylord didn't "wow" me, but maybe they just cited the main items, and not everything? I can't explain it, it is just the menu seemed too simple to me. Do you remember lots of stuff? I am particularly looking for biscuts and gravy and eggs benedict. I also love chilled shrimp and/or raw oysters on a buffet. Did they offer any complimetary alcoholic beverages? I LOVE a nice bloody mary (and will pay for it if necessary!)