Photo by Beth Furgurson
Sure, knowing chef Matthew Tlusty is behind the line at Arcadia is a draw, especially for his Blue Crab and Brioche Benedict. The wife can't resist the select-your-own-ingredient frittatas at Bistro 27. And when my 7-year-old son hears we might be going to Mint for brunch, it's the Banana Foster French Toast or nothing. Sometimes, however, brunch is not about the food — it's about the drinks. Here are a few tipples that are worth getting out of the house for.
Not-Your-Average Bellini
Champagne for brunch is good. A Champagne Bellini is even better. And a Bellini bar? Fabulous. With nine varieties to choose from at Arcadia, you might go into decision overload, but don't. With great combinations like Lychee and St. Germain or Mango and Grand Marnier at a very affordable $7.50 a pop, you'll be able to work your way through the list to find your own favorite. 1700 E. Main St., 417-4005 or arcadiarichmond.com
Sunday Morning Toolbox
To me, screwdrivers tend to be a little heavy and dull. It doesn't, however, take a lot of work to liven one up for today's sensibilities. At Mosaic, for the Raspberry Sunrise, they start with freshly muddled raspberries, add Stoli Ohranj vodka and then cut the heavy orange juice with a little sparkling wine for a great brunch beverage. River Road Shopping Center, 288-7482 or mosaicedibles.com
Modern Twist
On occasion, one overindulges on a Friday or Saturday night. A cottony mouth is the inevitable result. To get your palate back in working order, get the Jewell-Up over at Mint. A modernized mint julep, this smoky-sweet concoction of fresh mint, house-made burnt-orange-peel simple syrup and Eagle Rare Bourbon will jump-start your Sunday. 2501 W. Main St., 359-9690 or mintrichmond.com
Wake-Up Call
Absinthe can be an acquired taste. Bistro 27's Death in the Afternoon, playing off the anise flavors of the absinthe, sweetened with a little sugar and made bubbly and light with blanc de blanc, will help you acquire that taste and defy the cocktail's name by giving life to your taste buds. 27 W. Broad St., 780-0086 or bistrotwentyseven.com
The Limelight
On a hot and sultry Richmond summer day, you need something clean and refreshing. That drink, the Vodka Limeade, can be found at Phil's Continental in their new location, not far from the old. With fresh squeezes of lime, splashes of simple syrup and soda over crushed ice, this vodka-based drink goes down fast enough that you should order two for the first round. 5810 Grove Ave., 288-8687 or philscontinentallounge.com
