Contrary to popular belief, brunch is not just the awkward meal between breakfast and lunch.

When I was growing up brunch was a BIG deal. Even today, it’s place as a meal is still special compared to your standard breakfast, lunch or dinner. But, it’s not quite the event that it once was. I may be wrong, maybe it’s just seems that way.

In my house, if you were going out for brunch you had better be sure that you remembered to buy a card or a gift. Going out for brunch signaled that something was being celebrated and you best not be caught empty handed. Mother’s Day, Easter, birthdays and anniversaries (insert your family celebrations here) were all brunch worthy occasions. People got dressed up for brunch. The car may have even been washed specifically for the ride to the restaurant.

Today that whole tradition has changed, some for the better and some for the worse.

The Better: At any given point there are at least twenty plus restaurants in town offering a weekend brunch. To me this means I don’t have to wait for the next Hallmark holiday to have a plate of delicious smoked salmon or decadent eggs benny. If I chose to, I could do it on any given Sunday. I like that.

The Worse: There are lots of faux brunches out there. You can’t just open early on Sunday, offer a poorly thought out mix of breakfast and lunch items and call it brunch. You can, and places do, but, it’s just not right. And, it’s really not brunch.

Brunch should be elegant, special and elevated from a typical meal. Yes, even if you can get it fifty two weeks a year. A brunch shouldn’t be a gimmick or just another way to squeeze a few extra bucks out of the local dining communities’ collective pockets. It should be an asset to a restaurants culinary reputation and not a throw away.

That brings me to this prime example of brunch done right.

I don’t think I have to tell you that the dish above is special. You can see that for yourself. Even though it’s available each and every Sunday, it still screams out like a special occasion treat. That’s brunch.

This particular brunch-time delicacy is served here in downtown Sarasota at the First Street Chop House. It’s their Lotsa’ Lobster Omelet. And, as you can see, there is lotsa lobster (and a whole lot more). Let’s have another peek.

Perfectly cooked lobster nestled in a soft omelet with asparagus and artichoke hearts. All topped with a classic Sauce Américaine. Add some hash browns and a house muffin and you have a superb brunch plate.

This elegant dish is part of First Street’s regular Sunday brunch. It’s a real brunch. One that has been thought out and serves well prepared offerings. The menu consists of a collection of dishes that define the term brunch. It is not just a list of items that goes easy on a kitchen staff that might still be a little foggy from a late Saturday night.

Not in the mood for the sinful richness of a lobster omelet? Here’s another selection off the menu.

Duck confit salad. As you can imagine it strikes that beautiful balance between savory and sweet. Another perfect brunch dish.

Now you’re getting the idea. Right? Brunch should be exceptional, not mundane. It doesn’t matter if the style is buffet or ala carte. The meal and atmosphere should make you feel like it’s a special occasion even if it’s not. That’s the goal.

Here’s one last important thing to remember when shopping for your perfect brunch. Just because a restaurant offers you a “free” mimosa or bloody Mary doesn’t make it a brunch. Beware…

First Street Chop House
1296 First Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-554-4375

Looking for more great images from our First Street Chop House photo session? You can find them by clicking here.

Usually I reserve this space for some kind of snappy, somewhat food related banter. Not so today. Today’s edition of the dSDISH is going to be a little different and something I’m thinking about doing from time to time. It’s not quite a photo essay, but, it’s not a food/restaurant review either. I think it’s maybe more like a photo show and tell.

So, if you’re ready let’s get started.

I was at the Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB) recently and noticed that they had a few new items on their menu. I asked their Chef, Geoff Carroll, if I could take a few shots to show all of you. Not surprisingly, he agreed. Here’s a look at a few of the new offerings at one of Siesta Key’s hot spots.

OK, if you own a place that has “Oyster” in the name you’ve got to have some great ones, and SKOB does. Above is their Oysters Rockefeller. As you can see they are loaded! Of course, you can still pick up a dozen on the half shell or steamed. They also have rolled out an oyster menu with about a half dozen new oyster variations.

Soft shell crab. It’s not quite as popular as some other types, namely snow and king, but, just as tasty. There was a time when you could only get this delicate tasting crustacean at certain times of the year. Not anymore. Lucky for us advances in aquaculture have made these crabs available practically year round.

SKOB’s version is lightly battered and fried. It’s then topped with a great Chipotle Aioli. As you can see the crab is sharing the plate with a nice assortment of mixed veggies. If you’ve never tried a soft shell crab, this is your big opportunity.

There’s something a little different coming out of the SKOB kitchen. Every Saturday and Sunday the Siesta Key Oyster Bar is serving brunch. They have all of the traditional things you might expect from a brunch menu. But, they’ve also thrown in a few surprises. One is the Crab Cake Benedict. A perfectly cooked crab cake, topped with a poached egg and finished with key lime hollandaise sauce. Some lightly grilled asparagus spears round out this nice brunch plate. It’s a great variation on the theme and makes for a satisfying entrée.

Looks like SKOB’s kitchen has really got it going! Now you can think of them for more than just great wings, live music and a laid back island atmosphere. There’s new food, dig in!

Siesta Key Oyster Bar
5238 Ocean Boulevard
Sarasota, FL 34242
941-346-5443

The new year always brings us some great new Sarasota dining options. And, this year is no exception.

Every Saturday and Sunday, from 9am to Noon, the Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB). Will be offering local diners a fantastic breakfast menu. This special collection of items is sure to get your weekend off on the right foot.

The offerings include some new twists on classic breakfast dishes. How about starting your day with a delicious Crab Cake Benedict topped with a tangy Key Lime Hollandaise sauce like the one above? Of course the menu boasts some traditional items too.

Let’s see, how can the Wake Up Call Breakfast be even better? How about two complimentary mimosa’s, Bloody Mary’s or screwdrivers? That’s better!

Here’s a look at the complete SKOB Wake Up Call Breakfast menu.

Click on the image below to view the full menu.

Siesta Key Oyster Bar
5238 Ocean Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34242
941-346-5443

UPDATED: May 2, 2011

Are you looking for just the right spot to treat your Mother this year. Of course you are or you wouldn’t be looking here for ideas. There are lots of great Mother’s Day happenings at some of our fine Sarasota restaurants. You can enjoy food specials and drink specials that will make your Mom feel special on her day. Here’s a list that can get you started on your search for the perfect way treat your Mom.

Sam Sneads Oak Grill & Tavern
Mom’s Eat Free
Noon to 9:00pm
1830 S. Osprey Avenue
941-906-7771

Cafe L’Europe
Mother’s Day Dinner
11:00am to 3:00pm
431 St. Armands Circle
941-388-4415

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Brunch & A special $25 Mother’s Day Gift Card
11:30am to 3:00pm
2001 Siesta Drive
358-9463

Libby’s Cafe + Bar
Brunch
10:30am to 4:00pm
1917 S. Osprey Avenue
941-487-7300

The Bijou Cafe
Mother’s Day Dinner
1287 1st Street
941-366-8111

Michael’s on East
Brunch
10:00 am to 2:30pm
1212 East Avenue
941-366-0007

Polo Grill and Bar
Brunch
11:00am to 3:00pm
10670 Boardwalk Loop – LWR
941-782-0899

Rosebud’s Steak & Seafood House
Mother’s Day Dinner
11:30am to 9:00pm
2215 S. Tamiami Trail – Osprey
941-918-8771

Mattison’s Forty-One
Champagne Brunch
10:30am to 3:00pm
7275 S. Tamiami Trail
941-921-3400

Mattison’s City Grille
A la Carte Brunch
11:00am to 3:00pm
1 N. Lemon Avenue
941-330-0440

First Street Chop House
Brunch
11:30am to 2pm
1296 First Street
941-554-4375

We recommend that you contact each individual restaurant for more detailed information about what they are offering this Mother’s Day. We hope everyone’s Mom has a fantastic day!

UPDATED 4/13/11

If you haven’t made your plans for brunch or dinner for the upcoming Easter holiday, then it’s time to get on it. There are only a few days left to make arrangements for your special holiday meal. For all of you who just haven’t had the time to do the research here’s a list of Sarasota restaurants that have something planned for Easter Sunday. Now all you have to do is seal the deal.

Trader Vic’s Island Grill
Easter Menu
10:00am to 1:00pm
351 N. Cattlemen Road
941-378-3900

J. Ryan’s
Easter Menu
All Day
8389 S. Tamiami Trl.
941-923-3200

Turtles
Easter Menu
From 11:00am
8875 Midnight Pass Road (Siesta Key)
941-346-2207

Michael’s On East
Easter Brunch
10am to 2:30pm
1212 East Avenue (Midtown Plaza)
941-366-007 (reservation required)

Libby’s Cafe + Bar
Easter Brunch
11am to 3m
1917 Osprey Ave. (Southside Village)
941-487-7300

Cafe L’Europe
Easter Dinner
Noon to 8pm
431 St. Armands Circle (St. Armands Circle)
941-388-4415

Rosebud’s Steak & Seafood House
11:30am to 9pm
2215 S. Tamiami Trail
941-918-8771

Sam Snead’s Grill & Tavern
Easter Dinner
Noon to 7pm
1830 S. Osprey Avenue (Southside Village)
941-906-7771

Harry’s Continental Kitchens
Easter Lunch & Dinner
9am to 2pm & 5pm to 9pm
525 St. Judes Drive, Longboat Key
941-383-0777

Mattison’s Forty One
Easter Brunch
10:00am to 3pm
7275 South Tamiami Trail
941-921-3400

Mattison’s Riverside
Easter Brunch
1200 First Avenue
Bradenton, FL
941-758-8087

The Polo Grill and Bar
Easter Brunch
10:30am to 3:30pm
10670 Boardwalk Loop (Lakewood Ranch)
941-782-0899

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
Easter Brunch
11am to 3pm
1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive
941-309-2008

The Bijou Cafe
Easter Dinner
Noon to 8pm
1287 S. First Street (Downtown)
941-366-8111

If we have forgotten one of your favorites, add it as a comment to this post.

With the Easter holiday fast approaching, a lot of folks are looking for a great holiday meal that won’t break the bank. It looks like Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar has you covered. On Sunday April12th from 11:30am to 3:00pm they will be serving an amazing Easter menu for a great price. Here’s what they will be offering guests this Easter holiday.

Choice of One Starter

The Wedge, Celery Root and Spring Onion Soup, or Fresh Fruit Medley

Choice of One Entrée

Filet Mignon Benedict, Crab Cake Benedict, Applewood Smoked Pork Chop, or Smoked Salmon Quiche

All entrees served with loaded mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans, served family style

Choice of One Dessert

Berry Cobbler, Crème Brûlée, or Walnut Turtle Pie

You can get this memorable Easter meal for $29.95 per person (not including tax and tip). At that price you can take the whole family for a special day. If the above menu choices don’t get your attention, Fleming’s will also be serving their full menu all day and evening. For reservations contact the restaurant at 941-358-9463.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar
2001 Siesta Drive
Sarasota, FL
941-358-9463

The Thanksgiving holiday is a time to be with family, maybe see some old friends, reflect back on the past year and of course eat. Well, with the latter in mind, I decided to give the new Sunday brunch at Mattison’s Forty One a try. It’s not like I hadn’t eaten my fair share over the past few days, but a good Sunday brunch is hard to pass up and as it turned out a nice way to end four days of seemingly non stop eating.

Mattison’s puts together a well thought out selection of breakfast and lunch items. Mini bagels with cream cheese and smoked salmon is always a great way for me to start off a brunch buffet and Sunday was no exception. One table carried a selection of cheese and a variety of green salads to choose from. The hot entrees included a nice Maple Wood Farms duck dish, orange roughy,and eggs benedict. The carving station which was positioned at the end of the hot food table had a boneless leg of lamb with mint jelly and au jus.

Of course, no respectable brunch would be complete without an omelet station and Mattison’s has a good one. They offer plenty of ingredients to choose from so you can create whatever egg delicacy your heart desires. In addition to omelets, they were also were making very tasty dessert crepes at the station, a nice way to finish the meal.

The atmosphere at the restaurant is elegant without being uncomfortably formal. The service was in keeping with what you would expect from any of Paul Mattison’s restaurants, excellent. You were able to relax and enjoy your meal without feeling rushed.

The cost per person is $21.95 which is a great for all that you get. If you are celebrating a special occasion or just want a weekend treat for yourself, the Sunday brunch at Mattison’s Forty One would be a fantastic choice.

I for one love a great Sunday brunch. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy a wide assortment of breakfast and lunch foods. Usually, most of us don’t really do the brunch thing unless it’s a special occasion, Mother’s Day comes to mind. But now we have the chance to enjoy all the best brunch trappings and trimmings without having to wait for the entire family to assemble in honor of something.

Mattison’s Forty One located at 7275 S. Tamiami Trail is now open for Sunday brunch. Chef Paul Mattison has been hard at work creating tasty new brunch dishes to be served at his south trail eatery. Mattison’s brunch is served from 10am to 2:30pm every Sunday. The price is $21.95 for adults and $11.95 for children 12 and under.

This amazing spread includes all of your brunch favorites, plus Paul’s new creations. Mattison’s Forty One has a great casual but elegant atmosphere. It would be a fantastic way to start off a Sarasota fall Sunday or to celebrate a special occasion.