Best Brunch

There are countless brunches in Atlanta, but there is nothing like chef Jason Liang’s at Downtown Decatur’s BRUSH SUSHI IZAKAYA. He shakes up the typical ATL a.m. routine with a serving of Japanese tradition: super fluffy pancakes (both sweet and savory), lovely rice bowls with assorted treasures from the sea and a sizeable selection of sushi rolls. The eggs here are ajitsuke: marinated, soft-boiled, and resting atop oodles of noodles in a lobster or manila clam broth. Liang has gained a following for his skillful omakase presentation, but you haven’t seen his full range until you’ve had a Brush with his brunch. 316 Church St., Decatur, 678-949-9412. www.brushatl.com. less...

Whether you’re hankering for a pile of pork chops with two eggs and grits or a healthful vegan grain bowl with seasonal veggies, the search ends at RISING SON, tucked away in the Tudor village of Avondale Estates. This mellow spot is soaked in familial comfort, with husband-and-wife team Kathryn and Hudson Rouse focusing on vegetables from local farms, friends and even their own garden. In season, their tomato sandwich tastes like home, and you can always order from the meat-and-three menu. Standouts include a fried chicken, bacon and cheddar biscuit; chorizo tacos; fried trout over cheese grits; and crispy breakfast dumplings with ginger, cilantro, and maple soy glaze. Rising Son is a calm oasis amid the chaos of Atlanta brunch culture: satisfying but not sloppy, sophisticated yet chill. 124 N. Avondale Road, Avondale Estates, 404-600-5297. www.facebook.com/RisingSonavondale.

photo by: Lindsey Max

less...

Brunch at Robert Phalen's One Eared Stag is still one of Atlanta's best kept secrets (read: little to no wait). Brunch is where Phalen and crew seem to have the most fun and experiment with dishes that sometimes find their way onto the regular menu. Yes, there are brunch standards such as pastry baskets and black pepper biscuits with sausage gravy. But soft-as-custard scrambled eggs with trout roe and a fried shrimp head po'boy will get even the most hardened foodie's heart pounding. If you have a more substantial appetite, the Chef's breakfast takes odds and ends from the previous night's service and combines them together for the type of meal Phalen wants to eat on a Sunday. On any given day, you may find yourself with a piece of quail, bone marrow, foie gras, or grits and eggs on your plate. Oh, and did we mention it's served on a silver platter with a can of Schlitz? less...

Every night at 10, HOLEMAN AND & FINCH PUBLIC HOUSE begins serving the famous Holeman burger. Only 25 are made each day, and if you get there past, oh say, 10:02, you’re likely to have missed out. People go nuts for this burger, and for good reason – it hints at all the childhood comfort of a regular fast-food burger, but it’s made with the best ingredients, combining the two powerful forces of nostalgia and good taste. Even if you’re no night owl, there’s hope for you to get your hands on one of these beauties – the restaurant serves it in almost unlimited quantities at Sunday brunch, and you can even get one to go from the host. But the burger isn’t the only reason to visit for brunch – other Sunday fare is just as good, including the city’s best (moist, hulking, flavorful) pancakes. 2277 Peachtree Road. 404-948-1175. www.holeman-finch.com. less...