What's better than sleeping in on a Sunday morning? Sleeping in and then indulging in a lazy Sunday brunch, of course. At area brunch hotspots, you can linger over mimosas and sample a little bit of everything, from made-to-order omelettes and fresh-off-the-iron waffles to smoked salmon with all the fixings, carved roast beef, eggs Benedict and chocolate mousse. Whether it's breakfast, lunch - or both - that you crave, hitting a Sunday brunch is a satisfying and relaxing end-of-weekend ritual.

Beach and bayfront brunching - The stunning Gulf view or tranquil bay breeze comes free with your meal.

Marina Jack - Devour the signature Blue Crab Eggs Benedict and sip an Espressotini as you watch million-dollar yachts glide in and out of Sarasota's bayfront. Five other imaginative dishes grace the brunch menu.

The SandDollar Rooftop Restaurant at the Holiday Inn Lido Beach - Enjoy an extensive brunch buffet, including a seafood station piled high with smoked fish, oysters on the half-shell, peel-and-eat shrimp and seafood salad, as well as a spectacular view of Lido Beach from the seventh-floor location.

Christopher's Fine Dining at Lido Beach Resort - This brunch buffet has everything, including a bird's-eye view of the bay and Sarasota skyline. Just make sure to hit the omelette and crepe stations for custom-made dishes.

The Colony Dining Room - Sit beachfront, either indoors or out, and savor delectable seafood, meats, desserts and traditional breakfast items at this upscale Longboat Key resort. While the selections change regularly, there are always at least 10 to 12 hot entrees.

Lattitudes at Sarasota Cay Club - As part of this award-winning brunch buffet, located waterfront, enjoy all-you-can-drink mimosas, champagne and non-alcoholic drinks, along with traditional brunch favorites.

Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay - This relaxing retreat at the less crowded southern end of Siesta Key features bayside brunching, either outdoors or in. All orders from the brunch menu (the house-made corned beef hash is one of the most popular) come with a complimentary mimosa, bloody mary, cosmopolitan or fresh-squeezed orange juice.

Noshing on (and around) the Trail - No matter where you are in the Sarasota area, a Sunday brunch is never far away. Check out these offerings on or near Tamiami Trail.

Café 1660 - If you're in South County, make sure to check out the elaborate brunch buffet (with unlimited mimosas) at this

Try brunch at Mattison's City Grille

restaurant located at the Ramada Inn in Osprey.

Manhattan Bar & Grill - This place boasts a "New York" feel and interesting takes on traditional brunch items, including Eggs Chantilly, a crabmeat version of eggs Benedict with mornay sauce, and Eggs Manhattan, a tenderloin steak version with Bearnaise sauce. Mimosas and bloody marys are offered at a discount.

Barnacle Bill's Seafood - Only one branch of this four-location Sarasota seafood restaurant offers Sunday brunch items, including a seafood frittata, seafood crepes and eggs Benedict made with the restaurant's award-winning crab cakes.

Michael's on East - This posh restaurant, located a block off Tamiami Trail, offers a Sunday brunch buffet on Easter and Mother's Day only.

Brunch in the big city - After dining at one of these cosmopolitan brunch spots, you can walk off your hearty meal with a stroll around city streets.

Mattison's City Grille - Belgian waffles with frangelico syrup, toasted pecans and cinnamon whipped cream is just one of the inventive dishes off the brunch menu at this all-outdoor restaurant in the heart of downtown Sarasota.

Patrick's Restaurant - Here you'll find the usual suspects - omelettes, corned beef hash and smoked salmon. You'll also find Eggs Patrick - poached eggs with filet mignon and Bearnaise sauce, as well as French toast with mango and cinnamon syrup.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota - With more than 10 culinary stations (including a caviar station), this is the place to splurge…big time. Dine indoors at the Vernona restaurant, or on the terrace with a view of Sarasota Bay. You'll receive a complimentary glass of champagne with your meal.

Faves in the neighborhood - Visit these brunch favorites located in St. Armand's Circle, Southside Village and south Sarasota, respectively.

Hemingway's Restaurant - Even if you opt to sit inside, rather than on the outdoor, second-floor balcony, the sky lights and tropical plants and décor will make you feel you're at a tropical retreat. The brunch menu includes the signature Oscar Omelette with crabmeat, asparagus, havarti cheese and hollandaise sauce.

Fred's Restaurant - Brunch to live jazz at this sophisticated restaurant. The deal includes unlimited mini-pastries, unlimited mimosas, bloody marys and soft drinks, a choice of soup, fruit plate or Fred's caesar salad, and an entrée. The Fred's Benedicts are popular; choose from ham, filet mignon, a crab cake or smoked salmon.

Bella Cucina Italian Buffet - Where else can you get "breakfast pizza?" At this all-buffet Italian restaurant, Sunday brunch features a pizza made with eggs, sausage or bacon. It's located in front of the Hampton Inn at Bee Ridge and Cattlemen roads.



If you go:
Barnacle Bill's Seafood, 8383 S. Tamiami Tr., 941-927-8884, www.barnaclebillsseafood.com. Brunch is offered, at this Barnacle Bill's location only, every day from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bella Cucina Italian Buffet, 3811 Kenny Dr., Sarasota, 941-379-8158, www.italianbuffet.com. Brunch is offered Sun. from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Café 1660, 1660 S. Tamiami Tr., Osprey, 941-918-2610. Brunch is offered Sun. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Christopher's Fine Dining at Lido Beach Resort, 700 Ben Franklin Dr., Sarasota, 941-388-5608, www.lidobeachresort.com/dining.htm. Brunch is offered Sun. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Colony Dining Room, 1620 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, 941-383-5558, www.colonybeachresort.com. Brunch is offered Sun. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fred's Restaurant, 1917 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota, 941-364-5811, www.fredsrestaurant.com. Brunch is offered Sun. from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Hemingway's Restaurant, 325 John Ringling Blvd. Sarasota, 941-388-3948. Brunch is offered Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lattitudes, 7150 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota, 941-355-2781, www.cayclubs.com. Brunch is offered Sun. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Manhattan Bar & Grill, 6727 S. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota, 941-924-6969, www.manhattanbarandgrill. Brunch is offered Sun. from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Marina Jack, Two Marina Plaza, Sarasota, 941-365-4232, www.marinajacks. Brunch is offered Sun. from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mattison's City Grille, One N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, 941-330-0440, www.mattisons.com. Brunch is offered Sat. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Michael's on East, 1212 East Ave. S., Sarasota, 941-366-0007, www.bestfood.com. Brunch is offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mother's Day and Easter only.

Patrick's Restaurant, 1400 Main St., Sarasota, 941-952-1170, www.patricksrestaurant.net. Brunch is offered Sun. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, 1111 Ritz-Carlton Dr., Sarasota, 941-309-2008,
www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/sarasota. Brunch is offered Sun. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The SandDollar Rooftop Restaurant, 233 Ben Franklin Dr., Sarasota, 941-388-5555, www.lidobeach.net. Brunch is offered Sun. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay, 8875 Midnight Pass Rd., Sarasota, 941-346-2207. Brunch is offered Sun. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Originally posted 10/28/05