But First, Brunch

It is fitting for wedding festivities that the word brunch—said to have been coined by British writer Guy Beringer in an 1895 article in Hunter’s Weekly—was originally meant as a meal for “Saturday-night carousers to enjoy.”

After the exhilaration and lively memory-making of a wedding, a great way to cap off a weekend with family and friends is to enjoy one last meal together before everyone goes their separate ways.

Whet your appetite by indulging in the delicious fare of three of Lakeland’s most memorable spots to enjoy brunch.

Nineteen61

Nineteen61 is an award-winning downtown establishment that prides itself on waking up people’s taste buds with bold and innovative takes on classic Latin dishes. In recent years they have become a favorite spot for after-church and post-late-night breakfast options you won’t find anywhere else in the city.

When you bite into torrejas—a Latin take on French toast—the Cuban bread has been soaked in sweet milk for several days, and you will find chorizo, rocoto aioli and queso fresco among the flavors that make other dishes pop.

“This town is getting a lot younger—I feel that vibe—and I love working brunch,” says Executive Chef Cory Beckwith. “I come from Massachusetts where it is a lot of heavy French toast and such, so I try to incorporate my stuff into Nineteen61’s flavors and menu.”

Brunch is served 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday mornings, and customers have the option of eating inside or enjoying sidewalk seating.

Local favorites

Drinks

• Mimosas
• Coffee cocktail
  • Espresso shot, Liquor 43, and cinnamon

Foods

• Pastelitos: Guava and cream cheese filled pastry
• Torrejas: Cuban bread soaked in sweet milk, lightly fried with roasted pineapples & local Palmetto honey
• Steak and eggs: Flat iron marinated in aji panca, two sunny side up eggs and breakfast potato and chorizo blend
• Poutine con huevo: Seared brisket & short rib blend, caramelized onions, yucca fries, seco gravy, queso fresco, salsa criolla, and rocoto aioli topped with a sunny side up egg
• 61 chicken biscuit: Buttermilk biscuits, herb & spice breaded chicken breast, duke’s mayo, local palmetto honey 

Terrace Grille

Terrace Hotel Lakeland has overlooked Lake Mirror for nearly 100 years, and inside its Terrace Grille customers will find a refined historic setting paired with fresh food on precisely crafted plates to create a memorable brunch experience every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Some highlights on the menu include the Terrace Frittata, and a version of avocado toast that features poached egg, tomato caviar and shaved asparagus. 

The colorful breakfast arrangements are purposeful, says Chef Chris Vargas.

“Sustainable local products are the trend, so we work hard to offer fresh sustainable products,” he says.

The dining experience includes vast amounts of natural light that bounce off timeless design features like dramatic columns and ornate chandeliers.

“We try to ensure it is a warm local setting and keep it simple and elegant,” Vargas says. 

Local favorites

Drinks

• Pineapple Mimosa
• Peach Mimosa
• Pomegranate Mimosa
• Iced coffee
  • Also available with liquor added

Food

• Terrace Frittata: Asparagus, red peppers, mushrooms and Gruyère cheese, garnished with arugula salad and crème fraiche
• Lemon Ricotta Pancakes: Almond pain perdu with sweet honey mascarpone filling topped with fresh blackberries and slivered almonds
• Avocado Toast & Breakfast Potatoes

Check out the full Terrace Grille brunch menu here. 

Fresco’s

Tina Calhoon’s southern cooking prowess, honed growing up in the kitchen with her mom, have created the roots for a downtown destination where locals enjoy hearty comfort food beginning at 8 a.m. every morning of the week.

“We’re the busiest brunch place in town,” she says, and Frescos has ample seating inside and out to accommodate that claim.

Her favorite entree on their extensive breakfast and brunch menus is the chicken and waffles, which are a spicy take on the classic with a chorizo gravy and eggs topping off a fluffy golden waffle.

“Everyone just loves our chorizo gravy, and when you love something you just keep coming back,” she says.

Their drink menu includes self-titled “Bottomless Therapy” with offerings of unlimited mimosas, bellinis, Bloody Marys and bourbon punch.

Local favorites

Drinks

• Bloody Mary
• Asia Minor
• Melon Dramatic
• Tennessee Sunshine
  • House orange infused Jack Daniel’s, house made cinnamon vanilla orange syrup, orange cream bitters

Foods 

• Shrimp & Grits: Spicy chorizo gravy over creamy grits
• Eggs Benedict: Poached eggs, Canadian bacon, English muffin, Hollandaise sauce (optional gluten free)
• Chicken & Waffles: Fried chicken, spicy chorizo gravy and eggs
• Southern Bowl: Fried chicken, eggs and asparagus over cheesy potatoes and topped with Hollandaise sauce