In my quest for the best brunch offerings in Orlando, I have been fortunate to enjoy three delicious brunches recently. These are the top three I have tried, but there are so many more restaurants that I have been told have great brunch, including Soco Thorton Park, Hash Hash a Go Go, Briar Patch Winter Park and White Wolf Cafe. I hope to try them soon. Let me know your favorite brunch spot in the comments section below. Meanwhile, try not to drool over the scrumptious dishes that made it into Flavorful Excursions' Top Brunches list:
1. Two Chefs Seafood & Oyster Bar: Although Two Chefs began serving brunch only a few short weeks ago, the chef/owners got the menu and execution right from the beginning. $8 unlimited mimosas and a massive Blood Mary Bar are enough to draw diners in. Then, they will be delighted to find an extensive menu that features sweet and savory items, and both breakfast and lunch fare. We recommend the Rosemary Parmesan Waffle with Fried Chicken, the Duck Confit Hash with Fried Egg & Truffle Oil, the Cinnamon Roll and the Banana Bourbon Bread Pudding.
2. Artisan's Table: Like Two Chefs, the brunch menu at this beautiful, buzzing downtown eatery has everything you would want in a brunch: inventive plates that are both sweet and savory, and a wide array of breakfast and lunch items. I knew I was in for a treat when brunch started with a friendly server and classy tea presentation. The dish I had was heavenly, and I would highly recommend it: Breakfast in Bread, a puff pastry tart with medium cooked egg, crispy crumbled bacon, parmesan cheese and queso blanco. The Breakfast Potatoes on the side were perfectly seasoned and fried to the right amount of crispness, and I loved the garnish of scallions. Bonus points: General Manager Monica McCown was very accommodating with my food allergy substitutions.
3. Dexter's: The restaurant chain has been offering great brunch for years. But I re-visited the Dexter's Lake Mary recently for brunch and was reminded that the local restaurant chain offers a unique take on traditional brunch dishes - and executes them well. My favorite brunch dish there is the Dexter's Benedict. I really like the addition of smoked turkey, along with tomatoes and spinach, as well as the flavorful hollandaise sauce. We also really liked the Country Style Chicken & Biscuits, Waffles and Blackened Mahi & Grits. The mimosas come in so many different flavors - including mango and yummy peach - and are inexpensive at $2.96 each or $12 for unlimited.
Why I sometimes forget about Dexter's for lunch is beyond me. But I am so glad I was reminded of the extensive lunch menu and value for the money that Dexter's restaurants in Lake Mary, Winter Park and Thorton Park offer customers.
Dining recently at the Lake Mary location with a friend, I was a little worried about the kind of experience I would have. That was because I had previously visited Dexter's Lake Mary for brunch on a busy Sunday. It was difficult to get good, friendly service and there were not as many brunch options as I had hoped.
Setting that experience aside, I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the lunch menu to see a full page of lunch menu specials for the day. Everything from sandwiches to salads to seafood meals. Plus, we had the option of ordering off Dexter's regular menu. There, you can order their amazing sweet potato fries, one of their many delicious burgers, pastas, and comfort food such as Eggplant Napoleon and Chicken Tortilla Pie.
My friend ordered the Corsican Salad, which features baby greens, marinated artichokes, greek olives, feta cheese and Mesquite Grilled Chicken. The full salad for $9.95 is a great value, with a humongous chicken breast on top and enough for leftovers. Plus, the salad was very flavorful and unique. I ordered the mahi lunch special with grilled mahi, rice pilaf and asparagus. The mahi was cooked right, and it was huge portion for under $13.
We will definitely be back for lunch again soon. What is your favorite meal or drink at Dexter's? Let me know in the comments section below.
2. Artisan's Table: Like Two Chefs, the brunch menu at this beautiful, buzzing downtown eatery has everything you would want in a brunch: inventive plates that are both sweet and savory, and a wide array of breakfast and lunch items. I knew I was in for a treat when brunch started with a friendly server and classy tea presentation. The dish I had was heavenly, and I would highly recommend it: Breakfast in Bread, a puff pastry tart with medium cooked egg, crispy crumbled bacon, parmesan cheese and queso blanco. The Breakfast Potatoes on the side were perfectly seasoned and fried to the right amount of crispness, and I loved the garnish of scallions. Bonus points: General Manager Monica McCown was very accommodating with my food allergy substitutions. 
