To Brunch or Not To Brunch...Is That Really A Question? (Part 1)

Someone once said that brunch without booze is just a sad, late breakfast. I must admit I agree. So as I sat here listening to my stomach talk to me on a Sunday morning, I decided to share with you, my foodie friends, a "Tale of Two Brunches".

This tale begins in a trendy place called Brickell, where buildings are tall and cars are just for show. Amidst an endless maze of restaurants and bars to choose from, there's a spot that stands out for their low-key weekend brunch, framed in a breezy, relaxing outdoor ambiance. Palmas Latin Cuisine and Tapas, located in the Brickell Plaza at 919 Brickell Avenue, is an adorable cozy place you just wouldn't expect to find in this bustling neighborhood. Garden-themed tables in pastel colors set the stage underneath a string of hanging lights.

Remember the booze I told you about? Well, it flows here. Featuring Bottomless Mimosas, and an array of other brunchy libations, your palette will never go dry. And the menu is fantastic. Creative favorites are deliciously plated with a Latin American twist. But before that, let's start with the Oysters. Palmas offers a nice variety of both East and West coast oysters that will have you addicted in seconds. We ordered a dozen and they were gone in the blink of an eye. If you're coming here, do yourself a favor and order a dozen or two.

We couldn't decide on what to order as main dishes so we shared several. (Like you wouldn't have done the same). The Breakfast Sandwich was the most traditional of our three picks. A tasty omelet prepared with vegetables, ham, cheese and bacon was nestled in a ciabatta bread, and accompanied with home fries, then drizzled with a hint of truffle oil. It was difficult to share without the accusing glance.

Next we wanted to travel to a whole new continent and ordered their Arepa Platter. Two arepitas lay waiting to be topped with shredded beef, scrambled eggs, ham, mozarella, cheddar and fresh cheese, avocado and tomatoes. They didn't have to wait long.

Despite feeling rather satisfied at this point, we knew we had to indulge in a sweet, happy ending. Why order coffee when you can have Coffee Waffles instead? And ladies and gentlemen, they were foodgasmic. Crispy to the bite, these sweet coffee treats were served with fruits and chantilly cream.

I'm telling you... brunch at Palmas is a must. But what if you're on the other side of town? What if you're in Doral, for example? Would your brunch cravings have a place to be quenched there? 

My friends... they will. Stay tuned for my next post where I will share with you the second part of this tale that includes not only Bottomless Mimosas, but Bloody Marys that will fulfill your vegetable servings for the week. Happy Brunching!