If there is one thing I truly believe about weekends in D.C., it’s this:
We. Brunch. Hard.
Brunch is the one meal this city treats as a religious experience. Glasses are raised, attention is held, and phones are turned off (ok, that’s a lie; but we will politely place them face-down on the table in front of us).
When you brunch in Washington, you brunch (and yes, we will use that word as a verb wherever we deem appropriate.) There’s no, “I’ll take that to-go please,” or “I’ll meet up with you after the gym;” and there’s certainly no, “Just let me send this one e-mail first.” When the mimosas are poured, the clock turns off. This weekly ritual was put on this Earth for a reason, and that reason is to celebrate—and hydrate—to one more week done.
Trying out new brunch spots may just be my favorite weekend pastime. It’s not uncommon for D.C. restaurants to set brunch “time limits,” (which truth be told, makes me beam with pride). So if you plan on conquering Marathon Saturday, you’ll need two things: a wide-open calendar and a bottomless brunch.
Bottomless mimosas are the one and only requirement my friends and I place on brunch. If you’re not refilling our glasses like clockwork, then I’m afraid we won’t be able to dine at your establishment. That’s a deal-breaker. On the contrary, if you offer bottomless mimosas and bottomless Bloody Mary’s, well you just won yourself the key to our hearts.
To that point, here are a few restaurants across the District that hold that very key. Make a reservation whenever possible—you don’t want to be “that guy” stuck paying for each glass poured.
The Tap and Parlour – U Street
Reservations: Yes ($50 deposit required for parties of 10 or more, prefix menu for parties of 15 or more)
Deal: $7 bottomless mimosas, $8 bottomless Bloody Mary’s Saturday – Sunday
Order: The Cuban Scramble, Chicken & Waffles, or the French Twist
- Arcuri – Glover Park
Reservations: Yes
Deal: $18 for bottomless mimosas or bottomless Bloody Mary’s, Saturday – Sunday
Order: Soft Scramble, Lemon Pancakes, Tuscan Potatoes (ok, I know it’s a “just” a side dish, but these may be the best breakfast potatoes I’ve ever had)
- Argonaut – H Street / Atlas
Reservations: No
Deal: $9 bottomless mimosas, $5 Bloody Mary bar, Thursday – Saturday
Order: Smoked Salmon Benedict, H Street Breakfast Platter
- Shaw Tavern – Shaw
Reservations: Yes
Deal: $14 bottomless mimosas, Saturday – Sunday
Order: Everything. Biscuits and Lamb Gravy, Cornbread Waffles, Mac ‘n Cheese Skillet, Red Velvet Pancakes!?
- Masa 14 – U Street
Reservations: Yes
Deal: This is the ultimate bottomless brunch. $39 for unlimited food (tapas), unlimited drinks (bellinis, mimosas, Blood Mary’s, bacon Bloody Mary’s), Saturday – Sunday
Order: Order as many tapas as you can for the whole table. Favorites include: Breakfast Tacos, Pork Belly Benedict, Mushroom Frittata
- Drafting Table – Logan Circle
Reservations: Yes
Deal: $14 bottomless mimosas, Saturday – Sunday
Order: Veggie All Day (falafel and eggs? Come on.), Sexy Egg Sandwich, Duck Pancake Grilled Cheese
What new brunch spots have you tried lately? Where’s your favorite place to brunch around the city? Let us know in the comments!
