If you’re already in summer mode, you’ve no doubt hit a few outdoor happy hours lately, along with some quick outdoor lunches and leisurely dinners. But don’t overlook the morning meal as a prime opportunity to enjoy the open air. It may be your best bet for beating the hot sun before you’re ready to retreat into the air conditioning, and it offers a way to experience patio dining without the hustle and bustle of the cocktail hour. From a brunch newcomer to some of our favorite outdoor dining standbys, here is a list of tasty brunch dishes just right for the season.
Egg White Omelet
Both light and satisfying at the same time, Pittsburgh Blue’s egg white omelet ($9.95) is made for summer, with asparagus, spinach, roasted garlic and herbed cream cheese. We couldn’t think of a tastier way to cut back on calories and still get a balanced meal. An entire lineup of eggs Benedict dishes offer varying twists on the breakfast classic, like the spicier New Orleans Benedict ($12.95), made with andouille sausage, Cajun seasoned hollandaise and poached eggs on top of a homemade English muffin. Brunch is offered every Sunday from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. The Pittsburgh Blue patio will be the site of several special events this summer, including a party to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Twin Cities Gay Pride festival on June 21. 763.416.2663
Breakfast Pizza
For a light, casual, counter service breakfast beginning at 7 a.m. daily, try the small patio out back at Chez Arnaud. Quiches have always been a staple, like the spinach and caramelized onion, quiche Lorraine and seasonal flavors ($5.15). The breakfast pizza has also made its debut, with rotating flavors like sausage or four-cheese with pesto and veggies ($2.95 - $3.95), using a house made pizza dough. Paninis are the latest addition to Arnaud’s menu, with specific toppings still being finalized at the time of writing. Strawberry tartlets also get a makeover when warm weather comes around, made with a heavier portion of fruit, on an almond and hazelnut biscuit ($5.35). Flavored iced lattes are also new this year, on days when the heat is too oppressive for hot drinks. The patio is popular at opening time, especially in the thick of summer when it’s too steamy to sit outside at midday. 763.568.7756
French Toast
Houlihan’s is a new addition to the weekend brunch roster as of April, and with a small outdoor patio that seats 65 people, the timing couldn’t have been better. When it comes to the food, even if you like a savory breakfast, you might want to order a plate of the French toast for the table to share, made irresistibly yummy with a cinnamon batter, orange preserve cream cheese, seasonal berries and maple syrup ($8.95), and served with potato griddle cakes and applewood-smoked bacon. The Southwest frittata gives the morning a spicier start, with Anaheim chilis, pepper jack cheese, crushed corn tortilla and cilantro, served with Andouille sausage, black beans, fresh fruit and a side of toast ($9.95). If you’d rather keep it mild, there’s classic quiche Lorraine ($8.95) with smoked bacon, onion and Swiss and Bruyere cheeses. During brunch service, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, mimosas are also priced at just $2. 763.494.5380
Chilaquiles
The best-selling breakfast dish at 3 Squares has a Latin spin, the chilaquiles, made with two eggs, chorizo, chilis, corn tortillas, pico de gallo, queso fresco and a black bean puree ($11). The summery flavors of the spinach frittata, another breakfast favorite, include oven-dried tomato, spinach, herbed vinaigrette, grated parmesan and hash browns ($11). The seafood Benedict, made with poached eggs, house-made seafood cakes, English muffin, hollandaise and hash browns is a modified take on the classic eggs Bennie ($13). Breakfast is served all day beginning at 8 a.m. (7 a.m. on weekends). The patio affords a relaxing environment to enjoy these morning dishes, with umbrellas and piped-in music. 763.425.3330
Biscuits and Gravy
For a down home breakfast dish, don’t miss the addictive biscuits and gravy from Maple Tavern. The buttermilk biscuits are made from scratch in house, served with a thick sausage gravy and scrambled eggs. The light and fluffy cinnamon rolls also get rave reviews, and any table that orders a full breakfast gets a complimentary one. The menu, served from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. every Sunday, changes seasonally, but includes other breakfast items like build-your-own omelets and eggs Benedict. The all-day happy hour on Sundays translates into deals like $2.50 screwdrivers, in addition to the Sunday bloody mary bar ($5.25). New to the 4,000 square foot patio this year, lighter live music is scheduled during the dinner hour on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings. 763.425.2700
Breakfast Melt
One of the landmark patios in Maple Grove, The Lookout Bar and Grill offers a scrumptious breakfast sandwich made with egg, ham and cheddar cheese on fresh-baked ciabatta bread ($7.95), served with your choice of bacon or sausage and breakfast tots or hash browns. Build-your-own omelets offer any three toppings in the omelet for $7.95, and owner Mike Kinnan recommends ham, mushrooms and pepper jack cheese for a bit of a kick. Breakfast items are served weekends from 10 a.m.–1 p.m., during which time screwdrivers and bloody marys are 99 cents. The patio is always popular whether your meal is an after-church fuel-up or something to do while you catch the game. 763.424.4365
Apple Pancake
A favorite with many breakfast-goers, the Original Pancake House offers a menu of signature pancakes and beyond, but did you know it also has a small patio for outdoor dining? Try the apple pancake, a legendary oven-baked pancake made with Granny Smith apples and cinnamon-glaze, which comes out of the oven like a light and fluffy soufflé that falls as it sits on the plate ($10.75). The other oven-baked Dutch baby is done in a similar style, but with lemon wedges, whipped butter and powdered sugar ($9.75). If you’re in the mood for something savory, try one of the soufflé-style omelets, big enough to be shared, like the Santa Fe with pico de gallo ($11.95) or the bacon and cheese with ham and sausage gravy ($11.45). 763.383.0888
