What’s the best meal of the week?

Easy: brunch. But what if you want to expand your breakfast/lunch repertoire beyond the ubiquitous eggs and bacon? Then head to Rosewood Hotel Georgia’s rooftop oasis, Reflections, which now serves Sunday brunch al fresco. Our favourite wake-me-up feast is a pescatarian’s dream: the West Coast seafood platter for two with oysters, crab legs, side-striped shrimp, smoked and candied salmon, mussels and clams for a cool $25. It’s worth diving into. —Kelsey Dundon

Reflections at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, 801 W. Georgia St., Vancouver, 604-673-7043, www.rosewoodhotels.com

The weekend calls for everyone’s favourite meal: the divine brunch.



Before you hit Gastown’s shopping stroll, power up in the city’s newest soon-to-be hotspot, Catch 122.

This daytime-only (for now) bistro serves up French favourites like the Croque Madame ($12) and Lorraine Crepe ($10.25), both with a hefty dose of cheese. Even the salads are on the decadent side, like the brunch-appropriate Poached Egg and Bacon Salad ($11). For smaller bites, indulge in fluffy waffles ($3) or crispy croissants ($2.25). Food is best followed by a great cup of coffee, and Catch 122 serves Chicago’s famous Intelligentsia Coffee. Or have a glass of wine—it’s the weekend after all. —Anya Georgijevic



Catch 122, 122 W. Hastings St., Vancouver, 604-731-3474, www.catch122.ca

If breakfast is a bowl of Cheerios eaten over the sink (admit it, you've been there) consider these three S's: savoury, satisfying, and sitting.

Raincity Grill's new brunch menu scores three for three with locally sourced, hearty dishes like the winning Helmers Potatoes and Ham Hock Hash with poached free range eggs and hollandaise ($13) or the Dungeness Crab and Chive Omelette ($18). Lighter lunchers can sample the Ricotta Crepes with Hannah Brook Farm Greens (an appie on the $20 prix fixe menu) or a warming bowl of Vancouver Island Manilla Clams in white wine broth ($17).

Time to say "Cheerio" to your breakfast routine.—Sarah Bancroft

Saturday and Sunday brunch, 10am - 2:30pm, Raincity Grill, 1193 Denman St., Vancouver, 604-685-7337, www.raincitygrill.com

To celebrate the release of Alice in Wonderland, there has been all matter of Alice-themed paraphernalia. But we think the best way to honor Lewis Carroll’s classic is with a very merry un-birthday tea party.

Hotel Vancouver has rejigged its afternoon tea to be Wonderland-inspired. Playing cards are strewn across the table underneath your tier of treats. The standbys we love, like melt-in-your-mouth scones and Devonshire cream, are still on the menu, but the dessert tray now boasts flamingo-esque profiteroles and cupcakes. And then there’s the lovely little discount you receive for bringing your movie ticket stub or wearing a pretty party hat.

An all Alice afternoon this Easter weekend will solidify your station as Coolest Aunt Ever.

Mad Hatter’s Tea (adults $36, children $16) runs until April 30, 2010 at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, 900 West Georgia St., Vancouver, 604-662-1900, www.fairmont.com/hotelvancouver

Goodbye beach barbeques, hello cozy brunch spots.

In time for fall, one of our fave recent additions to Vancouver's restaurant scene, Campagnolo, has started serving up the weekend breakfast-lunch hybrid, Italian style. We suggest starting with a well-made cappuccino ($2.75) paired with a plate of fennel-infused biscotti, mini meringues, buttery shortbread and sweet hazelnut cookies made right in-house ($4). Then it’s on to a Pomodoro frittata of eggplant and parmesan with a side of salty cotechino sausage ($9).

The verdict? Bellissimo.

Campagnolo, 1020 Main St., Vancouver, 604-484-6018, www.campagnolorestaurant.ca

Your tried and true brunch routine holding you hostage? Spice things up with a vege-Mexican twist on the ol’ standbys at Bandidas Taqueria. 

The delicious Hicks Benny has two perfectly poached free rangers nestled atop cornbread muffin tops and dressed with fresh tomatillo salsa. Jamie’s Benny adds a kiss of sweet with caramelized pineapple ($11), while Huevas Rancheras is a knockout with handmade corn tortillas ($10.50). And nothing pairs better with a cup of joe than the triple chocolate brownie bite ($1).

Nab the rocking chairs in the front window and ease your way into a Sunday siesta.

Bandidas Taqueria, 2781 Commercial Dr., Vancouver, 604-568-8224, www.bandidastaqueria.com

If soggy eggs bennie is your thing, stop reading now. The lineup at Sophie's is probably starting anyway.

If exotic Moroccan flavours, fresh Lebanese salads, eggs en cocotte and French-influenced sweets are more your speed, you've come to the right place.

Both gals and guys will love the new lunches and brunches at Cafe Medina (Chambar's daytime counterpart) where we (ok, he) tucked into cassoulet (duck sausage, bacon, eggs, andouille sausage) served in a cast iron pan.

Our Moroccan meatballs and eggs came served in a mini tagine with a salad of minted cucumber and labneh-style yogourt. Throw in amazing Americanos, a couple of fresh-squeezed mimosas and a flip through the latest Rolling Stone, and that's our weekend off to a good start.

To view complete menus and hours visit http://www.medinacafe.com/

To read our first review of Medina, click here.

For us, the perfect weekend reads gallery browsing and eggs benny. And while we can't brunch at the Tate Modern or SAM every weekend, finally there's an art-inspired weekend restaurant in our fair city.

The Autumn Brook Gallery at the foot of Gallery Row houses a selection of B.C. artists’ work and, on Saturday and Sunday, a French-inspired morning menu (croque-monsieur and salade de fruits, $12.50) made with organic local produce.

Tables covered with manila paper and pencil crayons may just spark your inner Pollack, or spend your brunch procuring the perfect contemporary painting for above the mantle.

A meal and a masterpiece? So art smart.

Autumn Brook Gallery, 1545 W. Fourth Ave., Vancouver, 604-737-2363, view the menu at www.autumnbrook.ca/brunch.htm

Antidotes to a drizzly Sunday morning:

The New York Times Style Section.

A crazy Saturday night to rehash over Americanos.

A stylish new brunch spot.

Give the greasy spoon a miss and hit Gastown’s Social at Le Magasin, where we discovered white tablecloth service, a gorgeous heritage room, a complimentary basket of warm mini scones upon seating and ever-changing selections of bennies, omelettes and salads, featuring spot prawns, Dungeness crab, crispy pork bacon and poached red pear.

And did we mention the new Mavi and You and Whose Army stores across the street?

Now your Sunday is complete.

Social at Le Magasin, 332 Water St., Vancouver, 604-669-4488, www.socialatlemagasin.com

View sample brunch menu (selections change weekly) here.