The desert’s leisurely lifestyle creates an ideal atmosphere for Sunday brunch. Sip champagne and indulge in opulent omelets and poufy pastries. Nibble luscious red strawberries, dig your spoon into ripe melon, and bite into crispy grapes. Go back for more and load up on platefuls of roast beef au jus, sliced turkey or ham, delicate pink shrimp dipped in spicy horseradish sauce, or succulent crab legs waiting to be cracked. For many people, brunch is a weekend ritual that offers lavish daytime dining.
Here are places that practice the art of brunch with panache:
3rd Corner Wine Shop and Bistro
Sunday’s Almost Bottomless Mimosa Brunch at 3rd Corner in Palm Desert offers your brunch of choice, fresh fruit, and unlimited champagne mimosas. Chef Matt Smith’s opulent menu includes crème brûlée French toast and a creative assortment of eggs Benedict — from fried pork belly with orange infused maple syrup to an Italian version with proscuitto. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. www.the3rdcorner.com
Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa and Spa Resort Casino
A plethora of brunch and lunch entrées are available at Grand Palms Buffet at Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa in Rancho Mirage and Oasis Buffet at downtown Palm Springs’ Spa Resort Casino. The Sunday champagne brunch is served buffet style and available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at both locations. www.hotwatercasino.com; www.sparesortcasino.com
Escena Lounge & Grill
Escena’s wrap-around view of the mountains offers the perfect complement to a delicious Sunday brunch. Choose from six house specialties or six creative Benedicts — all topped with Escena’s house-made Hollandaise sauce and feature either home-style potatoes, fruit, or cottage cheese. House specialties include banana nut pancakes and spinach artichoke, and goat cheese frittata. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. www.escenagolf.com
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
Sunday brunch at Hyatt Regency Indian Wells’ Lantana features cage-free eggs any style or in omelets, fluffy buttermilk pancakes topped with blackberries, and cinnamon-date French toast. Indulge in regional specialties, such as Indio Street Tacos with achiote chicken or the tony IW Desert Burrito with scrambled eggs, bacon, green chilies, and more in a flour tortilla. A selection of naked juices, Tazo teas, and Italian roast coffees satisfies. 7 a.m.-noon. www.indianwellshyatt.com
IW Club
Brunch indoors in the modern stone-and-glass IW Club or on the terrace overlooking Indian Wells Golf Resort. Chef Chris Olson’s sustainably sourced menu starts with cold selections of salad, fresh fruit, smoked salmon, Danish, muffins, and more. Carving stations, made-to-order omelets, eggs Benedict, quiche, French toast, and blintzes with sides of applewood-smoked bacon and pork link sausage are served buffet style. Sun. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. www.iwclub.com
Le Vallauris
Enjoy the grand tradition of Sunday brunch under the shade of giant ficus trees on Le Vallauris’ popular patio in Palm Springs. A three-course prix fixe menu includes a choice of appetizers, including chilled carrot soup; tomato carpaccio with watermelon; and a charcuterie plate with duck rillette, proscuitto, and dry chorizo. Main courses range from classic eggs Benedict to grilled duck breast with cabernet fig reduction. For dessert, vanilla crème brûlée, and sorbets rule the day. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. www.levallauris.com
Miramonte Resort & Spa
The Tuscan-themed resort in Indian Wells offers a lavish Sunday brunch based on Chef Robert Nyerick’s fresh, farm-to-table cuisine. Start with dried cranberries, raisins, brown sugar, and almonds on oatmeal or opt for fresh fruit such as pineapple, cantaloupe, strawberries, and property-grown oranges or grapefruit. Hot buffet choices include traditional eggs Benedict or you can design your own omelet. Try the malted buttermilk or whole-grain wheat waffle with fruit and syrup. Champagne or mimosa are included. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. www.miramonteresort.com
Spencer’s Restaurant
Spencer’s offers a sophisticated Sunday brunch menu with a venue to match. Dine outdoors on a tree-shaded patio or inside Spencer’s chic dining room. Chef Eric Wadlund presents four-star American cuisine with French/Pan Asian influences. Start off with chilled gazpacho, kung pao calamari, jumbo sea scallops, or other inventive appetizers. A selection of Benedicts, house specialties such as extra-large waffle, banana-stuffed French toast, plus creative salads and sandwiches are available on the a la carte menu. 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. www.spencersrestaurant.com
The Tropicale Restaurant & Coral Seas Lounge
The Tropicale serves a special menu Saturday as well as Sunday, indoors and on the patio. Brunch includes a complimentary glass of champagne and house-made muffins. For a few dollars more, enjoy bottomless champagne. Also available are specialty cocktails such as basil lemongrass mojitos and coconut martinis. Choose from an assortment of eggs Benedict — from wild king salmon to the traditional smoked ham and eggs with lemon Hollandaise. Or try a breakfast pizza or Tropicale’s version of Cobb salad tossed with herb-grilled chicken and apple-smoked bacon. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. www.thetropicale.com
