Brunch time is the busiest period of time at any restaurant or the cafe. But if you often serve brunch at home, learning several hints of how to make this meal posh and high-style can be a great help! Besides, the basic rules regarding the branch etiquette will be handy even for those who prefer to drop in the nearest cafe.
So, meet the 14 commandments of a classy brunch!
What Is Brunch?
To be brief, brunch is a meal that is taken between breakfast and lunch. Some say it’s more like a late breakfast, others call it an early lunch, but in fact, it doesn’t matter that much.
Usually, brunch starts between 10 and 11 a.m. and ends up at around 1 or 2 p.m.
Traditionally, brunch consisted of quite heavy food like fried bacon, eggs, cheeses, bread with butter, cookies, and porridge. But today, it’s not a problem to find much lighter versions that include salads, toasts, and various sweets for the dessert.
When You Are Eating Out
Most of us are so busy that we prefer to eat brunch at the nearest cafe or a restaurant close to work.
If that’s your case, we suggest you keep in mind several useful tips regarding what to do and what to avoid when you’re dining.
Consider the coffee menu
It’s there not for decoration, it really shows what the establishment can serve. So if there’s no mocha or frappuccino on the list, don’t even ask for them since those drinks weren’t even meant to be made.
Don’t come too early
If the brunch starts at 11, it means that the establishment’s stuff will need every minute to set the tables and prepare everything. So don’t drop in at even 10.55 to make them drop everything just because you couldn’t wait for 5 more minutes.
Don’t even try to order from the dinner menu
It’s BRUNCH so there’s a specific menu for this particular meal, besides, the kitchen has to get ready for the dinner which means they can’t serve anything from the dinner menu before dinner.
Avoid special orders
If you order something that’s not on the menu or you want the existing dish to be cooked in a specific way, it will slow down the kitchen.
Don’t be the egg diva!
Most of the brunch menus have egg dishes on the list, but you’ll do a great favor to the whole stuff when ordering them as they are instead of asking to remove this and that ingredient, and replace those two with other components. Remember that you’re not the only guest here.
Don’t make the waiter constantly fetch drinks
The major brunch rule: the number of glasses on the table must be equal to the number of people. Please, don’t make a waiter fetch drinks for you every 15 minutes, otherwise, he/she will simply “disappear” until you leave.
Ask about the extra charge
Sometimes we’d like to order a side of something or ask for a substitution. In most cases, that won’t cost you a fortune, but still, ask a waiter before making an order if there’ll be any extra charge!
Be generous with tips
Yes, it’s just brunch, but it doesn’t mean we can tip less. Brunch is probably the busiest time for any restaurant, so be kind to those who served you.
Don’t camp
If you finished your meal and you see that waiter already cleaned your table, it means that it’s time for you to go. Brunch is to be eaten fast since there’re always many people waiting to eat, too.
Pay one bill with the one card
Of course, you can pay with cash, too, but when using a card, don’t split the single bill between several cards! That will slow the server.
Things to remember When Being Invited For Brunch
Brunching at someone’s home is somewhat different. Here there’ll be no hurry, no need to pay, and nobody will be waiting for you to leave. Still, certain rules must be considered when someone invited you for brunch.
- If you receive a digital invitation, answer it ASAP, even if you’re not going to visit
- If only you were invited, bringing a guest with you would be impolite. Better ask a host if you could bring one more person
- Be punctual, and bring something with you to accompany the meal – a dessert or a bottle of drink
- The plates are served on the left and removed on the right, also, if there’s a plate to share (e.g. with cake), pass it clockwise. When you finished eating, put the cutlery horizontally to show that you finished.
How to Make Brunch Look Nice. Decoration Ideas
If you’re hosting a brunch party, and especially if it will be outside, thinking of how to decorate the table is a must. Simply covering it with a tablecloth is too boring, so why not make it more creative?!
- Arrange bunches of flowers like peonies or any seasonal flowers to place them along with the table
- If you’re having the informal brunch, try to use graters instead of vases
- For the Christmas brunch, prepare a small favor gift for each guest – a nice box with a tree ornament will be just fine!
- For making a themed brunch, why not make it American style or choose a romantic look?
- To make the table look vivid and overloaded with greens, we suggest using succulents. They’re small but add a natural look
[wp-faq-schema title=”Frequently Asked Questions”]
What are the hours of brunch? Would that be ok if I invite my guests at 11 a.m.?
That will be perfectly fine if you’re sure all of them will manage to arrive at that time. If some of your friends like waking up late, I’d recommend you consider that when setting the time.
How do you make brunch at home? Do I need any special recipes? Thanks for any suggestions!
No, no specific recipes needed. I usually just fry eggs with bacon and beans, make a couple of salads, prepare sandwiches and toasts, serve jam, honey, and butter, and something sweet (e.g. a cake or muffins) for the tea. That’s more than enough.
Hi! Please help me to decide! What is the best time to serve brunch? I invited five persons, they’re coming this weekend. Thanks!
I guess you should choose the time between 11 and 12 a.m. Not too early so everyone can sleep properly, and not too late since people can have plans for the day.
What is Drunch? Did anyone hear that word before? I’ll be grateful for any ideas on the meaning since I can’t find anything.
Hahah! It means getting drunk between breakfast and lunchtime! An alcoholic counterpart of brunch I would say.
Do you eat lunch after brunch or before? Thanks!
Well, actually brunch is a mix of breakfast and lunch, so…I’d say it’s dinner that comes after brunch.
Planning to invite guests for brunch but I need help. How do you host a brunch at home?
Nothing complicated, actually. Plan the menu (I usually make light snacks and foods that I’m sure me and my guests will like), send invitations, or invite everyone by phone, then set the table on the day of the event, and welcome your guests!
Is 11 am too early for lunch? Do you think I shall arrange it later?
I guess it depends on your guests. If you’re sure all of them will be ok with this time, then why not 11 am?
Hey! Look, folks, I need at least a few easy brunch buffet ideas! We are having a party this weekend, but I can’t make the menu, it seems like I ran out of ideas! Could you please help a bit? Thanks!
Hello! Well, I guess you could try to make banana bread or pancakes, cinnamon rolls, baked oatmeal with berries, and French toasts for the dessert, and frittata, shakshuka, or egg salad for the savory part. Since it’s going to be brunch, the food must be light enough and easy to cook!
What are the good brunch buffet ideas for a crowd of guests? We have invited around 30 people (this is my husband’s anniversary), but now I don’t know what would be the best to cook and serve!
Hey there! I’d say that, if you are going to have thirty people visiting you, you need to make something savory enough that is relatively easy and fast to make and serve. I’d recommend considering salads, light snacks, something savory but still simple, and desserts of course!
Also, food should be served in small portions so that every guest could take what he or she enjoys and wants to try.
What do you serve at a brunch buffet? Are there any mandatory dishes or beverages?
As far as I know, there are no mandatory foods that you must serve for a brunch buffet. Especially if it is going to take place in your house or apartment! Basically, make sure that all the food that is going to be served is something that your guests can eat (that’s if anyone is allergic to certain products, etc.).
But in general, I’d say that you can make light snacks like toasts or burritos, then something savory (e.g. casserole or pizza), and salads, too.
Can anyone suggest an easy brunch menu for 12 people to me?
Try rice bowls with avocado and eggs, tacos, cold veggie salad, and a casserole. For the dessert, consider pies, waffles, muffins and other similar yummies.
I’d like to organize brunch at home, but since this is going to be my very first brunch, I’m not sure what I need to cook. Any easy brunch ideas at home?
Hi! It depends on the number of guests you’re going to have, but I’d say you could make (or order) pizzas, make fresh green salads, several types of sandwiches, and something sweet for the dessert.