From the Croissaffle to Bingo: Four New Brunches To Try This Weekend in Denver

Brunch is a religion in some cities and Denver's ever-growing options are making the weekend tradition more and more attractive to diners. In the last few weeks, several restaurants, some older, some newer, have launched brunch menus with dishes ranging from an interpretation of the classic Benedict at the Populist to new and interesting items like the croissaffle - a waffle made with croissant dough- at Braun's Taphaus & Grille.

THE SQUEAKY BEAN
The LoDo restaurant owned by Johnny Ballen launched a Sunday Bingo Brunch only a few weeks back. What happens? Every Sunday at 10 a.m., a menu curated by chef Theo Adley is served, including classics like Benedict, prepared with either lox or bacon or vegetarian or a Pork Belly Hash that comes with hatch chile, delicate squash, and poached egg. Each week, the Bingo part is hosted by a different local comedian. This week, Brent Gill will be here from 1 to 3 p.m. And yes, there are prizes. Brunch is served on Sunday only.

HUMBOLDT RESTAURANT
The restaurant that occupies the former Strings space launched brunch straight out of the gate when it opened in early October. The menu is extensive and ranges from the "Breakfast Stuff," with items like the house smoked fish, Humboldt Benedict, and a couple of omelets, "Two Handed Eats," like the Burger and Chicken Salad Croissants, and oysters served fresh on the half shell, baked, or charbroiled. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday.

BRAUN'S TAPHOUSE & GRILLE
Opened only two weeks ago, this American and German-influenced tavern owned by the Udi's Foods Group, offers an edited brunch list that includes the Croissafle. In a world that went bananas for the cronut, a donut made with a croissant dough created by pastry chef Dominic Ansel, the croissaffle is a house made croissant dough cooked in a cast iron waffle griddle. The treat is offered in a sweet iteration with powdered sugar and maple syrup and a savory one with crispy fried chicken and cheesy gravy. There are also Pork & Grits, and Egg Sandwich, and more. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday.

THE POPULIST
Only three weeks ago, the one year old RiNo restaurant launched brunch. Coffee is prepared using local Huckleberry Roasters beans and sides on the menu include bacon, potatoes, or a single pancake. On the opening menu was a Buttermilk Sage Biscuit with Pork Belly Gravy and the Everything Bagel Benedict that included a cream cheese hollandaise. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

· Braun's Taphaus & Grille Opened in Arvada [EDen]
· Humboldt Promises To Bring The Farm, Fish, And Wine To 17th Street [EDen]
· Happy Hour: These Are Denver's 22 Most Attractive Food-Centric Offers [EDen]